s shrieks
Assail'd his ear. To Nessus, whom he saw
His trust about betraying, loud he cry'd;--
"What vain reliance on thy rapid speed
"Tempts thee to violence? O, double-shap'd!
"I speak, regard me,--to respect my rights,
"Should deference to me not move thee, think
"How whirls thy sire, and that thy rage may check
"For wishes unallow'd. Yet hope thou not
"With courser's speed to 'scape me: with my dart,
"Not feet, will I pursue thee."--His last words
With deeds he guarantees, and through and through
The flying culprit felt the javelin driv'n;
Out through his breast the forked weapon stood:
Withdrawn, from either wound gush'd forth the gore,
Mixt with the venom of Lernaea's pest.
This be preserv'd.--"Nor will I unreveng'd
"Expire,"--he murmur'd faintly to himself;
And gave his raiment, in the warm blood dipt,
A present to the nymph whose spoil he sought;
To wake again her husband's dormant love.

Long was the intermediate time, the deeds,
Of great Alcides, and his step-dame's hate,
Fill'd all the world meanwhile. Victor return'd
From out OEchalia, when the promis'd rites,
To Jove Caenean, he prepar'd to pay,
Tattling report, who joys in falshood mixt
With circumstantial truth, and still the least
Swells with her lies, had in thine ears instill'd,
O Dejanira! that Alcmena's son,
With Ioele was smitten. Ardent love
Sway'd her belief, and terror-struck to hear
Of this new flame, she melted into tears;
With them her weeping grief first flow'd away:
But soon she bursted forth.--"Why weep I so?
"The harlot will but gladden in my tears!
"But ere she here arrives, it me behoves
"Each effort to employ, while time now serves,
"To hinder what he seeks; whilst yet my couch
"Another presses not. Shall I complain,
"Or rest in silence? Shall I Calydon
"Re-seek, or here remain? Shall I abscond
"His habitation, or, if nought else serves,
"Strenuous oppose him? Or if truly bent,
"O, Meleager! with a sister's pride,
"Thy wicked deeds t' outvie, a witness leave,
"The harlot's throat divided, what the rage
"Of woman may accomplish, when so wrong'd."--
In whirls her agitated mind is toss'd;
Determining last to send to him the robe,
In Nessus' blood imbu'd, and so restore
His waning love. Witless of what she sends,
Herself to Lychas' unsuspecting hands
The cause of future grief delivers. Wretch
Most pitiable! she, wi