Should second love a pleasing flame inspire,
And the chaste queen connubial rights require;
Dismiss’d with honour, let her hence repair
To great Icarius, whose paternal care
Will guide her passion, and reward her choice
With wealthy dower, and bridal gifts of price. 
Then let this dictate of my love prevail: 
Instant, to foreign realms prepare to sail,
To learn your father’s fortunes; Fame may prove,
Or omen’d voice (the messenger of Jove),
Propitious to the search.  Direct your toil
Through the wide ocean first to sandy Pyle;
Of Nestor, hoary sage, his doom demand: 
Thence speed your voyage to the Spartan strand;
For young Atrides to the Achaian coast
Arrived the last of all the victor host. 
If yet Ulysses views the light, forbear,
Till the fleet hours restore the circling year. 
But if his soul hath wing’d the destined flight,
Inhabitant of deep disastrous night;
Homeward with pious speed repass the main,
To the pale shade funereal rites ordain,
Plant the fair column o’er the vacant grave,
A hero’s honours let the hero have. 
With decent grief the royal dead deplored,
For the chaste queen select an equal lord. 
Then let revenge your daring mind employ,
By fraud or force the suitor train destroy,
And starting into manhood, scorn the boy. 
Hast thou not heard how young Orestes, fired
With great revenge, immortal praise acquired? 
His virgin-sword AEgysthus’ veins imbrued;
The murderer fell, and blood atoned for blood. 
O greatly bless’d with every blooming grace! 
With equal steps the paths of glory trace;
Join to that royal youth’s your rival name,
And shine eternal in the sphere of fame. 
But my associates now my stay deplore,
Impatient on the hoarse-resounding shore. 
Thou, heedful of advice, secure proceed;
My praise the precept is, be thine the deed.

“The counsel of my friend (the youth rejoin’d)
Imprints conviction on my grateful mind. 
So fathers speak (persuasive speech and mild)
Their sage experience to the favourite child. 
But, since to part, for sweet refection due,
The genial viands let my train renew;
And the rich pledge of plighted faith receive,
Worthy the air of Ithaca to give.”

“Defer the promised boon (the goddess cries,
Celestial azure brightening in her eyes),
And let me now regain the Reithrian port;
From Temese return’d, your royal court
I shall revisit, and that pledge receive;
And gifts, memorial of our friendship, leave.”

Abrupt, with eagle-speed she cut the sky;
Instant invisible to mortal eye. 
Then first he recognized the ethereal guest;
Wonder and joy alternate fire his breast;
Heroic thoughts, infused, his heart dilate;
Revolving much his father’s doubtful fate. 
At length, composed, he join’d the suitor-throng;
Hush’d in attention to the warbled song.