se wild faces of Ocean,
Nereid, earnest-eyed, in wonderous admiration. 15
Then, not after again, saw ever mortal unharmed
Sea-born Nymphs unveil limbs flushing naked about them.
Stark to the nursing breasts from foam and billow arising.
Then, so stories avow, burn'd Peleus hotly to Thetis,
Then to a mortal lover abode not Thetis unheeding, 20
Then did a father agree Peleus with Thetis unite him.

O in an aureat hour, O born in bounteous ages,
God-sprung heroes, hail: hail, mother of all benediction,
You my song shall address, you melodies everlasting.
Thee most chiefly, supreme in glory of heavenly bridal, 25
Peleus, stately defence of Thessaly. Iuppiter even
Gave thee his own fair love, thy mortal pleasure approving.
Thee could Thetis inarm, most beauteous Ocean-daughter?
Tethys adopt thee, her own dear grandchild's wooer usurping?
Ocean, who earth's vast globe with a watery girdle inorbeth? 30

When the delectable hour those days did fully determine,
Straightway then in crowds all Thessaly flock'd to the palace,
Thronging hosts uncounted, a company joyous approaching.
Many a gift they carry, delight their faces illumines.
Left is Scyros afar, and Phthia's bowery Tempe, 35
Vacant Crannon's homes, unvisited high Larisa,
Towards Pharsalia's halls, Pharsalia's only they hie them.

Bides no tiller afield; necks soften of oxen in idlesse;
Feel not a prong'd crook'd hoe lush vines all weedily trailing;
Tears no steer deep clods with a downward coulter unearthed; 40
Prunes no hedger's bill broad-verging verdurous arbours;
Steals a deforming rust on ploughs left rankly to moulder.

But that sovran abode, each sumptuous inly retiring
Chamber, aflame with gold, with silver is all resplendent;
Thrones gleam ivory-white; cup-crown'd blaze brightly the tables; 45
All the domain with treasure of empery gaudily flushes.

There, set deeply within the remotest centre, a bridal
Bed doth a goddess inarm; smooth ivory glossy from Indies,
Robed in roseate hues, rich seashells' purple adorning.

It was a broidery freak'd with tissue of images olden, 50
One whose curious art did blazon valour of heroes.
Gazing forth from a beach of Dia the billow-resoundi