"For, did not Reason in this matter show39
herself the victim of unmeasure'd fear,
better beseems it Bacchus love bestow
on Lusus' children, once his comrade dear:
But, let this vain and splen'etick purpose go,
since bred of evil stomach; for 't is clear
that alien envy ne'er shall turn to woes
what weal men merit, and the Gods dispose.
"And thou, O Sire of surest constancy!40
from the determined purpose of thy mind
turn thee not backwards; weakness 't were in thee
now to desist thee from the thing design'd.
Send forth thine agile herald, Mercury,
fleeter than trimmèd shaft, or winnowing wind,
and show, some happy hythe where Rest shall joy
all weary breasts with news of India nigh."
As thus he said, the Sire of sov'ereign might41
assented, nodding grave his awful head
to Mars' opinion, ever fain of fight,
and o'er the Council show'ers of nectar shed.
The Galaxy, the pathway glowing bright,
the Deities all disparting rose to tread;
royal obeisance making, and the road
each took returning to his own abode.
