She[2] said, and for her lost Galanthis sighs, When the fair consort of her son[3] replies: Since you a servant's ravished form bemoan,[4] And kindly sigh for sorrows not your own, Let me (if tears and grief permit) relate 5 A nearer woe, a sister's stranger fate. No nymph of all Oechalia could compare For beauteous form with Dryope the fair,[5] Her tender mother's only hope and pride, (Myself the offspring of a second bride.) 10 This nymph compressed by him who rules the day, Whom Delphi and the Delian isle obey, Andræmon loved; and, blessed in all those charms That pleased a god, succeeded to her arms.[6] A lake there was, with shelving banks around, 15 Whose verdant summit fragrant myrtles crowned. These shades, unknowing of the fates, she sought, And to the naiads flow'ry garlands brought; Her smiling babe (a pleasing charge) she pressed Within her arms, and nourished at her breast. 20 Nor distant far a wat'ry lotos grows, The spring was new, and all the verdant boughs, Adorned with blossoms, promised fruits that vie In glowing colours with the Tyrian dye: Of these she cropped to please her infant son, 25 And I myself the same rash act had done: But lo! I saw (as near her side I stood,) The violated blossoms[7] drop with blood; Upon the tree I cast a frightful look; The trembling tree with sudden horror shook. 30 Lotis the nymph (if rural tales be true) As from Priapus' lawless lust she flew, Forsook her form; and fixing here, became A flow'ry plant, which still preserves her name. This change unknown, astonished at the sight, 35 My trembling sister strove to urge her flight: And first the pardon of the nymphs implored, And those offended sylvan pow'rs adored: But when she backward would have fled, she found Her stiff'ning feet were rooted in the ground: 40 In vain to free her fastened feet she strove, And, as she struggles, only moves above; She feels th' encroaching bark around her grow By quick degrees, and cover all below: Surprized at this, her trembling hand she heaves 45 To rend her hair; her hand is filled with leaves: Where late was hair the shooting leaves are seen To rise, and shade her with a sudden green. The child Amphissus, to her bosom pressed, Perceived a colder and a harder breast, 50 And found the springs, that ne'er till then denied Their milky moisture, on a sudden dried. I saw, unhappy! what I now relate, And stood the helpless witness of thy fate, Embraced thy boughs, thy rising bark delayed, 55