ABSTRACT
I From the orient to the drooping weft, Making the wind my poft-horfe, Hill unfold The a As commenced on this ball of earth: (1) Upon my tongues continual flanders ride,
The
(1) Upon my, & c . ] In the ftage-dire&ion, rumour is laid to enter painted full of tongues. Shakefpear, in his defcription of rumour, had doubtlefs a view either to Virgil"s celebrated defcription of fame, or Ovid?s defcription of her cave in the 12th book of his metamorphofes : I fhall give the reader part of both : and in as clofe a tranflation as poflible, that he may judge the better,
Monfirum, horrendum, &c. A monfter, hideous, vaft 5 as many plumes A s in her body flick, fo many eyes Towards waking (wondrous to relate) There grew beneath ; as many babbling tongues, And lift'ning ears as many : By night /he flies Noify thro' fhades obfeure, ' twixt earth and heav'n i Nor are her eyes by pleafing (lumber clos'd ; Watchful and prying round, by day, fhe fits On fome high palace top, or lofty tow'r , And mighty towns alarms : nor lefs intent On fpreading falfhood, than reporting truth*
See Trap. Vhg, JEn. 4 Atria turba tenent, Sec.
