The flames ascend on either altar clear, While thus the blameless maid address'd her prayer. When, lo! the burning fire that shone so bright, 250 Flew off all sudden, with extinguish'd light, And left one altar dark, a little space; Which turn'd self-kindled, and renew'd the blaze: The other victor-flame a moment stood, Then fell, and lifeless left the extinguish'd wood; For ever lost, the irrevocable light Forsook the blackening coals, and sunk to night: At either end it whistled as it flew, And as the brands were green, so dropp'd the dew; Infected as it fell with sweat of sanguine hue. 260 The maid from that ill omen turn'd her eyes, And with loud shrieks and clamours rent the skies, Nor knew what signified the boding sign, But found the Powers displeased, and fear'd the wrath divine. Then shook the sacred shrine, and sudden light Sprung through the vaulted roof, and made the temple bright. The Power, behold! the Power in glory shone, By her bent bow, and her keen arrows known; The rest, a huntress issuing from the wood, Reclining on her cornel spear she stood. 270 Then gracious thus began: Dismiss thy fear, And Heaven's unchanged decrees attentive hear: More powerful gods have torn thee from my side, Unwilling to resign, and doom'd a bride: The two contending knights are weigh'd above; One Mars protects, and one the Queen of Love: But which the man, is in the Thunderer's breast; This he pronounced, 'Tis he who loves thee best. The fire that, once extinct, revived again, Foreshows the love allotted to remain: 280 Farewell! she said, and vanish'd from the place; The sheaf of arrows shook, and rattled in the case. Aghast at this, the royal virgin stood, Disclaim'd, and now no more a sister of the wood: But to the parting goddess thus she pray'd: Propitious still be present to my aid, Nor quite abandon your once favour'd maid. Then sighing she return'd; but smiled betwixt, With hopes and fears, and joys with sorrows mix'd. The next returning planetary hour 290 Of Mars, who shared the heptarchy of power, His steps bold Arcite to the temple bent, To adore with Pagan rites the power armipotent: Then prostrate, low before his altar lay, And raised his manly voice, and thus began to pray: