VOL. II.

[Illustration]

*The Eighth Book.*

Nisus betrayed to Minos by his daughter Scylla; changed to a

falcon, and Scylla to a lark. Return of Minos to Crete. The

Minotaur and labyrinth. Flight of Daedalus and Icarus. Change of

Perdix to a partridge. Chase and death of the Calydonian boar, by

Meleager and Atalanta. Murder of Meleager's uncles. Vengeance of

his mother. Death of Meleager, and transformation of his sisters

to birds. Acheloues. Nymphs transformed into the isles Echinades.

Perimele into an island. Story of Baucis and Philemon. Changes of

Proteus. Story of Erisichthon, and transformations of his

daughter.

*Printed by G. HAYDEN,

Brydges Street, Covent Garden.*

THE *Eighth Book* OF THE METAMORPHOSES OF OVID.

Now leading Phosphor' shining day disclos'd,

The darkness flying; and the eastern gales

Lull'd into calm, the vapoury clouds arose:

The placid south befriending, rapid borne,

The hero Cephalus, and aiding troops,

Ride unexpected in their wish'd-for port.

Minos, meanwhile, the Lelegeian coast

Lays waste, and on Alcathoe's town his power

Essays. Here Nisus rul'd, whose reverend locks

Of silvery brightness, in the midst contain'd

One with rich purple splendid, sacred pledge

Of fortune to his kingdom. Six times seen

Were Luna's horns arising fresh renew'd;

Still hover'd conquest doubtful o'er the war,

On wavering pinions, 'twixt opposing hosts.

A regal tower its vocal walls high-rear'd,

Where once Latona's son his golden lyre

Rested; the music still the stones retain'd.

Oft here the beauteous daughter of the king

Ascended, and the latent music drew

Forth to the ear, by smallest pebbles struck.

Thus she in peaceful times, and here she oft

When war was raging, ventur'd: hence she saw

The rough encounters of the furious field.

So long the tedious warfare, well she knew

The leaders' names, their arms, their prancing steeds:

And knew their garments, and their Cretan bows.

Far beyond all Europa's son she knew,

More than became her state: this Minos well

Could prove; whose head in crested helmet hid,

Most beauteous helm'd appear'd: whose arm, adorn'd

With brazen shield refulgent, well became

The brazen shield: whose hand the tough lance whirl'd,

And back withdrawn, the virgin wondering prais'd

Such strength and skill combin'd: to fit the dart

When to the spreading bow his strength he bent,

She vow'd that Phoebus in such posture stood

His arrows fitting: when, his brazen casque

Relinquish'd, all his features shone display'd,

As purple-rob'd his snow-white steed he press'd,

In painted housings gay, and curb'd his jaws

White foaming,--then the lost Nisean maid,

Scarcely herself, in frantic rapture spoke:--

Blest call'd the javelin, that his hands it touch'd;

Blest call'd the reins he curb'd. Arduous she burns,

(Could she) through hostile ranks her virgin steps

To bend: arduous she burns, from loftiest towers

To fling her body in the Cretan camp.

The brazen portals of the city's walls

Wide to the foe she'd ope: what could she not?

That Minos will'd? As resting here she view'd,

The white pavilion of the Gnossian king

Dubious, she cry'd;--"Or should I grieve or joy,

"This mournful war to witness? Grieve I must

"That Minos so belov'd should be my foe.

"But had the war not been, his lovely face

"Had ne'er to me been known. Now war may cease

"Should I become the hostage:--I retain'd,

"As Minos' comrade, and the pledge of peace.

"Fairest of forms! if she who brought thee forth

"Resembled thee, well might an amorous god

"Burn for her beauty. O! thrice blest were I,

"If borne through air on lightly-waving wings,

"The Cretan monarch's camp I might explore,

"And there, my rank and love disclos'd, demand

"What dowry he would ask to be my spouse.

"My country's towers alone, he should not seek.

"Perish the joys of his expected bed,

"Ere I through treason gain them! Yet full oft

"A moderate victor's clemency affords

"Great blessings to the vanquish'd. Doubtless, he

"Just warfare wages for his murder'd son.

"Strong in his cause, and in his armies strong,

"Which aid that cause, he must the conquest gain.

"Why, if this fate my country waits, should war,

"And not my love unbar to him the gates?

"So may he conquer; slaughter, toil, and blood,--

"His own dear blood, avoided. How I dread,

"Lest some rash hand might that lov'd bosom wound!

"None but the ignorant sure, the savage spear

"At him would hurl. The scheme delights my soul:

"Fixt my resolve; my country as my dower

"Will I deliver, finish so the war!

"But what are resolutions? Watchful guards

"The passes keep; of every gate, the keys

"My father careful holds. Hapless! I dread

"My father only; he alone withstands

"My wishes; would that so the gods had doom'd,

"I had no parent! But to each himself

"A god may surely be; and fortune spurns

"Lazy beseechers. With such love inflam'd,

"Another maid had long ere now destroy'd

"All barriers to her bliss; and why than I,

"Should any dare more boldly? Fearless, I

"Thro' swords and flames would pass, but swords and flames

"Oppose me not in this: my sole desire

"Compris'd in one small lock of Nisus' hair:

"Than gold that prize more dear. That purple lock

"Most blest would make me, and my sole desires

"Encompass."--Speaking thus, the gloomy night,

Imperial nurse of cares, approach'd; more bold

Her daring project with the darkness grew.

Now primal slumbers rul'd o'er weary breasts,

Tir'd with their toil diurnal. Silent, she

Her father's chamber enters, and (O, dire!)

The daughter from her parent's head divides

The fateful lock! Her wicked prize possess'd,

Forth from the gate she issues; and the spoil,

So cursed, with her bears; as through the hosts,

(Such boldness gave the deed,) she seeks the king,

Whom thus, astonish'd and aghast, she hails:--

"To wicked deeds love sways; behold me here,

"Scylla, from royal Nisus sprung; to thee

"My household gods and country I betray:

"Thee, sole reward I seek. Pledge of my faith,

"This purple lock receive, and with this lock

"Receive my parent's head."--Then in her hand

The impious gift presented. Minos spurn'd

The parricidal present; deeply shock'd

A deed so base to witness, and exclaim'd;--

"May all the gods, from every part of earth

"Thee banish, scandal of our age! may land

"And sea alike reject thee; such a soul

"So monstrous! ne'er with me shall touch the shores

"Of Crete, my land, and cradle of high Jove."

He said, and on his captive foes impos'd

Most just his equal laws; his men bade loose

Their cables from the beach, and with their oars

His vessels bright with brass, urge on the deep.

Launch'd on the main, when Scylla sees the fleet,

Nor from its leader gain'd the hop'd reward,

Her wicked deed had sought, tir'd of her prayers,

In desperate rage she storms; wild throws her hair;

Stretches her hands, exclaiming;--"Where! O, where!

"Fly'st thou, the author of thy fortune left?

"O, priz'd above my country! 'bove my sire!

"O cruel, whither fly'st thou, whose success

"At once my merit, and my fault displays?

"Will not the gifted conquest move thy soul?

"Will not my love thee move? Will not the thought

"That all my hopes centre in thee alone?

"By thee deserted, whither shall I fly?

"Back to my natal town? Ruin'd it lies;

"Or if still standing, fast the gates are barr'd

"Against my treason. To my father's arms,

"Whom I betray'd? Each citizen me hates

"Deserv'dly; neighbours my example dread.

"Banish'd, an exile from each spot of earth,--

"Crete only open lies. Thence dost thou drive

"Me also? Ingrate! dost thou fly me so?

"Europa never bore thee, but some Syrt'

"Inhospitable; or some tigress fell

"Bred in Armenia; or Charybdis vext

"With tempests: Jove was ne'er thy sire, nor feign'd

"A bull's resemblance to delude her, false

"That fable of thy origin. A bull,

"Real and savage thee begot, whose love

"No heifer mov'd. O father Nisus! now

"Exact thy vengeance. Joy, O town! betray'd

"By my transgression; for the woes I feel

"Most merited I grant; guilty I die:

"Yet should the deadly blow be given by one

"My impious fault has injur'd; not by thee,

"Victor through crimes thou with avenging hate

"Now persecutest. This flagitious deed

"Against my country, and against my sire,

"Was all for thee. Th' adultress who beguil'd

"In wooden cavity the furious bull;

"Whose womb an ill-assorted birth produc'd;

"Well for a spouse befits thee. Do my words

"Reach to thine ears, or no? Do the brisk winds,

"Thou ingrate! waft my bootless plainings on,

"And waft thy vessels? Wondrous now no more,

"Pasiphae, to thy embrace a bull

"Preferr'd; for more unpitying is thy soul.

"Joyful, ah! hapless me,--away thou fly'st;

"Thy cleaving oars dash on the sounding waves:

"Me, and my country far from thee recede.

"O wretch! forgetful of my favoring aid,

"Thou striv'st in vain to fly me. 'Gainst thy wish

"Thee will I follow; on thy crooked ship

"Hanging, embracing, dragg'd through drenching seas.'

Scarce ending, in the waves she furious leaped,

Vigorous by love, and gain'd the flying fleet;

And clasp'd, unwelcome guest, the Gnossian poop.

Here soon her father spy'd her (in the air

He wing'd his way, now cloth'd with yellow plumes

A falcon) and down darted; with his beak

So curv'd, to wound her as she clung. In dread

Her grasp she loos'd, and as she seem'd to fall,

The light air bore her from the waves below:

Plum'd she became, and form'd a feather'd bird,

Ciris they call'd her from the ravish'd lock.

To Jove now Minos all his vows performs,

An hecatomb of bulls; as from the fleet

He lands on Gnossus' shores: his royal hall

With all his spoils, on high uphung, adorn'd.

Meantime th' opprobrium of his bed increas'd:

The two-formed monster in a novel birth,

At length the mother's beastly crime proclaim'd.

Minos, the shameful witness from his couch,

Far to remove determines; in a dome

Intricate winding, he resolves to lodge,

From every eye conceal'd, the birth. Intrusts

The work to Daedalus, in cunning arts

Most fam'd, to build. He all the various marks,

Confuses, puzzles; bent on either side,

The various paths confound the searching eye.

So in the fields the soft Maeander plays,

Here refluent, flowing there with dubious course;

Meeting himself, his wandering stream he sees:

And urges now to whence he first arose;

Now to the open outlet of the main.

Thus Daedalus the numerous paths perplex'd

With puzzlings intricate, so much entwin'd,

Himself could scarce the outer threshold gain.

Here was the double monster, man and bull

Inclos'd; till by the third allotted tribe,

The ninth year, vanquish'd; with Athenian blood

Twice gorg'd before. Then was the secret gate,

So often sought in vain, found by the aid

A virgin lent to trace the winding clue.

Instant for Dias, Theseus loos'd his sails,

With Minos' ravish'd daughter: on that shore

Cruel! he left her. The deserted nymph

Wildly lamenting, Bacchus soon embrac'd,

And gave her needful aid; her fame to fix

Immortal in the skies, her sparkling crown,

Mov'd from her forehead, 'mid the stars he plac'd:

Through the thin air it flies, and as it mounts

To blazing stars, the glittering jewels change.

Still as a crown it shines, its station 'midst

Where stout Alcides Ophiuchus grasps.

Meantime long exile, and the land of Crete

Detesting; burning with a patriot's wish

His native soil to visit, Daedalus,

By sea escape prevented, thus exclaim'd;--

"Let earth and ocean both my flight obstruct,

"Still open lies the air; through air we'll go.

