Ovid's Metamorphoses: translated by eminent persons. Published by Sir Samuel Garth.

  • Ovid, 43 B.C.-17 A.D. or 18 A.D.
Date:
1794
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Ovid's Metamorphoses: translated by eminent persons. Published by Sir Samuel Garth. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

    117/388 (page 89)
    Amidst the brake a hollow den was found, With rocks and shelving arches vaulted round. 45 Deep in the dreary den, conceal’d from day, Sacred to Mars, a mighty dragon lay, Bloated with poison to a monstrous size; Fire broke in flashes when he glanc’d his eyes : His tow’ring crest was glorious to behold, 50 His shoulders and his sides were scal’d with gold; Tjiree tongues hebrandish’d when he charg’d hisfoes; His teeth stood jaggy in three dreadful rows. The Tyrians in the den for water sought, And with their urns explor’d the hollow vault : 55 From side to side their empty urns rebound, ilnd reuse the sleeping serpent with the sound. Straight he bestirs him, and is seen to rise; x And now with dreadful hissings fills the skies, I And darts his forky tongues, and rolls his glare- [ ing eyes. 60 J The Tyrians drop their vessels in the fright, All pale and trembling at the hideous sight. Spire above spire uprear’d in air he stood, And gazing round him, over-look’d the wood : Then floating on the ground in circles roll’d ; 65 Tflen leap’d upon them in a mighty fold. Of such a bulk, and such a monst’rous size, v The serpent in the polar circle lies, C That stretches oyer half the northern skies. ) In vain the Tyrians on their arms rely, ’JQ |n vain attempt to fight, in vain to fly : V'(/lume /, 1