Which bade him fly, and faster, as behind 950 He heard his hounds give tongue, that through the wood Were following, closing, caught him and tore him down. And many more thus perished in their prime; Lycaon and his fifty sons, whom Zeus In their own house spied on, and unawares Watching at hand, from his disguise arose. And overset the table where they sat Around their impious feast and slew them all: Alcyonè and Ceyx, queen and king, Who for their arrogance were changed to birds: 960 And Cadmus now a serpent, once a king: And saddest Niobe, whom not the love Of Leto aught availed, when once her boast Went out, though all her crime was too much pride Of heaven's most precious gift, her children fair. Six daughters had she, and six stalwart sons; But Leto bade her two destroy the twelve. And somewhere now, among lone mountain rocks On Sipylus, where couch the nymphs at night Who dance all day by Achelous' stream, 970 The once proud mother lies, herself a rock, And in cold breast broods o'er the goddess' wrong. IN. Now hush thy fear. See how thou tremblest still. Or if thou fear, fear passion; for the freshes Of tenderness and motherly love will drown The eye of judgment: yet, since even excess Of the soft quality fits woman well, I praise thee; nor would ask thee less to aid With counsel, than in love to share my choice. Tho' weak thy hands to poise, thine eye may mark 980 This balance, how the good of all outweighs The good of one or two, though these be us. Let not reluctance shame the sacrifice Which in another thou wert first to praise. AR. Alas for me, for thee and for our children, Who, being our being, having all our having, If they fare ill, our pride lies in the dust. IN. O deem not a man's children are but those Out of his loins engendered--our spirit's love Hath such prolific consequence, that Virtue 990 Cometh of ancestry more pure than blood, And counts her seed as sand upon the shore. Happy is he whose body's sons proclaim Their father's honour, but more blest to whom The world is dutiful, whose children spring Out of all nations, and whose pride the proud Rise to regenerate when they call him sire. AR. Thus, husband, ever have I bought and buy Nobleness cheaply being linked with thee. Forgive my weakness; see, I now am bold; 1000 Tell me the worst I'll hear and wish 'twere more. IN. Retire--thy tears perchance may stir again. AR. Nay, I am full of wonder and would hear.