"Minos controlling all, controls not air."--

He speaks, and bends to unknown arts his skill,

Improving Nature's gift. Quills fixt in rows

He places; small at first in length and size,

Gradual enlarg'd, as if a hill's steep side

Growing, produc'd them: So time past the pipe,

Of rustic origin, by small degrees

Increasing reeds compos'd. Firm fixt with thread

Their middle part he binds, and close with wax

Cements their bottom. All complete he bends

The composition in a gentle curve,

Resembling real wings. Young Icarus

Alone was present; ignorant that the work

Would his destruction cause; with playful tricks

He fingers now the feathers, now his hands

Soften the yellow wax. His sportive wiles

His father's wond'rous essay oft delay.

Now was the last completing stroke impos'd

Upon his undertaking: First the sire

On artificial wings his body pois'd,

And in the beaten air suspended hung:

Then his young offspring, Icarus, he taught.--

"This I my son advise, a middle course,

"To keep be cautious; low if thou should'st skim,

"Heavy with ocean's spray thy wings would droop:

"If high, the sun would scorch them. Steer thy course

"'Twixt each extreme. Nor would I wish thine eyes

"To view Booetes, or the northern bear;

"Nor yet Orion's naked sword. My track

"Cautious pursue."--With anxious care he gives

Rules thus for flight; and to his shoulders fits

The new-form'd pinions. Tears his ancient cheeks

Bedew'd, as thus his admonitions flow'd:

And his paternal hands as thus employ'd,

Beneath the office trembled. Warm salutes

He gave the boy, nor knew he gave the last;

Then on his feathers borne, explores the way,

Timid for him who follows. So the bird,

Tempts from her lofty nest her new-fledg'd brood,

In the thin air. He bids him close pursue,

Tries in each shape to teach the fatal skill;

Shakes his own pinions, bending back to view

His son's. The angler as with quivering reed,

He drew his prey to land; the shepherd-swain,

As o'er his staff he lean'd; the ploughman-clown,

Their flight astonish'd saw, and deem'd them gods,

That so at will could cleave the liquid sky.

Now Samos, Juno's favor'd isle they pass'd,

Delos, and Paros, all to left;--to right

Labyrithos lay, and rich in honey'd sweets

Calymne: when the heedless boy o'erjoy'd

In his bold flight, the precepts of his guide

Contemning, soar'd to heaven a loftier range.

The neighbouring sun's fierce heat the fragrant wax

Which bound, his pinions, soften'd. Soon the wax

Dissolves; and now his naked arms he waves;

But destitute of power his course to steer,

No air his arms can gather; loud he calls

His father's name, as in the azure deep

He drops,--the deep which still his name retains.

The hapless parent, not a parent now,

Loud calls on Icarus;--"Where art thou, son?

"Where shall I seek thee, Icarus?"--He said,

And spy'd his feathers floating on the waves:

Then curs'd his hapless art, as in the earth,

He deep intomb'd him; all the land around

Bears from the youth intomb'd its present name.

The whirring partridge, from a branchy holm

Beheld him, as beneath the turf he plac'd

His son's lamented body, and with joy

Flutter'd his feathers; while his chirping song

Proclaim'd his gladness: then the only bird

Known of his kind, in elder days unseen;

But lately cloth'd with feathers, through the crime

Flagitious, Daedalus, of thee! To thee,

Thy sister, witless how his fate was doom'd,

Her son committed for instructing art,

When twice six annual suns the youth had seen;

His docile mind best fitted then to learn.

He well th' indented bones remark'd, which form

The fish's spiny back, and in like mode,

Sharp steel indenting, first the saw produc'd

For public service. Two steel arms he join'd

Fixt to one orb above; each widely stretch'd,

One steady rests, the other circling turns.

Him Daedalus with envy viewing, forc'd

Headlong, from sacred Pallas' lofty tower,

His death feign'd accidental: but the maid

Divine, to all ingenious minds a friend,

Receiv'd him in his fall; chang'd to a bird,

On pinions bore him through the middle air.

His vigorous powers in force remain the same,

But change their seat; rapid he flies, and quick

He races on the ground; his name remains

Unalter'd: still the cautious bird declines

To trust his weight aloft, nor forms his nest

On lofty boughs, or summits of high trees:

Nigh to the earth he skims; beneath the hedge

His shelly brood deposits; of his fall

Still mindful, towering heights he always shuns.

Now Daedalus, with lengthen'd flight fatigu'd,

Sicilia's realm receiv'd; whose king humane,

Great Cocalus, mov'd with his suppliant pray'r,

Arm'd to assist him. Now by Theseus freed,

Athens no more the mournful tribute paid.

With garlands every temple gay they hang,

Invoke the warlike maid, the mighty Jove,

And every deity: their altars all

With promis'd blood they honor; with rich gifts,

And fragrant incense. Now had wandering fame

Through all the Grecian towns, spread the renown

Of Theseus: and the rich Achaia's tribes

His aid implor'd, when mighty perils press'd.

Ev'n Calydon, though Meleager brave

Possessing, sought his help with suppliant words.

The cause, a furious boar by Dian' sent,

Avenging instrument of slighted power.

OEneus, from plenteous harvests' full success

Rejoicing, primal fruits to Ceres gave;

To Bacchus pour'd libations of his wine;

To yellow-hair'd Minerva offer'd oil:

The rites invidious, from the rural gods

Commencing, all the bright celestials shar'd.

Latona's daughter only, in her fane,

Nor flames nor offerings on her altar saw.

Rage fires ev'n heavenly breasts.--"Not unreveng'd,"--

She cry'd,--shall this be suffer'd; honor'd not!

"Not unappeas'd by vengeance will I rest."--

Then through th' OEneian fields the maid, despis'd,

Sends the fierce boar to ravage. Such his size,

The bulls that in Epirus' pastures graze

More huge appear not: in Sicilia's meads

Far less are seen. Red are his sparkling eyes,

Fire mixt with blood; high rears his fearful neck,

Thick clustering spears the threatening bristles seem:

Hoarse as he grunts, down his wide shoulders spreads

The boiling foam: his tusks the tusks outvie

Of India's hugest beast: the lightening's blast,

Driven from his mouth, burns all the verdant leaves.

Now o'er the corn, but yet in budding ears,

He tramples, immature he reaps the crop;

The loud-lamenting tiller's hopes destroy'd:

The harvest intercepting in the shoot.

In vain the barns, the granaries in vain,

Their promis'd loads expect. Prostrate alike

Are thrown the fruitful clusters of the vine,

With shooting tendrils; and the olive's fruit

With branches ever-blooming. On the flocks

He rages: these not shepherds, not their dogs

Could save; nor could the furious bull his herd.

Wide fled the people; safety none durst hope

Save in their cities' walls; till thirst of fame

Fir'd Meleager, with his chosen band

Of valiant youths. And first were seen the twins

Of Tyndarus, for wond'rous skill renown'd,

This at the caestus, that to curb the steed:

Jason, whose art the primal ship design'd:

Theseus, in happy concord with his friend

Pirithous, join'd: Thestius' two valiant sons:

Lynceus, Aphareus' offspring: Idas swift:

Leucippus fierce: Acastus unexcell'd

To dart the javelin: Caeneus, now no more

Cloth'd in a female figure: Phoenix, sprung

From old Amyntor: Actor's equal sons:

Hippothooes: Dryas: and from Elis' town

Dispatch'd, came Phileus. Nor was absent there,

Brave Telamon, nor great Achilles' sire:

Nor stout Eurytion; with Pheretus' son:

Nor Hyantean Ioelaues brave:

Echion in speed unconquer'd: Nestor then

In primal youth: Lelex, Narycian born:

Panopeus: Hyleus: Hippasus the fierce:

Nor those whom Hippocooen sent in aid,

From old Amyclae: nor Ulysses' sire:

Ancaeus of Parrhasia: Mopsus sage:

Amphiareus, then by his false spouse's guile

Betray'd not. With them Atalanta came,

The grace and glory of Arcadia's woods.

A shining buckle from the ground confin'd

Her garment's border: simply bound, her hair

One knot confin'd: her ivory quiver, slung

O'er her left shoulder, sounded as she stepp'd:

Her hand sustain'd a bow: and thus array'd

Appear'd her form. Her lineaments disclos'd,

What scarce might feminine in boys appear;

Or hardly boyish in a virgin's face.

The chief of Calydon the maid beheld,--

Beheld, and lov'd: while heaven his love oppos'd.

The secret flames inhaling deep, he cry'd,--

"O, blessed youth! if youth to gain thy hand

"Worthy were deem'd!"--Nor bashful shame, nor time

Would more allow; a mightier deed now claim'd

Their utmost efforts for the furious war.

Darken'd with trees thick-growing, rose a wood;

From earliest ages there the biting axe

Had never sounded; in the plain it rear'd

Facing the sloping fields. The youths arriv'd;

Some spread the knotted toils; some loose the hounds;

Some strive the foot-prints of the boar to trace,

Their danger anxious seeking. Low beneath

A hollow vale extended, where the floods

Fresh showery torrents gather'd, lazy laid.

The flexile willow, and the waving reed;

The fenny bulrush, osier, and the cane

Diminutive, the stagnant depth conceal'd.

Arous'd from hence, the boar impetuous rush'd

Amidst his host of foes; so lightenings dart

When clouds concussive clash. His rapid force

Levels the grove, the crackling trees resound

Where'er he pushes: loud the joyful youth

Exclaim, each grasping with a nervous hand

His weapon brandish'd, while its broad head shakes.

Forward he darts, the dogs he scatters wide,

And each opposing power; his strokes oblique

Their baying drives to distance. Echion's arm

Hurl'd the first dart, but hurl'd the dart in vain;

Lightly a maple's trunk the weapon graz'd.

The next, but over-urg'd the force that sent,

Had pierc'd the rough back of the wish'd-for prey;

Jason's the steel,--it whizz'd beyond him far.

Then Mopsus pray'd,--"O Phoebus! if thy rites

"I e'er perform'd, if still I thee adore,

"Grant my sure weapon what I wish to touch."

The god consented, what he could he gave,--

The boar was struck, but struck without a wound:

Diana from the flying weapon snatch'd

The steely head, and pointless fell the wood.

More chafes the beast, like lightening fierce he burns,

Fire from his eyeballs flashes, from his chest

Clouds of hot smoke through his wide nostrils roll.

Forc'd from the close-drawn string as flies a stone,

Hurl'd at embattl'd walls, or hostile towers

With foes thick crowded: so the deadly beast

Rush'd on the heroes with unerring shock.

Eupalamus and Pelagon, who stood

The right wing guarding, on the earth he threw:

Their fellows snatch'd them from impending fate.

Not so Onesimus, of Hippocooen

The offspring, 'scap'd the death-inflicting blow;

Torn through the ham, just as for flight he turn'd;

His slacken'd nerves could bear his weight no more.

Then Nestor too, long e'er the Trojan times,

Perchance had perish'd, but beside him stood

A tree, whose branches nimbly he attain'd;

A mighty effort, aided by his spear:

Safe in his seat, he view'd the foe he fled,

Beneath him. Fiercely threatening death below,

He whets his tushes on a stumpy oak,

And bold in sharpen'd arms, ranches the thigh,

With crooked fangs, of Othrys' mighty son.

Now the twin-brothers, ere in heaven display'd

Bright constellations, both fair dazzling shone,

Mounted on steeds, whose lily'd hue surpass'd

Th' unsully'd snow; both shook their brandish'd spears,

The trembling motion sounded high in air;

Deep both had pierc'd, but 'mid the darkening trees,

Their bristly foe sought refuge, where nor steed,

Nor dart could reach him. Telamon pursues;

Ardent, and heedless of his steps, a root

Checks his quick feet, and prone the hero falls.

While Peleus aids his brother chief to rise,

The beauteous Atalanta to the string

Fits the swift dart, and from the bended bow

Speeds it; the arrow, fixt beneath his ear,

Razes the monster's skin, and drops of blood

His bristly neck ensanguine. Joys the maid

To see the blow;--but Meleager far

In joy surpass'd her. He the first beheld

The trickling blood; he to his comrades first

The wound display'd, exclaiming,--"Yon fair nymph

"The honors so deserv'dly won shall bear."--

The warriors blush with shame, and each exhorts

His fellow; shouts their souls more valiant swell;

In heaps confus'd their numerous javelins fly;

Clashing in crowds, each javelin fails to wound.

Lo! now Ancaeus furious, to his fate

Blind rushing, rears his double axe, and cries,--

"Behold, O youths! how much a manly arm

"Outstrikes a female's, to my prowess yield

"The palm of conquest. Let Latona's maid

"With all her power protect him, yet my force,

"Spite of Diana, shall the monster slay."--

Proud his big-boasting tongue thus speaks, then grasps

His two-edg'd weapon firmly in his hands,

And rais'd on tiptoe meditates the blow.

The watchful beast prevents him, through his groin,

To death sure passage, drives his double tusks:

Ancaeus drops; his bowels gushing fall,

Roll on the earth, and soak the ground in gore.

Ixion's son, Pirithous, on the foe

Rush'd, in his nervous hand a powerful spear

Brandishing; Theseus loudly to his friend

Exclaim'd,--"O, dearer far than is myself,--

"Half of my soul, at distance wait; the brave

"At distance may engage; valor too rash

"Destroy'd Ancaeus."--As he spoke he hurl'd

His massive cornel spear; its brazen head

Well pois'd, its sender's anxious wish appear'd

Fair to accomplish, when a leafy arm

Branch'd from a beech, oppos'd it in its flight.

Next AEson's son, his javelin threw, but chance

Glanc'd from its mark the weapon, and transpierc'd

An undeserving hound; the dart was drove

Through all his belly, and deep fixt in earth.

But different fortune on the arms awaits

Of Meleager, javelins two he sent;

Deep in the ground the foremost pierc'd, the next

Firm in the monster's back quivering stood fixt.

Nor stays he, whilst he raging furious whirl'd

In giddy circles round, and pour'd his foam,

Mad with the new-felt torture, close at hand

The hero plies his work, provokes his foe

To fiercer ire, and in his furious breast

Buries the glittering spear. A second shout

Loudly proclaims his thronging comrades' joy;

Each to the victor crowding, hand in hand

Congratulating grasps him; each amaz'd

Views the dire savage, as his mighty bulk

O'erspreads a space of land. Scarce think they yet

Their safety sure, him touching; each his spear

Extends, and dips it in the flowing gore.

His foot upon the head destructive fixt,

The conquering youth thus speaks:--"Nonacria fair!

"Receive the spoil my fortune well might claim:

"Fresh glory shall I gain, with thee to share

"The honors of the day."--Then gives the spoils;--

The chine with horrid bristles rising stiff,

And head, fierce threatening still with mighty tusks.

She takes the welcome gift, for much she joys

From him to take it. Envy seiz'd the rest,

And sullen murmurs through the comrades ran:

Above the rest, were Thestius' sons,--their arms

Out-stretching, clamor'd thus with a mighty noise;--

"Let not thy beauteous form thy mind deceive,

"When from thy eyes the donor of the spoil,

"Besotted with thy love, shall far be mov'd.

"Woman! restore the prize, nor hope to hold

"Our intercepted claims."--Speaking they rob

Her of the gift, him of the right to give.

Nor passive stood the warlike youth, his teeth

He gnash'd with swelling rage, as fierce he cry'd;--

"Learn, ye base robbers of another's rights,

"What difference threats and valiant actions shew.--"

Then in Plexippus' unsuspecting breast

He plung'd his impious sword: nor suffer'd long

Toxeus to doubt, who hesitating stood,

Now vengeance brooding for his brother's fate,

Now dreading for himself a like swift blow;

Again he warms the weapon, reeking still

Hot from Plexippus' bosom, in his blood.

To every temple of the favoring gods

Althaea bore donations for her son,

Victorious: When the breathless bodies came

Of both her brethren, loud the sounding blows

Of grief were heard, and all the city rung

With lamentable cries: her golden robes

Were straight to sable chang'd. But when the hand

Which struck the blow was known, her every tear

Was dry'd, and vengeance only fill'd her soul.

A log there lay when Thestius' daughter groan'd

In child-bed pangs; which on the greedy flames

The triple sisters flung; and while their thumbs

Twirl'd round the fatal thread, this was their song;--

"O newly born! to thee and to this bough

"Like date of life we give."--Then ceas'd their words,

And from her presence vanish'd: sudden snatch'd

The mother from the fire the burning brand,

And quench'd it instant in unsparing streams.

Long in most secret darkness had she hid

This fatal wood; and, thus preserv'd, her son

Had safely years mature attain'd; but now

Forth she produc'd it from its close recess.

Fragments of torches on the hearth she heap'd,

And blew the sparklings into deadly flames;

And thrice she rais'd her hands the branch to heave

On the fierce fire; and thrice her hands withdrew.

Sister and mother in one bosom fought,

To adverse acts impelling. Oft her face,

Dread of her meditated crime, bleach'd pale;

Oft to her eyes her furious rage supply'd

A fiery redness; now her countenance glow'd

With threatenings cruel; now her softening looks

To pity seemed to melt; and when fierce ire

Had fill'd her soul, and parch'd up every tear,

Fresh tears would gush. Thus rocks a vessel, driven

By winds and adverse currents, both their force

At once obeys, and can to neither yield.

Thus waver'd Thestius' daughter, dubious thus

Affection sway'd her; now her rage is calm,

Now her calm'd rage with fourfold fury burns.

At length the sister's o'er the parent's tie

The prevalence obtains; impiously good,

With blood her own, she soothes the brethren's shades.

Now, when the fires destructive fiercely glar'd,

She cry'd:--"Here, funeral pile, my bowels burn!--"

And as the fatal wood her direful hand

Held forth, the hapless mother, at the pyre

Sepulchral, stood, exclaiming;--"Furies three!

"Avenging sisters! hither turn your eyes;

"Behold the furious sacred rites I pay:

"For retribution I commit this crime.

"By death their death must be aveng'd; his fault

"By mine be punish'd; on their funeral biers

"His must be laid; one sinning house must fall,

"In woes accumulated. Blest shall still

"OEneus enjoy his proud victorious son,

"And Thestius childless mourn? Better that both

"Should weep in concert. Dear fraternal ghosts,

"Recent from upper air, my work behold!

"Take to th' infernal realms my offering bought

"So dear! the hapless pledge my womb produc'd.

"Ah! whither am I swept? Brothers forgive

"The parent. Lo! my faltering hands refuse

"To second my intents. Well he deserves

"To perish; yet by other hands than mine.

"Unpunish'd shall he 'scape then? Victor live,

"Proud of his high success, and rule the realm

"Of Calydon, while ye are prostrate thrown

"A trivial heap of ashes, and cold shades?

"Patience no more will bear. Perish the wretch!

"Perish his father's hopes! perish the realm!

"And all the country perish! Where? O, where?

"Is then the mother's soul, the pious prayers

"A parent should prefer? Where the strong pains

"Which twice five moons I bore? O, that the flames

"First kindled, had thy infant limbs consum'd!

"Would I had not then snatch'd thee from thy fate!

"Thy gift of life is mine; now that thou dy'st

"Thy own demerits ask: take the reward

"Thy deeds deserve: yield up thy twice-given life,

"First in thy birth, then by the brand I sav'd;

"Or lay me with my brethren in their tomb.

"I wish, yet what I would my hands refuse.

"What will my soul determine? Now mine eyes

"The mangled corses of my brethren fill:

"Now filial fondness, and a mother's name

"Distract my soul. O, wretched, wretched me!

"Brothers you gain the conquest, yet you gain

"Dearly for me; but on your shades I'll wait,

"Blest in what gives you once to me again."

She said; with face averse and trembling hand,

The fateful brand amid the fires was dropt.

The brand a groan deep utter'd, or a groan

To utter seem'd: the flames half backward caught

At length their prey, which gradually consum'd.

Witless of this sad deed, and absent far,

Fierce Meleager, with the self-same fire

Burn'd inward; all his vitals felt the flame

Scorching conceal'd: th' excruciating pangs

Magnanimous he bore. Yet deep he mourn'd

By such a slothful bloodless fate to fall;

And happy call'd Ancaeus in his wounds.

With deep-drawn groans he calls his aged sire,

His brother, sisters, and the nymph belov'd,

Who shar'd his nuptial couch; with final breath,

His mother too perchance. Now glows the fire,

And now the pains increase; now both are faint;

Now both together die. The soul flies forth,

And gently dissipates in empty air.

Low now lies lofty Calydon,--the youths,

And aged seniors weep; the vulgar crowd

And nobles mourn alike; the matrons rend

Their garments, beat their breasts, and tear their hair.

Stretch'd on the earth the wretched sire defiles

His hoary locks, and aged face with dust,

Cursing his lengthen'd years: the conscious hand

Which caus'd the direful end, the mother's fate

Accomplish'd; through her vitals pierc'd the steel.

Had heaven on me an hundred tongues bestow'd,

With sounding voice, and such capacious wit

As all might fill; and all the Muses' power,

Still should I fail the grieving sisters' woe

Justly to paint. Heedless of beauteous forms

They beat their bosoms livid; while the corse

Remains, they clasp and cherish in their arms

The senseless mass; the corse they kiss, and kiss

The couch on which it rests: to ashes burn'd,

Careful collected in the urn, they hug

Those ashes to their breasts; and prostrate thrown

His tomb they cover; on the graven stone

Embrace his name; and on the letters pour

Their tears in torrents. Dian' satiate now

The house of OEneus levell'd with the dust,

Rais'd them by wings in air, which sudden shot

From each their bodies. Gorge sole, and she

The spouse of valiant Hercules, unchang'd

Were left. Long pinions for their arms were seen;

Their mouths to horny bills were turn'd; through air

Thus alter'd, ample range the goddess gives.

Theseus meantime, the toil confederate done,

Homeward to Pallas' towers his journey bent;

But Acheloues, swol'n by showery floods,

Delay'd his progress. "Fam'd Cecropia's chief,"--

He cry'd,--"here shelter, enter 'neath my roof,

"Nor through the furious torrents trust thy steps.

"Whole forests oft they root, and whirl along

"Vast rocks with thundering sound. High stalls I've seen,

"Near to the banks erected, swept away:

"Nor aught avail'd the lusty bull's strong limbs,

"Nor aught the courser's speed: the torrents oft

"Of melted snows, which from the mountains rush,

"Whelm the strong youths beneath the whirling pool.

"To rest is safer, till their wonted banks

"Again the streams confine; the lessen'd waves

"Within their channels pent."--Theseus complies,

And answers:--"Acheloues, we approve

"Thy prudent counsel, and thy cave will use,"

The grot they enter; hollow pumice, mixt

With rugged tophus, form'd it; tender moss

The moist floor cover'd; fretwork on the roof

The purple murex and the scallop white

Alternate form'd. Now Phoebus' steeds had run

Two thirds their race, when Theseus on his couch

Reclin'd, the comrades of his toil close by;

Pirithous here, Troezenian Lelex there,

Whose temples now some silvery hairs display'd.

With these were such as Acheloues, joy'd

At such a noble guest, the honor deem'd

Worthy to share. The barefoot Naiaed nymphs

Heap'd on the board the banquet: food remov'd,

They brought the wine, in cups with jewels deck'd.

