This tale to rumour's voice we trace—
But when the circling moons reveal'd
What virgin throes her bosom long conccal'd,
To brave Eitatides her high command
Bade the attendant damsels bear 60
The nursling to the hero's care,
Whose sceptre ruled Arcadia's land
In fair Phæsana by Alpheus' shore,
Apollo taught her there to prove
The fond solicitudes of love. 57 65
When time to Æpytus confess'd
The stolen caresses' fruit divine,
The hero in his manly breast
Unutterable rage repress'd,
And humbly sought the Pythian shrine, 70
With mind intent the end to know
Of this intolerable wo.
Her virgin zone with saffron died,
And urn of silver laid aside,
In the thick grove conceal'd from sight 75
She brought the heavenly babe to light.
Meanwhile the god with golden hair [1]
Propitious fate invoked, and kind Eleutho's care. 72
Her pleasing pains without delay
Produced young Iamus to day. 80
While there upon the verdant glade
By his afflicted parent laid,
Two dragons of cærulean eye
Commission'd by the will divine,
With bees' innoxious produce hie 85
To feed the youth of heavenly line.
But when from Pytho's rocky height
The monarch urged his chariot's flight,
He sought of all the menial train
Evadne's infant to regain, 90
- ↑ I. e. Apollo; this epithet is applied by Alcæus to Zephyrus. (Frag. v. ap. Blomf.) χρυσοκομᾳ Ζεφυρῳ μιγεισα.
