Now equal Cyane the goddess mourns,

"So forc'd; and her own sacred stream despis'd;

"A cureless wound her silent breast contains;

"And all in tears she wastes: lost in those waves,

"Where lately sovereign goddess she had rul'd.

"Soft grow her limbs, and flexile seem her bones;

"Her nails their hardness lose. The tenderest parts.

"Melt into water long before the rest:

"Her tresses green; her fingers, legs, and feet.

"Quickly this change the smaller limbs perceive,

"To cooling rills transform'd. Next after these,

"Her back, her shoulders, breasts, and sides dissolve,

"And vanish all in streams. A limpid flood

"Now fills the veins that once in purple flow'd;

"Nought of the nymph to fill the grasp remains.

"Meantime the trembling mother through the earth,

"And o'er the main, the goddess vainly sought.

"Aurora rising, with her locks of gold;

"Nor Hesper sinking, saw her labors cease.

"With either hand at Etna's flaming mouth,

"A torch she lighted, restless these she bore

"In dewy darkness. Then renew'd again

"Her labor, till fair day made blunt the stars;

"From Sol's first rising till his evening fall.

"Weary'd at length, and parch'd with thirst,--no stream

"Her lips to moisten nigh, by chance she spy'd

"A straw-thatch'd cot, and knock'd the humble door.

"An ancient dame thence stepp'd,--the goddess saw,

"And brought her, (who for water simply crav'd)

"A pleasing draught where roasted grain had boil'd.

"Swallowing the gift presented, rudely came

"A brazen-fronted boy, and facing stood:

"Then laughing mock'd to see her greedy drink.

"Angry grew Ceres, all the offer'd draught,

"Yet unconsum'd, she drench'd him as he jeer'd,

"With barley mixt with liquid: straight his face

"The spots imbib'd; and what but now as arms

"He bore, as legs he carries; to his limbs

"Thus chang'd, a tail is added; shrunk in size,

"Small is his power to harm; shorter he seems

"Than the small lizard. Swift away he fled

"(As, wondering, weeping, try'd the dame to clasp

"His changing form) and gain'd a sheltering hole.

"Well suits his star-like skin the name he bears.

"Long were the tale to tell, what tracts of land

"What tracts of sea, the wandering goddess pass'd.

"Earth now no spot unsearch'd affording, back

"To Sicily she turns; with close research

"Each part exploring, till at length she comes

"To Cyane; who all the tale had told

"If still unchang'd: much as she wish'd to speak

"Nor lips, nor tongue can aid her; nought remains

"Speech to afford. Yet plain a sign she gives,

"The zone of Proserpine upon her waves

"Light floating; in the sacred stream it fell;--

"Dropt as she pass'd the place. Well Ceres knew

"The sight, and then--as then her loss first known,

"Tore her dishevell'd tresses, beat her breast

"With blows on blows redoubled. Still unknown

"The spot that holds her, every part of earth

"Blaming, ungrateful, worthless of her fruits.

"But chief Trinacria, in whose isle was found

"The vestige of her loss. For this she breaks

"With furious hand the glebe up-turning plough:

"And angry, to an equal death she dooms,

"The tiller and his ox: forbids the fields

"Back to return th' entrusted grain; the seeds

"All rotting. Now that fertile land, renown'd

"Through the wide earth, lies useless; all the grain

"Dies in the earliest shoots: now scorching rays;

"Now floods of rain destroy it: noxious stars

"Now harm; now blighting winds: and hungry birds

"The scatter'd seed devour: the darnel springs,

"The thistle, and the knot-grass thick, which choke

"The sprouting wheat, and make the harvest void.

"Now Arethusa from th' Eleian waves

"Exalts her head; her dropping tresses flung

"Back from her forehead, parting shade her ears:

"And thus;--O goddess! mother of the maid,

"So sought through earth, mother of all earth's fruits!

"Cease now thy toilsome labor; cease thine ire,

"Against the land that prov'd to thee so true:

"Thine ire unmerited; unwilling she,

"Op'd for the spoil a passage. Hither I

"No suppliant for my native isle approach;

"An alien here sojourning. Pisa's land

"My country; there near Elis first I sprung:

"A stranger now in Sicily I dwell.

"This soil, more grateful far than is my own;

"This soil, where I my houshold gods have plac'd;

"I, Arethusa, and have fix'd my seat,

"Preserve, mild goddess! Why I chang'd my land,

"Why to Ortygia, through the wide waves borne,

"I came, a more appropriate hour will ask;

"When you, from care reliev'd, can grant your ear

"With brow unclouded. Through the opening earth

"I flow; and borne through subterraneous depths,

"Here lift again my head, again behold

"The long-lost stars. Hence was my lot to see,

"As pass'd my stream close by the Stygian gulph,

"Your Proserpine;--sad still her face appear'd,

"Nor fear had wholly left it. Yet she reigns

"A queen; the mightiest in the realm of shade,

"The powerful consort of th' infernal king.

"Like marble at the words the mother stands,

"Stupid with grief; and long astounded seems:

"Sorrow by heavier sorrow now surpass'd.

"Then in her chariot mounts th' ethereal sky,

"And stands indignant at th' imperial throne;

"Her locks wild flowing, and her face in clouds.

"Lo! here a suppliant, Jove,--she cry'd,--I come,

"To beg for her, my daughter and thine own;

"For if no favor may the mother find,

"The daughter's claim may move. Let not thy child

"Deserve thy care the less, as born of me.

"Lo! my lost maid, so long, so vainly sought

"At length is found; if finding we may call

"A surer loss; if finding we may call

"The knowledge where she is. Her ravish'd charms

"I'll pardon; let him but my child restore.

"What though a robber might my daughter wed,

"Thine sure is worthy of a different mate!

"Then Jove;--our daughter, our dear mutual pledge,

"As yours, so mine, demands our mutual care.

"But rightly still affairs if we design,

"What you lament will no injustice prove;

"Love only. Sure, a son-in-law like him,

"Can ne'er degrade, will you consent but yield.

"Grant nought beyond,--'tis no such trivial boast,

"Jove's brother to be call'd! How then, if more

"I claim pre-eminence from chance alone!

"Still, if so obstinate your wish remains

"For separation, go,--let Proserpine

"To heaven return, on this condition strict,

"Her lips no food have touch'd. So will the fates.

"He ceas'd.--Glad Ceres, certain to regain

"Her daughter, knew not what the fates forbade.

"Her fast was broken; thoughtless as she stray'd

"Around the garden, from a bending tree

"She pluck'd a fair pomegranate, and seven seeds

"From the pale rind she pick'd, and ate. None saw

"Save one, Ascalaphus, the luckless deed;

"Whom Orphne, fam'd Avernus' nymphs among,

"To Acheron, long since, 'tis said, produc'd

"Beneath a dusky cave. He, cruel, told;

"And his discovery stay'd the hop'd return.

"Much wept the queen of Pluto, but she chang'd

"The vile informer to an hideous shape:

"Sprinkled with streams of Phlegethon, his head

"Feather'd appears, with beak, and monstrous eyes;

"Spoil'd of his shape, with yellow feathers cloth'd:

"Large grows his head; bent are his lengthen'd nails;

"Scarcely he moves the pinions which are shot

"Light from his lazy arms. A filthy bird

"Becoming;--constant presager of woe;

"An owl inactive; omen dire to man.

"Well he by his informing tongue deserv'd,

"His doom, but Acheloides, from whence

"Your wings, and bird-like feet, whilst still you bear

"Your virgin features? Was it that you mix'd,

"When Proserpine the vernal flowers would cull,

"Amidst her numerous train? The nymph you sought

"Through earth's extent in vain; that ocean too

"Your anxious search might scape not, straight you pray'd

"For waving wings to winnow o'er the deep;

"And favouring gods you found. Of golden hue

"Quick-shooting wings your arms you saw bespread;

"But lest your inbred song, which every ear

"Had charm'd; and lest your highly-gifted voice,

"Your tongue should fail to use;--a virgin face,

"And speech yet human are indulg'd you still.

"Now Jove as umpire 'twixt the angry pair

"His mourning sister, and his brother, bids

"The year revolving either side oblige:

"Now will the goddess, mutual in each realm,

"Six months with Ceres dwell in heaven; and six

"Reign with her spouse in hell. Straight were perceiv'd

"The goddess' countenance, and demeanour chang'd.

"For now her forehead, which had still retain'd,

"(To Pluto even) a sad and sorrowing gloom,

"Gladden'd: so Phoebus long in cloudy shade

"Envelop'd, shines, their umbrous veil dispers'd.

"Now Ceres calm, her daughter safe regain'd,

"Enquires:--O Arethusa! say the cause,

"Which hither brought thee; why a sacred fount?

"Hush'd were the waves; and from the lowest depths

"The goddess rais'd her head; and as she told,

"The old amours the flood of Elis knew,

"Press'd out the water from her tresses green.

"Once with the nymphs, that on Achaia's hills

"Rove, was I seen; none closer beat than I

"The thickets; none than I more skilful spread

"Th' ensnaring net. Yet though no fame I sought

"For beauty; though robust, I bore the name

"Of beauteous. Whilst the constant theme of praise,

"My features fair, to me no pleasure gave;

"What other nymphs inspire with joyful pride,

"Corporeal charms, did but my blushes raise.

"To please I thought a crime. Once tir'd with sport,

"The Stymphalidian forest I had left:

"Warm was the day; I with redoubled heat,

"Glow'd from my toil. A gliding stream I found

"By ripplings undisturb'd; silent and smooth

"It flow'd; so clear, that every stone was seen

"On the deep bottom; gently crept the waves;

"To creep scarce seeming; o'er the shelving banks

"The stream-fed poplar, and the willow hoar,

"A grateful shadow cast. The brink I reach'd

"Dipp'd first my feet, then waded to my knee;

"Not yet content, I loos'd my zone, and hung

"Upon a bending osier my soft robe:

"Then naked plung'd amid the stream; the waves

"Beating, and sporting in a thousand shapes;

"My arms around in every posture flung;

"A strange unusual murmur seem'd to sound,

"Deep from the bottom; terror-struck I gain'd

"The nearest brink;--when,--whither dost thou fly?

"O, Arethusa? whither dost thou fly?

"Alphaeus, from his waters, hoarse exclaim'd!

"Vestless I fled, for on th' opposing bank

"My garment hung. Fiercer the god pursu'd;

"Fiercer he burn'd, all naked as I ran:

"Prepar'd more ready for his force I seem'd.

"Such was my flight, and such was his pursuit;

"As when on trembling wings, before the hawk

"Fly the mild doves: as when the hawk fierce drives

"The trembling doves before him. Long the chase

"I bore; Orchomenus, and Psophis soon

"I pass'd, and pass'd Cyllene, and the caves

"Of Maenalus, and Erymanthus' frosts,

"To Elis, ere his speed could cope with mine.

"In strength unequal, I sustain'd no more

"The toilsome race; he stouter flagg'd less soon.

"But still o'er plains I ran; o'er mountains thick

"With forests clad; o'er stones, and rugged rocks;

"And pathless spots. Behind me Phoebus shone.

"I saw, if fear deceiv'd me not, far spread

"His shade before me. What could less deceive,

"I heard his footsteps; and his breath full strong

"Blew on my banded tresses. Weary'd, faint

"With the long flight, I cry'd;--Dictynna, chaste!

"Lost am I,--help a quiver-bearing nymph,

"One who thy bow has oft entrusted borne;

"And oft thy quiver, loaded full with darts.

"Mov'd was the goddess; from the darkest clouds

"She one selected, and around me threw.

"The river-god, about the misty veil

"Pry'd anxious; and unwitting deeply grop'd

"Within the hollow cloud! Unconscious, twice

"The spot he compass'd, where Diana thought

"My safety surest; twice he then aloud

"Ho! Arethusa,--Arethusa! call'd:--

"What terror seiz'd my soul! not less the dread

"Of lambs, when round the sheltering fold they hear

"The wolves loud howling: or the trembling hare

"Close in a bramble hid, who sees approach

"The wide-mouth'd, hostile hounds, and fears to move.

"Further he pass'd not, for beyond the place

"No footsteps he discern'd, but guarding watch'd

"Around the mist. So closely thus besieg'd,

"My limbs a cold sweat seiz'd; cerulean drops

"Fell from my body; when my feet I mov'd,

"A pool remain'd; fast dropp'd my hair in dew;

"And speedier than the wonderous tale I tell,

"Chang'd to a stream I flow'd. But soon the god,

"Knew his lov'd waters; laid the man aside,

"And straight assum'd his proper watery form;

"With mine to mingle. Dian' cleft the ground;

"Sinking, through caverns dark I held my way;

"And reach'd Ortygia, from the goddess nam'd;

"There first ascending view'd the upper skies.

"Here Arethusa ceas'd. Then Ceres yokes

"The coupled dragons to her car, their mouths

"Curb'd by the reins; and through the air is borne,

"Midway 'twixt heaven and earth. At Pallas' town

"Arriv'd, Triptolemus the car ascends,

"By her commission'd;--bade to spread the seed

"Entrusted: part on ground untill'd before;

"And part on land which long had fallow laid.

"O'er Europe now, and Asia's lands, the youth

"Sublimely sails, and reaches Scythia's clime,

"Where Lyncus rul'd. Beneath the monarch's roof,

"Here enter'd; and to him, who curious sought

"How there he journey'd; what his journey's cause;

"His name, and country; thus the youth reply'd.--

"Athens the fam'd, my country; and my name

"Triptolemus: but neither o'er the main,

"Borne in a ship, nor travelling slow by land,

"I hither came; my path was through the air.

