IDYL XXII. CASTOR AND POLLUX. THE twins of Leda, child of Thestius, And star-defying ships on ruin's ledge, Swept with their crews by blasts into the cruel dredge. The winds, where'er they list, the huge wave drive, Rushes a flood; hither and thither rolled, Broad ocean's heaving volumes roar and hiss, Smitten by blasts and the hail-volley cold: The lost ship and her crew your task it is, Bright pair! to rescue from the terrible abyss. They think to die - - but lo! a sudden lull -- O'the winds; the clouds disperse; and the hush'd sheen The Bears, and Asses with the Stall between, Blest Brothers! who to mortals safety bring, Both harpers, minstrels, knights, and warriors keen: Since both I hymn, with which immortal king Shall I commence my song? of Pollux first I'll sing. The justling rocks, the dangerous Euxine's mouth, Did Pollux, of the red-brown hue, retire With Castor, whose renown for horsemanship was higher. The brothers found there a perennial spring, Under a smooth rock, filled with water clear, With pebbles paved, which from below did fling A crystal sheen like silver glistering: The poplar, plane, tall pine, and cypress, grew Hard by and odorous flowers did thither bring Thick swarm of bees, their sweet toil to pursue, As many as in the meads, when spring ends, bloom to view. There lay at ease a bulky insolent, Grim-looked: his ears by gauntlets scored and marred; His back was broad with flesh like iron hard, And under either shoulder thews were seen On his strong arms, like round stones which, oft jarred In the quick rush with many a bound between, A winter torrent rolls down through the cleft ravine. A lion's hide suspended by the feet Hung from his neck and o'er his shoulders fell: "Hail, stranger! in these parts what people dwell?” R "The hail of utter stranger sounds not well, At least to me." "We're not malevolent, Nor sons of such, take heart." "You need not tell Me that I in myself am confident." "You are a savage, quick to wrath and insolent." "You see me as I am; upon your land I do not walk." "Come thither, and return Wilt let me drink from out this fountain urn ?" "You'll know, if your thirst-hanging lips are dry." "How may we coax you from your humour stern, With silver or what else?" "The combat try—” 'How, pray, with gauntlets, foot to foot and eye to eye?" "In pugilistic fight, nor spare your skill." "And what the prize of the victorious fist?" "The vanquished shall become the victor's thrall." "Red-crested cocks so fight, and so desist." "Cock-like, or lion-like the combat call; This is the prize for which we fight, or none at all." |