Now Jove no longer could her sufferings bear; But called in haste his airy messenger, The son of Maïa, with severe decree To kill the keeper, and to set her free. With all his harness soon the god was sped; His flying hat was fastened on his head; Wings on his heels were hung, and in his hand He holds the virtue of the snaky wand. The liquid air his moving pinions wound, And, in the moment, shoot him on the ground. Before he came in sight, the crafty god His wings dismissed, but still retained his rod: That sleep-procuring wand wise Hermes took, But made it seem to sight a shepherd's hook. With this he did a herd of goats controul; Which by the way he met, and slyly stole. Clad like a country swain, he piped and sung; And, playing, drove his jolly troop along. With pleasure Argus the musician heeds; But wonders much at those new vocal reeds. And,--Whosoe'er thou art, my friend, said he, } Up hither drive thy goats, and play by me; } This hill has brouze for them, and shade for thee. } The god, who was with ease induced to climb, Began discourse to pass away the time; And still, betwixt, his tuneful pipe he plies, And watched his hour, to close the keeper's eyes. With much ado, he partly kept awake; Not suffering all his eyes repose to take; And asked the stranger, who did reeds invent, And whence began so rare an instrument. THE TRANSFORMATION OF SYRINX INTO REEDS.