re
"The neighbouring meadows; and the Naiaeds roll'd,
"Now well-remembering what my godhead claim'd,
"Down with their habitations to the main.
"My waves then, with the ocean's waters join'd,
"The land divided, and those isles you view,
"Echinades, amid the sea were form'd.

"More distant may your vision reach;--behold
"An isle beyond them to my soul most dear;
"By sailors nam'd Perimele. I snatch'd
"Her virgin-treasure from the much-lov'd maid.
"Hippodamas her sire in fury rav'd;
"And, from a precipice, the pregnant nymph
"Plung'd in the deep. My waves receiv'd the load;
"And whilst I bore her floating, thus I said;--
"O, trident-bearer, thou whom lot decreed
"Lord, next to heaven, o'er all the wandering waves,
"Where all the sacred rivers end their course;
"To which all rivers tend, O, Neptune, aid!
"Propitious, hear my prayer! Much have I wrong'd
"The nymph I now support: if lenient he,
"And equitable, sure Hippodamas,
"Her sire, had pity granted, and myself
"Had pardon'd. Gracious Neptune, grant thy help
"To her a parent's fury from the earth
"Wide banishes. O, I beseech thee! grant
"A place to her, paternal rage would drown:
"Or to a place transform her, where my waves
"May clasp her still. The ocean-god consents,
"And all his waters shake as nods his head.
"Still floats th' affrighted nymph; and as she swims,
"I feel her heart with trepid motion beat:
"While pressing fond her bosom, all her form
"Rigidly firm becomes, and round her chest
"Rough earth heaps high; and, whilst I wondring speak,
"A new-form'd land her floating limbs enclasps:
"Her shape transform'd, a solid isle becomes."

Thus far the watery deity, and ceas'd.
The wondrous tale all mov'd, save one, the son
Of bold Ixion; fierce of soul, he laugh'd
To scorn their minds so credulous, the gods
Impious contemning, as he thus exclaim'd;--
"What tales, O, Acheloues, you relate!
"Too much of potence to the gods you grant,
"To give and change our figures."--All struck dumb,
Discourage this bold speech, and Lelex first,
Mature in age, and in experience old
Beyond the rest, thus spoke:--"Celestial power,
"In range is infinite, in sway immense;
"What the gods will, completion instant finds.
"To clear your doubts, upon the Phrygian hills
"An ancient oak, and neighbouring linden stand,
"Girt by a low inclosure; I the spot
"Survey'd, when