The fame of this, perhaps, through Crete had flown; But Crete had newer wonders of her own, In Iphis changed; for near the Gnossian bounds, As loud report the miracle resounds, At Phæstus dwelt a man of honest blood, } But meanly born, and not so rich as good, } Esteemed and loved by all the neighbourhood; } Who to his wife, before the time assigned For child-birth came, thus bluntly spoke his mind:-- If heaven, said Lygdus, will vouchsafe to hear, } I have but two petitions to prefer; } Short pains for thee, for me a son and heir. } Girls cost as many throes in bringing forth; Beside, when born, the tits are little worth; Weak puling things, unable to sustain Their share of labour, and their bread to gain. If, therefore, thou a creature shalt produce, Of so great charges, and so little use, Bear witness, heaven, with what reluctancy, Her hapless innocence I doom to die.-- He said, and tears the common grief display, Of him who bade, and her who must obey. Yet Telethusa still persists, to find Fit arguments to move a father's mind; To extend his wishes to a larger scope, And in one vessel not confine his hope. Lygdus continues hard; her time drew near, And she her heavy load could scarcely bear; When slumbering, in the latter shades of night, Before the approaches of returning light, She saw, or thought she saw, before her bed, A glorious train, and Isis at their head; Her moony horns were on her forehead placed, And yellow sheaves her shining temples graced; A mitre, for a crown, she wore on high; The dog, and dappled bull, were waiting by; Osiris, sought along the banks of Nile; The silent god; the sacred Crocodile; And, last, a long procession moving on, With timbrels, that assist the labouring moon. Her slumbers seemed dispelled, and, broad awake, She heard a voice, that thus distinctly spake:-- My votary, thy babe from death defend, Nor fear to save whate'er the gods will send; Delude with art thy husband's dire decree; } When danger calls, repose thy trust on me; } And know, thou hast not served a thankless deity.-- } This promise made, with night the goddess fled; With joy the woman wakes, and leaves her bed; Devoutly lifts her spotless hands on high, And prays the powers their gift to ratify. Now grinding pains proceed to bearing throes, Till its own weight the burden did disclose. 'Twas of the beauteous kind, and brought to light With secrecy, to shun the father's sight. The indulgent mother did her care employ, And passed it on her husband for a boy. The nurse was conscious of the fact alone; The father paid his vows as for a son; And called him Iphis, by a common name,