"I bring the gift of Ceres; scatter'd wide

"Through all your spacious fields, quickly restor'd

"In fruitful crops the wholesome food will spring.

"The barbarous monarch, envious he should bear

"So great a blessing, takes him for his guest,

"And when with sleep weigh'd down attacks him. Rais'd

"To pierce his bosom, was the sword;--just then

"The wretch, by Ceres, to a lynx was turn'd.

"Then mounts again the youth, and through the air

"Bids him once more the sacred dragons steer.

"Our chosen champion ended here her lays,

"And all the nymphs unanimous, exclaim'd;--

"The Heliconian goddesses have gain'd.

"Vanquish'd, the others rail'd. When she resum'd:--

"Is not your punishment enough deserv'd?

"Foil'd in the contest, must you swell your crime,

"With base revilings? Patient now no more,

"To punish we begin; what anger bids,

"We now perform.--Loud laugh'd the scornful maids,

"Our threatening words despis'd, and strove to speak,

"And clapp'd with outcries menacing, their hands.

"When from their fingers shooting plumes they spy;

"And feathers shade their arms; her sister's face,

"Each sees to harden in an horny beak;

"To beat their bosoms trying with rais'd arms,

"In air suspended, on those arms they move;

"The new-shap'd birds the sylvan tribes increase:

"Magpies, the scandal of the grove. Thus chang'd,

"Their former eloquence they still maintain,

"In hoarse garrulity, and empty noise."

*The Sixth Book.*

Trial of skill betwixt Pallas and Arachne. Transformation of

Arachne to a spider. Pride of Niobe. Her children slain by Apollo

and Diana. Her change to marble. The Lycian peasants changed to

frogs. Fate of Marsyas. Pelops. Story of Tereus, Procne, and

Philomela. Their change to birds. Boreas and Orithyia. Birth of

Zethes and Calais.

THE *Sixth Book* OF THE METAMORPHOSES OF OVID.

Minerva pleas'd attention to the muse,

While thus she spoke afforded; prais'd the song,

And prais'd the just resentment of the maids.

Then to herself;--"the vengeance others take,

"Merely to praise were mean. I too should claim

"Like praise, for like revenge; nor longer bear

"My power contemn'd, by who unpunish'd live."

And on Arachne, fair Maeoenian maid,

She turns her vengeful mind; whose skill she heard

Rivall'd her own in labors of the loom.

No fame her natal town, no fame her sire

On her bestow'd; her skill conferr'd renown.

Idmon of Colophon, her humble sire

Soak'd in the Phocian dye the spongy wool.

Her mother, late deceas'd, from lowest stock,

Had sprung; and wedded with an equal mate.

Yet had she gain'd through all the Lydian towns

For skill a mighty fame. Though born so low,

Though small Hypaepe was her sole abode,

Oft would the nymphs the vine-clad Tmolus leave

To view her wonderous work. Oft would the nymphs

In admiration quit Pactolus' waves.

Nor pleasure only gave the finish'd robe,

When view'd; but while she work'd she gave delight;

Such comely grace in every turn appear'd.

Whether she rounded into balls the wool;

Or with her fingers mollify'd the fleece;

And comb'd it floating light in cloudy waves;

Or her smooth spindle twirl'd with agile thumb;

Or with her needle painted: plain was seen

Her skill from Pallas learnt. This to concede

Unwilling, she ev'n such a tutor scorn'd

Exclaiming:--"come let her the contest try;

"If vanquish'd, let her fix my well-earn'd fate."

Pallas, an ancient matron's form conceals;

Grey hairs thin strew her temples, and a staff

Supports her tottering limbs; while thus she speaks:--

"Old age though little priz'd, much good attends;

"Experience always grows with lengthen'd years:

"Spurn not my admonition. Great thy fame,

"Midst mortals, for the wonders of the loom.

"Great may it be, but to immortals yield:

"Bold nymph retract, and pardon for thy words,

"With suppliant voice require; Pallas will grant."

Sternly the damsel views her; quits the threads

Unfinish'd; scarce her hand from force restrains:

And rage in all her features flushing fierce,

Thus to the goddess, well-disguis'd, she speaks:--

"Weak dotard, spent with too great gift of years,

"Curst with too long existence, hence, begone!

"Such admonition to thy daughters give,

"If daughters hast thou; or thy sons have wives:

"Enough for me my inbred wisdom serves.

"Hope not, that ought thy vain advice has sway'd

"My purpose; still my challenge holds the same.

"Why comes your goddess not? why shuns she still

"The trying contest?" Then the goddess,--"Lo!

"She comes,"--and flung her aged form aside,

Minerva's form displaying. Every nymph,

And every dame Mygdonian, lowly bent

In veneration. While Arachne sole

Stood stedfast, unalarm'd; but yet she blush'd.

A sudden flush her angry face deep ting'd,

But sudden faded pale. A ruddy glow

Thus teints the early sky, when first the morn

Arises; quickly from the solar ray

Paling to brightness. On her purpos'd boast

Still stubborn bent, she obstinately courts

Her sure destruction, for the empty hope

Of conquest in the strife so madly urg'd.

No more Jove's maid refuses, gives no more

Her empty admonitions, nor delays

The contest: each her station straight assumes,

Tighten each web; each slender thread prepare.

Firm to the beam the cloth is fix'd; the reed

The warp divides, with pointed shuttle, swift

Gliding between; which quick their fingers throw,

Quick extricate, and with the toothy comb

Firm press'd between the warp, the threads unite.

Both hasten now; their garments round them girt,

Their skilful hands they ply: their toil forgot

In anxious wish for conquest. There appear'd,

The wool of Tyrian dye, and softening teints

Lost imperceptible. So seems the arch

Coloring a spacious portion of the sky;

Struck by the rays of Phoebus, when the showers

Recede, a thousand varying tinges shine;

The soft transition mocks the straining eye,

So like the shades which join, though far distinct

Their distant teints. In slender threads they twist

The pliant gold, and in the web display,

Each as she works, an ancient story fair.

Minerva paints the rock of Mars so fam'd

In Cecrops' city, and the well-known strife

To name the town. Twice six celestials sate

On their high thrones, great Jupiter around

In gravity majestic; every god

Bore his celestial features. Jove appear'd

In royal dignity. The Ocean power

Standing she pictur'd, with his trident huge

Smiting the rugged rock; from the cleft stone

Leap'd forth a steed; and thence the town to name

The privilege he claim'd. Herself she paints

Shielded, and arm'd with keenly-pointed spear.

Helm'd was her head; her breast the AEgis bore.

Struck by her spear, the earth a hoary tree

She shews producing, loaded thick with fruit.

The wondering gods the gift admire; the prize

To her awarded, ends the glorious work.

More, that the daring rival of her art,

Should learn experimental, what reward

Her mad attempt might hope, four parts she adds;

And every part a test of power presents:

Bright the small figures in her colors shine.

This angle Thracian Rhodope contains,

With Haemus; both their mortal bodies now,

To frozen mountains chang'd; whose lofty pride

Assum'd the titles of celestial powers.

Another corner held the wretched fate

Felt by Pygmaea's matron; Juno bade

Her vanquish'd rival soar aloft a crane;

And on her people wage continual war.

Antigone, she paints;--audacious she

With Jove's imperial consort durst contend;

By Jove's imperial queen she flits a bird:

Nor aids her Ilium ought; nor aids her sire,

Laoemedon;--upborne on snowy wings,

A stork she rises; loud with chattering bill

She noises. In the sole remaining part,

Was childless Cynaras, in close embrace,

Grasping the temple's steps, his daughters once;

And as he lies extended on the stone,

In marble seems to weep. Around the piece

She spreads the peaceful olive: all complete

Her work is ended with her favorite tree.

Arachne paints Europa, by a bull

Deceiv'd; the god a real bull appears;

And real seem the waves. She, backward turn'd,

Views the receding shore, and seems to shriek

Loud to her lost companions; seems to dread

The dashing waves, and timid shrinks her feet.

She draws Asteria, by the god o'er-power'd,

Cloth'd in an eagle. Leda, fair she lays

Beneath his wings, when he a swan appears.

She adds how Jove beneath a Satyr's shape

Conceal'd, the beauteous child of Nycteus fill'd,

With a twin-offspring. In Amphytrion's form

Alcmena, thou wert press'd. A golden shower

Danae deceiv'd. A flame AEgina caught.

A shepherd's shape Mnemosyne beguil'd.

And fair Deoeis trusts a speckled snake.

Thee, Neptune, too she painted, for the maid

AEolian, to a threatening bull transform'd.

Thou, as Enipeus, didst the Aloid twins

Beget. Beneath the semblance of a ram,

Theophane was cheated. Ceres mild,

Of grain inventress, with her yellow locks,

In shape a courser felt thy ardent love.

Medusa, mother of the flying steed,

Nymph of the snaky tresses, in a bird

Conceal'd, you forc'd. Melantho in a fish.

To these the damsel, all well-suiting forms

Dispens'd, and all well-suiting scenes attend.

And there Apollo in a herdsman's guise

Wanders. And now he soars a plumy hawk:

Now stalks a lordly lion. As a swain

Macarean Isse, felt his amorous guile,

Erigone to Bacchus' flame was dup'd

Beneath a well-seem'd grape. Saturn produc'd

The Centaur doubly-shap'd, in form a steed.

Her web's extremes a slender border girt,

Where flowery wreathes, and twining ivy blend.

Not Pallas,--not even envy's rankling soul

Could blame the work. The bright immortal griev'd

To view her rival's merit, angry tore

The picture glowing with celestial crimes.

A boxen shuttle, grasping in her hand,

Thrice on the forehead of th' Idmonian maid

She struck. No more Arachne, hapless bore,

But twisted round her neck with desperate pride

A cord. The deed Minerva pitying saw

And check'd her rash suspension.--"Impious wretch!

"Still live," she cry'd, "but still suspended hang;

"Curs'd to futurity, for all thy race,

"Thy sons and grandsons, to the latest day

"Alike shall feel the sentence." Speaking thus,

The juice of Hecat's baleful plant she throws:

Instant besprinkled by the noxious drops,

Her tresses fall; her nose and ears are lost;

Her body shrinks; her head is lessen'd more;

Her slender fingers root within her sides,

Serving as legs; her belly forms the rest;

From whence her thread she still derives and spins:

Her art pursuing in the spider's shape.

All Lydia rung; the wonderous rumor spread

Through every Phrygian town; the tale employ'd

The tongues of all mankind. The nymph was known,

Ere yet Amphion's nuptial bed she press'd,

To Niobe. She, when a virgin dwelt

In Lydian Sipylus. She still unmov'd,

Arachne's neighboring fate not heeded, still

Proudly refus'd before the gods to bend;

And spoke in haughty boasting. Much her pride

By favoring gifts was swol'n. Not the fine skill

Amphion practis'd; not the lofty birth

Each claim'd; not all their mighty kingdom's power,

So rais'd her soul (of all though justly proud)

As her bright offspring. Justly were she call'd

Most blest of mothers; but her bliss too great

Seem'd to herself, and caus'd a dread reverse.

Now Manto, sprung from old Tiresias, skill'd

In future fate, impell'd by power divine,

In every street with wild prophetic tongue

Exclaim'd;--"Ye Theban matrons, haste in crowds,

"Your incense offer, and your pious prayers,

"To great Latona, and the heavenly twins,

"Latona's offspring; all your temples bound

"With laurel garlands. This the goddess bids;

"Through me commands it." All of Thebes obey,

And gird their foreheads with the order'd leaves;

The incense burn, and with the sacred flames

Their pious prayers ascend. Lo! 'midst a crowd

Of nymphs attendant, far conspicuous seen;

Comes Niobe, in gorgeous Phrygian robe,

Inwrought with gold, attir'd. Beauteous her form,

Beauteous, as rage permitted. Angry shook

Her graceful head; and angry shook the locks

That o'er each shoulder wav'd. Proudly she tower'd.

Her haughty eyes, round from her lofty stand

Wide darting, cry'd;--"What madness this to place

"Reported gods above the gods you see!

"Why to Latona's altars bend ye low,

"Nor incense burn before my power divine?

"My sire, was Tantalus: of mortals sole,

"Celestial feasts he shar'd. A Pleiaed nymph

"Me bore. My grandsire is the mighty king,

"Whose shoulders all the load of heaven sustain.

"Jove is my father's parent: him I boast

"As sire-in-law too. All the Phrygian towns

"Bend to my sway. The hall of Cadmus owns

"Me sovereign mistress. Thebes' high towering walls,

"Rais'd by my consort's lute; and all the crowd

"Who dwell inclos'd, his rule and mine obey.

"Where'er within my palace turn mine eyes,

"Treasures immense I view. Brightness divine

"I boast: to all seven blooming daughters add,

"And seven fair sons; through whom I soon expect,

"If Hymen favors, seven more sons to see,

"And seven more daughters. Need ye further seek

"Whence I have cause for boasting. Dare ye still

"Latona, from Titanian Caeus sprung,--

"The unknown Caeus,--she to whom all earth

"In bearing pangs the smallest space deny'd:--

"This wretch to my divinity prefer?

