OVID's METAMORPHOSES. BOOK II. Translated by Mr. Addison. The Story of Phaeton. HE Sun's bright Palace, on high Columns rais'd, With burnish'd Gold and flaming Jewels blaz'd; The Folding Gates diffus'd a Silver Light, And with a milder Gleam refresh'd the Sight; Of polish'd Iv'ry was the Cov'ring wrought: The Matter vied not with the Sculptor's Thought, For in the Portal was display'd on high (The Work of Vulcan) a fictitious Sky; A waving Sea th' inferiour Earth embrac'd, And Gods and Goddesses the Waters grac'd. Ægeon here a mighty Whale bestrode; Triton, and Proteus (the deceiving God) With Doris here were carv'd, and all her Train, Some loosely swimming in the figur'd Main, While some on Rocks their dropping Hair divide, And some on Fishes through the Waters glide: Tho' various Features did the Sisters grace, A Sister's Likeness was in ev'ry Face. On Earth a diff'rent Landskip courts the Eyes,       } {\displaystyle \scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}} Men, Towns, and Beasts in distant Prospects rise, And Nymphs, and Streams, and Woods, and rural Deities. O'er all, the Heav'ns refulgent Image shines; On either Gate were fix engraven Signs. Here Phaeton, still gaining on th' Ascent, To his suspected Father's Palace went, Till pressing forward through the bright Abode, He saw at Distance the illustrious God: He saw at Distance, or the dazling Light Had flash'd too strongly on his aking Sight. The God sits high, exalted on a Throne Of blazing Gems, with Purple Garments on; The Hours, in order rang'd on either Hand, And Days, and Months, and Years, and Ages stand. Here Spring appears with flow'ry Chaplets bound; Here Summer in her wheaten Garland crown'd; Here Autumn the rich trodden Grapes besmear; And hoary Winter shivers in the Reer. Phœbus beheld the Youth from off his Throne; That Eye, which looks on All, was fix'd in One. He saw the Boy's Confusion in his Face, Surpriz'd at all the Wonders of the Place; And cries aloud, "What wants my Son? for know "My Son thou art, and I must call thee so. "Light of the World, the trembling Youth replies, "Illustrious Parent! since you don't despise "The Parent's Name, some certain Token give,       } {\displaystyle \scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}} "That I may Clymenè's proud Boast believe, "Nor longer under false Reproaches grieve. The tender Sire was touch'd with what he said, And flung the Blaze of Glories from his Head, And bid the Youth advance: "My Son, said he, "Come to thy Father's Arms! for Clymenè "Has told thee true; a Parent's Name I own, "And deem thee worthy to be call'd my Son. "As a sure Proof, make some Request, and I, "Whate'er it be, with that Request comply; "By Styx I swear, whose Waves are hid in Night, "And roul impervious to my piercing Sight. The Youth transported, asks, without Delay, To guide the Sun's bright Chariot for a Day. The God repented of the Oath he took, For Anguish thrice his radiant Head he shook; "My Son, says he, some other Proof require, "Rash was my Promise, rash is thy Desire. "I'd fain deny this Wish, which thou hast made, "Or, what I can't deny, wou'd fain disswade. "Too vast and hazardous the Task appears, "Nor suited to thy Strength, nor to thy Years.