Deprived of day, and held in fetters fast; His life was only spared at their request, Whom taken he so nobly had released: But Iphigenia was the ladies care, } Each in their turn addressed to treat the fair; } While Pasimond and his the nuptial feast prepare. } Her secret soul to Cymon was inclined, } But she must suffer what her fates assigned; } So passive is the church of womankind. } What worse to Cymon could his fortune deal, Rolled to the lowest spoke of all her wheel? It rested to dismiss the downward weight, Or raise him upward to his former height: The latter pleased; and love (concerned the most) Prepared the amends, for what by love he lost. The sire of Pasimond had left a son, Though younger, yet for courage early known, Ormisda called, to whom by promise tied, A Rhodian beauty was the destined bride; Cassandra was her name, above the rest Renowned for birth, with fortune amply blessed. Lysimachus, who ruled the Rhodian state, Was then by choice their annual magistrate: He loved Cassandra too with equal fire, But fortune had not favoured his desire; Crossed by her friends, by her not disapproved, Nor yet preferred, or like Ormisda loved: So stood the affair; some little hope remained, That, should his rival chance to lose, he gained. Meantime young Pasimond his marriage pressed, Ordained the nuptial day, prepared the feast; And frugally resolved (the charge to shun, } Which would be double should he wed alone,) } To join his brother's bridal with his own. } Lysimachus, oppressed with mortal grief, Received the news, and studied quick relief: The fatal day approached; if force were used, The magistrate his public trust abused; To justice liable, as law required, For when his office ceased, his power expired: While power remained, the means were in his hand By force to seize, and then forsake the land: Betwixt extremes he knew not how to move, A slave to fame, but more a slave to love: Restraining others, yet himself not free, Made impotent by power, debased by dignity. Both sides he weighed; but after much debate, The man prevailed above the magistrate. Love never fails to master what he finds, } But works a different way in different minds, } The fool enlightens, and the wise he blinds. } This youth, proposing to possess and scape, Began in murder, to conclude in rape: Unpraised by me; though heaven sometime may bless An impious act with undeserved success; The great, it seems, are privileged alone To punish all injustice but their own. But here I stop, not daring to proceed, } Yet blush to flatter an unrighteous deed; } For crimes are but permitted, not decreed. } Resolved on force, his wit the prætor bent, To find the means that might secure the event; Not long he laboured, for his lucky thought