"Not heaven your goddess would receive; not earth;

"Not ocean: exil'd from the world, she weep'd,

"Till Delos sorrowing,--wanderer like herself,

"Exclaim'd;--thou dreary wanderest o'er the earth,

"I, o'er the main;--and sympathizing thus,

"A resting spot afforded. There become

"Of two the mother, only--can she vie

"With one whose womb, has sevenfold hers surpass'd?

"Blest am I. Who can slightly e'er arraign

"To happiness my claim? Blest will I still

"Continue. Who my bliss can ever doubt?

"Abundance guards its surety. Far beyond

"The power of fortune is my lot uprais'd:

"Snatch them in numbers from me, crowds more great

"Must still remain. My happy state contemns

"Even now, the threats of danger. Grant the power

"Of fate this nation of my womb to thin,--

"Of part depriv'd, impossible I shrink

"To poor Latona's two. How scant remov'd

"From mothers childless! Quit your rites;--quick haste

"And tear those garlands from your flowing hair."

Aside the garlands thrown, and incomplete,

The rites relinquish'd, what the Thebans could

They gave: their whispering prayers the matron dame

Address'd. With ire the angry goddess flam'd,

And thus on Cynthus' lofty top bespoke

Her double offspring:--"O, my children! see,

"Your parent, proud your parent to be call'd,--

"To no celestial yielding, save the queen

"Of Jove supreme. Lo! doubted is my claim

"To rites divine; and from the altars, burnt

"To me from endless ages, driven, I go;

"Save by my children succour'd. Nor this grief

"Alone me irks, for Niobe me mocks!--

"Her daring crime increasing, proud she sets

"Her offspring far 'bove you. Me too she spurns,--

"To her in number yielding; childless calls

"My bed, and proves the impious stock which gave

"Her tongue first utterance." More Latona felt

Prepar'd to utter; more beseechings bland

For her young offspring, when Apollo, cry'd:

"Enough, desist to plain;--delay is long

"Till vengeance." Dian' join'd him in his ire.

Swift gliding down the sky, and veil'd in clouds,

On Cadmus' roof they lighted. Wide was spread,

A level plain, by constant hoofs well beat,

The city's walls adjoining; crowding wheels,

And coursers' feet the rolling dust upturn'd.

Here of Amphion's offspring daily some

Mount their fleet steeds; their trappings gaily press

Of Tyrian dye: heavy with gold, the rens

They guide. 'Mid these Ismenos, primal born

Of Niobe, as round the circling course,

His well-train'd steed he sped, and strenuous curb'd

His foaming mouth,--loudly "Ah, me!" exclaim'd,

As through his bosom deep the dart was driv'n:

Dropp'd from his dying hands the slacken'd reins;

Slowly, and sidelong from his courser's back

He tumbled. Sipylus, gave uncheck'd scope

To his, when through the empty air he heard,

The rattling quiver sound: thus speeding clouds

Beheld, the guider of the ruling helm,

A threatening tempest fearing, looses wide

His every sail to catch the lightest breeze.

Loose flow'd his reins. Th' inevitable dart

The flowing reins quick follow'd. Quivering shook,

Fixt in his upper neck, the naked steel,

Far through his throat protruding. Prone he fell

O'er his high courser's head; his smoking gore,

The ground defiling. Hapless Phoedimas,

And Tantalus, his grandsire's name who bore,

Their 'custom'd sport laborious ended, strove

With youthful vigor in the wrestling toil.

Now breast to breast they strain'd with nervous grasp,

When the swift arrow from the bended horn,

Both bodies pierc'd, as close both bodies join'd;

At once they groan'd; at once their limbs they threw,

With agonies convuls'd, prone on the earth;

At once their rolling eyes the light forsook;

At once their souls were yielded forth to air.

Alphenor saw, and smote his grieving breast;

Flew to their pallid limbs, and as he rais'd,

Their bodies, in the pious office fell:

For Phoebus drove his fate-wing'd arrow deep

Through what his heart inclos'd. Sudden withdrawn,

On the barb'd head the mangled lungs were stuck;

And high in air his soul gush'd forth in blood.

But beardless Damasichthon, by a wound

Not single fell, as those; struck where the leg

To form begins, and where the nervous ham

A yielding joint supplies. The deadly dart

To draw essaying, in his throat, full driven,

Up to the feather'd head, another came:

The sanguine flood expell'd it, gushing high,

Cutting the distant air. With outstretcht arms

Ilioneus, the last, besought in vain;

Exclaiming,--"spare me, spare me, all ye gods!"

Witless that all not join'd to cause his woe.

The god was touch'd with pity, touch'd too late,--

Already shot th' irrevocable dart:

Yet light the blow was given, and mild the wound

That pierc'd his heart, and sent his soul aloft.

The rumor'd ill; the mourning people's groans;

The servant's tears, soon made the mother know,

The sudden ruin: wondering first she stands,

To see so great heaven's power, then angry flames

Indignant, that such power they dare to use.

The sire Amphion, in his bosom plung'd

His sword, and ended life at once, and woe.

Heavens! how remov'd this Niobe, from her

Who drove so lately from Latona's fane,

The pious crowds; who march'd in lofty state,

Through every street of Thebes, an envy'd sight!

Now to be wept by even her bitterest foes.

Prostrate upon their gelid limbs she lies;

Now this, now that, her trembling kisses press;

Her livid arms high-stretching unto heaven,

Exclaims,--"Enjoy Latona, cruel dame,

"My sorrows; feed on all my wretched woes;

"Glut with my load of grief thy savage soul;

"Feast thy fell heart with seven funereal scenes;

"Triumph, victorious foe! conqueror, exult!

"Victorious! said I?--How? To wretched me,

"Still more are left, than joyful thou canst boast:

"Superior I 'midst all this loss remain."

She spoke;--the twanging bowstring sounded loud!

Terrific noise,--save Niobe, to all:

She stood audacious, callous in her crime.

In mourning vesture clad, with tresses loose,

Around the funeral couches of the slain,

The weeping sisters stood. One strives to pluck

The deep-stuck arrow from her bowels,--falls,

And fainting dies; her brother's clay-cold corse,

Prest with her lips. Another's soothing words

Her hapless parent strive to cheer,--struck dumb,

She bends beneath an unseen wound; her words

Reach not her parent, till her life is fled.

This, vainly flying, falls: that drops in death

Upon her sister's body. One to hide

Attempts: another pale and trembling dies.

Six now lie breathless, each by vary'd wounds;

One sole remaining, whom the mother shields,

Wrapt in her vest; her body o'er her flung,

Exclaiming,--"leave me this, my youngest,--last,

"Least of my mighty numbers,--one alone!"

But while she prays, the damsel pray'd for dies.

Of all depriv'd, the solitary dame,

Amid the lifeless bodies of her sons,

Her daughters, and her spouse, by sorrows steel'd,

Sits harden'd: no light gale her tresses moves;

No blood her redden'd cheeks contain; her eyes

Motionless glare upon her mournful face;

Life quits the statue: even her tongue congeals,

Within her stony palate; vital floods

Cease in her veins to flow; her neck to bow

Resists; her arms to move in graceful guise;

Her feet to step; and even to stone are turn'd

Her inmost bowels. Still to weep she seems.

Wrapt in a furious whirlwind, distant far

Her natal soil receives her. There fixt high

On a hill's utmost summit, still she melts;

Still does the rigid marble flow in tears.

Now every Theban, male and female, all,

Dread the fierce anger of the powers of heaven;

And with redoubled fervor lowly bend,

And own the twin-producing goddess' power.

Then, as oft seen, they ancient tales recount,

Reminded by events of recent date.

Thus one relates.--"Long since some clowns, who till'd

"The fertile fields of Lycia, felt the ire

"Of this high goddess, whom they durst despise.

"Obscure the fact itself, for low the race

"Who suffer'd; yet most wonderous was the deed.

"Myself have seen the marsh; the lake have seen

"Fam'd for the prodigy. My aged sire,

"To toil unable on the lengthen'd road,

"Me thither sent; an herd of choicest beeves

"Thence to conduct; to my unpractis'd steps

"A guiding native of the land he gave.

"While we the pastures travers'd, lo! we found

"An ancient altar, 'midst a spacious lake

"Erected; black with sacrificing dust;

"With waving reeds surrounded. Here my guide

"Halted, and softly whisper'd,--bless me, power!

"And I, like softly whispering,--bless me!--cry'd.

"Then ask'd, if nymph, or fawn, or native god

"The altar own'd?--when thus my guide reply'd.

"No mountain god, O, youth! this altar claims,

"But her whom once imperial Juno's rage,

"Stern interdicted from firm earth's extent:

"Whom scarce the wandering Delos would receive,

"Ardent beseeching, when the buoyant isle

"Light floated. There at length, Latona, laid

"Betwixt a palm, and bright Minerva's tree,

"Spite of their fierce opposing step-dame's power,

"Her twins produc'd. Even hence, in child-bed driven,

"She fled from Juno; in her bosom bore,

"'Tis said, the twin-celestials. Now the sun

"With fervid rays, had scorch'd the arid meads,

"When faint with lengthen'd toil, the goddess gain'd

"The edge of Lycia's monster-breeding clime;

"Parch'd and exhausted, from the solar heat,

"And infants milking her exhausted breast.

"By chance a lake, far distant she espy'd,

"Deep in a vale's recess, of waters pure.

"There clowns the bulrush gather'd; there they pluck'd

"The shrubby osier, and the marsh-fond grass.

"Approach'd the goddess; on her knees low bent,

"The earth she press'd, and forward lean'd to drink

"The cooling liquid. This the rustic mob

"Forbade. When she to those who thus oppos'd,--

"Water withhold? Water whose use is free?

"Nature to all unsparing gives to take,

"Of light, of air, and of the flowing stream.

"I claim but public gifts: yet suppliant beg

"Those public gifts to share. Not here I come,

"My weary'd arms and limbs within the waves

"To lave: my thirst alone I wish to slake.

"Even now my speaking lips their moisture want;

"Scarce my parch'd throat, a passage to my words

"Can yield. As nectar were the limpid draught.

"Life with the water give me; for to me,

"Water is life; with water life I seek.

"Let these too move you, who their tender hands

"Stretch to your bosoms,--for by chance the babes

"Their little hands held forth. The goddess' words,

"Thus bland-beseeching, who could e'er withstand?

"Yet these persisted;--obstinate refus'd

"To grant her wish, and with opprobrious speech

"And threats revil'd her, should she there remain.

"Nor rested thus,--the lake with hands and feet

"Muddy they trouble; with malicious leaps

"They agitate the pool, and upward stir

"From the deep bottom clouds of slimy ooze.

"Anger her thirst diverted. Rage deny'd

"More supplication from th' indignant dame.

"Their threatening words, no more the goddess brook'd;

"But raising high to heaven her hands, she cry'd,--

"Be this your home for ever!--Gracious heard,

"Her prayer was granted. Now they joy to plunge,

"Beneath the waters; now they deep immerge

"Their bodies in the hollow fen; now raise

"Their heads, and skim the surface of the pool,

"Often they rest upon the margin's brink,

"And oft light-springing, in the cool lake plunge.

"Now still their rude contentious tongues they use,

"Still squabbling, lost to shame beneath the waves:

"Beneath the waves they still abusings strive

"To utter. Hoarsely still their voice is heard,

"Through their wide-bloated throats. Their railing words,

"Their jaws more wide dilate. Depriv'd of neck,

"Their head and back in junction seem to meet;

"Green shine their backs; their bellies, hugely swol'n

"Are white; and frogs they plunge within the pool."

Thus as the man, the fate destructive told

Of Lycia's clowns, to mind another call'd

The satyr's fate, who vanquish'd in the strife

Of skill, on Pallas' pipe, Latona's son

Severely punish'd.--"Wherefore thus,"--he cries,

"Rent from myself? O, penitent I bow.

"The pipe," he shrieks, "should not such rage provoke."

Exclaiming thus, o'er his extremest limbs

Stript was his skin; he one continuous wound!

Blood flow'd from every part; the naked nerves

Bare started; and the trembling veins full throbb'd,

By skin uncover'd. Every beating part

Inward, the breast's translucent fibres plain

Display'd to sight. Him every forest fawn;

Each brother satyr; and each sylvan god;

And every nymph, with fam'd Olympus wept:

And every swain, the woolly flock who fed;

Or on the mountain watch'd the horned herd.

Wash'd by their falling tears, the fertile earth

Is soak'd,--absorbs them in her inmost veins;

Then form'd to water, spouts them high in air.

Rapid 'twixt banks declivitous, they seek

The ocean. Marsya, is the river call'd;

The clearest stream through Phrygia's land which flows.

Thus far the crowd;--and then lamenting turn

To present griefs:--Amphion's race extinct,

Unanimous they wail; but hated still

Remains the mother's pride. For her alone

Weep'd Pelops;--rent his garments, bare expos'd

His breast and shoulders lay, and fair display'd

The ivory joint. This shoulder at his birth

In fleshy substance, and carnation tinge,

Equall'd the right. When by his sire his limbs

Disjointed lay, the gods, 'tis said, quick join'd

The sever'd members: every fragment found,

Save what combin'd the neck and upper arm;

The part destroy'd, with ivory they replace;

And Pelops perfect from the gift became.

