lowers
"Of vary'd teints,--while Myrrha too it bears:
"Too great the price which this new tree procur'd.
"Cupid denies, O Myrrha! that his darts
"Thee wounded; vindicating from that crime
"His weapons. Thee, with Stygian torch most fierce,
"And viperous venom furies did enflame.
"Wicked to hate thy parent sure had been,
"But thus to love is worse than bitterest hate.
"The choicest nobles come from every part
"To gain thee; youths from all the East arrive,
"To struggle for thy hand. Chuse, Myrrha, chuse
"One from the crowd: one only in the world
"Whom chuse thou may'st not. She herself perceiv'd,
"And curb'd the baneful passion in her mind;
"Communing thus:--Ah! whither rove my thoughts?
"What meditate I? O, ye gods! I pray,
"O piety, O parents' sacred laws,
"Forbid this wicked act; oppose a deed
"So full of horrid guilt,--if guilt it be!
"But pious nature ne'er such love condemns.
"All animals in undistinguish'd form
"Cohabit: shame the heifer never feels
"Join'd with her sire; the steed his daughter takes
"As partner; with the female flock, who ow'd
"To him their being, couples oft the goat;
"And birds bring forth to birds who them produc'd.
"Blest those who thus enjoy; but human race
"Perversest laws invents: vexatious rules
"Forbid what nature grants. Yet am I told,
"Nations exist, where mother joins with son,
"And daughter with her sire; their pious love
"Increas'd more strongly by the double bond.
"Ah, me! unhappy, in such glorious climes
"Begotten not; I suffer but from place.
"But why on these ideas dwell? hence far
"Forbidden hopes. Well he deserves thy love,
"But as a father love him. Wert thou not
"Of mighty Cinyras the daughter, then
"Thou might'st the couch of Cinyras ascend.
"Now mine he is so much, he is not mine;
"Our very nearness is my greatest curse:
"More close, a perfect stranger had I been.
"Far hence I would depart; my country leave,
"This mischief flying; but curs'd love restrains.
"For, present, Cinyras I may behold;
"Touch, speak, my kisses to his face apply,
"If nought he'll grant beyond. How! impious maid,
"Dar'st thou hope ought beyond? perceiv'st thou not
"What laws, what names thou would'st confound? would'st thou
"The mother's rival be?--thy father's whore?
"Thy offspring's sister would'st thou then be call'd?
"Thy brother's parent? Fear'st thou not the three,
"Whose lo