The mighty hero then, the distant main

Surveying, asks:--"What land is that I see?--"

And shews the spot,--"tell me what name denotes

"That isle? and yet methinks not one it seems."

The river-god replies:--"What we behold

"A single isle is not, but five; the eye

"Is mock'd by distance. That Diana's wrath

"May less your wonder move, these once were nymphs.

"Ten bullocks had they sacrific'd, and call'd

"Each rural god to taste the sacred feast,

"And join the festal chorus, me alone,

"Forgetful, they invited not. Sore vext,

"I swell'd with rage, and as my anger rose,

"My flood increas'd; till at my greatest height,

"Woods I divorc'd from woods; from meadows tore

"The neighbouring meadows; and the Naiaeds roll'd,

"Now well-remembering what my godhead claim'd,

"Down with their habitations to the main.

"My waves then, with the ocean's waters join'd,

"The land divided, and those isles you view,

"Echinades, amid the sea were form'd.

"More distant may your vision reach;--behold

"An isle beyond them to my soul most dear;

"By sailors nam'd Perimele. I snatch'd

"Her virgin-treasure from the much-lov'd maid.

"Hippodamas her sire in fury rav'd;

"And, from a precipice, the pregnant nymph

"Plung'd in the deep. My waves receiv'd the load;

"And whilst I bore her floating, thus I said;--

"O, trident-bearer, thou whom lot decreed

"Lord, next to heaven, o'er all the wandering waves,

"Where all the sacred rivers end their course;

"To which all rivers tend, O, Neptune, aid!

"Propitious, hear my prayer! Much have I wrong'd

"The nymph I now support: if lenient he,

"And equitable, sure Hippodamas,

"Her sire, had pity granted, and myself

"Had pardon'd. Gracious Neptune, grant thy help

"To her a parent's fury from the earth

"Wide banishes. O, I beseech thee! grant

"A place to her, paternal rage would drown:

"Or to a place transform her, where my waves

"May clasp her still. The ocean-god consents,

"And all his waters shake as nods his head.

"Still floats th' affrighted nymph; and as she swims,

"I feel her heart with trepid motion beat:

"While pressing fond her bosom, all her form

"Rigidly firm becomes, and round her chest

"Rough earth heaps high; and, whilst I wondring speak,

"A new-form'd land her floating limbs enclasps:

"Her shape transform'd, a solid isle becomes."

Thus far the watery deity, and ceas'd.

The wondrous tale all mov'd, save one, the son

Of bold Ixion; fierce of soul, he laugh'd

To scorn their minds so credulous, the gods

Impious contemning, as he thus exclaim'd;--

"What tales, O, Acheloues, you relate!

"Too much of potence to the gods you grant,

"To give and change our figures."--All struck dumb,

Discourage this bold speech, and Lelex first,

Mature in age, and in experience old

Beyond the rest, thus spoke:--"Celestial power,

"In range is infinite, in sway immense;

"What the gods will, completion instant finds.

"To clear your doubts, upon the Phrygian hills

"An ancient oak, and neighbouring linden stand,

"Girt by a low inclosure; I the spot

"Survey'd, when into Phrygia's realms dispatch'd

"By Pittheus, when those realms his father rul'd.

"Not far a lake extends, a space once fill'd

"With human 'habitants, whose waves now swarm

"With fenny coots, and cormorants alone.

"Here Jove in human shape, and with his sire,

"The son of Maiae, came; the last his rod

"Shorn of its wings, still bore. A thousand doors,

"Seeking repose, they knock'd at; every door

"Firm barr'd repuls'd them: one at length flew wide;

"A lowly cot, whose humble roof long reeds,

"And straw firm-matted, cover'd. Baucis there,

"A pious dame, and old Philemon match'd

"In age, had dwelt, since join'd in springtide youth;

"And there grew old together: Full content,

"Their poverty they hid not, and more light

"Their poverty on souls unmurmuring weigh'd.

"Here nor for lord, nor servant, was there need

"To seek; beneath the roof these only dwelt;

"Each order'd, each obey'd. The heaven-born guests

"The humble threshold crossing, lowly stoop'd,

"And entrance gain'd: the ancient host bade sit

"And rest their weary'd limbs: the bench was plac'd,

"Which Baucis anxious for their comfort, spread

"With home-made coverings: then with careful hand

"The scarce warm embers on the hearth upturn'd;

"And rous'd the sleeping fires of yestern's eve,

"With food of leaves and bark dry-parch'd, and fann'd

"To flame the fuel with her aged breath:

"Then threw the small-slit faggots, and the boughs

"Long-wither'd, on the top, divided small:

"And plac'd her brazen vase of scanty size,

"O'er all. Last stripp'd the coleworts' outer leaves,

"Cull'd by her husband from the water'd ground,

"Which serv'd as garden. He meantime reach'd down,

"With two-fork'd prong, where high on blacken'd beam

"It hung, a paltry portion of an hog,

"Long harden'd there; and from the back he slic'd

"A morsel thin, which soon he soften'd down

"In boiling steam. The intermediate hours

"With pleasing chat they cheat; the short delay

"To feel avoiding. On a nail high hung

"A beechen pail for bathing, by its hand

"Deep-curv'd: with tepid water this he fill'd,

"And plac'd before his guests their feet to lave.

"A couch there stood, whose feet and frame were form'd

"Of willow; tender reeds the centre fill'd,

"With coverings this they spread, coverings which saw

"The light not, but when festal days them claim'd:

"Yet coarse and old were these, and such as well

"With willow couch agreed. The gods laid down.

"The dame close-girt, with tremulous hand prepar'd

"The board; two feet were perfect, 'neath the third

"She thrust a broken sherd, and all stood firm.

"This sloping mended, all the surface clean

"With fragrant mint she rubb'd: and plac'd in heaps

"The double-teinted fruit of Pallas, maid

"Of unsoil'd purity; autumnal fruits,

"Cornels, in liquid lees of wine preserv'd;

"Endive, and radish, and the milky curd;

"With eggs turn'd lightly o'er a gentle heat:

"All serv'd in earthen dishes. After these

"A clay-carv'd jug was set, and beechen cups,

"Varnish'd all bright with yellow wax within.

"Short the delay, when from the ready fire

"The steaming dish is brought; and wine not long

"Press'd from the grape, again went round, again

"Gave place to see the third remove produc'd.

"Now comes the nut, the fig, the wrinkled date,

"The plumb, the fragrant apple, and the grape

"Pluck'd from the purple vine; all plac'd around

"In spreading baskets: snow-white honey fill'd

"The central space. The prime of all the feast,

"Was looks that hearty welcome gave, and prov'd

"No indigence nor poverty of soul.

"Meantime the empty'd bowls full oft they see

"Spontaneously replenish'd; still the wine

"Springs to the brim. Astonish'd, struck with dread,

"To view the novel scene, the timid pair

"Their hands upraise devoutly, and with prayers

"Excuses utter for their homely treat,

"At unawares requir'd. A lonely goose

"They own'd, the watchman of their puny farm;

"Him would the hosts, to their celestial guests

"A sacred offering make, but swift of wing,

"Their toiling chace with age retarded, long

"He mock'd; at length the gods themselves he seeks

"For sheltering care. The gods his death forbid,

"And speak:--Celestials are we both; a fate

"Well-earn'd, your impious neighbouring roofs shall feel.

"To you, and unto you alone is given

"Exemption from their lot. Your cottage leave

"And tread our footsteps, while of yonder mount

"We seek the loftiest summit. Each obeys;

"The gods precede them, while their tottering limbs

"A trusty staff supports; tardy from years,

"Slowly they labor up the long ascent.

"Now from the summit wanted they not more

"Than what an arrow, shot with strenuous arm,

"At once could gain; when back their view they bent:

"Their house alone they saw,--that singly stood:

"All else were buried in a wide-spread lake.

"Wondring at this, and weeping at the doom

"Their hapless neighbours suffer'd; lo! they see

"Their mouldering cot, e'en for the pair too small,

"Change to a temple; pillars rear on high,

"In place of crotchets; yellow turns the straw,

"The roof seems gilded; sculptur'd shine the gates;

"And marble pavement covers all the floor.

"Then Saturn's son, in these benignant words

"The pair address'd;--O, ancient man, most just!

"And thou, O woman! worthy of thy spouse,

"Declare your wishes.--Baucis spoke awhile

"With old Philemon; then their joint desire

"The latter to the deities declar'd.--

"To be your ministers, your sacred fane

"To keep we ask: and as our equal years

"In concord we have pass'd, let the same hour

"Remove us hence: may I her tomb not see,

"Nor be by her interr'd.--The gods comply;

"These guard the temple through succeeding life.

"Fill'd now with years, as on the temple's steps

"They stood, conversing on the wondrous change,

"Baucis beheld Philemon shoot in leaves,

"And leaves Philemon saw from Baucis sprout;

"And from their heads o'er either's face they grew.

"Still while they could with mutual words they spoke;

"At once exclaim'd,--O, dearest spouse, farewell!--

"At once the bark, their lips thus speaking, clos'd.

"Ev'n yet a Tyanaean shews two trees

"Of neighbouring growth, form'd from the alter'd pair.

"Nor dotard credulous, nor lying tongue

"The fact to me related. On the boughs

"Myself have seen the votive garlands hung;

"And whilst I offered fresher, have I said--

"Heaven guards the good with care; and those who give

"The gods due honors, honors claim themselves."

He ceas'd: the deed and author all admire,

But Theseus most; whom anxious still to hear

More wondrous actions of the mighty gods,

The stream of Calydon, as on his arm

Reclin'd, he rested, in these words address'd:--

"There are, O, valiant youth! of those once chang'd,

"Still in the new-form'd figures who remain:

"Others there are whose power more wide extends

"To many shapes to alter.--Proteus, thou

"Art one; thou 'habitant of those wide waves

"Which earth begird: now thou a youth appear'st;

"And now a lion; then a furious boar;

"A serpent next we tremble to approach;

"And then with threatening horns thou seem'st a bull.

"Oft as a stone thou ly'st; oft stand'st a tree:

"Sometimes thy countenance veil'd in fluid streams,

"Thou flow'st a river; sometimes mount'st in flames.

"Nor less of power had Erisichthon's maid,

"Spouse of Autolycus. Her impious sire

"All the divinities of heaven despis'd,

"Nor on their slighted altars offerings burn'd.

"He too, 'tis said, the Cerealean grove

"With axe prophan'd: his violating steel

"The ancient trees attacking. 'Mid the rest,

"A huge-grown oak, in yearly strength robust,

"Itself a wood, uprose: garlands hung round,

"And wreaths, and grateful tablets, proofs of vows

"For prospering favors paid. The Dryad nymphs

"Oft in its shade their festal dances held;

"Oft would they, clasping hand in hand, surround

"The mighty trunk: its girth around to mete,

"Full thrice five cubits ask'd. To every tree

"Lofty it seem'd; as every tree appear'd

"Lofty, when measur'd with the plants below.

"Yet not for that, did Erisichthon hold

"The biting steel; but bade his servants fell

"The sacred oak; lingering he saw them stand,

"His orders unobey'd; impious he snatch'd

"From one his weapon, and in rage, exclaim'd;--

"What though it be the goddess' favorite care!

"Were it the goddess' self, down should it fall,

"And bow its leafy summit to the ground.

"He said;--and pois'd his axe, and aim'd oblique.

"Deep shudderings shook the Cerealian tree,

"And groans were utter'd; all the leaves grew pale,

"And pale the acorns; while the wide-spread boughs

"Cold sweats bedew'd. When in the solid trunk

"His blow ungodly pierc'd, blood flow'd in streams

"From out the shatter'd bark: not flows more full,

"From the deep wound in the divided throat,

"The gore, when at the sacred altar's foot

"A mighty bull, an offer'd victim drops.