The neighbouring lords assemble;--every town

Their kings intreat condolence to bestow,

And all to Thebes repair. First Argos sends;

Sparta; Mycene; Calydon, not yet

By stern Diana hated; Corinth, fam'd

For beauteous brass; Orchomenus the fierce;

Messene fertile; Patrae; Pylos, rul'd

By Neleus; Troezen, yet unus'd to own

The sway of Pittheus; Cleona the low;

And all those towns the two-sea'd isthmus holds;

And all those towns the isthmus views without.

Athens, incredible! was absent sole.

War all her energy demanded. Borne

O'er ocean, fierce barbarian troops, the walls

Mopsopian threaten'd. Thracian Tereus, these

With arms auxiliar routed; bright his name

Shone from the conquest. Him in riches great,

Mighty in power, and from the god-like Mars,

His lineage tracing, Procne's nuptial hand

Close to Pandion bound. Their marriage bed

Nor Grace, nor Hymen, nor the nuptial queen

Attended. Furies held the torches, snatch'd

From biers funereal. Furies spread the couch:

And all night long an owl, ill-omen'd bird,

Perch'd on the roof that crown'd the marriage dome.

Join'd with such omens, with such omens bore

Procne a son to Tereus. Wide through Thrace

Congratulations sound: glad thanks to heaven

The parents give, and hail the happy day

Which gave Pandion's daughter to the king;

And gave the pair a son. So ignorant still

Mankind of real happiness remain!

Now through five autumns had the cheerful sun

The whirling year renew'd. When Procne, bland

Her spouse besought.--"If grace within thy sight

"Claim my deserts,--or suffer me to see

"In her own clime my sister, or to ours

"My sister bring: a quick return thou well

"Our sire may'st promise. This high boon obtain'd,

"My sister's presence,--to my sight thou'lt seem,

"A deity in goodness."--On the main

He bids them launch the vessel; in the port

Cecropian enters, urg'd by oar and sail;

And treads Piraeus' shore. Soon as he gain'd

His audience; soon as hand with hand was clasp'd,

His ill-presaging speech he open'd. First

The journey's cause narrating; fond desire

Of Procne; and the promis'd quick return

Of Philomela, should the sire comply.

Lo! Philomela enters, splendid robes

Attire her; still more splendid shine her charms:

Such they describe within the forests rove

Dryad, and Naiaed nymphs; such would they seem

Their shape like hers adorn'd, like hers attir'd.

Instant was Tereus at the sight inflam'd;

So instant would the hoary harvest burn,

The torch apply'd: so burn the wither'd leaves;

Or hoarded hay. Well might her charms inspire

Such love in any;--him his inbred lust

More goaded, more his country's warmth which burns

Intense; he flames from nature, and from clime.

First to corrupt th' attendants he designs,

And faithful nurse; and Philomel' to tempt

With gifts immense,--his kingdom's mighty price.

Or forceful snatch her, and the rape defend,

With all the powers of war. Nought but he dares.

Impell'd by love's unbridled power; his breast

The raging fire contains not. Irksome seems

Delay:--and eager to the anxious wish

Of Procne, turns his converse; her desires

His wishes aiding. Eloquent he spoke;

For love inspir'd him. Often as he press'd

More close than prudent, all his earnest speech,

Procne, he said, dictated. Heavens! how dark

The gloom that blinds the view of human souls.

Tereus for tenderest piety esteem'd,

More as for vice he labors: praise he gains,

for every crime. Now Philomela begs,

His prayer assisting; flings her winning arms

Around Pandion's neck, and suppliant sues

A sight of Procne; for her woe she begs,

But deems she begs delight. Her Tereus views;--

Anticipates his joys; her every kiss,

Her arms around her parent's neck entwin'd,

But goad his passion: fuel fresh they add;

Food for his flame. And when her sire she clasps,

He longs that sire to be. Parent, not more

His impious purpose would the wretch delay!

The king by both their warm beseechings won,

Consents;--she joyful to her father gives

Glad thanks;--and hapless, deems completely blest,

Herself and sister, both most deeply curst;

Now Phoebus' toil nigh spent, his coursers' feet

Sweep'd down the slope of heaven. The royal feast,

And golden goblets, fill'd with Bacchus' gift,

The board bespread. From hence in slumbers soft,

Each sought repose. All but the Thracian king,

Though far remov'd, still burning; all her face,

Her hands and gesture he recals, and paints

At pleasure all her beauties yet unseen:

Feeding his flame, and sleep repelling far.

'Twas morn;--Pandion, pressing warm the hand

Of Tereus, as they parted, while the tears

Gush'd sudden, thus bespeaks his friendly care.

"Dear son, to thee I give her, pious claims

"Compel me: suppliant let me thee adjure

"By faith, by kindred, and by all the gods,

"Thy care paternal, shall protect the maid;

"And the soft solace of my anxious years,

"Speedy restore, for each delay is long.

"Quick, Philomela, quick my child, rejoin

"Thy sire, if filial duty sways thee. Much

"Thy sister's absence pains me."--Speaking thus

He press'd with kisses soft, the maiden's lips,

And dripping tears with each behest let fall.

Their hands he asks as pledge of faith, and joins

Their hands in his presented; tender begs

His salutations to his daughter dear;

And his young grandson. Scarce the last adieu,

Chok'd with deep sighs, he breathes: his boding mind

Foreseeing future woes.

Now Philomel'

Safely on board the painted vessel plac'd,

The land far left, as with their laboring oars

The surges move;--exulting Tereus, cry'd,

"Victorious,--lo! my utmost wishes borne

Safe with me."--Scarce his burning soul defers

His hop'd-for joys. His eyes are never turn'd

From the lov'd face. Thus Jove's protected bird

Rapacious bears, with his sharp talons pierc'd,

An hare defenceless to his lofty nest:

No flight remains, the spoiler calmly views

His prey. Now ended is their voyage, now

Weary'd they quit their ship, and joyful touch

Their native beach; and now the Thracian king

Pandion's daughter to a lofty stall

Conducts; by ancient trees the spot well screen'd.

There he inclos'd the pale, the trembling maid,

Of all things fearful, as with tears she press'd

Her sister's face to see: his purpose dire

Disclosing,--force the helpless maid o'ercame,

Loudly exclaiming to her sire; and loud

Her sister's help invoking, equal vain:

But chief she begs celestial powers to aid.

Trembling she lies; so seems a shuddering lamb

Wounded, and from the hoary wolf's fierce jaws

Just 'scap'd, not sure his safety yet he deems:

So seems a dove, her plumes in blood deep-drench'd,

With fear still shivering; still the hungry claws

Dreading, that lately pierc'd her. Soon restor'd

Her mental powers, while scatter'd hung the locks

Rent in her anguish, high her arms she rais'd,

Livid with blows, as those that mourn the dead;

Exclaiming,--"O, barbarian! wretch supreme!

"In cruelty and vice; whom not the charge

"Parental, seal'd with pious tears could move;

"A sister's charge entrusted: not her state,

"Virgin defenceless; not the sacred vows,

"Conjugal plighted. In confusion all

"Commixt, by thee, adulteress here I lie,

"Against my sister. Thou a double spouse,

"To both. This scourge is sure to me not due.

"Why, villain, not my hated life destroy?

"Perfect in deeds atrocious; would my breath

"Before the horrid act supprest had been:

"Then had I guiltless sought the shades. But still

"If powers celestial view this act; if sway

"On earth they hold; if all not sinks with me,

"Thy fate hence-forward from me dread; myself

"Shall unabash'd, thy acts proclaim. If power

"Is granted, when in public walks I roam:

"If here in woods imprison'd, all the woods

"Shall with my plaints resound; the conscious rocks

"I'll move. May heaven me hear! and if in heaven

"A god abides, me hear!"--Rous'd by her words,

The fierce king's anger burns; no less his fear

Than anger moves him: strongly spurr'd by each,

His weapon from the pendent sheath he drew:

Dragg'd by the hair, her limbs he forc'd to yield

To fetters; twisting rough her arms behind.

Glad Philomel' to him her throat presents,

Death from the glittering sword expecting. Grasp'd

In pincers, fierce her tongue he tore away;

Griev'd, and indignant, as her father's name

She strove to utter: trembling still appear'd

The bloody root; trembling the tongue itself

Murmur'd as on the gore-stain'd earth it lay:

As leaps the serpent's sever'd tail, the tongue,

Quivering in death, still to her feet advanc'd.

This deed of horror done, 'tis said that oft

(Incredible the fact) repeated force

Upon her mangled form the wretch employ'd.

Now dares he, all those acts atrocious done,

Return to Procne. Eager as he comes,

For Philomel' she asks. False tears and groans

He gives: the hapless nymph he feigns deceas'd:

His tears convince. Now from her shoulders torn,

Her robes with gold bright-glittering, sable vests

Her limbs enfolded. High an empty tomb

She rais'd, and pious obsequies perform'd

To manes pretended: for her sister's fate

She mourn'd, whose fate such mourning ill deserv'd.

Through twice six signs had Phoebus journey'd on,

The year completing. What, alas! remains

For Philomela? Guards prevent her flight.

Of stone erected, high the massive walls

Circle her round. Her lips so mute, refuse

The deed to blazon. Keen the sense of grief

Sharpens the soul:--in misery the mind

Ingenious sparkles. Skillful she extends

The Thracian web, and on the snow-white threads,

In purple letters, weaves the dreadful tale.

Complete, a servant with expressive signs,

The present to the queen she bids to bear.

To Procne was it borne, witless the slave

Of what he carry'd. Savage Tereus' spouse

The web unfolded; read the mournful tale

Her hapless sister told, and wonderous! sate

In silence; grief her rising words repress'd:

Indignant, chok'd, her throat refus'd to breathe,

The angry accents to her plaining tongue.

To weep she waits not, in turmoil confus'd,

Justice and flagrance undistinguished lie;

Her mind sole bent for vengeance on her spouse.

Now was the time Sithonia's matrons wont,

The rites triennial of the jovial god

To tend. Those rites to conscious shade alone

Confided. Rhodope, the brazen sound

Shrill tinkling, hears by night;--by night the queen

The palace quits, attir'd as Bacchus' rites

Demand; and weapon'd with the Bacchant arms.

A vine her forehead girds; the nimble deer

Clothes with his skin her sides; her shoulder bears

A slender spear. Thus maddening, Procne seeks

The woods in ire terrific, crowded round

By all her followers: rack'd by inward pangs,

The furious rant of Bacchus veils her woes.

The lonely stable seen at length, she howls

Aloud,--"Evoe, ho!"--and bursts the door;

Drags thence her sister;--her thence dragg'd, invests I

In Bacchanalian robes; her face inshrouds

In ivy foliage; and astonish'd leads

The trembling damsel o'er the palace steps.

The horrid dome when Philomela saw,

Perforce she enter'd; through her frame she shook;

The blood her face deserted. Procne sought

A spot retir'd, and from her features flung

The sacred trappings, and her sister's face,

Sorrowing and blushing, to the light unveil'd;

Then ran to clasp her. She the sight not bore;

Her eyes she rais'd not; her dejected brows

Bent to the ground; thus by her sister seen,

Encroacher on her bed. Her hands still spoke,

When oaths she wish'd to utter, and to call

Th' attesting gods, her foul disgrace by force

To prove accomplish'd. Furious, Procne burns,

Nor curbs her ire; her sister's streaming tears

Reproving checks, and cries;--"no period now

"For tears, we ask the sword! But if than sword

"Vengeance more keen thou hop'st for, sister dear,

"Behold me for most horrid deeds prepar'd.

"Shall I with flaming torches blaze on high

"His hall imperial, and the villain king

"Heave in the conflagration? Shall I rend

"As thine his tongue? or from his sockets tear,

"His eye-balls? or what other member maim?

"Or this, or instant send his guilty soul

"Thro' thousand wounds to judgment? What thou speak'st

"Be mighty. I for mightiest acts prepare.

"To fix I hesitate." As Procne speaks,

Lo! infant Itys to his mother runs;

His sight her mind determines; cruel turn

Her eyes, exclaiming;--"See, how like his sire's

"Appear his features!"--More she spoke not, fixt

Was straight her dread resolve: now fiercer burn'd

Within her smother'd rage;--yet when the boy

Approach'd, and round her neck his infant arms

Threw, and his kisses printed on her lips,

With bland caresses mingled, even the soul

Of Procne melted. Mollify'd her rage,

Tears hard constrain'd flow'd from unwilling eyes.

Soon as the mother's feelings softening seem

To melt in extreme fondness; Procne quits

The sight, and to her sister's face reverts

Again her visage; then on each in turn

Full bent her view, she cries;--"Must one me melt

"With blandish'd soothings? Must the other mute,

"With tongue dismember'd stand? Must he exclaim

"O, mother!--she, O, sister! never more?

"To what a spouse, Pandion's daughter, see

"Art thou, degenerate wife, conjoin'd! Thy sin

"A spouse like Tereus to have us'd too well."

More she delays not, infant Itys drags,

Swift as the Indian tiger sweeps the fawn

Through shady forests. Then the lofty dome,

For rooms remote well search'd, in one arrives,

Where she the infant pierces; 'twixt the breast

And side the weapon enters, while his hands,

Suppliant, his fate foreseeing, he extends,

And,--"mother! O, my mother!"--loudly cries.

