142
AMYNTAS.
Catches the feathered warblers, I was seated.
There, while I watched my toils, Amyntas passed me;
But how much was he from Amyntas changed!
Disordered was his step, his face was pale:
And from his wandering eye shot black despair.
His pace was quick; I quickly followed him;
And overtook him soon;—he turned, and said,
Ergastus, I request a favour of thee;
'Tis that thou wouldst a little way, go with me,
And see me do a memorable deed:
But first I must insist that thou shalt give me
The sacred obligation of an oath,
By which thou shalt engage to stand apart;
For thou must witness bear, not interrupt me.
I readily complied with his proposal;
Who would have thought him bent on deed so horrid,
His mind wrought up to such a height of frenzy?
With all the oaths I ratified my promise
That bind the faith of the religious swain.
There, while I watched my toils, Amyntas passed me;
But how much was he from Amyntas changed!
Disordered was his step, his face was pale:
And from his wandering eye shot black despair.
His pace was quick; I quickly followed him;
And overtook him soon;—he turned, and said,
Ergastus, I request a favour of thee;
'Tis that thou wouldst a little way, go with me,
And see me do a memorable deed:
But first I must insist that thou shalt give me
The sacred obligation of an oath,
By which thou shalt engage to stand apart;
For thou must witness bear, not interrupt me.
I readily complied with his proposal;
Who would have thought him bent on deed so horrid,
His mind wrought up to such a height of frenzy?
With all the oaths I ratified my promise
That bind the faith of the religious swain.
Pan
