their paternal dome. The graceful chief
Enters, retaining still evincing marks
Of pristine beauty; in his hand he bears
A branch of native olive: in the midst
Senior he stands; and younger on each side,
Clytus, and Butes, Pallas' sons. Complete
Their friendly salutations; next the words
Th' Athenians bade him, Cephalus reports:
Their aid demands; their ancient league recounts;
The oaths their fathers swore; and adds, all Greece
Might perish in their ruin. When their cause
With eloquence the messenger thus urg'd;
On his bright sceptre as his left hand lean'd,
"Take, O Athenians,"--AEaecus exclaim'd,--
"Not ask, our aid! Unhesitating draw
"What force this isle possesses, and with yours
"Employ it: with you shall my strongest power
"March forth: strength want we not; our numerous troops
"Abundant, for ourselves and friends suffice:
"Prais'd be the gods! such is our happy state
"Your wish defies evasion."--"Still may grow,"
Said Cephalus,--"your prosperous city's state,
"And yours!--What transport seiz'd me as I walk'd,
"To see each youth so fair, so equal ag'd,
"Of all who met me. Yet in vain I look'd
"For many features, known when last your walls
"Receiv'd me."--AEaecus, with deep-drawn sighs,
And sorrowing voice, thus answers.--"Better fate
"Completed, what a mournful sight began.
"Would I in full could all the facts relate!
"Now unconnected must I speak, or tire
"Your ear with words superfluous. Whom you seek,
"Whom you remember, bones and ashes rest.
"But small their numbers:--Heavens! how small to those,
"My people, who have sunk in death beside.

"A dreadful plague, the angry Juno shed
"Unjust, upon the natives of the land,
"Detested, that her rival's name it bore.
"While human seem'd the scourge, the noxious cause
"Of slaughter yet conceal'd, with physic's skill
"We strove; in vain! death mock'd the power of art.
"At first thick darkness heavy press'd the earth;
"Pregnant with heat roll'd on the lazy clouds.
"Four times the full-orb'd moon had join'd her horns,
"Four times diminish'd, had she disappear'd;
"Still the hot south-wind blew his deadly blasts.
"Our lakes and fountains, from th' infected air
"Contagion suck'd; millions of vipers swarm'd
"In our uncultur'd fields, our running streams
"Tainting with poison. First the sudden plague
"Its power display'd, on sheep, on dogs, on fowls,
"Cattle,