Nor mov'd her countenance fell;--the single wound

Was deadly. Philomela, with her steel

The throat divided, and the quivering limbs

Dissever'd, whilst of animation still

Some glimmering sparks remain'd. Of these, they part

In brazen cauldrons boil: part on the spit

Crackling they turn: with gore the secret rooms

Offensive float. Her unsuspecting spouse

Procne to feast invites; delusive feigns

Her country's customs,--where 'twas given, but one

The husband should be nigh; all menial slaves

Far distant. On his ancestorial seat

High-lifted, Tereus sate, and feasted there:

And in his bowels deep he there entomb'd

Bowels his own. So blind are human souls,--

"Call Itys to the feast,"--he cries. No more

Could Procne veil her savage joy;--full bent

The slaughter to announce, she loud proclaim'd

"Thou seek'st who with thee rests!"--Around he looks.

Wondering where rests he. Philomela rush'd,

Her tresses sprinkled with the ireful blood,

As griev'd he, Itys calling loud, and flung,

With savage fury Itys' gory head

Full in his father's face; nor ever mourn'd

Lost speech so much; her well-earn'd joy to show,

More griev'd lost power. With outcry loud the king

O'er-turn'd the table; from the Stygian vale,

Invok'd the viper'd sisters: hard he strove

To tear his bosom, and from thence disgorge

The dire repast, the half-digested mass

Of Itys' limbs. Now weeping, wild he mourns,

Himself his offspring's tomb. Now fierce pursues

Pandion's daughters with his unsheath'd sword.

From him escaping, on light wings upborne

Th' Athenians seem'd; light wings their limbs upbore!

One sheltering in the woods: protecting roofs

The other seeking; still the murderous deed,

Mark'd on her breast remains; still on her plumes

The teint of blood is seen. Rapid in rage

And hope of vengeance, Tereus too is chang'd,

And flits a bird; a plumy crest he bears,

High on his head: the lengthen'd sword he bore,

A beak enormous grows. A lapwing now

With fierce-arm'd face he flies.

Untimely sought

Pandion, when the mournful tale he heard,

The Stygian shades, ere yet the lengthen'd date

Of years commanded. Next th' Athenian realm

Erechtheus rul'd, the sceptre dubious held

By right or forceful arms. Proud could he boast

Four sons;--and daughters four to him were given.

Beauteous the maids; in beauty equal two:

Of these AEoelian Cephalus was bless'd

With thee as spouse, O, Procris!--Tereus long,

Boreas withstanding, with the power of Thrace,

Long Orithyia, by the god belov'd,

Was lov'd in vain; while soft beseechings more

And prayers, the power to strenuous force preferr'd.

But now those soothings bland so vainly try'd,

Fierce swol'n with rage, his most accustom'd feel

(Too much that passion knows this wind) he cries;--

"Well I deserve it, all my proper arms

"Relinquish'd: savage fierceness, strength, stern rage,

"And threatening force. With humble softening prayers

"Fool have I su'd; in each attempt have fail'd.

"More apt to me is force! by force I drive

"The lowering clouds before me: Ocean's waves

"Forceful I turn; forceful the knotted oak

"Root from its deep foundation; hard the frost

"I bind; and beat the sounding earth with hail:

"I when in open sky, for there our field

"Lies in display, my blustering brethren meet,

"Oppose such might, that midmost sky resounds

"Echoing our forceful conflict; flashing flames

"From the cleft bodies of the hollow clouds,

"Elicited: I too, earth's secret womb

"Fierce entering, in her deepest caverns strain

"My strength, 'till trembling wide through all her frame,

"The ghosts below are troubled. These the aid

"My nuptial wish should seek; no longer pray

"Erechtheus for my sire;--my sire by force,

"The monarch shall be made."--So spoke the god,

Or thus, or more in fury, as he shook

His plumes, whose motion sweep'd through earth's extent,

And made the wide main tremble. Lofty hills

His dusty mantle covers; as the plains

Rapid he brushes; shrouded deep in mist,

In his dark wings the furious lover clasps

His Orithyia, trembling, pale with fear:

Flying his flames were fann'd, and fiercer blaz'd.

Nor check'd the ravisher his lofty flight,

Till seen the town of Cicones, whose walls

Receiv'd him. There th' Athenian nymph became

The freezing monarch's bride: a mother there,

A double birth she brought, whose shoulders bear

The father's pinions; all their semblance else

Their mother's. Not at first, 'tis said, appear'd

The feathers: Calais and Zethes, boys

Were yet unplum'd; when yet with ruddy hair,

Their beards appear'd not. From each shoulder shot

The feathers bird-like, at the self-same time,

Their manly cheeks were thick with yellow down.

Now when their youth matur'd to man appear'd,

Through seas unplough'd before, they sought the fleece

Splendid with glittering wool; with all the train

Of Minyae, in the first-built vessel borne.

*The Seventh Book.*

Expedition of the Argonauts. Jason obtains the golden fleece, by

the assistance of Medea. AEson restored to youth by her magic

powers. Murder of Pelias by his daughters. Medea's flight to

Corinth. Murder of her rival and infants. Marriage with AEgeus.

Adventures of Theseus. War with Minos. Plague in AEgina. Change of

ants into Myrmidons. Cephalus and Procris.

THE *Seventh Book* OF THE METAMORPHOSES OF OVID.

Now in the Pagasaean vessel borne,

Plough'd the wide sea the Argonauts, and saw

The fate of Phineus; whose old age the curse

Of hunger felt, and felt perpetual night.

The youths from Boreas sprung, quick sped to flight

The virgin-featur'd birds, his hapless face,

Far distant. 'Neath great Jason's rule much toil

They bore ere on the oozy banks they stay'd

Of rapid Phasis. Here the king they seek;

And here demand the golden fleece; and here

An answer big with fearful labors learn

The Grecian crew. Meantime the royal maid

Burns with fierce fires: with reason struggling long,

Still her hot flame to quench unable, cries

Aloud Medea;--"vainly I oppose!

"Some unknown god controls. Perhaps 'tis love!

"If love 'tis not, no sentiment more near

"To love can come. Why else my sire's commands

"So harsh appear? But harsh in truth they are.

"But why his failing dread? Why dread his death,

"But barely seen? What cause such fear can give?

"O, hapless maid! would from my virgin breast

"Those flames to fling were given. If mine the power

"More wisdom would I use. But me this force,

"Before unknown, unwilling drags; this love

"Persuades, oppos'd to reason: plain I see

"The better track,--approve it most, yet swerv'd,

"I tread the worse. Why, royal virgin, burn

"Thus for a stranger guest? Why long'st thou thus,

"A foreign partner in the marriage bed

"To clasp? Thy country well can thee supply

"What e'er thou lovest. In the gods' decree

"His death or safety rests. Yet may he live!

"Pray may'st thou for him sure,--love unconcern'd.

"But what has Jason done? Savage, indeed!

"Were those his youth, his birth, and brilliant deeds

"Not touch'd: how savage too the soul must be

"His beauty touch'd not, were there nought beside;

"My bosom sure it moves. But were my aid

"Deny'd, the furious bulls with flaming breath

"His fate would compass; or the foes that spring

"From earth, his harvest, slay him in the fight;

"Or last, he'd fall the ravenous dragon's prey.

"If this I suffer, from the tiger sprung

"Believe me; steel and marble in my breast,

"Deem me to wear. Why not his death behold?

"Why not mine eyes with the dread sight pollute!

"Why not the bulls, the earth-born foes incite,

"And sleepless dragon, with redoubled ire?

"Heaven wills it better. But let deeds, not prayers

"My time employ. How! shall I then betray

"My parent's realm? an unknown stranger aid

"With all my power? who by my power preserv'd,

"Loos'd to the wind his sails, another's spouse

"Becomes,--me left for punishment behind?

"If this to do,--another nymph to me

"Born to prefer, let him, ingrate! be slain.

"But no! his face denies it; his great soul,

"And graceful form forbid the fear of fraud;

"Or benefits forgot. Yet shall he plight

"His solemn faith first, call th' attesting gods

"To witness what he vows. What fear I more?

"All's safe. Medea, hasten, spurn delay,--

"Jason, remaining life to thee shall owe;

"Join'd to his state, the annual torch shall flame

"To thee, preserver! through the Grecian towns

"By crowds of mothers hail'd. Shall I for this

"My sister leave, my brother, and my sire;

"My gods, and natal land? Yes,--fierce my sire;

"My country barbarous; and my brother young:

"With all my wishes, warm my sister joins;

"And dwells within my breast the mightiest god.

"Much I relinquish not, but much I seek.

"The glorious title of the Grecian youth

"Deliverer! gain'd; the sight of lands and towns

"Whose fame even here has journey'd; manners mild,

"And cultur'd arts; and Jason for my spouse,

"For whom all earth's possessions were too small

"To change. His spouse become, supremely blest,

"Dear to the gods, the loftiest stars I'll reach.

"What are those rocks, they tell, which 'mid the waves

"Meet in encounter? Fell Charybdis what,--

"Hostile to ships, now sucking in the tide,

"Now fierce discharging? What the savage bounds,

"Which compass greedy Scylla 'mid the main

"Sicilian? O'er the wide-spread ocean borne,

"Him whom I love embracing; sheltering close

"In Jason's bosom; clasp'd by him, no fear

"My soul could harbor. Or if fear I felt,

"For him alone I'd tremble; for my spouse.

"Spouse, dost thou say, Medea? hid'st thou thus,

"With specious names thy crime? Behold the load

"Of guilt thou goest to bear! While power remains

"The sin avoid."--She said, and duty, shame,

And rectitude, before her eyes appear'd;

And vanquish'd love address'd his wings to flight.

Now to an ancient altar Hecat' own'd,

By shady trees dark veil'd from day, she came:

Her flames abated, and her eager pulse

Subsided. Here AEsonides she saw,

And bright her love reblaz'd. Warm flush'd her cheeks,

Deep all her visage glow'd. The smallest spark

Thus low in embers hid, its vigor shews;

Help'd by the feeding blast, increasing burns,

And stirr'd in all its wonted fury glows.

Just so the languid passion which but now

All but extinct appear'd, the hero seen

Fresh at his beauteous presence flam'd. By chance

More beauteous Jason on that morn appear'd;

Well might a lover all her love excuse.

She looks, his countenance with her eyes devours

As then first seen; and madly fond, she deems

His features more than mortal: bashful turn'd

Her forehead not from his. But when her guest

Address'd her: when he gently took her hands;

And crav'd assistance in an humble tone,

The nuptial promise giving. Plenteous flow'd

Her tears, exclaiming;--"What I should perform

"Plainly I see: not ignorance me misleads

"But love. My gifts shall aid you, you but keep

"The promise pledg'd."--Sacred the hero swears

By her, the tri-form'd goddess, whom that grove

Acknowledges divine; and by the god,

Whence sprung the sire-in-law he hopes to claim;

The god who all beholds; by all his deeds

Atchiev'd; and by his perils all he swears.

His words believ'd, immediate he receives

The magic plants, their use well taught, and seeks

The roof rejoicing. Now the morn had driven

The glimmering stars far distant, crowding press'd

The people in the sacred field of Mars,

The king himself amidst them, seated high,

In purple clad, with ivory sceptre grac'd.

Lo! come the brazen-footed bulls, who breathe

Through nostrils fenc'd with adamant hot flames:

Parch'd by their breath, the herbage blacken'd burns.

Loud as the blazing forge's chimney roars;

Or loud as lime in earthy furnace laid,

Bursts into heat by watery sprinklings touch'd:

So loud, within their flaming chests contain'd,

The struggling fires loud bellow'd. Scorch'd their throats

The sound transmitted. Boldly AEson's son

March'd onward; fiercely as the youth approach'd,

His foes dark lower'd, and bent their steel-tipt horns,

Paw'd with their clefted hoofs the dusty ground,

And fill'd with smoky bellowings all the air.

Pale grew each Grecian face; advancing on

The fiery blasts he feels not, such the power

The mighty charms possess, but boldly strokes

Their dewlaps pendulous, and to the yoke

Subjected, makes them drag the ponderous plough;

And with the iron cut th' uncustom'd soil.

The Colchians wondering gaze; the Grecians loud

Applaud, and with fresh courage fill his soul.

Then from his brazen helmet pluck'd, he sows

The serpent's teeth, deep in the furrow'd ground:

The ground, the teeth with powerful venom ting'd,

Soften'd and swell'd them, and a novel shape

Imparted. Thus within the parent's womb,

An human shape the infant mass receives,

Completed perfect in the dark recess;

Nor till mature, to air external given.

So when the manly forms were perfect made

Within earth's pregnant bowels, up they sprung

Thick in the fruitful field; more wonderous still

Their arms they clash'd when born. Then when the Greeks

Their keenly-pointed spears preparing saw

To hurl at Jason's head, low sunk their souls,

And pallid grew their cheeks; Medea ev'n,

Whose art insur'd his safety, trembling fear'd,

When single she the youth beheld assail'd

By foes in hosts; bloodless her face became,

And tremor seiz'd her limbs: then lest the herbs

Presented first, should fail in power, she sings

An helping magic song, and all her arts

Latent, calls forth. Amidst the hostile crowd

A mighty rock he flings; their martial rage

From him diverted, on each other turns.

By mutual wounds the earth-born brothers fall;

In civil discord perish. Joy'd again

The Grecians clasp the conqueror in their arms.

