Herewith he stay'd his fury; and began To give her leave to rise; away she ran: As he ought not perform, nor yet she ask. Stole some from Hebe; (Hebe Jove's cup fill'd) And thrusts him down from Heaven; he, wand'ring here, In mournful terms, with sad and heavy cheer, To be reveng'd on Jove did undertake; And those on whom Heaven, earth, and Hell relies I mean the adamantine Destinies, He wounds with love, and forc'd them equally To doat upon deceitful Mercury. They offer'd him the deadly fatal knife, That shears the slender thread of human life; They granted what he crav'd; and once again They, seeing it, both love and him abhorr'd, And, but that Learning, in despite of Fate, Gross gold from them runs headlong to the boor. To venge themselves on Hermes, have concluded Shall discontent run into regions far; And few great lords in virtuous deeds shall joy, And still enrich the lofty servile clown, Who with encroaching guile keeps learning down. THE END OF THE FIRST SESTYAD. |