Shall disappoint their chase, and the fair prey

Save from their lawless touch; the Apian soil

Shall welcome them to death, and woman’s hands

Shall dare the deed amid the nuptial watches.

Each bride shall rob her lord of life, and dip

The sharp steel in his throat. Such nuptial bliss

May all my enemies know! Only one maid

Of all the fifty, with a blunted will,

Shall own the charm of love, and spare her mate,

And of two adverse reputations choose