"Dread seizes all; and one most bold attempts

"To check his horrid wickedness, and check

"The murderous weapon: him the villain saw,

"And,--take,--he cries,--the boon thy pious soul

"Merits so well.--And from the trunk the steel

"Turns on the man, and strikes his head away:

"Then with redoubled blows the tree assails.

"Deep from the oak, these words were heard to sound:--

"A nymph am I, within this trunk enclos'd,

"Most dear to Ceres; in my dying hours,

"Prophetic I foresee the keen revenge

"Which will thy deed pursue; and this solace

"Grants comfort ev'n in death.--He, undismay'd,

"His fierce design still follows: now the tree,

"Tottering with numerous blows, by straining cords,

"He drags to earth; and half the wood below,

"Crush'd by its weight, lies prostrate. All astound,

"Of her depriv'd, and at their own sad loss,

"The sister Dryads, clad in sable robes,

"To Ceres hasten; and for vengeance call,

"On Erisichthon. To their urgent prayers

"The beauteous goddess gave assent, and shook

"Her locks; the motion shook the yellow ears,

"Which fill'd the loaded fields; and straight conceiv'd

"A torture piteous, if for pity he

"For acts like these might look:--to tear his form

"By Famine's power pestiferous. There, herself

"Approach forbidden (fate long since had doom'd

"Ceres and Famine far remov'd should dwell)

"A mountain-nymph she calls, and thus directs;--

"A region stretches on th' extremest bounds

"Of icy Scythia; dreary seems the place;

"Sterile the soil; nor trees, nor fruits are seen;

"But sluggish cold, and pale affright, and fear:

"Still-craving Famine, there her dwelling holds.

"Bid her within the inmost vitals hide

"Of this most daring, and most impious wretch.

"The proudest plenty shall not make her yield:

"For in the contest, all the power I boast

"To her shall stoop: nor let the lengthen'd way

"Appal thy mind; my car receive; receive

"My dragons; through the air their course direct

"By these long reins.--Speaking, the reins she gave.

"She, borne through ether in the granted car,

"To Scythia's realm is carried: on the ridge

"A rugged mountain offer'd, first she eas'd

"The dragons' necks; as Caucasus 'twas known.

"There she the sought-for Famine soon espy'd,

"Eagerly searching on the stony fields,

"At once with teeth and fangs, for thin-sown herbs.

"Rough matted were her locks; deep sunk her eyes;

"Pale bleach'd her face; her lips with whiten'd slime

"O'erspread; with furry crust her mouth was rough:

"Hard was her skin; and through it might be seen

"Her inwards: 'bove her hollow loins, upstood

"The arid bones: a belly's place supply'd

"A belly's form: her breasts to hang appear'd

"Held only by the chine: her fleshless shape

"Each joint in bulk increas'd: rigidly large

"The knees were swol'n, and each protruding part

"Immod'rately was big. Then as the nymph

"From far beheld her,--for a nigh approach

"She dreaded, what the goddess bade she told.

"Though brief her stay; though distant far she stood;

"Though instant there arriv'd; she felt the power

"Of Famine at the sight, and turning quick

"Her reins, she urg'd her dragons to their speed

"In retrogade direction; still on high,

"Till Thessaly they gain'd. Famine performs

"The wish of Ceres (though her anxious aim

"Is still to thwart her power) and borne on winds

"Swift through the air, the fated house she finds

"And instant enters, where the inmost walls

"The sacrilegious wretch inclose; in sleep

"Deep bury'd, for night reign'd; and with her wings

"Him clasping close, in all the man she breath'd

"Her inspiration: in his throat, his mouth,

"His chest, and in his unreplenish'd veins,

"Her hunger she infus'd. The bidden deed

"Complete, she vanish'd from those verdant fields,

"And turn'd her to the needy roofs again,

"And well-accustom'd caverns. Gentle sleep

"Fann'd Erisichthon still with soothing wings.

"Ev'n in his sleep imagin'd food he craves,

"And vainly moves his mouth; tires jaw on jaw

"With grinding; his deluded throat with stores

"Impalpable he crams; the empty air

"Greedy devouring, for more solid food.

"But soon his slumbers vanish'd, then fierce rag'd

"Insatiate hunger; ruling through his throat,

"And ever-craving stomach. Instant he

"Demands what produce, ocean, earth, and air

"Can furnish: still of hunger he complains,

"Before the full-spread tables: still he seeks

"Victuals to heap on victuals. What might serve

"A city's population, seems for him

"Too scant; whose stomach when it loads had gorg'd,

"For loads still crav'd. The ocean thus receives

"From all earth's regions every stream; all streams

"United, still requiring; greedy fire

"On every offer'd aliment thus feeds,

"Countless supplies of wood consuming;--more

"Nutrition craving, still the more it gains;

"More greedy growing from its large increase.

"So Erisichthon's jaws prophane, rich feasts

"At once devour, at once still more demand.

"All food but stimulates his gust for food

"In added heaps; and eating only seems

"To leave his maw more empty. Lessen'd now,

"In the deep abyss of his stomach huge,

"Were all the riches which his sire's bequest

"Had given: the direful torment still remain'd

"In undiminish'd strength; his belly's fire

"Implacable still rag'd. Exhausted now

"On the curst craving all his wealth was spent.

"One daughter sole remaining; of a sire

"Less impious, worthy: her the pauper sold.

"Her free-born soul, a master's sway disclaim'd.

"Her hands extending, to the neighbouring main,

"O thou!--she cry'd--who gain'd my virgin spoil

"Snatch me from bondage.--Neptune had the maid

"Previous enjoy'd: nor spurn'd her earnest prayer.

"She whom her master following close, had seen

"In her own shape but now, in manly guise

"Appears,--in garments such as fishers clothe.

"The master sees, and speaks:--O, thou! who rul'st

"The trembling reed; whose bending wire thy baits

"Conceal; so may thy wiles the water aid;

"So may the fish deceiv'd, beneath the waves,

"Thy hooks detect not, till too firmly fixt.

"Say thou but where she is, who stood but now

"Upon this beach, in humble robes array'd,

"With locks disorder'd; on this shore she stood;

"I saw her,--but no further mark her feet.--

"The aid of Neptune well the maid perceiv'd,

"And joys that of herself herself is sought,

"Thus his enquiries answering;--Whom thou art

"I know not; studious bent, the deep alone,

"And care to drag my prey, my eyes employ.

"More to remove thy doubts, so may the god

"Who rules the ocean, aid my toiling art,

"As here I swear, no man upon this shore,

"Nor female, I excepted, has appear'd.

"These words the owner credits, and the sand

"Treads with returning steps; deluded goes,

"And as he goes, her former shape returns.

"Soon as this changing power the sire perceiv'd,

"The damsel oft he sold. Now she escapes

"Beneath a mare's resemblance: now a bird,

"An heifer now, and now a deer she seem'd.

"Her greedy parent's maw with food ill-gain'd

"Supplying. When at last his forceful plague

"Had every aid consum'd, and every aid

"Fresh food afforded to his fierce disease,

"Then he commenc'd with furious fangs to tear

"For nurture his own limbs; life to support,

"By what his body and his life destroy'd.

"But why on others' transformations dwell?

"Myself, O youths! enjoy a power, my form

"To alter; not unlimited my range.

"Now in the shape at present I assume;

"Anon I writhe beneath a serpent's form;

"Or take the figure of a lordly bull,

"And wear my strength in horns, while horns I had:

"Disfigur'd now, my forehead's side laments

"One weapon ravish'd, as you well may see."--

He spoke, and heavy sighs his words pursu'd.

*The Ninth Book.*

Combat of Acheloues and Hercules for Dejanira. Death of Nessus.

Torments and death of Hercules. His deification. Story of the

change of Galanthis to a weasel. Of Dryope to a Lotus-tree.

Ioelaues restored to youth. Murmuring of the Gods. The incestuous

love of Byblis. Her transformation to a fountain. Story of Iphis

and Iaenthe.

THE *Ninth Book* OF THE METAMORPHOSES OF OVID.

The son of AEgeus begs the cause to know

Whence spring those groans, and whence that wounded front?

And thus the stream of Calydon replies;--

(His uncomb'd locks with marshy reeds entwin'd).

"A mournful task, O, warrior! you impose;--

"For who, when vanquish'd, joys to tell the fight

"Where he was worsted? yet will I relate

"In order all: vanquish'd, the shame was small;

"The honor great, for such a prize to strive:

"And such a conqueror more the mind relieves.

"Has e'er the beauteous Dejanira's name

"Reach'd to your ears? her charms the envy'd hope

"Of numerous wooers form'd; mine with the rest.

"As o'er the threshold of my wish'd-for sire

"I stepp'd, I hail'd him.--O, Parthaoen's son,

"For thine accept me.--So Alcides spoke,

"And all the rest to our pretensions bow'd.

"Of Jove, his sire, he boasts; and all the fame

"His acts deserv'd; and stepdame's cruel laws

"Final completed. I (who shameful thought

"That gods should yield to mortals; then a god

"Alcides was not) thus his claim oppos'd:--

"A king of floods behold me; floods which roll

"With winding current through the land you sway;

"A son in me accept, no stranger sent

"From distant regions; of your country one,

"Part of your rule. Let it not hurt my claim,

"That Juno hates me not; that all the toil

"Of slavish orders I have ne'er perform'd.

"Alcmena was his mother, let him boast!

"Jove is a sire but feign'd, or if one true,

"Is criminally so. He claims a sire

"To prove his mother's infamy: then chuse--

"Say feign'd thy origin from Jove, or fruit

"Of intercourse adulterous, own thou art.--

"Me, speaking thus, with furious eyes he view'd,

"Nor rul'd his swelling rage, replying fierce;--

"More than my tongue I on my arm depend:

"Whilst I in fighting gain the palm, be thou

"Victor in talking.--Furious on he rush'd.

"So proudly boasting, to submit I scorn'd;

"But stript my sea-green robe, my arms oppos'd,

"And held my firm-clench'd hands before my breast;

"For stout resistance every limb prepar'd,

"To meet the fight. He in his hollow palms

"The dust collecting, sprinkled me all o'er,

"And then the yellow sand upon me threw.

"Now on my neck he seizes; now he grasps

"My slippery thighs: but only thinks to hold,

"In every part assailing. Still secure

"In bulk I stand, and he assails in vain.

"Thus stands a rock, which waves with thundering roar

"Surround; it stands unhurt in all its strength.

"A little we recede, then rush again

"To join the war: stoutly our ground we hold,

"Steady resolv'd to yield not. Foot to foot

"Fixt firm: I prone press with my ample breast,

"And hand with hand, with forehead forehead joins.

"So have I seen two mighty bulls contend,

"When each the fairest heifer of the grove

"Expects the arduous struggle to reward:

"The herds behold and tremble, witless which

"The powerful contest shall successful gain.

"Thrice while I clasp'd him close, Alcides strove

"To throw me from his breast, in vain,--the fourth

"He shook me from him, and my clasping arms

"Unloosing, instant turn'd me with his hand;

"(Truth must I speak,) and heavy on my back

"He hung. If credence may my words demand,

"Nor seek I fame through tales of false deceit,

"A mighty mountain on me seem'd to weigh:

"Scarce were my arms, with trickling sweat bedew'd,

"Loos'd from his grasp; scarce was my body freed

"From his hard gripe, when panting hard for breath,

"Ere I could strength regain, my throat he seiz'd.

