Metamorphoses by Ovid

These wonders, while the son of Danae tells, Circled around by Cepheus' noble troop; Sudden th' imperial hall with tumults loud Resounds. Not clamor such as oft we hear, The bridal feasts, in songs of joy attend: But what stern war announces. Much the change, (The peaceful feast to instant riot turn'd) Seem'd like the placid main, when the fierce rage Of sudden tempests lash its surges high.

First Phineus stepp'd, the leader of the crowd; Soul of the riot; and his ashen spear, Arm'd with a brazen point, he brandish'd high;-- "Lo, here!" he shouts, "lo, here I vengeful come "On him who claims my spouse! Not thy swift wings; "Nor cheating Jove, chang'd to a golden shower, "Shall save thee from my arm,"--and pois'd to fling, The dart was held, but Cepheus loud exclaim'd,-- "Brother! what dost thou? what dire madness sways "To wicked acts thy soul? Is this the meed "His gallant deeds deserve? Is this the dower, "We for the valued life he sav'd bestow? "List but to truth,--not Perseus of thy wife "Bereft thee, but the angry Nereid nymphs,-- "The horned Ammon,--and the monster huge! "Prepar'd to glut his hunger with my child. "Then was thy spouse snatch'd from thee, when remain'd "Of help no hope; to all she lost appear'd. "Thy savage heart perhaps had ev'n rejoic'd "To see her perish, that our greater grief "Might lighten part of thine. Couldst thou her see "Fast chain'd before thee? uncle! spouse betroth'd! "And yet no aid afford! And storm'st thou thus? "She to another now her safety owes; "And would'st thou snatch the prize? So high if seems "To thee her precious value, thy bold arm "Should on the rock where chain'd she lay, have sought "And have deserv'd her. Now permit that he "Who sought her there; through whom my failing age "Is not now childless, grant that he enjoy "Peaceful, what through his merits he no less, "Than our firm compact claims: not him to thee, "But him to certain loss I preference gave."