Him perched aloft Autonöa first discerned,

And dreadful shrieked, and spurning overturned
The sacred orgies of the frenzied one,

Which none profane may ever look upon.

She maddened, maddened all: scared Pentheus fled.
And they, with robes drawn up, pursued: He said:
"What want ye, dames ? "Autonöa then: "Thou, fellow!
Shalt know, not hear"—and mightily did bellow,
Loud as a lioness her brood defending;

His mother clutched his head, whilst Ino rending
Tore off his shoulder, trod and trampled o'er him
Autonöa likewise: limb from limb they tore him.
Then all returned to Thebes; defiled with gore,
They of their Pentheus only fragments bore,
Their after grief. This troubles not my mind:
Nor let another, impotent and blind,

Name Dionysus as hereby defiled,

Nor though he harsher used some curious child.

May I my life to holy courses give,

Dear to the holy who reproachless live!

This omen, sent from ægis-bearing Jove,

;

Shows what he hates, and what his thoughts approve ;

Blest are the children of the godly-ever;

Blest are the children of the godless

never.

Hail, Blessed! whom Jove's thigh enclosed for us,

Till thou wert born on snowy Dracanus.

Hail, Semele! Cadmean sisters, hail!
Whose names in songs of heroines prevail.
By Dionysus this (no deed of shame)

Possest ye did. The gods let no man blame.

IDYL XXVII.

DAPHNIS AND CHLOE.

CHLOE.

A COWHERD with chaste Helen ran away.

DAPHNIS.

This Helen here was kist by one to-day.

CHLOE.

Boast not they say there's nothing in a kiss.

DAPHNIS.

But in mere kissing is some touch of bliss.

CHLOE.

wipe my mouth and off thy kiss is ta'en.

DAPHNIS.

Wipe you your mouth? then let me kiss again.

X

CHLOE.

Calves, not a maid, to kiss doth you beseem

DAPHNIS.

Boast not thy youth is flying like a dream.

CHLOE.

Ripe grapes are raisins, and dry roses sweet.

DAPHNIS.

Come to yon olives: I would fain repeat —

CHLOE.

I will not you deceived me once indeed.

DAPHNIS.

Come to yon elms, and hear me play my reed.

CHLOE.

Play to yourself: naught wretched pleases me.

DAPHNIS.

Take heed the Paphian will be wroth with thee.