To Chiron's venerable cave
Quick let the messengers repair:
Nor Nereus' daughter give, as once she gave,
To us the records of contention there.
But when at evening's highest noon90
Rides in her state the full-orb'd moon,
The hero may untie the zone,
And make the virgin prize his own.
'Twas thus the goddess spoke to the Saturnian train;
When from immortal lids reveal'd95
Th' approving nod their purpose seal'd.
Nor fell her words with empty sound,
Like fruitless blossoms on the ground:
For, as 'tis said, high-ruling Jove
Thetis with him to join in wedlock strove.100
Hence to th' unskill'd the poet's tongue
Achilles' youthful valour oft has sung;
Who on the Mysian soil, with vines o'erspread,
By Telephus possess'd, black streams of slaughter shed. 110
Who gave th' Atridæ back to roam105
With liberated Helen home,
And sever'd with his spear Troy's nervous strength;
Hector, who in the murderous fray
With Memnon dared a while to stay
His fury o'er the plain's extended length:110
And other chiefs to whom Achilles show'd
The path that led to Proserpine's abode.
Guard of th' Æacidae, whose virtues grace
Ægina and his own illustrious race.
Him the sweet song's melodious breath115
Deserted not when cold in death,
But round his tomb and funeral pyre
Stood the fair Heliconian choir,
And gave the sounding notes of wo
In honour of his name to flow;120