Thou too, Medea, wish'd thine arms to fill

With him victorious. (Shame at first repress'd

Thy open fondness, though thou wast embrac'd)

Now reputation awes thee, now prevents

That bliss. What honor gives,--silent to joy,

And pour glad thanks to all thy magic arts,

And gods their authors, those thou dar'st indulge.

Now sole remains by powerful herbs to lull

The wakeful dragon, whose high-crested head

A triple tongue contains, whose crooked fangs

Dreadful the golden fleece protecting guards.

Him when be sprinkled with the juices prest

From plants Lethean; and repeated thrice,

The words which placid sleep inspire; which still

The ruffled ocean; and arrest the course

Of rapid torrents; sleep before unknown

Stole o'er his eyelids, and th' AEsonian youth

Seiz'd on the golden prize. Proud with the spoil,

(A second spoil possessing) she who gave

The power to conquer, as his wife he bears,

And lands triumphant on Thessalia's shores.

Mothers of Thessaly, and aged sires

For sons restor'd, glad offerings bring: bright flames

The high-heap'd incense; votive victims deck'd

With gilded horns are slain: but AEson, far

The grateful crowd avoids, now near his fate,

Bent by a weight of years. Hence Jason spoke;--

"O, spouse! to thee my life and safety ow'd;

"To me, thou all hast given; the high swol'n sum

"Of all thy favors might belief surpass:

"This more attempt, if this thou can'st,--and what

"Thy magic power defies? My years curtail,

"And to my sire's existence add the term."

Fast flow'd his tears while speaking;--while he spoke,

His pious duty mov'd Medea; quick

Her sire AEeta, so deserted, sprung

To thought, and shew'd the two contrasting souls.

But, veil'd her secret thoughts, she thus replies;--

"What impious accents hear I from thy tongue,

"O, spouse religious? Can I then transfer

"Of thy existence part? Not Hecat's power

"Fateful, would sanction this; nor stands thy wish

"In equity. Yet, Jason, will I try

"More than thou seek'st to give. With all my skill

"Thy sire's existence to prolong, thy years

"Unshorten'd; should the tri-form'd goddess aid

"Propitious my designs."--Three nights were now

Deficient, ere the full-form'd horns could meet

The lunar orb to fill. Complete her round;

A solid sphere of light from earth beheld,

Medea wanders forth; loose all her robes;

Naked her feet; bare-headed; while her hair

Wild o'er her shoulders floats; and thus array'd,

Untended, while deep midnight silence reigns

She bends her devious way. Men, beasts, and birds,

In bonds of sleep were chain'd; the hedges still,

No murmur breath'd; nor wav'd the silent trees;

Hush'd was the humid sky; the stars alone

Twinkled: to them her arms extending, thrice

She turn'd around; thrice from the flowing stream

Her tresses sprinkled; thrice with yelling noise

The silence broke; then with her bended knee

The hard earth pressing, cry'd;--"O, night! thou friend

"Of secret deeds; ye glittering stars! whose rays

"With Luna's, Sol's diurnal light succeed;

"And thou, O, Hecat'! tripleform'd, who know'st

"My undertaking, and approaching aid'st

"With incantations, and with magic powers:

"And thou, O, earth! whose bosom witching plants

"Affords: ye winds; ye skies; ye mountains; lakes;

"And flowing streams: O, all ye gods! who dwell

"In shady woods; and all ye gods of night,

"Hither approach! by whose high power, at will,

"Rivers I cause between their wondering banks,

"Back to their springs to flow; the stormy deep

"Hush by my song, or lash it into rage;

"Clouds form, or clouds dispel; raise furious blasts,

"Or furious blasts allay; smite with my song

"The dragon's furious jaws: the living rocks

"I shake;--uproot the oak; the earth upturn;

"Move forests; bid the trembling mountains leap;

"Loud roar the ground; and from the tombs the ghosts

"Affrighted walk. Thee, Luna, too I draw

"From heaven, by all the threatening clash of brass

"Deterr'd not: pale the brighter car becomes,

"My spells once utterr'd: by my poisons charm'd,

"Pallid Aurora seems. You, plants! for me,

"Blunted the ardor of the flaming bulls;

"Press'd with the yoke, their necks impatient bent,

"And dragg'd the crooked plough. You bade the race

"Snake-born, upon themselves their warring rage

"To turn. In sleep the roaring dragon's eyes

"You steep'd; the guard eluded, sent the prize

"To glad the towns of Greece. Now have I need

"Of renovating herbs, to make old age

"Glow once again in all its youthful bloom.

"This will you grant, for sure those stars in vain

"Not sparkle; nor in vain the chariot comes

"Drawn by the dragons wing'd." The chariot comes

Swift sweeping through the air. Active she mounts,

Strokes the rein'd dragons' manes, and shakes the thongs.

On high they soar:--Thessalian Tempe far

Beneath she views; then tow'rd the chalky land

Her snakes directs. On Ossa's top explores

For plants, and seeks what lofty Pelion bears;

Othrys, and Pindus, and Olympus huge.

What please her, part she with their root updrags;

Part with her crooked brazen sickle mows;

Apidanus; Amphrysos, on their banks

Many afforded: nor Enipeus scap'd.

Peneus, and Spercheus, and the rushy shores

Of Baebe some contributed. She pluck'd

In Anthedon the living grass whose power,

Then Glaucus' form unchang'd, was yet unknown.

Now had nine days, now had nine nights elaps'd,

Borne on her dragon wings, and in her car

Wandering the fields among, ere back she turn'd:

Unfed her dragons, save by odorous smells;

Yet had they shed their scales, with youth renew'd.

Arriv'd, without the palace gate she stays,

And there sole shelter'd by the sky, all touch

Of man denying; altars two she rears

Of turf; sacred to Hecate stood the right,

To Youth the left: when these with vervain bound.

And forest boughs, here sacrifice she makes.

Hard by, two trenches scoops from out the ground;

Smites with her weapon in the sable throat,

A sheep presented; in the open ditch

Empties the blood; then bowls of wine she pours,

And bowls of smoking milk; with mystic words

Invokes the powers terrestrial; begs the king

Of shades, and begs his ravish'd spouse to aid,

Nor of his soul the aged king defraud.

These when with lengthen'd prayers, and murmurings long,

Appeas'd; she bids them tow'rd the altars bring

The feeble AEson; his exhausted limbs

Bound in deep slumber, by her magic power,

Corse-like, she lays extended on the grass.

Then Jason bids, and his attendant crew,

Far thence depart, nor with their view prophane

Her acts mysterious. As she bids they go.

Medea then the flaming altars round,

In Bacchanalian guise her flowing locks,

Circles; and in the ditch's blackening gore

Her splinter'd torches dips; with blood imbu'd,

Burns them upon her altars; thrice with fire,

With sulphur thrice, and thrice with flowing streams,

The sire she lustrates. Heated now in brass,

Her powerful medicines bubble, high and white

The swelling froth appears. There boils she all

The roots in vales AEmonian dug; and seeds,

And flowers, and juices dark: gems unto these,

Sought in the distant East, she adds; and adds

What on the sand the refluent ocean leaves:

More still, the night-long moon collected dew

She brings; the dismal screech-owl's flesh and wings;

The entrails of the wolf ambiguous, wont

His savage face in human guise to wear:

Nor wanted there, the scaly skin which clothes

Th' amphibious snake Cyniphian, long and small:

The beak and head a crow nine ages bore,

She adds. Now was the foreign dame prepar'd,

By help of these, and nameless thousands more,

The promis'd boon to give, the whole she stirs

Deep from the bottom, with a bough long rent,

From the mild olive. Lo! the wither'd branch,

The boiling caldron stirring, sudden shoots

In virid freshness! shortly leaves bud forth;

And soon it bends beneath a load of fruit!

Where'er the fire above the hollow brass,

The bubbling foam high-rais'd, and boiling drops

Sprinkled the ground,--the ground with verdure smil'd;

Flowers and soft herbage sprung. Medea sees,

And with her weapon ope's the senior's throat;

His aged blood exhausted sees, and pours

Her juices copious: part his mouth receives;

And part the wound. When AEson these had drank,

Their hoary whiteness lost, his beard and hair,

An ebon tinge receiv'd; his leanness fled;

His pallid ghastly face no more was seen;

His hollow veins with added blood were fill'd;

And all his limbs in lusty plumpness swell'd.

The wondering AEson, such himself beheld,

As the last forty years he ne'er had past.

Bacchus, from heaven survey'd the mighty change

Wonderous, and hence that power was given he found;

His nurses to restore to youthful years:

The boon from Tethys asking, he obtain'd.

Nor cease the frauds yet of the Phasian dame:

Fierce hatred 'gainst her by her spouse she feigns,

And flies to Pelias' court; a suppliant there,

His daughters hail her guest:--the sire bent down

With age. The crafty Colchian these beguiles

Soon, with her well-dissembled friendship's form.

Amid her mighty benefits, she tells

AEson's old age remov'd; relating all,

On this she chiefly dwells. Hope sudden springs

Within their virgin breasts: Pelias their sire,

Such art they trust may yet revivify.

That art they sue for,--highest claim'd reward

To her they promise: mute at first she stands,

And feigning doubt, in hesitation holds,

And anxious poise their eager minds. At last,

She says, when promising,--"That in the deed,

"More faith ye may confide, a leading ram,

"The oldest in your fleecy flocks, a lamb

"My medicine shall transform!"--Instant was dragg'd

The woolly beast, whose wreathing horns around

His hollow temples curl'd; whose wither'd throat

The steel Thessalian stabb'd; the scanty blood

The steel scarce spotting: then th' enchantress steeps

His mangled body in the caldron deep,

With juices powerful: smaller grow his limbs;

Shed are his horns; and vanish'd are his years;

And from the caldron tender bleatings sound:

Instant leaps forth to all the wondering crowd

The bleating lamb, which, frisking, flies and seeks

The swelling teats. With admiration struck,

Now Pelias' daughters faith unshaken give;

More urgent press their wish. Thrice had the sun,

'Merg'd in th' Iberian sea, unyok'd his steeds;

And the fourth night the glittering stars had shone;

When o'er the fire, pure water from the stream,

And powerless plants, the false Medea plac'd.

Now all in sleep relax'd, a death-like sleep,

The monarch's limbs were stretch'd; and with their king,

His guards lay dormant; so her magic words,

And magic tongue had doom'd. Medea leads

Across the steps the daughters; bidd'n by her,

His couch they compass.--"Why, O, feeble souls!

"Thus hesitate?"--she said,--"your swords unsheathe!

"Pour out his far-spent gore, that I may fill

"With youthful, vigorous blood his empty'd veins.

"Your father's life, and years, are in your hands:

"If sways you piety; if empty hopes

"Wavering deceive you not; then well deserve,

"By duty to your sire: quickly expel

"With weapons his old age: let issue forth

"His now congealing blood with brandish'd steel."

Exhorted thus, most pious she who feels,

First impious acts;--a wicked deed performs,

Lest wicked she were call'd: yet on the blow

Not one would bend her sight; with eyes averse

Their savage hands the unseen wounds inflict.

Flowing with gore, he from the bed uprais'd

His limbs; and from his posture strove half-torn

To rise; and stretching forth his pallid arms

'Mid all their threatening swords;--"Daughters!"--he cries,

"What do ye? Why against your parent's life

"Thus arm ye?"--Sink their spirits! drop their hands!

His throat Medea severing, stay'd the words

He more had utter'd,--and the mangled corse,

Deep in the boiling brazen caldron flung.

She now,--but through the air on dragon wings

High borne,--their furious vengeance had not scap'd.

O'er shady Pelion high she flew, and o'er

The cave of Chiron; Othrys; and the spot

For old Cerambus' strange adventure known:

Upborne on wings by kindly-aiding nymphs,

Here, when the solid earth th' incroaching main

Wide delug'd, flying, safe Deucalion's flood

He 'scap'd. AEoelian Pitane to left

She quits; and sees the dragon huge, to stone

An image turn'd. And Ida's grove where chang'd

By Bacchus' power, the steer a stag became,

To screen the theft. And where beneath the sand,

A little sand, Corythus' father lies;

And fields which Maera's new-heard howlings fill.

Euripylus' fam'd town, where Coaen dames,

What time the troops of Hercules them left,

With horns were crown'd: and Phoebus' favor'd Rhodes;

Jalysian Telchines, whose hateful eyes

All vitiating, Jove detesting 'whelm'd

Beneath his brother's waves. She passes next

Carthaeia' walls in ancient Caeae's isle,

Where wondering saw Alcidamas the sire,

A placid dove his daughter's body bear.

And Hyrie's lake she sees, and Tempe's pool

Cycneiaen, which the swan so sudden form'd

Frequented: Phyllius there, a willing slave,

Birds and fierce beasts, to his capricious boy

Oft brought--e'en lions tam'd; a furious bull

He bade him bring, a furious bull he brought;

But now in choler at his craving soul,

The bull refus'd, though as the last gift claim'd:

Indignant, cry'd he,--"soon you'll wish him given!"--

And from the high rock plung'd: all thought he fell:

But form'd a swan, lightly he pois'd in air

On snowy wings. Hyrie, her son thus sav'd,

Knew not, by constant weeping soon dissolv'd;

The lake becoming that still bears her name.

Near this is Pleuron:--Ophian Combe, here

Wafted on wings, her murderous sons escap'd.

