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IDYL XXII.

CASTOR AND POLLUX.

THE twins of Leda, child of Thestius,
Twice and again we celebrate in song,
The Spartan pair, stamped by Ægiochus,
Castor and Pollux, arming with the thong
His dreadful hands; both merciful as strong,
Saviours of men on danger's extreme edge,
And steeds tost in the battle's bloody throng,

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,
Dashing from prow or stern into the hold;
Both sides, sail, tackle, yard, and mast, they rive,
Snapping at random: from Night's sudden fold

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
Of the calmed ocean sparkles beautiful :

The Bears, and Asses with the Stall between,
Foreshew a voyage safe and skies serene.

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,
Snow-veiled, when Argo safely passed, and ended
Her course at the Bebrycian shore, the youth
Born of the gods from both her sides descended,
And on the deep shore, from rude winds defended,
Their couches spread; and strook the seeds of fire
From the pyreion. Forthwith unattended

Did Pollux, of the red-brown hue, retire

With Castor, whose renown for horsemanship was higher.

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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 vast chest, like a ball, was prominent;

His back was broad with flesh like iron hard,
Like anvil-wrought Colossus to regard;

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:
Him the prize-winner Pollux first did greet:

"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
With hospitable gifts." "I've none at hand,
Nor want I yours." "Pray, let me learn,

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."
"Who is my gauntlet-armed antagonist ?"
"At hand! he's here; you see him if you will,
"I, Amycus, the famous pugilist."

"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."

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