Æn. IV.
ÆNEIS.
427
His Horses flanks and sides are forc'd to feel 225
The clanking lash, and goring of the Steel.
Impatiently he views the feeble Prey,
Wishing some Nobler Beast to cross his way.
And rather wou'd the tusky Boar attend,
Or see the tawny Lyon downward bend. 230
Mean time, the gath'ring Clouds obscure the Skies;
From Pole to Pole the forky Lightning flies;
The ratling Thunders rowl; and Juno pours
A wintry Deluge down, and sounding Show'rs.
The Company dispers'd, to Coverts ride, 235
And seek the homely Cotts, or Mountains hollow side.
The rapid Rains, descending from the Hills,
To rowling Torrents raise the creeping Rills.
The Queen and Prince, as Love or Fortune guides,
One common Cavern in her Bosom hides. 240
Then first the trembling Earth the signal gave;
And flashing Fires enlighten all the Cave:
Hell from below, and Juno from above,
And howling Nymphs, were conscious to their Love.
From this ill Omen'd Hour, in Time arose 245
Debate and Death, and all succeeding Woes.
The Queen, whom sense of Honour cou'd not move,
No longer made a Secret of her Love;
But call'd it Marriage, by that specious Name,
To veil the Crime, and sanctifie the Shame. 220
The loud Report through Lybian Cities goes;
Fame, the great Ill, from small beginnings grows.
The clanking lash, and goring of the Steel.
Impatiently he views the feeble Prey,
Wishing some Nobler Beast to cross his way.
And rather wou'd the tusky Boar attend,
Or see the tawny Lyon downward bend. 230
Mean time, the gath'ring Clouds obscure the Skies;
From Pole to Pole the forky Lightning flies;
The ratling Thunders rowl; and Juno pours
A wintry Deluge down, and sounding Show'rs.
The Company dispers'd, to Coverts ride, 235
And seek the homely Cotts, or Mountains hollow side.
The rapid Rains, descending from the Hills,
To rowling Torrents raise the creeping Rills.
The Queen and Prince, as Love or Fortune guides,
One common Cavern in her Bosom hides. 240
Then first the trembling Earth the signal gave;
And flashing Fires enlighten all the Cave:
Hell from below, and Juno from above,
And howling Nymphs, were conscious to their Love.
From this ill Omen'd Hour, in Time arose 245
Debate and Death, and all succeeding Woes.
The Queen, whom sense of Honour cou'd not move,
No longer made a Secret of her Love;
But call'd it Marriage, by that specious Name,
To veil the Crime, and sanctifie the Shame. 220
The loud Report through Lybian Cities goes;
Fame, the great Ill, from small beginnings grows.
