Classic Poem

A sweet dream Venus once Europa lent,
In nights third quarter, near the morns ascent;
Whilst slumber which her eyelids sweetly crown'd,
Her limbs unti'd, and her eyes softly bound
(That time which doth all truer dreams beget.)
Europa Phoenix-child, a Virgin yet,
Alone in a high chamber taking rest,
Beholds two Countries that for her contest,
The Asian and her opposite; both seem'd
Like women; that a stranger, this esteem'd
A native who (a Mother like) doth plead
That she of her was born, by her was bred;
The other violent hands upon her laid,
And drew by force the unresisting Maid,
Urging she was as prize to Jove design'd:
Out of the bed she starts with troubled minde
And panting heart; the dream to life's so near:
Long sate she silent; long both women were
After she wak'd presented to her sense,
Till thus at length she breaks her deep suspence.
Which of the Gods as now I did repose,
Perplext my fancy with delusive showes?
My calmer sleeps disquieting with fear:
What Stranger in my slumber did appear?
Her love shot suddenly into my breast
And kindnesse like a Mother she exprest.
The Gods vouchsafe this dream a good event!
She rose and for her lov'd companions sent,
In years and friendship equal, nobly born,
With them for Balls she us'd her self t'adorn;
Or in Anaurus current baths, with them
She plucks the fragrant Lilly from her stem;
These straight come to her; each a basket held
To gather flowers; so walk they to a field
Neighb'ring to th'Sea, whither they often went
Pleas'd with the Waters noise and Roses scent.
A golden basket fair Europa bare,
Rich yet in Vulcans workmanship more rare,
Which Neptune first to Lybia gave when he
Obtain'd her bed, to Telephassa she
Wife to her son, from Telephassa last
This to unwed' Europe her daughter past
Which many figures neatly wrought did hold.
Inachian Io was here carv'd in gold,
Not yet in Womans shape, but like a Cow,
Who seem'd to swim, and force (enraged) through
The briny Sea her way; the Sea was blew;
Upon the highest point of land to view
The wave-dividing Heifer, two Men stand;
Jove strokes the wet Cow with his sacred hand,
Who unto seven mouth'd Nilus crossing over,
Doth cast her horns, and Womans shape recover.
In silver Nilus flood, the Cow in brass,
And Jupiter in gold engraven was;
Mercury 's figur'd on the furthest round,
And next him lies distended on the ground
Argos endu'd with many watchful eyes,
Out of whose purple blood a Bird doth rise,
Proud of his various flowry plumes, his tail
He spreadeth like a swift ship under sail,
And comprehends the border with his wings;
Such is the basket fair Europa brings.
All at the painted field arive, where these
With several flowers their several fancies please.
One sweet Narcissus plucks, another gets
Wild Savory, Hyacinths, and Violets,
Many faln spring-born flowers the ground doth share,
Some strive which yellow Crocus fragrant hair
Should faster pluck; i'th'midst the Queen doth stand
Gathering the Roses beauty with her hand;
The Graces so by Venus are out-shin'd.
Nor must she long with flowers divert her mind,
Nor long preserve unstain'd her Virgin zone,
For Jove upon the Meadow looking down,
By Venus subtle darts was struck in love,
Venus hath power to captivate great Jove .
Who of frow'rd Juno's jealousie afraid,
And that he might deceive the tender Maid,
In a Bulls shape his deity doth vail,
Not such as are in stables bred, or trail
The crooked plough the furrow'd earth to wound,
Or run amongst the heards in pasture ground,
Or are to draw the laden Waggon us'd.
Yellow o're all his body is diffus'd,
Save a white circle shines amidst his brow.
His brighter eyes with amorous sparkles glow.
His horns with equal length rise from his head
Like the Moons orb, to half a circle spread.
Into the Mead he comes, nor (seen) doth fright;
The Virgins to approach him all delight,
And stroke the lovely Bull, whose divine smell
Doth far the Meads perfumed breath excell:
Before unblam'd Europa's feet he stood
Licking her neck, and the Maid kindly woo'd:
She stroak'd and kiss'd him; and the foam that lay
Upon his lip wip'd with her hand away:
He softly bellow'd, such a humming sound
Forth breathing as Mygdonian Pipes resound.
Down at her feet he kneels viewing the Maid
With writhed neck, and his broad back displai'd,
When she to th'fair-haird Virgins thus doth say;
Come hither dear companions, let us play
Securely with this Bull, and without fear;
Who like a Ship all on his back will bear.
He tame appears to sight, and gently kind,
Diff'ring from others, a discursive mind
Bearing like Men, and onely voice doth lack.
This said, she smiling gets upon his back;
Which the rest off'ring, the Bull leaps away,
And to the Sea bears his desired prey;
She cals with stretch'd out hands, she turns to view
Her friends, alas unable to pursue;
Down leaps he, Dolphin-like glides through the Seas:
Up from the deep rise the Nereides ,
Mounted on Whales to meet her on the way:
Whilst hollow-sounding Neptune doth allay
The waves, and is himself his brothers guide
In this Sea-voyage; Tritons on each side,
(The deeps inhabitants) about him throng,
And sound with their long shels a nuptial song;
She by transformed Jupiter thus born,
With one hand holding fast the Bulls large horn
Her purple garment with the other saves
Unwet by the swoln Oceans froathy waves;
Her mantle (flowing o're her shoulders) swell'd
Like a full sail, and the young maid upheld.
Now born away far from her native coast,
Her sight the wave-washt shore and mountains lost;
She sees the Heav'ns above, the Seas beneath,
And looking round about these cries doth breath.
O whither sacred Bull? who art thou, say?
That through undreaded floods canst break thy way:
The Seas are pervious to swift ships alone,
But not to Bulls is their fear'd voyage known;
What food is here? or if some God thou be
Why dost what misbeseems a Deity?
Upon the Land no Dolphins, no Bulls move
Upon the Sea; Thou sea and land dost prove
Alike; whose feet like Oares assist thy hast;
Perhaps thou'lt soar through the bright air at last
On high, and like the nimble Birds become.
Me most unhappy, who have left my home,
A Bull to follow, voyages unknown
To undertake, and wander all alone.
But Neptune thou that rul'st the foaming Main
Be pleas'd to help me; sure I shall obtain
A sight of this great God who is my guide,
Nor else could I these fluid paths have tride.
The largely horned Bull thus answer'd; Maid
Be bold, nor of the swelling waves afraid,
For I am Jove who now a Bull appear,
And whatsoever shape I please can wear;
In this to measure the wide Sea constrain'd
For love of thee, thou shalt be entertain'd
By Creet my Nurse; our nuptials shall be there
Perform'd, and thou of me great sons shalt bear,
To whose imperious scepters all shall bow.
What he had said event made good; Creet now
Appears in view; Jove his own form doth take,
And loos'd her zone; the howers their bed did make;
She late a Virgin, Spouse to Jove became,
Brought him forth sons, and gaind a mothers name.