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Orpheus on Gems

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380
ORPHEUS ON GEMS.
Far greater fear, ne'er slumbering day or night, Had Philoetetes of the viper's bite : Hence he sage Priam's son with prayers pursues, Falls at his feet, and low for counsel sues, 390 To teach some charm that far away should chase, Whene'er he reached his home, the reptile race. Touched by his prayer, the wizard high reveals The sought for antidote, nor ought conceals, Invokes Apollo witness of his truth, And gives these precepts to the suppliant youth : " The god of oracles with radiant hair, From whom these gifts of prophecy I bear, First on my youth a solemn oath imposed, Ere he the science deep to me disclosed, Never to man a false response to make ; Therefore with fullest trust my answer take, And list, Ο lord of the unerring bow, The wondrous lore that I prepare to show. For all the pests that out of the earth arise, 400 The earth's ownself the antidote supplies ; She breeds the viper, but she to the sage The means presents to quell the viper's rage. All kinds of gems spring from her bosom wide, And hapless mortals with sure help provide ; For all what virtues potent herbs possess, Gems in their kind have, nor in measure less : Great is the force of herbs, but greater far The virtues that in stones inherent are ; For in the stone implanted mother earth 410 Eternal force, unfading, at its birth.
Short-lived the herb, it quickly fades away, And but in life its potency bears sway ; When past its prime, it dry and withered lies ; And what help find wo in a thing that dies ? Plants as the source of death and health we own, But scarce canst thou find mischief in a stone. As numerous as the flowers spring from the ground, So many gems are in earth's bosom found. Midst serpents then, with Sideritis armed, Securely walk, against all danger charmed. What though their swarming hosts around thee roll, 420 No thought of peril need disturb thy soul ;
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King. Natural History of Precious Stones.
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