Ovid

“ O'er all the Field the breathing Harvest swarms,
A growing Host, a Crop of Men and Arms.
⁠So through the parting Stage a Figure rears
Its Body up, and Limb by Limb appears
By just Degrees; 'till all the Man arise,
And in his full Proportion strikes the Eyes.
⁠Cadmus surpriz'd, and startled at the Sight
Of his new Foes, prepar'd himself for Fight:
When one cry'd out, "Forbear, fond Man, forbear
"To mingle in a blind promiscuous War. ”

“ Here the rash Pentheus, with unhallow'd Eyes,
The howling Dames and mystick Orgies spies.
His Mother sternly view'd him where he stood,
And kindled into Madness as she view'd:
Her leafy Jav'lin at her Son she cast,
And cries, "The Boar that lays our Country waste!
"The Boar, my Sisters! Aim the fatal Dart,
"And strike the brindled Monster to the Heart,
⁠Pentheus astonish'd heard the dismal Sound,
And sees the yelling Matrons gath'ring round;
He sees, and weeps at his approaching Fate,
And begs for Mercy, and repents too late.
"Help, help! my Aunt Autonoe, he cry'd ”

“ Its empty Being on thy self relies;
Step thou aside, and the frail Charmer dies.
⁠Still o'er the Fountain's watry Gleam he stood,
Mindless of Sleep, and negligent of Food,
Still view'd his Face, and languish'd as he view'd.
At length he rais'd his Head, and thus began
To vent his Griefs, and tell the Woods his Pain.
"You Trees, says he, and thou surrounding Grove,
"Who oft have been the kindly Scenes of Love,
"Tell me, if e'er within your Shades did lye
"A Youth so tortur'd, so perplex'd as I? ”

“ Insulting Man! what thou thy self shalt be?
Astonish'd at the Voice, he stood amaz'd,
And all around with inward Horror gaz'd:
When Pallas swift descending from the Skies,
Pallas, the Guardian of the Bold and Wise,
Bids him plow up the Field, and scatter round
The Dragon's Teeth o'er all the furrow'd Ground;
Then tells the Youth how to his wond'ring Eyes
Embattled Armies from the Field should rise.
⁠He sows the Teeth at Pallas's Command,
And flings the future People from his Hand.
The Clods grow warm, and crumble where he sows ”

“ Shaking the hoary Honours of his Head;
"'Twere well, presumptuous Man, 'twere well for thee
"If thou wer't Eyeless too, and blind, like me:
"For the Time comes, nay, 'tis already here,
"When the young God's Solemnities appear:
"Which if thou dost not with just Rites adorn,
"Thy impious Carcass, into Pieces torn,
"Shall strew the Woods and hang on ev'ry Thorn. ”

“ Here Shame dissuades him, there his Fear prevails,
And each by turns his aking Heart assails. ”

“ "A Herd of spotted Panthers round him lyes
"In glaring Forms; the grapy Clusters spread
"On his fair Brows, and dangle on his Head. ”

“ To mention to the Nymph her Lover's Name.
Fetching a Sigh, and holding down her Head,
"'Tis well, says she, if all be true that's said.
"But trust me, Child, I'm much inclin'd to fear
"Some Counterfeit in this your Jupiter.
"Many an honest well-designing Maid
"Has been by these pretended Gods betray'd. ”

“ Pursue the Stag, and load themselves with Prey;
When thus Actæon calling to the rest:
"My Friends, says he, our Sport is at the best.
"The Sun is high advanc'd, and downward sheds
"His burning Beams directly on our Heads ”