Then, softly sighing, he the fair address’d,

And as he spoke her tender hand he press’d.

‘Hail, happy nymph! no vulgar births are owed

To the prolific raptures of a god:

Lo! when nine times the moon renews her horn,

Two brother heroes shall from thee be born;

Thy early care the future worthies claim,

To point them to the arduous paths of fame;

But in thy breast the important truth conceal,

Nor dare the secret of a god reveal:

For know, thou Neptune view’st! and at my nod

Earth trembles, and the waves confess their god.’


“He added not, but mounting spurn’d the plain,

Then plunged into the chambers of the main,


“Now in the time’s full process forth she brings

Jove’s dread vicegerents in two future kings;

O’er proud Iolcos Pelias stretch’d his reign,

And godlike Neleus ruled the Pylian plain:

Then, fruitful, to her Cretheus’ royal bed

She gallant Pheres and famed Aeson bred;

From the same fountain Amythaon rose,

Pleased with the din of scar; and noble shout of foes.


“There moved Antiope, with haughty charms,

Who bless’d the almighty Thunderer in her arms:

Hence sprung Amphion, hence brave Zethus came,

Founders of Thebes, and men of mighty name;

Though bold in open field, they yet surround

The town with walls, and mound inject on mound;

Here ramparts stood, there towers rose high in air,

And here through seven wide portals rush’d the war.


“There with soft step the fair Alcmena trod,

Who bore Alcides to the thundering god:

And Megara, who charm’d the son of Jove,

And soften’d his stern soul to tender love.


“Sullen and sour, with discontented mien,

Jocasta frown’d, the incestuous Theban queen;

With her own son she join’d in nuptial bands,

Though father’s blood imbrued his murderous hands

The gods and men the dire offence detest,

The gods with all their furies rend his breast;

In lofty Thebes he wore the imperial crown,

A pompous wretch! accursed upon a throne.