llanyddloes to newtowk. 65 



That had the fceptre from his father Brute. 



The gufltlefs damfel flying the mad purfuit 



Of her enraged ftepdame, Gwendolen, 



Commended her fair innocence to the flood, 



That flayed her flight with his crofs-flowing courfe, 



Tlie water nymphs, that in the bottom piay'd. 



Held up their pearled wrifts, and took her in, 



Bearing her ftraight to aged Nereus' hall ; 



'Who, piteous of her woes, rear'd her lank head. 



And gave her to his daughters to embathe 



In nedlar'd leaves, ftrow'd with afphodel ; 



And through the porch and inlet of each fenfe, 



Dropt in ambrofial oils, till Cnt reviv'd 



And underwent a quick immortal change — ■ 



Made goddefs of the river : flie ftiU retains 



Her maiden gentlenefs, and oft at eve 



Vifits the herds along the twilight meadows, 



Helping all urchin blafts, and ill-luck figns 



That the flirewd meddling elf delights to make. 



Which flie with precious viol'd liquors heals j 



For which the fliepherds at their feftivals 



Carol her goodnefs loud in ruflic lay. 



And throw fweet garland wreaths into her ftream. 



Of panfies, pinks, and gaudy dafodils. 



And as the old fwain (Aid, flie can unlock 



The clafping charm, and thaw the numbing fpell. 



If flie be light invoked in warbled fong ; 



For maidenhood flie loves, and will be fvvift 



To aid a virgin, fuch as was herfelf, 



la hard befetting need. 



VOL. n. 



