Metamorphoses by Ovid

Now leading Phosphor' shining day disclos'd, The darkness flying; and the eastern gales Lull'd into calm, the vapoury clouds arose: The placid south befriending, rapid borne, The hero Cephalus, and aiding troops, Ride unexpected in their wish'd-for port.

Minos, meanwhile, the Lelegeian coast Lays waste, and on Alcathoe's town his power Essays. Here Nisus rul'd, whose reverend locks Of silvery brightness, in the midst contain'd One with rich purple splendid, sacred pledge Of fortune to his kingdom. Six times seen Were Luna's horns arising fresh renew'd; Still hover'd conquest doubtful o'er the war, On wavering pinions, 'twixt opposing hosts. A regal tower its vocal walls high-rear'd, Where once Latona's son his golden lyre Rested; the music still the stones retain'd. Oft here the beauteous daughter of the king Ascended, and the latent music drew Forth to the ear, by smallest pebbles struck. Thus she in peaceful times, and here she oft When war was raging, ventur'd: hence she saw The rough encounters of the furious field. So long the tedious warfare, well she knew The leaders' names, their arms, their prancing steeds: And knew their garments, and their Cretan bows. Far beyond all Europa's son she knew, More than became her state: this Minos well Could prove; whose head in crested helmet hid, Most beauteous helm'd appear'd: whose arm, adorn'd With brazen shield refulgent, well became The brazen shield: whose hand the tough lance whirl'd, And back withdrawn, the virgin wondering prais'd Such strength and skill combin'd: to fit the dart When to the spreading bow his strength he bent, She vow'd that Phoebus in such posture stood His arrows fitting: when, his brazen casque Relinquish'd, all his features shone display'd, As purple-rob'd his snow-white steed he press'd, In painted housings gay, and curb'd his jaws White foaming,--then the lost Nisean maid, Scarcely herself, in frantic rapture spoke: Blest call'd the javelin, that his hands it touch'd; Blest call'd the reins he curb'd. Arduous she burns, (Could she) through hostile ranks her virgin steps To bend: arduous she burns, from loftiest towers To fling her body in the Cretan camp. The brazen portals of the city's walls Wide to the foe she'd ope: what could she not? That Minos will'd? As resting here she view'd, The white pavilion of the Gnossian king Dubious, she cry'd;--"Or should I grieve or joy, "This mournful war to witness? Grieve I must "That Minos so belov'd should be my foe. "But had the war not been, his lovely face "Had ne'er to me been known. Now war may cease "Should I become the hostage:I retain'd, "As Minos' comrade, and the pledge of peace. "Fairest of forms! if she who brought thee forth "Resembled thee, well might an amorous god "Burn for her beauty. O! thrice blest were I, "If borne through air on lightly-waving wings, "The Cretan monarch's camp I might explore, "And there, my rank and love disclos'd, demand "What dowry he would ask to be my spouse. "My country's towers alone, he should not seek. "Perish the joys of his expected bed, "Ere I through treason gain them! Yet full oft "A moderate victor's clemency affords "Great blessings to the vanquish'd. Doubtless, he "Just warfare wages for his murder'd son. "Strong in his cause, and in his armies strong, "Which aid that cause, he must the conquest gain. "Why, if this fate my country waits, should war, "And not my love unbar to him the gates? "So may he conquer; slaughter, toil, and blood,-- "His own dear blood, avoided. How I dread, "Lest some rash hand might that lov'd bosom wound! "None but the ignorant sure, the savage spear "At him would hurl. The scheme delights my soul: "Fixt my resolve; my country as my dower "Will I deliver, finish so the war! "But what are resolutions? Watchful guards "The passes keep; of every gate, the keys "My father careful holds. Hapless! I dread "My father only; he alone withstands "My wishes; would that so the gods had doom'd, "I had no parent! But to each himself "A god may surely be; and fortune spurns "Lazy beseechers. With such love inflam'd, "Another maid had long ere now destroy'd "All barriers to her bliss; and why than I, "Should any dare more boldly? Fearless, I "Thro' swords and flames would pass, but swords and flames "Oppose me not in this: my sole desire "Compris'd in one small lock of Nisus' hair: "Than gold that prize more dear. That purple lock "Most blest would make me, and my sole desires "Encompass." --Speaking thus, the gloomy night, Imperial nurse of cares, approach'd; more bold Her daring project with the darkness grew.