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The wandering mother came to rest In Eleusis’ walls, and fed A mortal infant from her breast While hers was lost among the dead. Sleepless with grief, by night she came Into the royal chamber, stole Away and laid the child in flame A while to purge his mortal soul. She stirred the fire with careful breath Till the third night: then, forced to fly, Abandoned him – condemned to death By Metaneira’s violent cry.