ames
"Oppose me not in this: my sole desire
"Compris'd in one small lock of Nisus' hair:
"Than gold that prize more dear. That purple lock
"Most blest would make me, and my sole desires
"Encompass."--Speaking thus, the gloomy night,
Imperial nurse of cares, approach'd; more bold
Her daring project with the darkness grew.

Now primal slumbers rul'd o'er weary breasts,
Tir'd with their toil diurnal. Silent, she
Her father's chamber enters, and (O, dire!)
The daughter from her parent's head divides
The fateful lock! Her wicked prize possess'd,
Forth from the gate she issues; and the spoil,
So cursed, with her bears; as through the hosts,
(Such boldness gave the deed,) she seeks the king,
Whom thus, astonish'd and aghast, she hails:--
"To wicked deeds love sways; behold me here,
"Scylla, from royal Nisus sprung; to thee
"My household gods and country I betray:
"Thee, sole reward I seek. Pledge of my faith,
"This purple lock receive, and with this lock
"Receive my parent's head."--Then in her hand
The impious gift presented. Minos spurn'd
The parricidal present; deeply shock'd
A deed so base to witness, and exclaim'd;--
"May all the gods, from every part of earth
"Thee banish, scandal of our age! may land
"And sea alike reject thee; such a soul
"So monstrous! ne'er with me shall touch the shores
"Of Crete, my land, and cradle of high Jove."
He said, and on his captive foes impos'd
Most just his equal laws; his men bade loose
Their cables from the beach, and with their oars
His vessels bright with brass, urge on the deep.

Launch'd on the main, when Scylla sees the fleet,
Nor from its leader gain'd the hop'd reward,
Her wicked deed had sought, tir'd of her prayers,
In desperate rage she storms; wild throws her hair;
Stretches her hands, exclaiming;--"Where! O, where!
"Fly'st thou, the author of thy fortune left?
"O, priz'd above my country! 'bove my sire!
"O cruel, whither fly'st thou, whose success
"At once my merit, and my fault displays?
"Will not the gifted conquest move thy soul?
"Will not my love thee move? Will not the thought
"That all my hopes centre in thee alone?
"By thee deserted, whither shall I fly?
"Back to my natal town? Ruin'd it lies;
"Or if still standing, fast the gates are barr'd
"Against my treason. To my father's arms,
"Whom I betray'd? Each citizen me hates
"Deserv'dly; neighbour