"Then on the earth my knee was press'd; my mouth

"Then bit the sand. Inferior prov'd in strength,

"To arts I next betook me. Slipp'd his hands

"In form a long round serpent; while I roll'd

"In winding spires my body; while I shook

"My forked tongue with hisses dire, he laugh'd,

"And mock'd my arts; exclaiming,--snakes to kill

"I in my cradle knew; grant thou excel'st,

"O, Acheloues! others far in size,

"What art thou mated with the Hydra's bulk?

"He fertile from his wounds, his hundred heads

"Ne'er felt diminish'd, for straightway his neck,

"With two successors, brav'd the stroke again:

"Yet him I vanquish'd with his branching heads

"From blood produc'd: from every loss more stout,

"Him prostrate I o'erthrew. What hope hast thou,

"In form fallacious, who with borrow'd arms

"Now threaten'st? whom a form precarious hides?

"He said, and fast about my throat he squeez'd

"His nervous fingers; choaking, hard I strove,

"As pincer-like he press'd me, to unloose

"From his tight grasp my neck. Conquer'd in this,

"Still a third shape, the furious bull remain'd:

"Chang'd to a bull, again I wag'd the war.

"Around my brawny neck his arms he threw

"To left, and spite of every effort try'd

"To 'scape, he dragg'd me down; the solid earth

"Deep with my horn he pierc'd, and stretch'd me prone

"On the wide sand. Unsated yet his rage,

"His fierce hand seiz'd my stubborn horn, and broke

"From my maim'd front the weapon. Naiaed nymphs

"This consecrated, fill'd with fruits, and flowers

"Of odorous fragrance, and the horn is priz'd

"By Plenty's goddess as her favorite care."

He spoke, a nymph close-girt like Dian's train,

Her ample tresses o'er each shoulder spread,

Enter'd, supporting all of Autumn's fruit

In the rich horn, and mellowest apples came

The second course to grace. Now day appear'd:

The youths when light the loftiest summits touch'd

Of the high hills, departed; waiting not

Till the rough floods in peaceful channels flow'd;

The troubled currents smooth'd. Profound his head

Of rustic semblance, Acheloues hides

'Reft of his horn, beneath his deepest waves.

His forehead's honor lost sore gall'd him: all

Save that was perfect. Ev'n his forehead's loss

With willow boughs and marshy reeds was hid.

Thou too, rash Nessus, through thy furious love,

Of the same virgin, thy destruction met;

Pierc'd through thy body with the feather'd dart!

Jove's son returning to his natal soil,

Companion'd by his new-made bride, approach'd

Evenus' rapid flood. Swol'n was the stream

With wintry showers as wont, and raging whirls

Unfordable proclaim'd it; him, himself

Fearless, yet anxious for his spouse's care,

Nessus approach'd, in strength of limbs secure,

And knowledge of the fords, and thus he spoke;

"Her, O Alcides! will I safely bear

"To yonder bank; thou all thy efforts use

"In swimming." Straight the Theban hero gives

The pallid Calydonian to his care,

Shivering with dread; no less the centaur frights

Than the rough flood. The mighty warrior, prest

With his large quiver, and the lion's hide,

For on the bank opposing had he flung

His club and curved bow, exclaim'd--"the stream

"My arms will vanquish, soon as I essay."--

Nor dubious waits, but in the torrent leaps,

Not heeding where most tranquil flows the stream,

But stemming furious all its utmost rage.

Now had he reach'd the bank, now held again

The bow flung o'er, when loud his spouse's shrieks

Assail'd his ear. To Nessus, whom he saw

His trust about betraying, loud he cry'd;--

"What vain reliance on thy rapid speed

"Tempts thee to violence? O, double-shap'd!

"I speak, regard me,--to respect my rights,

"Should deference to me not move thee, think

"How whirls thy sire, and that thy rage may check

"For wishes unallow'd. Yet hope thou not

"With courser's speed to 'scape me: with my dart,

"Not feet, will I pursue thee."--His last words

With deeds he guarantees, and through and through

The flying culprit felt the javelin driv'n;

Out through his breast the forked weapon stood:

Withdrawn, from either wound gush'd forth the gore,

Mixt with the venom of Lernaea's pest.

This be preserv'd.--"Nor will I unreveng'd

"Expire,"--he murmur'd faintly to himself;

And gave his raiment, in the warm blood dipt,

A present to the nymph whose spoil he sought;

To wake again her husband's dormant love.

Long was the intermediate time, the deeds,

Of great Alcides, and his step-dame's hate,

Fill'd all the world meanwhile. Victor return'd

From out OEchalia, when the promis'd rites,

To Jove Caenean, he prepar'd to pay,

Tattling report, who joys in falshood mixt

With circumstantial truth, and still the least

Swells with her lies, had in thine ears instill'd,

O Dejanira! that Alcmena's son,

With Ioele was smitten. Ardent love

Sway'd her belief, and terror-struck to hear

Of this new flame, she melted into tears;

With them her weeping grief first flow'd away:

But soon she bursted forth.--"Why weep I so?

"The harlot will but gladden in my tears!

"But ere she here arrives, it me behoves

"Each effort to employ, while time now serves,

"To hinder what he seeks; whilst yet my couch

"Another presses not. Shall I complain,

"Or rest in silence? Shall I Calydon

"Re-seek, or here remain? Shall I abscond

"His habitation, or, if nought else serves,

"Strenuous oppose him? Or if truly bent,

"O, Meleager! with a sister's pride,

"Thy wicked deeds t' outvie, a witness leave,

"The harlot's throat divided, what the rage

"Of woman may accomplish, when so wrong'd."--

In whirls her agitated mind is toss'd;

Determining last to send to him the robe,

In Nessus' blood imbu'd, and so restore

His waning love. Witless of what she sends,

Herself to Lychas' unsuspecting hands

The cause of future grief delivers. Wretch

Most pitiable! she, with warm-coaxing words,

Instructs the boy to bear her spouse the gift.

Th' unwitting warrior takes it, and straight clothes

His shoulders with Echidna's poisonous gore.

Incense he sprinkles in the primal flames

He kindles,--with the flames his prayers ascend.

As from the goblet he the vintage pours

On marble altars; hapless by the heat

The poison more was quicken'd; by the flame

Melted, it grew more potent; wide diffus'd,

Through all the limbs of Hercules it spread.

Still while he could, his fortitude, as wont

His groans suppress'd; at last his patience spent,

Fierce from the altar flinging, OEte's mount

So woody, with his plaintive shrieks he fills,

And instant from his limbs the deadly robe

Essays to tear: that, where he strips, the skin,

Stript also, follows; dreadful to describe!

Or to his limbs, his utmost struggling vain,

It clings: or bare his lacerated joints

And huge bones stand. With hissing noise his blood

Burns, as when glowing iron in a pool

Is dipp'd, so boils it with the venom fierce.

Nor hope of help remain'd, the greedy fires,

His utmost vitals waste; and purple sweat

Bedews his every limb; his scorch'd nerves crack;

And whilst his marrow, with the latent pest,

Runs fluid, high tow'rd heaven his arms he holds,

Exclaiming;--"now Saturnia, feast thy soul

"With my destruction; joy, O savage!--view

"From lofty heaven my tortures; satiate now

"Thy rancorous soul:--but if a foe may move

"Commiseration, (for thy foe I am)

"Take hence this life, grievous, through direful pains:

"Hateful to thee, and destin'd first for toils.

"Death now would be a boon; and such a boon

"A step-dame might confer. Have I for this,

"Busiris slain, who drench'd the temples deep

"With travellers' blood? For this Antaeus robb'd

"Of nutriment parental? Did thy bulk,

"Of triple-form, swain of Iberia, fright?

"Or thou, three-headed Cerberus, me move?

"Wrought I for this in Elis? at the lake

"Of Stymphalis? and in Parthenian woods?

"Did not my valor seize the golden belt

"Of Thermodon's brave queen? the apples gain,

"Ill-guarded by th' unsleeping dragon's care?

"Could the fierce Centaur me resist? or could

"The mighty boar that laid Arcadia waste?

"And what avail'd the Hydra, that he grew

"From every loss, in double strength reviv'd?

"How? Saw I not the Thracian coursers gorg'd

"With human gore! whose stalls with mangled limbs

"Crowded, I overthrew, and slew their lord

"On his slain coursers? Strangled by these hands

"Nemaea's monster lies. Heaven I upbore

"Upon these shoulders. The fierce wife of Jove

"Weary'd at length with bidding, I untir'd

"Still was of acting. But at length behold

"A new-found plague, which not the bravest soul,

"Nor arms, nor darts can aught resist. Fierce fire,

"Darts through my deepest inwards; all my limbs

"Greedy devouring. Yet Eurystheus lives!

"Still are there who the deities believe?"--

He said, and o'er high OEte tortur'd rov'd

Like a mad tiger, when the hunter's dart

Stands in his body, and the wounder flies.

Oft would you see him groaning; storming oft;

Oft straining from his limbs again to fling

The vest; trees rooting up; against the hills

Fierce railing; next up to his father's skies

His arms extending. Lo! he Lychas spies,

Where trembling in a hollow rock he hides!

Then, all his fury in its utmost strength,

Raging, he cry'd;--"Thou, Lychas, thou supply'd

"This deadly gift. Thou art the author then

"Of my destruction."--Shuddering he, and pale,

In timid accents strove excuse to plead:

Speaking, and round his knees prepar'd to cling,

Alcides seiz'd him, with an engine's force

Whirl'd round and round, and hurl'd him in the waves,

Which by Eubaea roll. He, as he shot

Through air, was harden'd. As the falling showers

Concrete by freezing winds, whence snow is form'd:

As snows by rolling, their soft bodies join,

Conglomerating into solid hail:

So ancient times believ'd, the boy thus flung,

Through empty air, by strong Alcides' arm,

Bloodless through fear, and all his moisture drain'd,

Chang'd to a flinty rock. A rock e'en now

High in Eubaea's gulph exalts its head,

Which still of human form the marks retains.

Which, as though still of consciousness possess'd,

The sailors fear to tread, and Lychas call.

Thou, Jove's renowned offspring, fell'd the trees

Which lofty OEte bore, and built a pile:

Then bade the son of Paean bear thy bow,

Thy mighty quiver, and thy darts, to view

Once more the realm of Troy; and through his aid

The flames were plac'd below, whose greedy spires

Seiz'd on the structure. On the woody top

Thou laid'st the hide Nemaean, and thy head,

Supported with thy club, with brow serene

As though with garlands circled, at a feast

Thou laid'st, 'mid goblets fill'd with sparkling wine.

Now the strong fires spread wide o'er every part,

Crackling, and seizing his regardless limbs,

Who them despis'd. The gods beheld with fear

The earth's avenger. Jove, who saw their care

With joyous countenance, thus the powers address'd:

"This fear, O deities! makes glad my heart;

"And lively pleasure swells in all my breast,

"That sire and sovereign o'er such grateful minds

"I hold my sway; since to my offspring too

"Your favoring care extends. No less, 'tis true,

"His deeds stupendous claim. Still I'm oblig'd.

"But from your anxious breasts banish vain fear;

"Despise those flames of OEte; he who all

"O'ercame, shall conquer even the flames you see:

"Nor shall the power of Vulcan ought consume,

"Save his maternal part: what he deriv'd

"From me, is ever-during; safe from death;

"And never vanquish'd by the force of fire.

"That we'll receive, his earthly race compleat,

"Amidst the heavenly host; and all I trust

"My actions gladly will approve. Should one

"Haply, with grief see Hercules a god,

"And grudge the high reward; ev'n he shall grant

"His great deserts demand it; and allow

"Unwilling approbation." All assent;

Not even his royal spouse's forehead wore,

A frown at ought he said; his final words

Irk'd her at length, to be so plainly mark'd.

