And, as a ship, which winds and waves assail, Now with the current drives, now with the gale, Both opposite, and neither long prevail. She feels a double force, by turns obeys The imperious tempest, and the impetuous seas; So fares Althaea’s mind; she first relents With pity, of that pity then repents: Sister and mother long the scales divide, But the beam nodded on the sister’s side: Sometimes she softly sigh’d, then roar’d aloud; But sighs were stifled in the cries of blood.