I gently warned him of the wound he bore;

"Ha! will you prick me? you'll be pricked much more."

But when he struggled not, I drew him in ;

The contest then I saw myself did win.

I landed him, a fish compact of gold!
But then a sudden fear my mind did hold,
Lest king Poseidon made it his delight,
Or it was Amphitrite's favourite.

I loosed him gently from the hook, for fear

It from his mouth some precious gold might tear,
And with my line I safely towed him home,
And swore that I on sea no more would roam,
But ever after would remain on land,

And there my gold, like any king, command.
At this I woke; your wits, good friend, awaken,
For much I fear to break the oath I've taken.

FRIEND.

Fear not you swore not, saw not with your eyes

The fish you saw; for visions all are lies.
But now no longer slumber: up, awake!
And for a false a real vision take.

Hunt for the foodful fish that is, not seems,

For fear you starve amid your golden dreams.

IDYL XXII.

CASTOR AND POLLUX.

ARGUMENT.

This hymn is divided into two parts, in the first of which Pollux, and in the second Castor is celebrated. The pugilistic contest of Pollux with Amycus is described. When the good ship Argo arrived at the Bebrycian shores, Castor and Pollux went to a spring for water, and found Amycus there guarding it, like a giant in the romances. He allows no one to draw water without first doing battle with him. On this occasion poetical justice is duly observed, and Amycus is beaten within an inch of his life.

In the second part the battle of Castor with Lynceus is described. The daughters of Leucippus, already betrothed to the two brothers Lynceus and Idas, are carried off by Castor and Pollux. The injured brothers pursue the ravishers, and overtake them at the tomb of Aphareus. Lynceus first tries to persuade the Dioscuri to restore their captives; but failing in this attempt, he challenges Castor to decide the question of right by a trial of might in single combat with himself. Contrary to all justice, might is here right; Lynceus is slain by Castor, and his brother Idas is smitten with a thunderbolt by Zeus.

IDYL XXII.

CASTOR AND POLLUX.

THE twins of Leda, child of Thestius,
Twice and again we celebrate in song,
The Spartan pair, stamped by Ægiochus,
Castor and Pollux, arming with the thong
His dreadful hands; both merciful as strong,
Saviours of men on danger's extreme edge,
And steeds tost in the battle's bloody throng,

And star-defying ships on ruin's ledge,

Swept with their crews by blasts into the cruel dredge.

The winds, where'er they list, the huge wave drive,
Dashing from prow or stern into the hold;
Both sides, sail, tackle, yard, and mast, they rive,
Snapping at random: from Night's sudden fold

Rushes a flood; hither and thither rolled, Broad ocean's heaving volumes roar and hiss, Smitten by blasts and the hail-volley cold: The lost ship and her crew your task it is, Bright pair! to rescue from the terrible abyss.

They think to die but lo! a sudden lull

O'the winds; the clouds disperse; and the hush'd sheen
Of the calmed ocean sparkles beautiful :

The Bears, and Asses with the Stall between,
Foreshew a voyage safe and skies serene.

Blest Brothers! who to mortals safety bring,

Both harpers, minstrels, knights, and warriors keen: Since both I hymn, with which immortal king

Shall I commence my song? of Pollux first I'll sing.

The justling rocks, the dangerous Euxine's mouth,
Snow-veiled, when Argo safely passed, and ended
Her course at the Bebrycian shore, the youth
Born of the gods from both her sides descended,
And on the deep shore, from rude winds defended,
Their couches spread; and strook the seeds of fire
From the pyreion. Forthwith unattended

Did Pollux, of the red-brown hue, retire

With Castor, whose renown for horsemanship was higher.