Which either sex with equal right may claim. Iphis his grandsire was; the wife was pleased, Of half the fraud by fortune's favour eased; The doubtful name was used without deceit, And truth was covered with a pious cheat. The habit showed a boy, the beauteous face With manly fierceness mingled female grace. Now thirteen years of age were swiftly run, } When the fond father thought the time drew on } Of settling in the world his only son. } Ianthe was his choice; so wondrous fair, Her form alone with Iphis could compare; A neighbour's daughter of his own degree, And not more blessed with Fortune's goods than he. They soon espoused; for they with ease were joined, Who were before contracted in the mind. Their age the same, their inclinations too, And bred together in one school, they grew. Thus, fatally disposed to mutual fires, They felt, before they knew, the same desires. Equal their flame, unequal was their care; One loved with hope, one languished in despair. The maid accused the lingering days alone; For whom she thought a man, she thought her own, But Iphis bends beneath a greater grief; As fiercely burns, but hopes for no relief. E'en her despair adds fuel to her fire; A maid with madness does a maid desire. And, scarce refraining tears, Alas, said she, What issue of my love remains for me! How wild a passion works within my breast! With what prodigious flames am I possest! Could I the care of Providence deserve, Heaven must destroy me, if it would preserve. And that's my fate, or sure it would have sent Some usual evil for my punishment; Not this unkindly curse; to rage and burn, Where nature shews no prospect of return. Nor cows for cows consume with fruitless fire; Nor mares, when hot, their fellow-mares desire; The father of the fold supplies his ewes; } The stag through secret woods his hind pursues; } And birds for mates the males of their own species choose.} Her females nature guards from female flame, } And joins two sexes to preserve the game; } Would I were nothing, or not what I am! } Crete, famed for monsters, wanted of her store, Till my new love produced one monster more. The daughter of the Sun a bull desired;[27] And yet e'en then a male a female fired: Her passion was extravagantly new; But mine is much the madder of the two. To things impossible she was not bent, But found the means to compass her intent. To cheat his eyes she took a different shape; Yet still she gained a lover, and a leap. Should all the wit of all the world conspire, Should Dædalus assist my wild desire, What art can make me able to enjoy, Or what can change Ianthe to a boy?