On which three wives fucceffively had twin'd 395
A fliding noose, and waver'd in the wind.
Where grows this plant (reply'd the friend) oh

where?

For better fruit did never orchard bear.

Give me fome flip of this moft blissful tree,
And in my garden planted fhall it be.

400

Then how two wives their lord's deftruction prove Thro' hatred one, and one thro' too much love; That for her husband mix'd a pois'nous draught, And this for luft an am'rous philtre bought : The nimble juice foon feiz'd his giddy head, 405 Frantic at night, and in the morning dead.

How some with swords their fleeping lords have flain,

And fome have hammer'd nails into their brain, And fome have drench'd them with a deadly potion; All this he read, and read with great devotion. 410 Long time I heard, and fwell'd, and blush'd, and frown'd;

But when no end of these vile tales I found, When still he read, and laugh'd, and read again, And half the night was thus confum'd in vain; Provok'd to vengeance, three large leaves I tore 415 And with one buffet fell'd him on the floor.

With that my husband in a fury rose,
And down he fettled me with hearty blows.

I groan'd, and lay extended on my fide;

Oh! thou haft flain me for my wealth (I cry'd)420

face;

my

He wept, kind foul! and ftoop'd to kiss
I took him fuch a box as turn'd him blue,
Then figh'd and cry'd, Adieu, my dear, adieu!
But after many a hearty ftruggle past,
I condescended to be pleas'd at laft.
Soon as he said, My mistress and my wife,
Do what you lift, the term of all your life:

I took to heart the merits of the cause,

425

And stood content to rule by wholesome laws; 430
Receiv'd the reins of abfolute command,
With all the government of house and land,
And empire o'er his tongue, and o'er his hand.
As for the volume that revil'd the dames,
434
'Twas torn to fragments, and condemn'd to flames.
Now heav'n on all my husbands gone, bestow
Pleasures above, for tortures felt below:
That reft they wish'd for, grant them in the grave,
And bless those fouls my conduct help'd to fave!

THE

FIRST BOOK

OF

STATIUS

HIS

THEBA I S.

Tranflated in the Year MDCC III.

S K