potent too
"In crowds of sisters, refuge only found
"From the fierce Cyclops' love, in my own waves."
Tears chok'd her utterance here; which when the maid
Had wip'd with marble fingers, and had sooth'd
The goddess.--"Dearest Galatea! speak;
"Nor from thy friend this cause of grief conceal:
"Faithful am I to thee." The goddess yields,
And to Crataeis' daughter, thus replies.

"From Faunus and the nymph Symethis sprung
"Acis, his sire's delight, his mother's pride;
"But far to me more dear. For me the youth,
"And me alone, lov'd warmly; twice eight years
"Had o'er him pass'd; when on his tender cheek
"A doubtful down appear'd. Him I desir'd,
"As ceaseless as the Cyclops sought for me.
"Nor should you ask, if in my bosom dwelt
"For him most hate, or most for Acis love,
"Could I inform you: equal both in force.
"O, gentle Venus! with what mighty power
"Thou sway'st; lo! he, the merciless, the dread
"Of his own woods; whom hapless guest ne'er saw
"With safety; spurner of the power of Jove,
"And all the host of heaven, what love is, feels!
"Seiz'd with desire of me he flames, forgets
"His flocks, and caverns. All thy anxious care
"Thy beauty, Polyphemus! to improve,
"And all thy anxious care is now to please.
"And now with rakes thou comb'st thy rugged hair;
"Now with a scythe thou mow'st thy bushy beard:
"Thy features to behold in the clear brook,
"And calm their fire employs thee. All his love
"Of slaughter; all his fierceness; all his thirst
"Cruel of blood, him leaves; and on the coast,
"Ships safely moor, and safe again depart.
"Meantime at Etna Telemus arriv'd,
"Of Eurymus the son, whom never bird
"Deceiv'd; he to dread Polyphemus came,
"And spoke:--Thee, of the single light thou bear'st
"Mid front, Ulysses will deprive.--Loud laugh'd
"The monster, saying;--Stupidest of seers,
"How much thou err'st!--already is it gone.--
"So spurns the truth the prophet told in vain.
"Then moving on along the shore, he sinks
"The sand with heavy steps, or tir'd returns
"To his dark caves. Far stretching in the main
"A wedge-like promontory rears its ridge
"Aloft; on either side the surging waves
"Foam on it. To its loftiest height ascends
"The Cyclops fierce; his station in the midst
"Assumes; his woolly flocks his steps pursue
"Unshepherded. He when the pine immense,
"Which serv'd him for a staff, though fit to ser