Several Occasions.
263
Twelve Maids, Attendants on her Virgin Bow'r,
Alike unconscious of the bridal Hour,
Join to the Car the Mules; dire Rites to pay,
To Hecate's black Fane she bends her way;
A Juice she bears, whose magic Virtue tames
(Thro' fell Persephone) the Rage of Flames;
It gives the Hero, strong in matchless Might,
To stand secure of Harms in mortal Fight;
It mocks the Sword; the Sword without a Wound,
Leaps as from Marble shiver'd to the Ground:
She mounts the Car[1], nor rode the Nymph alone,
On either side two lovely Damsels shone:
Her Hand with Skill th' embroider'd Rein controuls,
Back fly the Streets, as swift the Chariot rouls.
Along the Wheel-worn Road they hold their way,
The Domes retreat, the sinking Tow'rs decay:
Alike unconscious of the bridal Hour,
Join to the Car the Mules; dire Rites to pay,
To Hecate's black Fane she bends her way;
A Juice she bears, whose magic Virtue tames
(Thro' fell Persephone) the Rage of Flames;
It gives the Hero, strong in matchless Might,
To stand secure of Harms in mortal Fight;
It mocks the Sword; the Sword without a Wound,
Leaps as from Marble shiver'd to the Ground:
She mounts the Car[1], nor rode the Nymph alone,
On either side two lovely Damsels shone:
Her Hand with Skill th' embroider'd Rein controuls,
Back fly the Streets, as swift the Chariot rouls.
Along the Wheel-worn Road they hold their way,
The Domes retreat, the sinking Tow'rs decay:
Bare
- ↑ 869.