Thence she beholds Latona's favorite isle;

Calaurea, where to birds the royal pair

Were chang'd: Cyllene, on the right is plac'd

Where like the savage herd, Menephron sought

His mother's bed. Far hence she spies in tears

Cephisus, for his nephew's fate who mourn'd,

Chang'd by Apollo to a sea-calf huge;

And saw Eumelus' dome, who wept his child,

A bird become. At length on dragon wings,

Pirenian Corinth she regain'd; where tell

The ancient tales, in primal ages, men

From shower-fed mushrooms sprung. Here first was flam'd

In Colchian venoms fierce, the new-made bride;

Then either sea in blazing spires beheld

The royal dome; and with her children's gore

Her impious sword was stain'd. Thus on herself

Reveng'd; from royal Jason's wrath she fled.

Borne hence, her snakes Titanian reach the walls

Of Pallas' city, where most just of men

O, Phineus! thou, and Periphas the old,

With Polyphemon's niece, as birds are seen,

Soaring aloft in air on new-form'd wings.

Here AEgeus' roof receiv'd her, for this deed

Alone to blame: not satisfy'd as host,

In marriage bonds he makes her more his own.

Now Theseus comes, son to his sire unknown,

Whose brave atchievements, all the two-sea'd land

In peace had settled. For his death she mix'd

The baneful aconite, long since from shores

Of Scythia brought; which thus old tales relate,

From Cerberus' venom'd jaws was first produc'd,

Through a dark den, with gloomy opening, lies

A path steep shelving, where Alcides dragg'd

Fierce Cerberus to light, resisting strong,

Glancing askaunce his eyes from day, whose rays

Sparkled too bright, in adamantine chains.

With rabid anger swol'n, a triple yell

Fill'd all the air; he o'er the virid plain

Sprinkled white foam; increasing fast this shoots;

The fruitful soil fresh virulence imparts,

And ranker grows its power: from hardest rocks

It lively springs, and Aconite hence nam'd.

This did old AEgeus, by his crafty spouse

Deceiv'd, to Theseus, as a foe, present.

Unwitting Theseus, in his hand receiv'd

The cup presented; when the sire espy'd

Upon his ivory-hilted sword a mark,

Which prov'd his offspring; from his lips he dash'd

The poison. Wrapp'd in clouds by magic rais'd,

The sorceress from their furious vengeance fled.

The sire, though joy'd, his son in safety found,

Trembles astonish'd at the narrow 'scape;

And horrid crime premeditated: burns

On every altar fires;--to every god

Piles costly gifts: full on the brawny neck

Of oxen falls, their horns with garlands bound,

The sacrificing axe. Ne'er till that day

Had Athens' town, such joyous feasting seen;

Nobles and commons crowd around the board,

And thus, by wine inspir'd, sublime they sing.

"Thee, mighty Theseus! Marathon admires,

"Stain'd by the vanquish'd Cretan bull's black gore.

"Thy aid the swains of Cromyon own; thou gav'st

"That now secure they till their fields. The land

"Of Epidaurus saw the club-arm'd son

"Of Vulcan slain by thee. By thee, beheld

"Cephisus' shores, the fierce Procrustes die,

"Ceres' Eleusis hail'd Cercyon's fall.

"Sinis thou slew'st, gifted with strength ill-us'd;

"His strength high trees could bend, and oft he dragg'd

"Close down to earth the loftiest tops of pines,

"Thus rent the bodies of his victims wide.

"Safe now extends the road to Lelex' walls,

"Scyron low laid: earth to the robber's limbs,

"Wide scatter'd, rest refuses; to his bones

"Ocean a tomb denies; long widely tost,

"Age hardens into rock his last remains;

"His name the rock still bears. Should we thy age

"And actions count, thy famous deeds by far

"Thy years outnumber. O, most brave of men!

"For thee the public vows ascend; to thee,

"In Bacchus' bowl we drink. The royal hall

"Resounds with all the grateful people's praise;

"Nor through the city glooms one sorrowing spot."

And yet (so seldom pleasure comes unmix'd,

But still some cares with joy will intervene)

While AEgeus, gladden'd that his son secure

Arriv'd; Minos, for furious war prepares.

Strong though his troops, and though his navy strong

His utmost strength was in paternal rage;

And with just arms Androgeus' death t' avenge

He wars: yet first auxiliar strength he gains;

And powerful sweeps the seas with flying ships.

First Anaphe joins him, and Astypalaea; urg'd

By promise this, and that by threats constrain'd,

Low Mycone; Cymolus' chalky fields;

Bright Cythnos; Scyros; flat Seriphus' isle;

The marble Paros; and the fort betray'd

For gold, demanded by the impious nymph

Sithonian: still for gold she anxious seeks

Though chang'd a bird; on sable pinions borne,

With sable feet, she flutters as a daw.

But Oliaros, and Didymae, unite;

And Gyaros, Andros, Tenos, all refuse,

With Peparethos, in bright olives rich,

To aid the Gnossian fleet. Thence to the left

Steering, OEnopia's regions Minos sought;

OEnopia call'd of old, AEgina now,

By AEaecus, his mother's honor'd name.

In crowds the people rush, and pant to view

So highly fam'd a prince: to meet him go

First Telamon, then Peleus next in age,

And Phocas third and last, Ev'n AEaecus

With years opprest, steps tardy forth, and asks

The visit's cause. The hundred-city'd king

Deep sighs, his grief paternal all renew'd,

And thus replies;--"My arms, O, king! assist

"Assum'd, just vengeance for a son to claim.

"Partake this pious war. Peace to his manes

"I seek."--But Asopiades replies;--

"In vain you ask;--my city cannot aid:

"No lands by neighbouring scite more closely bound,

"Than ours and Athens'; hence our league."--The king

Angry departs, exclaiming.--"Much your league

"May cost you!"--But to threaten war more safe

He deems, than wage it there, and waste his force.

Still from OEnopia's walls the fleet was seen,

Not distant far; when sped by swelling sail,

An Attic ship arriv'd; the friendly port

Enter'd. On board was Cephalus who bore

His country's message. Well the royal youths

The hero knew, though long time past beheld;

And gave the friendly hand, and welcome led

To their paternal dome. The graceful chief

Enters, retaining still evincing marks

Of pristine beauty; in his hand he bears

A branch of native olive: in the midst

Senior he stands; and younger on each side,

Clytus, and Butes, Pallas' sons. Complete

Their friendly salutations; next the words

Th' Athenians bade him, Cephalus reports:

Their aid demands; their ancient league recounts;

The oaths their fathers swore; and adds, all Greece

Might perish in their ruin. When their cause

With eloquence the messenger thus urg'd;

On his bright sceptre as his left hand lean'd,

"Take, O Athenians,"--AEaecus exclaim'd,--

"Not ask, our aid! Unhesitating draw

"What force this isle possesses, and with yours

"Employ it: with you shall my strongest power

"March forth: strength want we not; our numerous troops

"Abundant, for ourselves and friends suffice:

"Prais'd be the gods! such is our happy state

"Your wish defies evasion."--"Still may grow,"

Said Cephalus,--"your prosperous city's state,

"And yours!--What transport seiz'd me as I walk'd,

"To see each youth so fair, so equal ag'd,

"Of all who met me. Yet in vain I look'd

"For many features, known when last your walls

"Receiv'd me."--AEaecus, with deep-drawn sighs,

And sorrowing voice, thus answers.--"Better fate

"Completed, what a mournful sight began.

"Would I in full could all the facts relate!

"Now unconnected must I speak, or tire

"Your ear with words superfluous. Whom you seek,

"Whom you remember, bones and ashes rest.

"But small their numbers:--Heavens! how small to those,

"My people, who have sunk in death beside.

"A dreadful plague, the angry Juno shed

"Unjust, upon the natives of the land,

"Detested, that her rival's name it bore.

"While human seem'd the scourge, the noxious cause

"Of slaughter yet conceal'd, with physic's skill

"We strove; in vain! death mock'd the power of art.

"At first thick darkness heavy press'd the earth;

"Pregnant with heat roll'd on the lazy clouds.

"Four times the full-orb'd moon had join'd her horns,

"Four times diminish'd, had she disappear'd;

"Still the hot south-wind blew his deadly blasts.

"Our lakes and fountains, from th' infected air

"Contagion suck'd; millions of vipers swarm'd

"In our uncultur'd fields, our running streams

"Tainting with poison. First the sudden plague

"Its power display'd, on sheep, on dogs, on fowls,

"Cattle, and forest beasts with deadly power.

"The hapless ploughman, wondering, at his work

"Sees his strong oxen in the furrow sink.

"The woolly flocks with sickly bleatings waste

"In body, while their wool spontaneous falls.

"The steed so fiery, on the dusty plain

"So fam'd, the palm contemns; and all despis'd

"His ancient honors, at his manger groans,

"Prey to disease inglorious. His fierce rage

"The boar forgets. The stag neglects his speed.

"Not rush the bears upon the stronger herds.

"A general languor reigns. In woods, in fields,

"In ways, the filthy carcases are seen;

"The stench pollutes the air: and, wonderous! dogs,

"Nor birds rapacious, nor the grizzly wolves,

"Touch the dead spoil. Rotting they melt away,

"Poisoning the gale; and spreading wide the pest.

"Now the disease, a heavier scourge, attacks

"The hapless swains, and in the lofty walls

"Of cities rules. First the scorch'd vitals burn;

"The hidden fire the blushing skin betrays,

"And breath laborious drawn; the furr'd tongue swells;

"The parch'd mouth widely gapes, th' infectious air

"Inhaling copious. On the couch none lie;

"None bear their covering robes; their bodies swol'n,

"On the bare earth they fling; nor coolness find

"Their bodies from the ground;--the ground from them

"Burns hot. Nor aids them now physicians' skill;

"E'en them the dire pest seizes, and their art

"Fails to assist themselves. Who boldly comes,

"With kindly hand his dying friend to aid,

"Sinks straight in death beside him. Fled all hope

"Of health, and in the grave alone an end

"Beheld of their disease,--some wild indulge

"Their fondest passions, void of every care;

"For every care is vain. Of modest shame

"Regardless, in promiscuous throngs they crowd

"To rivers, fountains, and capacious wells,

"Their hot thirst unextinguish'd, but with life.

"To rise unable, many in the stream

"Sink, and there perish: still their followers drink.

"So irksome to the wretched sufferers seem

"Their couches, thence they spring;--and some too weak

"To lift their limbs, roll desperate to the ground.

"Each quits his home,--to each his home appears,

"The fatal spot; and while obscure the cause,

"Each deems the house contagious. Oft were seen

"Beings half-dead, slow crawling o'er the ways,

"Till power to crawl was lost. Others with moans

"Stretch'd on the ground, rolling their half-clos'd eyes,

"In final motion: raising high their arms

"To heaven's o'erhanging stars, breathe out their last,

"Caught here by death, and there. Ah! me, what then

"My mind employ'd? What but to loathe my life,

"And pray with my dear countrymen to die?

"Whatever side mine eyes were bent, I saw

"My people strewn;--thick as the mellow fruit,

"Shook from the branches, or the acorns lie.

"Observe that temple, lofty where it towers;

"To Jove 'tis sacred. Who to that high fane

"Their useless incense brought not? There how oft

"Wife for her husband, parent for her child,

"Before th' inexorable altar, breath'd

"Their dying gasp, 'mid deprecating prayers;

"And half their incense unconsum'd remain'd.

"How oft the oxen to the temple dragg'd,

"While now the priest his voice address'd, and pour'd

"The goblet o'er their foreheads, have they dropp'd

"By stroke unlook'd for. When myself, to Jove

"Wish'd sacrifice to offer up; for me,

"My country, and my sons,--the victim loud

"Dire lowings utter'd, and without a blow

"Fell sudden,--scarce with blood the wounding knife

"Was stain'd. The morbid inwards mock'd our wish,

"To learn the truth, and pleasure of the gods:

"The deep-fixt plague had to the bowels pierc'd.

"Before the sacred portals have I seen,

"The corses spread; before the altars too,

"As death would come in his most hideous form.

"Some with the cord life's passage choke, and seek

"Death, lest they death should meet. Madly they rush

"And voluntary meet approaching fate.

"The bodies plung'd in death, funereal rites

"Custom'd, receiv'd not; nor the numerous dead

"Could all the gates receive: or un-inhum'd

"Above the earth they lie, or on the pyre

"Unhonor'd by due rites, the bodies flame.

"All sense of reverence lost, for piles they fight;

"And burn their dead in fires which others own.

"To mourn are none; unwept the shadows roam,

"Of young and old alike, of sons and sires.

"The ground for graves too small, for fires the woods.

"Aghast this whirlwind of distress to view,

"O, Jove!--I cry'd--if false they not report,

"That once you in AEgina's arms were clasp'd;--

"If not, O, mighty sire! asham'd to own

"Yourself my parent, give my people back,

"Or give me death with them. A rattling sign

"He gave, and prosperous thunders roll'd. I spoke;--

"These omens I accept; and pray these signs

"May indicate your happy will:--as pledge

"I take them.--Nigh by chance an oak there stood,

"Thick-set with spreading boughs, Jove's sacred tree,

"Sprung from Dodona's stock: here I beheld

"Grain-gathering ants, each burthen'd with his load,

"In his small mouth, as o'er the rugged bark

"In lengthen'd file they march'd. The numerous crowds

"Admiring;--Best of fathers, I exclaim'd,

"So many subjects grant me, to refill

"My desert walls.--Trembled the lofty oak,

"Of wind no breath, yet mov'd the sounding boughs;

"With terror shook my limbs, and upright rear'd

"My hair; then kisses to the ground I gave,

"And kiss'd the oak; scarce hope I dar'd to feel:

"Yet still I nourish'd hope within my soul.

