THE FABLE OF DRYOPE. S HE faid, and for her loft Galanthis sighs, Since you a fervant's ravish'd form bemoan, 5 No Nymph of all Oechalia could compare For beauteous form with Dryope the fair, Her tender mother's only hope and pride, (Myself the offspring of a fecond bride.) This Nymph compress'd by him who rules the day, 10 Whom Delphi and the Delian ifle obey, NOTES. with a relation of those of her own family, in particular the Transformation of her fifter Dryope, which is the subject of the enfuing able. P. Excipit Andraemon; et habetur conjuge felix. 15 Indignere magis, Nymphis latura coronas. Haud procul a stagno, Tyrios imitata colores, Nescierat foror hoc; quae cum perterrita retro35 Andræmon lov'd; and, bless'd in all those charms That pleas'd a God, succeeded to her arms. A lake there was, with shelving banks around, Whose verdant summit fragrant myrtles crown'd. These shades, unknowing of the fates, she sought And to the Naiads flow'ry garlands brought: Her smiling babe (a pleasing charge) she prest Within her arms, and nourish'd at her breast. 20 Not distant far, a watry Lotos grows, The spring was new, and all the verdant boughs, Adorn'd with blossoms, promis'd fruits that vie In glowing colours with the Tyrian die : Of these she crop'd to please her infant son, 25 And I myself the fame rash act had done: But lo! I faw, (as near her fide I stood) The violated blossoms drop with blood. Upon the tree I cast a frightful look; The trembling tree with fudden horror shook. 30 Lotis the nymph (if rural tales be true) As from Priapus' lawless lust she flew, Forsook her form; and fixing here became A flow'ry plant, which still preferves her name. 34 This change unknown, astonish'd at the fight My trembling fister strove to urge her flight: 40 Ire, et adoratis vellet discedere Nymphis, Fronde manum implevit: frondes caput omne te nebant. 45 At puer Amphissos (namque hoc avus Eurytus illi Non poteram tibi ferre, foror: quantumque valebam, Ecce vir Andraemon, genitorque miferrimus, ad funt; Et quaerunt Dryopen: Dryopen quaerentibus illis Oftendi loton. tepido dant ofcula ligno, 60 44 And first the pardon of the nymphs implor'd, 50 Appear, and for their Dryope enquire; |