lyre and song,
"Was born to Phoebus (twins the nymph brought forth).
"But where the benefit that two she bears?
"Where that the favorite of two gods she boasts?
"What that a valiant sire she claims? and claims
"As ancestor the mighty thundering god?
"Is it that glory such as this still harms?
"Certain it hurtful prov'd to her, who dar'd
"Herself prefer to Dian', and despise
"The goddess' beauty; fierce in ire she cry'd,--
"At least I'll try to make my actions please.--
"Nor stay'd; the bow she bent, and from the cord
"Impell'd the dart; through her deserving tongue
"The reed was sent. Mute straight that tongue became;
"Nor sound, nor what she try'd to utter, heard:
"Striving to speak, life flow'd with flowing blood.
"What woe (O hapless piety!) oppress'd
"My heart! What solace to her tender sire
"I spoke; my solace just the same he heard,
"As rocks hear murmuring waves. But still he moan'd
"For his lost child; but when the flames he saw
"Ascending, four times 'mid the funeral fires
"He strove to plunge; four times from thence repuls'd,
"His rapid limbs address'd for flight, and rush'd
"Like a young bullock, when the hornet's sting
"Deep in his neck he bears, in pathless ways.
"Ev'n now more swift than man he seem'd to run:
"His feet seem'd wings to wear, for all behind
"He left far distant. Through desire of death,
"Rapid he gain'd Parnassus' loftiest ridge.
"Apollo, pitying, when Daedalion flung
"From the high rock his body, to a bird
"Transform'd him, and on sudden pinions bore
"Him floating: bended hooks he gave his claws,
"And gave a crooked beak; valor as wont;
"And strength more great than such a body shews.
"Now as an hawk, to every bird a foe,
"He wages war on all; and griev'd himself,
"He constant cause for others grief affords."

While these miraculous deeds bright Phosphor's sob
Tells of his brother, Peleus' herdsman comes,
Phocian Anetor, flying, and, with speed
Breathless, "O Peleus! Peleus!" he exclaims,
"Of horrid slaughter messenger I come!"
Him Peleus bids, whate'er he brings, to speak;
Trachinia's monarch even with friendly dread
Trembles the news to hear. When thus the man:
"The weary cattle to the curving shore
"I'd driv'n, when Sol from loftiest heaven might view
"His journey half perform'd, while half remain'd.
"Part of the oxen on the yellow sand,
"On their knees bending view'd t