And her white hairs all o'er her head, erect
"Like bristles stood; for all the truth she saw.
"Much did she urge the direful flame to drive
"Far from her soul, if that could be. The maid
"Knows all is just she argues, yet is fix'd
"For death, unless her lover is obtain'd.
"Then she;--O live, enjoy thy--silent there,
"Enjoy thy parent--she not dar'd to say:
"Yet by a sacred oath her promise bound.

"Now Ceres' annual feast, the pious dames
"All solemniz'd: in snowy robes enwrapt,
"They offer'd wheaten wreaths, and primal fruits.
"The rites of Venus, and the touch of man,
"For thrice three nights forbidden things they held.
"The monarch's spouse Cenchreis, 'mid the crowd
"Forth went to celebrate the secret feast:
"And while the couch its legal partner lack'd,
"The ill-officious nurse the king espy'd
"Oppress'd with wine, and told the tale of love,
"Beneath a fictious name, and prais'd her charms.
"The virgin's years he asks.--Equal her age
"To Myrrha's--she replies.--Desir'd to bring
"The damsel, she returns:--Rejoice!--she cries,
"Rejoice! our point is gain'd.--The hapless nymph
"Felt not a general joy; presaging pangs
"Shot through her bosom; still she joy'd: her mind
"Such discord tore. Now was the silent hour;
"Booetes 'mid the Trioenes had bent
"His wain with sloping pole; when Myrrha came
"To her flagitious crime. Bright Luna fled
"The skies; black clouds the lurking stars o'erspread;
"The night saw not its fires. Thou, Icarus,
"Thy face first hidst; and thou, Erigone
"Hallow'd for thy parental love so pure.
"Thrice was she warn'd by stumbling feet, and thrice
"The owl funereal utter'd her death-note.
"Yet on she went; darkness and sable night
"Her shame diminish'd. Fast her left hand grasps
"Her nurse, the other waves t'explore the way.
"The threshold of the nuptial chamber now
"She touches; now she gently opes the door;
"Now enters. Then her trembling knees loose shook
"Beneath her bending hams; her color fled:
"Her blood flow'd back; and all her wishes sunk.
"The nearer was her crime approach'd, the more
"With horror she beheld it, and sore mourn'd
"Her daring; anxious to return unknown.
"The hoary dame, her, lingering thus, dragg'd on,
"And when presented at the lofty couch,
"Said--Cinyras receive her, she's thine own!--
"And the devoted bodies gave to join.
"The sire his proper bowels, on the b