eep,
"Then to embrace, then to inquire the cause
"Of the dread cord. But dumb the virgin sate
"And motionless, her eyes to earth were fix'd;
"Griev'd that so check'd her efforts were for death.
"More the nurse presses, bares her silver'd hairs
"And wither'd bosom; by the cradle begs,
"And the first food she tasted, to confess
"To her the cause of sorrow. Myrrha sighs,
"But turns her eyes aside as thus she begs.
"Determin'd still to know, the nurse persists
"And not content her secrecy alone
"To promise, says--yet tell me, and my aid
"Allow me to afford thee. Not yet slow,
"Though aged. Is it love? with charms and plants
"I know thy love to cure. Have envious eyes
"Thee harm'd? with magic rites their charm I'll spoil.
"Are the gods angry? with appeasing rites
"Their anger we will soothe. What ill beside
"Can be conjectur'd? Lo! thy house secure,
"And safe thy fortune; both in prosperous train.
"Yet lives thy mother, and thy father lives.--
"Her father's name when Myrrha heard she drew
"Deep from her breast a mournful sigh; nor yet
"The nurse suspected guilt was in her soul:
"But saw that love disturb'd her. In her aim
"Inflexible; again she urg'd to know
"The grief whate'er it prov'd; and lull'd her head
"Upon her aged lap, and clasp'd her form
"In her own feeble arms, as thus she spoke;--
"I see thou lovest; banish far thy fear,
"My diligence in this shall aid thee; nay
"Not e'en thy father shall the secret know.--
"Madly she bounded from the lap, and cry'd,
"While press'd the couch her face,--I beg thee go!
"And spare my grievous shame.--More pressing still--
"Or go--she said--or ask not why I mourn:
"What thou so seek'st to know is shameful guilt.--
"With horror struck, the ancient dame holds forth
"Her hands, which equal shook with fear and age;
"Then suppliant at her foster-daughter's feet
"Fell. Now she coaxes; now she threatens loud;
"If not made privy, threatens to declare
"The cord's adventure, and half-finish'd death:
"And offers aid once more her love to gain.
"She rais'd her head, and fill'd her nurse's breast
"With sudden gushing tears. And oft she strove
"All to confess; as oft her tongue was mute;
"And in her garments hid her blushing face.--
"Then,--happy mother in thy spouse!--she said;
"No more, but groan'd. Through her cold limbs and bones,
"The ancient nurse a shivering tremor felt,
"