Where two fair cities rise with equal pride.

But both in constant peace one prince obey,

And Ctesius there, my father, holds the sway.

Freighted, it seems, with toys of every sort,

A ship of Sidon anchor’d in our port;

What time it chanced the palace entertain’d,

Skill’d in rich works, a woman of their land:

This nymph, where anchor’d the Phoenician train,

To wash her robes descending to the main,

A smooth tongued sailor won her to his mind

(For love deceives the best of womankind).

A sudden trust from sudden liking grew;

She told her name, her race, and all she knew,

‘I too (she cried) from glorious Sidon came,

My father Arybas, of wealthy fame:

But, snatch’d by pirates from my native place,

The Taphians sold me to this man’s embrace.’


“‘Haste then (the false designing youth replied),

Haste to thy country; love shall be thy guide;

Haste to thy father’s house, thy father’s breast,

For still he lives, and lives with riches blest.’


“‘Swear first (she cried), ye sailors! to restore

A wretch in safety to her native shore.’

Swift as she ask’d, the ready sailors swore.

She then proceeds: ‘Now let our compact made

Be nor by signal nor by word betray’d,

Nor near me any of your crew descried,

By road frequented, or by fountain side.

Be silence still our guard. The monarch’s spies

(For watchful age is ready to surmise)

Are still at hand; and this, revealed, must be

Death to yourselves, eternal chains to me.

Your vessel loaded, and your traffic pass’d,

Despatch a wary messenger with haste;

Then gold and costly treasures will I bring,

And more, the infant offspring of the king.

Him, child-like wandering forth, I’ll lead away

(A noble prize!) and to your ship convey.’


“Thus spoke the dame, and homeward took the road.

A year they traffic, and their vessel load.

Their stores complete, and ready now to weigh,

A spy was sent their summons to convey:

An artist to my father’s palace came,