" With piety, the soul's securest guard, And conscious virtue, still its own reward, Willing I come, unknowing how to fear, Nor shalt thou, Phæbus, find a suppliant here: 760 Thy monster's death to me was ow'd alone, And 'tis a deed too glorious to disown. Behold him here for whom, so many days, Impervious clouds conceal'd thy sullen rays! For whom, as man no longer claim'd thy care, 765 Such numbers fell by pestilential air! But if th'abandon'd race of human-kind From gods above no more compassion find; If such inclemency in heav'n can dwell, Yet why must unoffending Argos feel
770 The vengance due to this unlucky steel? On me, on me, let all thy fury fall, Nor err from me, since I deserve it all:
“Non missus, Thymbræe, tuos supplexve penates Advenio: mea me pietas, et conscia virtus Has egere vias. ego sum qui cæde subegi, 759 Phoebe, tuum mortale nefas; quem nubibus atris, Et squalente die, nigra quem tabe sinistri Quæris, inique, poli. quod si monstra effera magnis Cara adeo superis, jacturaque vilior orbis, 766 Mors hominum, et sævo tanta inclementia coelo est; Quid meruere Argi? me, me, divum optime, solum Objecisse caput fatis præstabat, an illud
771 Lene magis cordi, quod desolata domorum
Unless our desert cities please thy sight, Or fun'ral flames reflect a grateful light,
775 Discharge thy shafts, this ready bosom rend, And to the shades a ghost triumphant send. But for my country, let my fate atone; Be mine the vengeance, as the crime my own.”
Merit distress'd impartial Heav'n relieves: Unwelcome life relenting Phæbus gives: For not the vengeful pow's that glow'd with rage, With such amazing virtue durst engage. The clouds dispers’d; Apollo's wrath expir'd; And from the wond'ring god th' unwilling youth retir'd.
785 Thence we these altars in his temple raise, And offer annual honours, feasts, and praise ;
Tecta vides? ignique datis cultoribus omnis Lucet ager? sed quid fando tua tela manusque Demoror ? expectant matres supremaque fundunt Vota mihi; satis est: merui; ne parcere velles. Proinde move pharetras, arcusque intende sonoros, Insignemque animam leto demitte; sed illum Pallidus Inachiis qui desuper imminet Argis, Dum morior, depelle globum." Fors æqua merentes Respicit. ardentem tenuit reverentia cædis 787 Latoidem. tristemque viro submissus honorem Largitur vitæ, nostro mala nubila cælo Diffugiunt; at tu stupefacti a limine Phoebi Exoratus abis. inde hæc stata sacra quotannis 785 These solemn feasts propitious Phoebus please; These honours, still renew'd, his ancient wrath
appease. “ But say, illustrious guest!” (adjoin'd the King) 799
•What name you bear, from whathighraçeyouspring ? The noble Tydeus stands confess'd, and known Our neighbour prince, and heir of Calydon. Relate your fortunes, while the friendly night, And silent hours, to various talk invite."
795 The Theban bends on earth his gloomy eyes, Confus'd, and sadly thus at length replies: " Before these altars how shall I proclaim. (O gen’rous Prince!) my nation, or my name, Or thro'what veins our ancient blood has roll'd ? 800, Let the sad tale for ever rest untold! Yet if, propitious to a wretch unknown, You seek to share in sorrows not your own,
Solemnes recolunt epulæ, Phoebeiaque placat Templa novatus honos. has forte invisitis atas. Vos quæ proginies ? quanquam Calydonius Deneus Et Parthaoniæ (dudum si certus ad aures Clamor iit) tibi jura domus: tu pande quis Argos Advenias ? quando hæc variis sermonibus hora est." Dejecit mæstos extemplo Ismenius heros
796 In terram vultus, taciteque ad Tydea læsum Obliquare oculos. tum longa silentia movit: “Non super hos divum tibi sum querendus honores Unde genus, quæ terra mihi: quis defluat ordo 800
Know then from Cadmus I derive my race, Jocasta's son, and Thebes my native place." 805 To whom the King, (who felt his gen'rous breast Touch'd with concern for his unhappy guest) Replies; “ ah! why forbears the son to name His wretched father, known too well by fame? Fame that delights around the world to stray, 810 Scorns not to take her Argos in her way. Ev'n those who dwell where suns at distance roll, In northen wilds, and freeze beneath the pole, And those who tread the burning Lybian lands, The faithless Syrtes, and the moving sands; Who view the western seas extremest bounds, Or drink of Ganges in their eastern grounds ; All these the woes of Oedipus have known, Your Fates, your Furies, and your haunted town.
Sanguinis antiqui, piget inter sacra fateri, Sed si præcipiant miserum cognoscere curæ, Cadmus origo patrum tellus Mavortia Thebæ, Et genetrix Jocasta mihi.” tum motus Adrastus 80; Hospitiis (agnovit enim) quid nota recondis? Scimus, ait; nec sic aversum fama Mycenis 810 Volvit iter. regnum, et furias, oculosque pudentes Novit, et Arctois si quis de solibus horret, Quique bibet Gangen, aut nigrum occasibus intrat Oceanum, et si quos incerto littore syrtes Destituunt: ne perge queri, casusque priorum Annumerare tibi. nostro quoque sanguine multum
If on the sons the parents' crimes descend, 820 What prince from those his lineage can defend ? Be this thy comfort, that 'tis thine t'efface With virtuous acts thy ancestors' disgrace, And be thyself the honour of thy race. But see! the stars begin to steal away, And shine more faintly at approaching day : Now pour the wine; and in your tuneful lays Once more resound the great Apollo's praise."
“ O Father Phõbus! whether Lycia's coast, And snowy mountains, thy bright presence boast; Whether to sweet Castalia thou repair And bathe in silver dews thy yellow hair; Or pleas'd to find fair Delos float no more, Delight in Cynthus and the shady shore;
Erravit pietas; nec culpa nepotibus obstat. 820 Tu modo dissimilis rebus mereare secundis Excusare tuos. Sed jam temone supino Languet Hyperboreæ glacialis portitor ursæ, Fundite vina focis, servatoremque parentum Latoiden votis iterumque iterumque canamus, Phæbe parens, seu te Lyciæ Pataræa nivosis Exercent dumeta jugis, seu rore pudico
830 Castaliæ flavos amor est tibi mergere crines ; Seu Trojam Thymbræeus habes, ubi fama volentem Ingratas Phrygios humeris subisse molares: Seu juvat Ægæum feriens Latonius umbra Cynthus, et assiduam pelago non quærere Delon: 835
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