dy bleeds,
A wound continuous: deep he utters groans,
Not human, yet unlike a dying deer;
And fills the well-known mountains with his plaint.
Prone on his knees in suppliant form he bends;
And low beseeching waves his silent head,
As he would wave his hands. His witless friends,
The savage pack with joyous outcries urge;
Actaeon anxious seeking: echoing loud
Eager his name as absent. At the name,
His head he turns. His absence irks them sore,
As lazy loitering, not the noble prey
Obtain'd, beholding. Joyful could he be,
At distance now,--but hapless is too near:
Glad would he see the furious dogs their fangs,
On other prey than his torn limbs infix.
On every side they crowd; their dying lord,
A well-seem'd deer, they rend; their ravenous teeth
Deep tear his members. With a thousand wounds,
(Dian's insatiate anger less despis'd)
The hapless hunter yielded forth his breath.

Report flies dubious; some the goddess blame
For disproportion'd vengeance; others warm
Applaud the deed as worthy one so pure;
And reasons weighty either party urge:
Jove's consort only silent: she nor blames
The action, nor approves; but inward joys,
Agenor's house should such misfortune feel.
The hatred nourish'd for the Tyrian maid,
Her brother's offspring visits. Now fresh cause
Of wrath succeeds; enrag'd the goddess learns
That Semele, embrac'd by mighty Jove,
Is pregnant. Straight broke loose her angry tongue,
And loud she storm'd:--"Advantage much I gain
"By endless railing at unfaithful Jove!
"This harlot will I find,--and, if with truth
"They potent Juno stile me, she shall die.
"Destruction shall o'erwhelm her, if beseems
"My hand the sparkling sceptre of the sky:
"If queen I am to Jove;--if sister;--wife:--
"His sister doubtless am I, if no more.
"Content perchance is Semele to joy
"In pleasures briefly tasted; and my wrongs
"Though deep, not lasting. No!--she must conceive
"Foul aggravation of her shameless deed!
"Her swelling womb unblushing proves her crime:
"By Jove she longs to be a mother hail'd;
"Which scarcely I can boast. Such faith her pride,
"In conscious beauty places. Trust me not,
"Or she mistaken proves. As I am child
"Of hoary Saturn, she shall sink o'erwhelm'd
"By her own Jove; and dip in Stygian waves."

She said, and starting from her regal throne,
Wrapt in a dusky cloud descended; o'er
The t