e charms possest
"Of his new object, Neptune said--whate'er
"Thou wishest, chuse, secure of no repulse.--
"This too does fame report, that Caenis cry'd--
"Wrongs such as mine no trivial gift deserve,
"That ne'er such shame again I suffer, grant
"I woman be no longer; that will all
"Favors comprize.--Her closing words betray'd
"A graver sound; manly appear'd her voice:
"And masculine it was. Deep ocean's god
"Acceded to her wish, and granted, more,
"That wounds should never harm her, nor by steel
"Should she e'er fall. Joy'd at the gift, the god
"Atracia's hero leaves--employs his age
"In studies warlike; and among the fields,
"Where fertilizing Peneus wanders, roams.

"Now bold Ixion's son had gain'd the hand
"Of Hippodamia; and the fierce-soul'd crowd
"Cloud-born, had bidden to attend the boards,
"In order rang'd within a cavern's mouth,
"By trees thick-shaded. All the princes round
"Of Thessaly attended: I, myself
"Amongst them went. Loud rung the regal feast
"With the mixt concourse; all most joyful sung
"O Hymen! Ioe Hymen! and each hall
"Blaz'd bright with fires. The virgin then approach'd
"Pre-excellent in fairness, with a band
"Of matrons and unwedded nymphs begirt.
"Most blest, we all exclaim'd, in such a spouse
"Must be Pirithoues--but such boding hopes
"Well nigh deceiv'd us. For when drunken lust
"O'er thee, Eurytus! govern'd, of the blood
"Of savage Centaurs, far most savage, fir'd
"Whether by wine, or by the virgin's charms
"Thou saw'st, thy breast. Instant, the board o'erturn'd,
"Routed the guests convivial, and the bride
"Caught by her locks, was forceful dragg'd away.
"Eurytus Hippodamia seiz'd; the rest
"Grasp'd such as pleas'd them, or whoe'er they met.
"It show'd the image of a captur'd town.

"With female shrieks the place resounded; swift
"We start, and Theseus foremost thus exclaims:--
"What frenzy, O Eurytus! thee impels
"Pirithoues thus to wrong me still in life!
"Ign'rant that two thou wound'st in one?--Nor vain
"The chief magnanimous his threat'nings spoke:
"Th' aggressors back repell'd; and, while they rag'd,
"The ravish'd bride recover'd. Nought he said,
"Nor could such acts defence by words allow;
"But with rude inconsiderate hands he press'd
"Full on her champion's face; his valiant breast
"Assaulting. Near by chance a cup there stood,
"Of mould antique, and rough wit