s their speed--
"But why the fortune of this contest leave,
"Untry'd--he said,--myself? Heaven helps the bold.--
"While musing thus Hippomenes remarks
"The virgin's flying pace. Though not less swift
"Th' Aoenian youth beheld her, than the dart
"Shot from the Scythian bow; her beauty more
"Ravish'd his eyes, and speed her charms increas'd.
"Th' opposing breeze, which met her rapid feet,
"Blew back the ribbons which her sandals bound;
"Her tresses floated down her ivory back;
"And loosely flow'd her garment o'er her knees,
"With painted border gay: a purple bloom
"With virgin whiteness mixt, her body shew'd;
"As when the snow-white hall a deepen'd tinge
"From purple curtains shews. While this the guest
"Intently notes, the utmost goal is pass'd:
"Victorious Atalanta with the wreath
"Is crown'd: the vanquish'd sigh, and meet the doom
"Agreed. He, by the youths' untimely fate
"Deterr'd not, forward stood, and on the nymph
"Fix'd full his eyes, and said;--Why seek you thus
"An easy conquest, vanquishing the weak?
"With me contend. So potent am I born
"You need not blush to such high rank to yield.
"Megareus was my sire, Onchestius his,
"Grandson to Neptune; thus the fourth I boast
"From Ocean's sovereign. Nor beneath my race
"Stoops aught my valor; should success me crown,
"A lofty and an everlasting fame,
"Hippomenes your conqueror, would you gain.--
"As thus he spoke, with softening eyes the maid
"Beheld him, doubtful which 'twere best to wish,
"To vanquish or be vanquish'd. While she thus
"Utter'd her thoughts--What god, an envious foe
"To beauty would destroy him: urg'd to seek
"My bed, by risking thus his own dear life?
"I cannot sure so great a prize be thought!
"His beauty melts me not; though yet I own
"Such beauty well might melt. But such a youth
"He seems, he moves me not but from his years.
"What courage in him reigns! his soul unaw'd
"By death. He springs the fourth from Ocean's king!
"Then how he loves! and prizes so my hand,
"That should hard fortune keep me from his arms,
"He'd perish. Stranger, while thou may'st, depart;
"Avoid the bloody nuptials. Marriage, I
"Too cruel make. No maid would thee refuse;
"And soon may'st thou a wiser nymph select.
"But why for him this care? from me who see
"So many die, whom he too has beheld?
"Then let him perish; since the numerous train
"Of slaughter'd l