These reasons moved her starlike husband’s heart, But still he held his purpose to depart; For as he loved her equal to his life, He would not to the seas expose his wife; Nor could be wrought his voyage to refrain, But sought by arguments to soothe her pain; Nor these avail’d; at length he lights on one, With which so difficult a case he won: “My love, so short an absence cease to fear, For by my father’s holy flame I swear, Before two moons their orb with light adorn, If Heaven allow me life, I will return.”

This promise of so short a stay prevails; He soon equips the ships, supplies the sails, And gives the word to launch; she trembling views This pomp of death, and parting tears renews; Last with a kiss, she took a long farewell, Sigh’d with a sad presage, and swooning fell: While Ceyx seeks delays, the lusty crew, Raised on their banks, their oars in order drew To their broad breasts, the ship with fury flew.