Viewing the sad destruction that was nigh, 285 Wink’d upon Phoebus (for the Goddess sat By chance directly opposite); at that Roused in an instant, young Apollo threw His eyes around the field his troops to view: Perceiv’d the danger, and with sudden fright | 290 Withdrew the Foot that he had sent to fight, | And sav’d his trembling Queen by seasonable flight. | But Maia’s son with shouts fill’d all the coast: The Queen, he cried, the important Queen is lost. Phoebus, howe’er, resolving to maintain 295 What he had done, bespoke the heavenly train. What mighty harm, in sportive mimic flight, Is it to set a little blunder right, When no preliminary rule debarr’d? If you henceforward, Mercury, would guard 300 Against such practice, let us make the law: And whosoe’er shall first to battle draw, Or white, or black, remorseless let him go At all events, and dare the angry foe. He said, and this opinion pleased around: 305 Jove turn’d aside, and on his daughter frown’d, Unmark’d by Hermes, who, with strange surprise, Fretted and foam’d, and roll’d his ferret eyes, And but with great reluctance could refrain From dashing at a blow all off the plain. 310 Then he resolved to interweave deceits,— To carry on the war by tricks and cheats. Instant he call’d an Archer from the throng, And bid him like the courser wheel along: Bounding he springs, and threats the pallid Queen. 315 The fraud, however, was by Phoebus seen; He smiled, and, turning to the Gods, he said: Though, Hermes, you are perfect in your trade, And you can trick and cheat to great surprise, | These little sleights no more shall blind my eyes; | 320 Correct them if you please, the more you thus disguise. | The circle laugh’d aloud; and Maia’s son (As if it had but by mistake been done) Recall’d his Archer, and with motion due, Bid him advance, the combat to renew. 325 But Phoebus watch’d him with a jealous eye, Fearing some trick was ever lurking nigh, For he would oft, with sudden sly design, Send forth at once two combatants to join His warring troops, against the law of arms, 330 Unless the wary foe was ever in alarms. Now the white Archer with his utmost force Bent the tough bow against the sable Horse, And drove him from the Queen, where he had stood Hoping to glut his vengeance with her blood. 335 Then the right Elephant with martial pride Roved here and there, and spread his terrors wide: Glittering in arms from far a courser came, Threaten’d at once the King and Royal Dame; Thought himself safe when he the post had seized, 340 And with the future spoils his fancy pleased. Fired at the danger a young Archer came, Rush’d on the foe, and levell’d sure his aim; (And though a Pawn his sword in vengeance draws, Gladly he’d lose his life in glory’s cause). 345