Vulcan meantime each corruptible part

Bore off in flames, nor could Alcides' form

Remaining, now be known; nought he retain'd

Of what his mother gave; Jove's share alone.

A serpent revels thus in glittering scales,

His age and former skin thrown off at once.

So when Tirynthius from his mortal limbs

Departed, in his better part he shone,

Increas'd in stature; and majestic grace

Augustly deck'd his venerable brow.

Veil'd in a hollow cloud, and borne along

By four swift steeds, in a high car, the sire

Him plac'd in glory 'mid the radiant stars.

Atlas perceiv'd his load increas'd. Nor yet

Eurystheus 'bated in his rancorous hate,

But cruel exercis'd his savage rage,

Against the offspring of the sire abhorr'd.

But now Alcmena, worn with constant cares,

In Argolis, to Ioele confides

Her aged plaints, to her the labors tells

Her son atchiev'd, o'er all the wide world known;

And her own griefs beside. Alcides' words

Caus'd Hyllus to his couch to take, and take

Ioele, cordial to his inmost heart:

And now with generous fruit, the nymph was large.

Alcmena, thus to her commenc'd her tale.--

"May thee, at least, the favoring gods indulge;

"And all delay diminish, when matur'd,

"Thou to Ilithyiae shalt have need to call,

"Who o'er travailing mothers bears the rule;

"Whom Juno's influence made so hard to me.

"Of Hercules toil-bearing, now the birth,

"Approach'd, and in the tenth sign rul'd the sun.

"A mighty bulk swell'd out my womb, so huge,

"Well might you know that Jove the load had caus'd:

"Nor could I longer bear my throes (my limbs

"Cold rigors seize, while now I speak; my pains

"Part ev'n in memory now I seem to feel)

"Through seven long nights, and seven long days with pangs

"Incessant was I rack'd: my arms to heaven

"Stretching, I call'd Lucina, and the powers,

"With outcries mighty. True Lucina came,

"But came by Juno prepossest, and bent

"My life to sacrifice to Juno's rage.

"Soon as my groans she hearken'd, down she sate

"Upon the altar, plac'd without the gates:

"'Neath her right ham, her left knee pressing; join'd

"Fingers with fingers cross'd upon her breast

"My labor stay'd; and spellful words she spoke

"In whispering tone; the spellful words delay'd

"Th' approaching birth. I strain, and madly rave

"With vain upbraidings to ungrateful Jove,

"And crave for death; in such expressions 'plain

"As hardest flints might move. The Theban dames

"Around me throng; assist me with their prayers;

"And me my trying pains exhort to bear.

"Galanthis, one who tended me, of race

"Plebeian; yellow-hair'd; and sedulous

"What order'd to perform; and much esteem'd

"For courteous deeds;--she first suspected, (what,

"I know not) somewhat, form'd by Juno's pique:

"And while she constant pass'd; now to, now fro,

"She saw the goddess on the altar sit,

"Girding her arms, with close-knit fingers o'er

"Her knees, and said;--O dame, whoe'er thou art,

"Our mistress gratulate. Alcmena now

"Argolican, is lighten'd. Now the prayers

"Of the child-bearer meet her hopes.--The dame

"Who rules the womb, straight from her station leap'd,

"And all astounded, her clench'd fingers loos'd:

"I in that moment felt my bonds undone.

"Galanthis, they report, the goddess mock'd

"Thus cheated, by her laughter. Savage, she

"Dragg'd her so laughing, by the tresses seiz'd,

"And forc'd her down to earth, as up she strove

"Erect to rise; and to forefeet her arms

"Transform'd. The same agility remains;

"Her back its colour keeps; her form alone

"Is diverse. She, 'cause then her lying mouth

"My birth assisted, by her mouth still bears:

"And round my house she harbors as before."--

She said, and by the memory mov'd, she mourn'd

For her lost servant, whom, lamenting, thus

Her child-in-law address'd.--"If then the form

"Alter'd, of one an alien to your blood,

"O mother! thus affects you, let me tell

"The wond'rous fortune which my sister met:

"Though grief and tears will frequent choke my words.

"Her mother, Dryope alone could boast,

"(Me to my sire another bore) her charms

"OEthalia all confess'd; whom (rifled first

"Of virgin charms, when passively she felt

"His force, who Delphos, and who Delos rules)

"Andraemon took, and held a happy spouse.

"A lake expands with steep and shelving shores

"Encompass'd; myrtles crown the rising bank.

"Here Dryope, of fate unconscious came,

"And what must more commiseration move,

"Came to weave chaplets for the Naiad nymphs;

"Her arms sustain'd her boy, a pleasing load,

"His first year scarce complete, as with warm milk

"She nourish'd him. The watery Lotus there,

"For promis'd fruit in Tyrian splendor bright,

"Grew flowering near. The flowers my sister cropp'd,

"And held them to delight her boy; and I,

"(For there I stood,) the same prepar'd to do;

"But from the flowers red flowing drops I saw,

"And all the boughs with tremulous shuddering shook.

"Doubtless it is, (but far too late we learn'd

"By the rough swains,) nymph Lotis, when she fled

"From Priapus obscene, her shape transform'd

"Into this tree which still retains her name.

"My sister witless of this change, in fright

"Would back retreat, and leave the nymphs ador'd,

"But roots her feet retain: these from the ground

"She strains to rend; but save her upper limbs

"Nought can she move; a tender bark grows o'er

"The lower parts, and her mid limbs invades.

"This seeing, and her locks to rend away

"Attempting; her rais'd hand with leaves was fill'd.

"Leaves cover'd all her head. Amphyssus found,

"(His grandsire had the child Amphyssus nam'd)

"His mother's breasts grow hard; nor when he suck'd

"Lacteal fluid gain'd he. I there stood,

"Of her sad fate spectator: loud I cry'd--

"But, O my sister! aid I could not bring;

"Yet what I could I urg'd; the growing trunk,

"And growing boughs, my close embraces staid:

"In the same bark I glad had been enclos'd.

"Lo! come her spouse Andraemon, and her sire

"So wretched; and for Dryope they seek:

"A Lotus, as for Dryope they ask,

"I shew them; to the yet warm wood salutes

"Ardent they give; and prostrate spread, the roots

"They clasp of their own tree. Now, sister dear!

"Nought save thy face but what a tree becomes.

"Thy tears, the leaves thy body form'd, bedew.

"And now, whilst able, while her mouth yet gives

"To words a passage, such like plaints as these

"She breathes;--If faith th' unhappy e'er can claim,

"I swear by all the deities, this deed

"I never merited: without a crime

"My punishment I suffer. Innocent

"My life has been. If I deceive, may drought

"Parch those new leaves; and, by the hatchet fell'd,

"May fire consume me. Yet this infant bear

"From those maternal branches; to a nurse

"Transfer him; but contrive that oft he comes

"And 'neath my boughs let him his milk imbibe;

"And 'neath my boughs sport playful. When with words

"Able to hail me, let him me salute,

"And sorrowing say;--Within that trunk lies hid

"My mother--But the lakes, O! let him dread,

"Nor dare from any tree to snatch a flower;

"But think each shrub he sees a god contains.

"Adieu! dear husband; sister dear, adieu!

"Father, farewel! if pious cares you feel,

"From the sharp axe defend my boughs, and from

"The browsing flocks. And now, as fate denies

"To lean my arms to yours,--your arms advance;

"Approach my lips, whilst you my lips may touch:

"And to them lift my infant boy. More words

"I may not;--now the tender bark my neck,

"So white, invades; my utmost summit hid.

"Move from my lids your fingers, for the bark,

"So rapid growing, will my dying eyes

"Without assistance close.--Her lips to speak

"Cease, and existence ceases: the fresh boughs

"Long in the alter'd body warm were felt."

While Ioele the mournful fact relates;

And while Alcmena, from Eurytus' maid,

With ready fingers dry'd the tears; herself

Still weeping, lo! a novel deed assuag'd

Their grief--for Ioelaues, scarcely youth,

His cheeks with tender down just cover'd, stands

Within the porch; to early years restor'd.

Junonian Hebe, by her husband's prayers

O'ercome, to Ioelaues gave the boon.

Who, when to vow she went, that future times

Should none such gift enjoying, e'er perceive,

Was check'd by Themis. "Now all Thebes,"--she said,

"Discordant warfare moves. Through Jove alone

"Capaneus can be conquer'd. Mutual wounds

"Shall slay the brothers. In the yawning earth

"A living prophet his own tomb shall see.

"A son avenger of his parent's death

"Upon his parent: impious for the deed,

"At once, and pious: at the action stunn'd,

"Exil'd from home, and from his senses driv'n,

"The furies' faces, and his mother's shade

"Shall haunt him; till his wife the fatal gold

"Shall ask: and till the Phegian sword shall pierce

"Their kinsman's side. Callirhoe then, the nymph

"From Acheloues sprung, suppliant shall seek

"From Jove, her infants years mature may gain.

"Mov'd by her prayers, Jove will from thee demand,

"Son's spouse, and daughter of his wife, the boon

"And unripe men thou'lt make the youths become."

While Themis thus, with fate-foretelling lips,

This spoke; the gods in murmuring grudgings mourn'd,

Angry why others might not grant the gift.

Aurora mourn'd her husband's aged years:

Mild Ceres 'plain'd that Jason's hairs were white:

Vulcan, for Erichthonius pray'd an age

Renew'd. E'en Venus future cares employ'd,

Anxious for promise that Anchises' years

Replenishment might find: And every god

Had whom he lov'd; and dark sedition grew

From special favor; till the mighty sire

The silence broke.--"If reverence I may claim,

"Where rashly rush ye? Which of you the power,

"Fate to control, possesses? Fate it was

"Gave Ioelaues youth restor'd again:

"By Fate Callirhoe's sons ere long shall spring

"To manhood, prematurely; nor can arms

"Nor yet ambition gain this gift. With souls

"More tranquil bear this; since you see the fates

"Me also rule. Could I the fates once change,

"Old age should never bend AEaecus down;

"And Rhadamanthus had perpetual spring

"Of youth enjoy'd, with Minos, now despis'd

"Through load of bitter years, nor reigns as wont."

Jove's words the deities all mov'd; not one

Longer complain'd, when heavy press'd with years

They AEaecus, and Rhadamanthus saw;

And Minos: who, when in his prime of age,

Made mightiest nations tremble at his name.

He, feeble then, at Deione's son

Miletus, trembled, who with youthful strength,

And Phoebus' origin proud swol'n, and known

About to rise against his rule:--yet him

He dar'd not from his household roof to drive.

But thou, Miletus, fled'st spontaneous, thou

Th' AEgean waves in thy swift ship didst pass,

And on the Asian land the walls didst found

Which bear the builder's name. Cyance here,

Maeander's daughter, whose recurving banks

She often trode: (whose stream itself reseeks

So oft) in beauteous form, by thee was known,

And, claspt by thee, a double offspring came,

Byblis and Caunus, from the warm embrace.

Let Byblis warn, that nymphs should ne'er indulge

Illicit warmth. Her brother Byblis lov'd;

Not as she ought; not with a sister's soul.

No fires at first the maid suspected; nought

Of sin: the thought that oft her lips to his

She wish'd to join, and clasp her arms around

His neck fraternal, long herself deceiv'd,

Beneath the semblance of a duteous love.

Love gradual bends to him her soul; she comes

Fully adorn'd to see him, anxious pants

Beauteous to seem; if one more beauteous there

She sees, invidious she that face beholds.

