On that relying, now it calmly lies

Mid sea-weeds on the shore; now see it rise,

Rejoicing in success, and foully feed

On living forms, unpunish'd for the deed.

Perchance with careless and voracious haste,
The clothed hook is in its jaws embraced;
Straight it perceives the snare, nor seeks to fly,
Nor succour from its sharpen'd teeth to try;
Upon its foe by slow degrees it creeps,

And, though a captive, conscious freedom keeps ;
Its poison'd influence through the water steals,
Hangs on the pendent line, and soon reveals
E'en to the distant fisherman its source;
The floating tackle feels its deadly force,

15

20

The reeded knots dissolve; the daring hand,

25

Benumb'd and chill, renounces its command.

Weary and sad the fisherman resigns
At once his fractious captive, and his lines.

ON THE STATUES

OF THE

PIOUS BROTHERS AT CATINA:

SEE how the brothers with undaunted air,

Their venerable burthens, panting, bear!

Eternal honors crown their deathless names,

For whom in reverence ceased the eager flames,

While Etna bade his fiery streams recoil,

Amazed to see the brethren's pious toil.

Upon their willing shoulders, as in state,
They place their parents, then, prepared for fate,
With quicken'd steps urge on their daring way,
Strew'd with fresh dangers through their fond delay.

Claud.

M

5

10

See how the sire points to the crimson❜d skies;

The feeble mother utters mournful cries!

Actual their terrors, nor can life

surpass

The anguish mingled in the wond'ring brass.
The aspect of the youthful pair involves

A secret horror, mix'd with high resolves;

Themselves they know not fear, 'tis but for those
They succour, that they tremble to oppose

The flames; their robes play with the wind; and he

Who bears his father, leaves his right hand free:
More cautious he who clasps the weaker frame,
A mother's fears his utmost firmness claim.

Behold how exquisite the artist's skill! Alike the brothers in their form, but still Their features differ; in the one we trace

15

20

25

His sire, the other boasts his mother's grace:

The sculptor's art has blended various years,

A parent in each blooming son appears:

O'er each fair Piety exerts her claim,

And proves, at once, their birth, their love the same. 50

O pride of Nature! monuments of truth!

By Age revered, and deified by Youth!

Not by vain-glory, not by gold allured,

To save your hoary parents ye endured

But if love raised the twin-born stars to heav'n,

If Fame ennobles him to whom 'twas given

To snatch from Phrygian flames his aged sire,
If glory gives to her immortal lyre

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The sons who, duteous, dragg'd their mother's car,

Shall she not sound in loudest strains afar,
Divine Amphinomus, thy spotless name,

And thine, O Anapus, as dear to fame?

50

Each temple through Sicilia's isle shall bear

The glorious record of an act so fair,

Sicilia famed for many a virtuous deed
Shall still assign to this the noblest meed.

Nor let us then the loss of treasured store,

Or towers and glittering palaces deplore;

The desolating flames that proudly rose

O'er structured art, were destined to disclose

The godlike virtues of the noble pair,

And glory sprung from ruin and despair!

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