waves in thy swift ship didst pass,
And on the Asian land the walls didst found
Which bear the builder's name. Cyance here,
Maeander's daughter, whose recurving banks
She often trode: (whose stream itself reseeks
So oft) in beauteous form, by thee was known,
And, claspt by thee, a double offspring came,
Byblis and Caunus, from the warm embrace.

Let Byblis warn, that nymphs should ne'er indulge
Illicit warmth. Her brother Byblis lov'd;
Not as she ought; not with a sister's soul.
No fires at first the maid suspected; nought
Of sin: the thought that oft her lips to his
She wish'd to join, and clasp her arms around
His neck fraternal, long herself deceiv'd,
Beneath the semblance of a duteous love.
Love gradual bends to him her soul; she comes
Fully adorn'd to see him, anxious pants
Beauteous to seem; if one more beauteous there
She sees, invidious she that face beholds.
Still to herself unconscious was her love:
No wish she form'd beneath that burning flame,
Yet all within was fire. She call'd him lord,
Now kindred's name detesting; anxious more,
Byblis, than sister he should call her still.
Yet waking, ne'er her soul durst entertain
Lascivious wishes. When relax'd in sleep,
Then the lov'd object oft her fancy saw;
Oft seem'd her bosom to his bosom join'd:
Yet blush'd she, tranc'd in sleep. Her slumbers fly,
She lies awhile in silence, and revolves
Her dream: and thus in doubting accents speaks;
"Ah, wretch! what means this dream of silent night,
"Which yet I oft would wish? Why have I known
"This vision? Envy's eyes must own him fair,
"And but his sister am I, all my love
"He might possess; worthy of all my love.
"A sister's claim then hurts me! O! at least
"(While tempted thus I wakeful nought commit)
"Let sleep oft visit with such luscious dreams:
"No witness sees my sleeping joys; my joys,
"Though sleeping, yet are sweet. O, Venus! O,
"Thou feather'd Cupid, with thy tender dame!
"What transports I enjoy'd! what true delight
"Me thrill'd! how lay I, all my soul dissolv'd!
"How joys it me to trace in mind again
"The pleasure though so brief: for flying night
"Invidious check'd enjoyment in the bud.
"O Caunus! that an alter'd name might join
"Us closely; that thy sire a sire-in-law
"To me might be: O, Caunus, how I'd joy
"Wert thou not son, but son-in-law to mine.
"Would that the gods had all in commo