Kitap 1
The sex is cunning to conceal their fires;
They would be forc'd e'en to their own desires.
They seem t' accuse you with a down-cast sight,
But in their souls confess you did them right.
760
Who might be forc'd, and yet untouch'd depart,
Thank with their tongues, but curse you with their heart.
Fair Phoebe and her sister did prefer,
To their dull mates, the noble ravisher.To their dull mates the noble ravisher. Phoebe and Ilara were two daughters of Leucippus, both famous for their beauty. Their father promised them in marriage to Idas and Lynceus, but Castor and Pollux stole them away from him. Idas and Lynceus pursuing the ravishers, Caster fell by the hands of Lynceus, and Lynceus was himself slain by Pollux: Idas running upon the latter to revenge the death of his companion, was struck to the ground thunder at Pollux feet; which Ovid has elegantly described in his de Fastis.
What Deidamia did in days of yore,
765
The tale is old but worth the telling o'er.
When Venus had the golden apple gain'd,
And the just judge fair Helen had obtained;
When she with triumph was at Troy receiv'd,
The Trojans joyful, while the Grecians griev'd:
770
They vow'd revenge of violated laws,
And Greece was arming in the cuckold's cause;
Achilles, by his mother warn'd from war,
Disguis'd his sex, and lurk'd among the fair.
What means Aeacides to spin and sew ?
775
With spear and sword in field thy valour show!
