ture spoke:--
Blest call'd the javelin, that his hands it touch'd;
Blest call'd the reins he curb'd. Arduous she burns,
(Could she) through hostile ranks her virgin steps
To bend: arduous she burns, from loftiest towers
To fling her body in the Cretan camp.
The brazen portals of the city's walls
Wide to the foe she'd ope: what could she not?
That Minos will'd? As resting here she view'd,
The white pavilion of the Gnossian king
Dubious, she cry'd;--"Or should I grieve or joy,
"This mournful war to witness? Grieve I must
"That Minos so belov'd should be my foe.
"But had the war not been, his lovely face
"Had ne'er to me been known. Now war may cease
"Should I become the hostage:--I retain'd,
"As Minos' comrade, and the pledge of peace.
"Fairest of forms! if she who brought thee forth
"Resembled thee, well might an amorous god
"Burn for her beauty. O! thrice blest were I,
"If borne through air on lightly-waving wings,
"The Cretan monarch's camp I might explore,
"And there, my rank and love disclos'd, demand
"What dowry he would ask to be my spouse.
"My country's towers alone, he should not seek.
"Perish the joys of his expected bed,
"Ere I through treason gain them! Yet full oft
"A moderate victor's clemency affords
"Great blessings to the vanquish'd. Doubtless, he
"Just warfare wages for his murder'd son.
"Strong in his cause, and in his armies strong,
"Which aid that cause, he must the conquest gain.
"Why, if this fate my country waits, should war,
"And not my love unbar to him the gates?
"So may he conquer; slaughter, toil, and blood,--
"His own dear blood, avoided. How I dread,
"Lest some rash hand might that lov'd bosom wound!
"None but the ignorant sure, the savage spear
"At him would hurl. The scheme delights my soul:
"Fixt my resolve; my country as my dower
"Will I deliver, finish so the war!
"But what are resolutions? Watchful guards
"The passes keep; of every gate, the keys
"My father careful holds. Hapless! I dread
"My father only; he alone withstands
"My wishes; would that so the gods had doom'd,
"I had no parent! But to each himself
"A god may surely be; and fortune spurns
"Lazy beseechers. With such love inflam'd,
"Another maid had long ere now destroy'd
"All barriers to her bliss; and why than I,
"Should any dare more boldly? Fearless, I
"Thro' swords and flames would pass, but swords and fl