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feathers, now his hands Soften the yellow wax. His sportive wiles His father's wond'rous essay oft delay. Now was the last completing stroke impos'd Upon his undertaking: First the sire On artificial wings his body pois'd, And in the beaten air suspended hung: Then his young offspring, Icarus, he taught.-- "This I my son advise, a middle course, "To keep be cautious; low if thou should'st skim, "Heavy with ocean's spray thy wings would droop: "If high, the sun would scorch them. Steer thy course "'Twixt each extreme. Nor would I wish thine eyes "To view Booetes, or the northern bear; "Nor yet Orion's naked sword. My track "Cautious pursue."--With anxious care he gives Rules thus for flight; and to his shoulders fits The new-form'd pinions. Tears his ancient cheeks Bedew'd, as thus his admonitions flow'd: And his paternal hands as thus employ'd, Beneath the office trembled. Warm salutes He gave the boy, nor knew he gave the last; Then on his feathers borne, explores the way, Timid for him who follows. So the bird, Tempts from her lofty nest her new-fledg'd brood, In the thin air. He bids him close pursue, Tries in each shape to teach the fatal skill; Shakes his own pinions, bending back to view His son's. The angler as with quivering reed, He drew his prey to land; the shepherd-swain, As o'er his staff he lean'd; the ploughman-clown, Their flight astonish'd saw, and deem'd them gods, That so at will could cleave the liquid sky. Now Samos, Juno's favor'd isle they pass'd, Delos, and Paros, all to left;--to right Labyrithos lay, and rich in honey'd sweets Calymne: when the heedless boy o'erjoy'd In his bold flight, the precepts of his guide Contemning, soar'd to heaven a loftier range. The neighbouring sun's fierce heat the fragrant wax Which bound, his pinions, soften'd. Soon the wax Dissolves; and now his naked arms he waves; But destitute of power his course to steer, No air his arms can gather; loud he calls His father's name, as in the azure deep He drops,--the deep which still his name retains. The hapless parent, not a parent now, Loud calls on Icarus;--"Where art thou, son? "Where shall I seek thee, Icarus?"--He said, And spy'd his feathers floating on the waves: Then curs'd his hapless art, as in the earth, He deep intomb'd him; all the land around Bears from the youth intomb'd its pre
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