"Night comes; my body worn with cares, to sleep

"Obedience yielded. Still before mine eyes

"The oak appear'd; branches the same it bore,

"And on its branches seem'd the swarms the same;

"So mov'd the boughs, and on the grass below,

"Shook the corn-carrying crowd. Sudden they grew;

"Large, and more large they seem'd, as from the ground

"Themselves they rais'd, and stood in form erect.

"Their slender make, their numerous feet, their hue

"Of sable, disappear'd, and all their limbs

"An human shape confess'd. Sleep fled mine eyes;

"And fled my vision:--As by heaven not mark'd,

"Complaining;--far without the hall I heard

"A murmuring loud, and human seem'd the sounds,--

"Though stranger to mine ears: musing if still

"I slept not,--Lo! quick, Telamon approach'd,

"Wide threw the doors; and cry'd,--O, sire! behold;

"What hope, what faith surpasses!--Forth I come;

"Such men as in my dream my fancy saw,

"I see;--I know them, man by man, again:

"They come, and king salute me: unto Jove

"My votive thanks I pay; my city share

"Amongst my subjects new; and all my lands,

"(Of those who till'd them, empty.) Myrmidons,

"From whence they sprung, I call them. You have seen

"Their bodies,--still their habits are the same:

"A frugal race as wont, patient of toil;

"On gain still bent; tenacious of that gain.

"These equal all, in courage and in years,

"Shall follow you to battle; when the east

"Which blew you here so prosperous, (for the east

"Had brought him) to the southern gales shall yield."

With these and such like speeches, all the day

They sit conversing; evening they devote

To banquets; and the night to soft repose.

Sol rais'd his golden head, but Eurus still

Prevail'd, and bound their sails. Now Pallas' sons

To Cephalus, their chief in years, repair,

And to the king with Pallas' sons he goes;

But still deep-wrapt in sleep the king was laid.

Phocus receiv'd them at the gates; employ'd

Were Telamon and Peleus, troops to chuse

For the new war. Th' Athenian chief he leads

Within the palace, to the fairest rooms.

When all were seated, Phocus mark'd the dart

The hero bore, shap'd from a wood unknown,

Pointed with gold; and said, with prefac'd words:

"To range the forests, and fierce beasts to slay

"Is all my joy; yet long in doubt I've stood

"What tree this dart has form'd; for ash too pale,

"Too smooth for cornel; though from whence it comes

"So ignorant, ne'er before mine eyes beheld

"A fairer weapon."--Pallas' son address'd

The youth:--"The javelin's use you'll more admire

"Than beauty;--thrown where'er, its mark it gains,

"Unrul'd by erring chance, and bloody, back

"Instant returns."--Then Phocus curious asks

More full its story, how, and whence it came,

And who the author of so priz'd a gift.

Him Cephalus informs, but shame denies

To tell the whole, and what the present's price.

Full to his mind his consort's loss recall'd,

Tears sudden gush'd:--"O, goddess-born!--he cries,

"This dart (improbable howe'er) my tears

"Has often caus'd,--and long will make them flow;--

"If fate long life should grant. My dear-lov'd spouse

"This dart destroy'd:--O, that this fatal gift

"Had still been unpossess'd! Procris, ally'd

"To stol'n Orithyiae (if Orithyiae's fame

"Your ears has reach'd) was as her sister fair:

"Nay, match'd in form and manners, she might more

"The robber tempt. Her sire Erechthens join'd

"To me the maid; us love more firmly bound:

"Blest was I call'd, and blest I was indeed,

"And still were blest, but heaven else will'd my fate.

"Now had the second month connubial joys

"Beheld; when chasing dusky darkness far,

"Aurora ruddy, saw me on the heights

"Hymettus flowery rears, as there my toils

"For antler'd stags I spread: and there by force

"She clasp'd me. Truth I wish to guide my tongue

"Nor yet displease the goddess, when I swear

"Though bright her roseate cheeks; though wide she sways

"Of night and day the confines; though she quaffs

"Nectarean liquid, still I Procris lov'd:

"Still in my bosom Procris reign'd, and still

"Procris, my tongue repeated. Oft I urg'd

"The sacred couch, the new-felt joys, the rites

"So recent, and the plighted faith just given,

"To her deserted: when the goddess flam'd,

"Exclaiming;--Ingrate! cease thy doleful plaints,

"Enjoy thy Procris,--if I right foresee

"Thou'lt rue that wish'd enjoyment:--Angry thus

"She fled me. Slow returning, much I mus'd,

"The goddess' words recalling: fear me thrill'd,

"Lest Procris had her nuptial oaths profaned.

"Her age, her beauty, much suspicion mov'd;

"Her virtue bade me chase my fears as vain.

"Yet was I absent, and from whence I came,

"Prov'd how adulterous females might indulge,

"Suspicious love fears all. Studious I seek,

"What found would rack with torture; and I burn

"To bribe with gifts, and try her modest faith.

"Aurora aids my fears, my shape transforms:

"(Conscious I felt it.) To Minerva's town,

"To all unknown, I hastened, and my house

"Enter'd: the house in faultless guise I found;

"Chaste all appear'd, and anxious all were seen

"For their lost master. By a thousand arts

"Erechtheus' daughter I at length beheld,

"And seen was stagger'd: near my purpos'd proof

"Relinquish'd of fidelity; most hard

"The cheat to tell not; to refrain most hard

"From conjugal salutes. Sad she appear'd.

"But nought more lovely could in sadness seem:

"Burning in wishes for her absent spouse.

"Image, O, Phocus! what her beauteous face

"Could boast; a face that woe itself became.

"Why should I tell how oft her virtuous soul,

"Repuls'd my tempting offers? Why repeat

"How oft she cry'd;--For one myself I keep,

"For one, where'er he stays, my joys preserve.

"Whose mad suspicion would not this allay?

"This proof of faith? But I, not so content,

"Strive for my own confusion. Lavish gifts

"I proffer for the joys of one short night:

"More and more rich I heap them, till her breast

"Wavers, then loud exclaim,--Lo! here behold,

"Adulteress! one unluckily disguis'd,

"Unluckily betroth'd, thy lawful spouse!

"Perfidious! by those eyes convinc'd I stand.

"Nought she:--with silent shame o'ercome, she fled

"The house deceitful, and her hated spouse.

"With me offended, all the race of men

"Detesting, on the mountain tops she rov'd;

"Diana's sports close following. Fiercer love

"Flam'd in my bosom, thus deserted left.

"I su'd for pardon, and my fault I own'd;

"Swore that myself so tempted, so had err'd,

"By such high offers brib'd. Confessing thus,

"Her wounded modest pride grew more compos'd;

"And shortly I regain'd her. Long in peace

"We liv'd, and cordial spent the smiling years.

"Herself a gift she priz'd not: more she gave,

"An hound, she from Diana's hand receiv'd,

"Who said,--accept the fleetest of his race--

"And gave this javelin which you see me bear.

"If of the first the fate you seek to know,

"Attend, th' adventure will your wonder move.

"The son of Laius had the words explain'd,

"Before his time to every mind obscure;

"And the dark prophetess, down headlong flung,

"Laid lifeless, all her riddling tales forgot.

"Her, fostering Themis saw, and unreveng'd

"To lie not suffer'd. Straight another plague

"On Thebes was loos'd; and all the country swains

"Fear'd by the savage beast their flocks to lose,

"And fear'd their own destruction. With the youths

"Adjacent, I assembled; round the fields

"Our toils we fix; the toils the rapid beast

"O'erleaps high-bounding; 'bove the loftiest ropes,

"Stretch'd o'er the nets, with active spring he flies.

"The hounds uncoupled, in the chace he mocks,

"And like an agile bird before them plays;

"With outcries loud, for Laelaps' aid they call.

"(My Procris' gift, so nam'd.) Long had he tugg'd,

"To extricate him from the chain; to free

"His captive neck: scarce was he loos'd, so swift

"He shot, in vain our eyes his progress mark'd:

"In the light dust his feet were printed, he,

"Rapt from the view, was vanish'd. Swifter flies

"The darted spear not: nor the leaden ball

"Hurl'd from the whirling sling;--nor reedy dart

"Shot from the Cretan bow. A central hill

"High-towering, all the subject plains o'erlooks;

"Thither I climb, and there behold the chase;

"A novel scene. Now seems the beast safe caught;

"Now from the grasp light-springing. Flight right on

"Crafty he shuns, and doubles round the field,

"Cheating his chaser's mouth; and circling turns

"His foe's quick speed eluding. Swift he flies,--

"With equal swiftness follow'd. Now to grasp

"His prey seems Laelaps,--in his grasp deceiv'd,

"His empty jaws seize air. Now to my aid

"I call my javelin,--poize it for the blow,

"And bend mine eyes the thongs to fix secure:

"Again I lift them to behold the chase,

"And see astonish'd in the spacious plain

"Two marble statues! this to fly appears,--

"That barking seems to follow. So decreed

"Doubtless the gods, that in the arduous course

"Unconquer'd, each his glory might retain."

Thus far he spoke, then silent sate.--"What crime,"

Said Phocus--"has the javelin then perform'd?"--

And thus the javelin's fault the hero tells,

"Since joys supreme my sorrows first forewent,

"Let me, O, Phocus! first those joys recount.

"O, youth! how it delights me to retrace

"Those happy moments, when supremely blest

"In her, the primal years were joyous spent.

"She, equal happy in her darling spouse;

"Each mind of mutual care a portion bore;

"And love's connubial joys each equal shar'd.

"Jove's proffer'd couch, with my embrace compar'd,

"Procris had spurn'd; nor could the loveliest nymph

"Me tempt, though Venus' self had deign'd to sue:

"In either breast an equal ardor flam'd.

"In youthful guise I wont the woods to scour,

"For sport betimes, ere yet the sun had ting'd

"With early beams the lofty mountains' tops:

"Nor took I servants, nor the courser fleet,

"Nor hounds sharp-scented, nor the knotted snares;

"This dart my sole dependence: when my arm

"With slaughtered spoil was satiate, tir'd I sought

"The cooling shade, and sought where Aura breath'd

"In frigid vales her breezes. 'Midst the heat

"Refreshing air I sought, and Aura call'd,

"My labour's recreation; thus I sung,

"I well the words remember;--Aura, come!

"Come, my delight,--within my bosom creep,

"Most grateful friend; come, and as wont remove

"My inward flames.--By chance more tender words

"(So sway'd my destiny) to these I join'd:

"And thus I spoke--O, thou! my greatest joy

"Refreshing, cherishing my strength and power!

"For thee, these woods and lonely spots I love:

"Here does my wishing mouth thy breath inhale.--

"These words ambiguous, busy ears receiv'd,

"And Aura! Aura! oft invok'd, they deem

"A favor'd nymph,--a nymph by me belov'd.

"The rash informer with the imag'd wrong,

"My Procris seeks his whispering tongue relates,

"The words o'erheard. Love credulous believes.

"O'erpress'd with grief, she sudden sunk, when heard

"The tale,--and long she unrecover'd laid.

"Then--hapless wife!--O, wayward fate! she cries:--

"My broken faith bewails, and with my crime

"Imagin'd, troubled, fears what not exists,--

"A name without a being: much she grieves,

"As real were her rival: yet full oft

"Stagger'd, she doubts, and hopes herself deceiv'd:

"Trusts not th' informer; and her husband's fault,

"Unless beheld, refuses to believe.

"When next Aurora bade the darkness fly

"I sally'd forth, and sought th' accustomed wood:

"Then tir'd with conquest, on the grass I stretch'd,

"And,--come, dear Aura, ease my pain,--I cry'd

"Sudden a mournful sigh betwixt my words

"I heard, but still proceeded,--dearest, come!--

"Again the falling leaves a rustling sound

"Causing, a savage beast I thought lay hid,

"And hurl'd my faithful dart. Procris was there!

"And as her tender breast the blow receiv'd

"Alas! she cry'd.--My faithful spouse's voice

"I knew, and with distracted speed I ran;

"Half-dead I found her, all her robes distain'd

"With flowing blood,--and dragging from the wound,

"Ah, me!--her fatal gift. My guilty arms,

"Her body, dearer far than mine, support;

"My vest I rend, the cruel gash to bind,

"And check the gushing blood; I fearful pray,

"She will not leave me guilty of her fate.

"She now, her strength fast wasting, dying fast,

"These words to utter try'd:--Suppliant I beg,

"By all the oaths that form'd our nuptial ties;

"By all the gods and goddesses above;

"By all my actions which have given you joy;

"By that strong love which thus my fate has caus'd,

"Which now in death my bosom still retains,

"Let not this Aura to my bed succeed.--

"She said,--too late I learn'd, too late I told

"The error of the name; for what avail'd!

"She sinks, her small remaining strength is fled,

"Her last blood flows. While ought she seems to view,

"On me she bends her eyes; her hapless soul

"My lips inhale, yet pleas'd her brow appears

"In death, more calm from what I just explain'd."

Thus grieving, Cephalus concludes, and all

His audience with him weep. When, lo! appear

King AEaecus, his sons, and troops new-rais'd;

Whom Cephalus, in warlike strength, receives.