Thou benefactor, guardian of my youth,—

Behold my sorrow, and mine agony! * * *

Sustain me, Jove, in my adversity! * * *

My flesh is melting with the dreadful blaze

Revolving round the vast infernal space:

My hunger and my thirst’s unbearable;

The noise of hell—most incomparable!—

From which, O Jove! with Pluto intercede,

That of these torments Bacchus may be freed:

And if ’tis possible, O Jupiter!