Medusa's petrifying face
Transform'd. He then the horrid countenance mark'd,
Bright from the brazen targe his left arm bore,
Reflected. While deep slumber safe weigh'd down,
The Gorgon and her serpents, he divorc'd
Her shoulders from her head. He adds how sprung,
Chrysaoer, and wing'd Pegasus the swift,
From the prolific Gorgon's streaming gore.
Relates the perils of his lengthen'd flight;
What seas, what kingdoms from the lofty sky,
Beneath him he had view'd; what sparkling stars
His waving wings had brush'd;--thus ceas'd his tale:
All more desiring. Then uprose a peer,--
And why Medusa, of the sisters sole
The serpent-twisted tresses wore, enquir'd.
The youth:--"The story that you ask, full well
"Attention claims;--I what you seek recite.
"For matchless beauty fam'd, with envying hope
"Her, crowds of suitors follow'd: nought surpass'd
"'Mongst all her beauties, her bright lovely hair:
"Those who had seen her thus, have this averr'd.
"But in Minerva's temple Ocean's god
"The maid defil'd. The virgin goddess shock'd,
"Her eyes averted, and her forehead chaste
"Veil'd with the AEgis. Then with vengeful power
"Chang'd the Gorgonian locks to writhing snakes.
"The snakes, thus form'd, fixt on her shield she bears;
"The horrid sight her trembling foes appals."

*The Fifth Book.*

Attack of Phineus and his friends on Perseus. Defeat of the
former, and their change to statues. Atchievements of Perseus in
Argos, and Seriphus. Minerva's visit to the Muses. Fate of
Pyreneus. Song of the Pierides. Song of the Muses. Rape of
Proserpine. Change of Cyane, to a fountain. Search of Ceres.
Transformation of a boy to an eft. Of Ascalaphus to an owl.
Change of the companions of Proserpine to Sirens. Story of
Arethusa. Journey of Triptolemus. Transformation of Lyncus to a
lynx. The Pierides transformed to magpies.

THE *Fifth Book* OF THE METAMORPHOSES OF OVID.

These wonders, while the son of Danae tells,
Circled around by Cepheus' noble troop;
Sudden th' imperial hall with tumults loud
Resounds. Not clamor such as oft we hear,
The bridal feasts, in songs of joy attend:
But what stern war announces. Much the change,
(The peaceful feast to instant riot turn'd)
Seem'd like the placid main, when the fierce rage
Of sudden tempests lash its surges high.

First Phineus stepp'd, the leader of the crow