Still to herself unconscious was her love:

No wish she form'd beneath that burning flame,

Yet all within was fire. She call'd him lord,

Now kindred's name detesting; anxious more,

Byblis, than sister he should call her still.

Yet waking, ne'er her soul durst entertain

Lascivious wishes. When relax'd in sleep,

Then the lov'd object oft her fancy saw;

Oft seem'd her bosom to his bosom join'd:

Yet blush'd she, tranc'd in sleep. Her slumbers fly,

She lies awhile in silence, and revolves

Her dream: and thus in doubting accents speaks;

"Ah, wretch! what means this dream of silent night,

"Which yet I oft would wish? Why have I known

"This vision? Envy's eyes must own him fair,

"And but his sister am I, all my love

"He might possess; worthy of all my love.

"A sister's claim then hurts me! O! at least

"(While tempted thus I wakeful nought commit)

"Let sleep oft visit with such luscious dreams:

"No witness sees my sleeping joys; my joys,

"Though sleeping, yet are sweet. O, Venus! O,

"Thou feather'd Cupid, with thy tender dame!

"What transports I enjoy'd! what true delight

"Me thrill'd! how lay I, all my soul dissolv'd!

"How joys it me to trace in mind again

"The pleasure though so brief: for flying night

"Invidious check'd enjoyment in the bud.

"O Caunus! that an alter'd name might join

"Us closely; that thy sire a sire-in-law

"To me might be: O, Caunus, how I'd joy

"Wert thou not son, but son-in-law to mine.

"Would that the gods had all in common given,

"Save parents only. Thou in lofty birth

"I would should me excel. O beauteous youth!

"A mother whom thou'lt make I know not; I

"Ne'er can thee know but with a sister's love:

"Parents the same as thine my hapless lot.

"All that I have, me only pains the more.

"What are to me my visions? Weight have dreams?

"How much more happy are th' immortal gods!

"The gods embrace their sisters. Saturn clasps

"Ops, join'd to him by blood; Ocean enjoys

"His sister Tethys; and Olympus' king

"His Juno. Gods peculiar laws possess.

"Why seek I then celestial rites to bring

"Diverse, with human ord'nance to compare?

"Forbidden love shall from my breast be driv'n,

"Or that impossible, may death me seize

"Instant, and cold upon my couch outstretch'd,

"My brother then may kiss me as I lie.

"Yet still my wish double consent requires.

"Grant I should yield, still might the deed to him

"Seem execrable. Yet th' AEolian youth

"A sister's nuptial couch ne'er dreaded. Why,

"O, why! on this so dwell? Why thus recal

"Examples to my view? Where am I borne?

"Hence, flames obscene! hence far! a sister's love,

"And that alone my brother shall enjoy.

"But had his soul first burn'd for me, perchance

"I had indulg'd his passion. Surely then

"I may demand, who would not, ask'd, refuse.

"What couldst thou speak? Couldst thou confess thy flame?

"Love forces, and I can. If shame my lips

"Close binds; yet secret letters may disclose

"The hidden flame."--With this idea pleas'd,

These words her hesitating mind resolv'd,

Rais'd on her side, supported by her arm.--

"He shall"--she said--"now know it; all my love

"Preposterous confess'd. Alas! what depth

"Now rush I to? What fire has seiz'd my soul?"--

And then with tremulous hand the words compos'd.

Her right hand grasps the style, the left sustains

The waxen tablet smooth; and then begins.

She doubts; she writes; condemns what now she wrote;

Corrects; erases; alters; now dislikes;

And now approves. Now throws the tablet by,

Then seizes it again. Irres'lute what

She would; whate'er is done displeases, all.

Shame and audacious boldness in her face

Are mingled. Sister, once her hand had wrote,

But sister, soon as seen, her hand eras'd;

And her fair tablet bore such words as these.--

"To thee, a lover salutation sends,

"And health, which only thou to her canst give:

"Asham'd, she blushes to disclose her name.

"For should I press to gain my wish'd desire,

"Without my name, my cause I trust would find

"Successful aid. Let Byblis not be known

"Till certain hopes of bliss her mind shall cheer.

"Yet faded color, leanness, and pale face,

"With constant dripping eye, and rising sobs

"Shew my unhidden grief. Well might these prove

"To thee an index of a wounded heart.

"My constant clasping, numerous fond salutes,

"If e'er thou'st mark'd, thou well might have perceiv'd

"Not sister-like embracings. In my soul

"Though this deep wound I bear; though in my breast

"This fire consuming burns, yet strive I all,

"(Witness, ye gods! my truth) all to suppress,

"And act with wiser conduct: hapless war

"Long have I wag'd 'gainst Cupid's furious rule

"More pressure have I borne, than what a maid

"Could e'er be thought to bear. At length o'ercome,

"And forc'd to yield, thy help I must implore

"With trembling voice: thou only canst preserve,

"Thou only canst the loving nymph destroy.

"With thee the choice remains. No foe thus sues,

"But one by nearest ties to thee conjoin'd,

"Pants to be join'd more nearly; link'd to thee

"With closest bands. Let aged seniors learn

"Our laws, and seek what moral codes permit.

"What is permitted, and what is deny'd,

"Let them enquire, and closely search the laws:

"A bolder love more suits our growing years.

"As yet we know not what the laws allow;

"And judge for all things we free leave enjoy;

"Th' example following of the mighty gods.

"Nor parent stern, nor strict regard for fame,

"Nor timid thoughts should check us; absent all

"Should be each cause of fear. The dear sweet theft

"Beneath fraternal love may be conceal'd;

"With thee in secret converse I may speak,

"Embrace thee, kiss thee in the open crowd;

"How little then remains! Pity, forgive,

"The declaration of this love, ne'er told

"Had raging fire not urg'd it, nor allow

"Upon my tomb this cause of death to stand.--"

Here the fill'd tablet check'd her hand, in vain

Thus writing, at the utmost edge the lines,

But stay'd. Her crime straightway she firmly press'd,

With her carv'd gem, and moisten'd it with tears:

Her tears of utterance robb'd her. Bashful then

She call'd a page, and blandishing in fear

Exclaim'd.--"Thou faithful boy, this billet bear--"

And hesitated long ere more she said,

Ere--"to my brother, bear it."--As she gave

The tablet, from her trembling hand it fell;

The omen deep disturb'd her. Yet she sent.

A chosen hour the servant sought, went forth

And gave the secret message. Sudden rage

me youth Maeandrian petrify'd; and down

The half-read lines upon the ground he flung.

His hand scarce holding from the trembling face

Of the pale messenger. "Quick, fly!" he cry'd,

"Thou wicked pander of forbidden lust!

"Fly while thou may'st; and know, had not thy fate

"Involv'd our modest name, death hadst thou found.--"

He terrify'd escapes, and backward bears,

To his young mistress all fierce Caunus spoke.

Pale, thou, O Byblis! heardst the rough repulse;

Thy breast with frigid chills beset. But soon

Her spirits rally, and her furious love

Returns: scarce to the trembling air her tongue

Can utterance give in these indignant words;--

"Deserv'dly mourn I, who so rashly gave

"Him of my wounds the conscious tale to learn.

"Why trust so soon to words, what still might hid

"Remain, on tablets hastily compos'd?

"Why were not first the wishes of my soul

"Try'd in ambiguous hints? First, sure I ought

"Whence the wind blew have mark'd; nor loos'd my sails,

"Him flying, to pursue, and the wide main

"In all directions plough: now bellies out

"My canvas; not a single course explor'd.

"Hence am I borne against the rocks; hence 'whelm'd

"In the wide depth of ocean; nor my sails

"Know I to tack returning. Did not heaven

"Check the indulgence of my love, by marks

"Obvious to all? when from my hand down dropp'd

"The tablet, which the boy was bade to bear.

"Mark'd that my falling hopes not? More deferr'd

"Thy wishes, or the day should sure have been;

"Surely the day. For heaven itself me warn'd,

"And certain signs me gave; but those my mind

"Stupid neglected. Personal my words

"Should I have urg'd, nor trusted to the wax.

"In person should my love have been display'd.

"Then had my tears been seen; then had he view'd

"My raptur'd countenance; then had I spoke

"Far more than power of letters can convey.

"My arms around his neck I then had thrown

"Howe'er unwilling; and, had he been coy,

"In dying posture I his feet had clasp'd;

"And stretch'd before him life demanding, all

"Had I achiev'd. Perchance though, by the boy,

"My messenger commission'd, I have fail'd:

"Aptly perhaps he enter'd not; perhaps,

"And much I fear, improper hours he chose;

"Nor sought a vacant time, when nought his mind

"Disturb'd. This has, alas! my hopes destroy'd:

"For from a tiger Caunus sprung not; round

"His heart not solid steel, nor rigid flint,

"Nor adamant is girt; nor has he suck'd

"The lioness's milk. He shall be bent,

"And gain'd his heart shall be; nor will I brook

"The smallest bar to what I undertake,

"While now this spirit holds. My primal wish

"(If it were given I might revoke my deeds)

"Is, I had ne'er commenc'd: my second now

"Is, that I persevere in what's begun.

"For should I now my wishes not pursue,

"Still must he of those daring wishes think;

"And should I now desist, well might he judge

"Form'd lightly my desires: or plann'd to try

"His virtue, and involve in snares his fame:

"Or, (dreadful!) think me not by love o'ercome,

"(Who burns and rages fiercely in my breast)

"But by hot lust. For now conceal'd no more

"My guilty act can be; I've written once,

"Once have I ask'd; corrupted all my soul.

"Should further no depravity ensue,

"Guilty I must be call'd. What more remains,

"In crime is little, but in hope immense."--

She said, and such the wavering of her breast,

That, whilst the trial grieves her which she made,

Farther to try she wishes; every bound

O'erpassing; and, with luckless fate, her suit

Still meets repulsion. He, when endless seem'd

Her pressing, fled his country, and the crime;

And in a foreign region rais'd new walls.

Then, daughter of Miletus, they report,

Forsook thee all thy senses; then in truth

Thou rent thy garments from thy breast; thy breast

Thy furious hands hard smote. Now to the world

Madly she raves; now to the world displays

Her wish'd-for love, deny'd: all hope--despair!

She too forsook her country, and the roof

So hated; and the vagrant steps pursu'd

Her flying brother trode. As Thracia's dames

O, son of Semele! thy Thyrsus shake

When celebrating thy triennial rites,

So did the Carian matrons, Byblis see

Fly o'er the wide-spread fields, with shrieks and howls:

These left behind, o'er Caria's plains she runs,

And through the warlike Leleges, and through

The Lycian realms. Now Cragos had she left,

And Lymire, and Xanthus' waves behind;

With the high ridge Chimaera lifts, who burns

Central with flames; his breast and front fierce arm'd

A lion--tow'rd his tail a serpent form'd.

Now all the forests past; thou Byblis, faint

With long pursuit, fall'st flat; on the hard ground

Thy locks are spread; dumb now thou ly'st; thy face

Presses the fallen leaves. Oft in their arms

So delicate, the Lelegeian nymphs

To raise thee up attempted. Oft they strove

To give advice that might thy love control,

And offer solace to thy deafen'd ear.

Still silent Byblis lies; and with her nails

Rends the green herbage; moistens all the grass

With rivulets of tears. And here, they say,

The Naiaed nymphs their bubbling art supply'd.

Ne'er drought to know: more to afford, their power

Sure could not. Straightway, as the pitchy drops

Flow from the fir's cleft bark; from solid earth

As stiff bitumen oozes; or as streams,

By cold congeal'd, thaw with the southern wind

And warming sun: Phoebean Byblis so

By her own tears exhausted, was transform'd,

A fount becoming; which still in that vale,

'Neath a dark ilex springing, keeps her name.