With double vows invoking Hymen’s power,

To bless his son’s and daughter’s nuptial hour.


That day, to great Achilles’ son resign’d,

Hermione, the fairest of her kind,

Was sent to crown the long-protracted joy,

Espoused before the final doom of Troy;

With steeds and gilded cars, a gorgeous train

Attend the nymphs to Phthia’s distant reign.

Meanwhile at home, to Megapenthe’s bed

The virgin choir Alector’s daughter led.

Brave Megapenthes from a stolen amour

To great Atrides’ age his handmaid bore;

To Helen’s bed the gods alone assign

Hermione, to extend the regal line;

On whom a radiant pomp of Graces wait,

Resembling Venus in attractive state.


While this gay friendly troop the king surround,

With festival and mirth the roofs resound;

A bard amid the joyous circle sings

High airs attemper’d to the vocal strings;

Whilst warbling to the varied strain, advance

Two sprightly youths to form the bounding dance,

’Twas then, that issuing through the palace gate,

The splendid car roll’d slow in regal state:

On the bright eminence young Nestor shone,

And fast beside him great Ulysses’ son;

Grave Eteoneus saw the pomp appear,

And speeding, thus address’d the royal ear;


“Two youths approach, whose semblant features prove

Their blood devolving from the source of Jove

Is due reception deign’d, or must they bend

Their doubtful course to seek a distant friend?”


“Insensate! (with a sigh the king replies,)

Too long, misjudging, have I thought thee wise

But sure relentless folly steels thy breast,

Obdurate to reject the stranger-guest;

To those dear hospitable rites a foe,

Which in my wanderings oft relieved my woe;

Fed by the bounty of another’s board,

Till pitying Jove my native realm restored—

Straight be the coursers from the car released,

Conduct the youths to grace the genial feast.”


The seneschal, rebuked, in haste withdrew;

With equal haste a menial train pursue: