Now had the rumor of this wond'rous change

Spread rapid through the hundred towns of Crete,

But Crete had lately seen a wond'rous change

In her own clime, in Iphis' alter'd form.

There in the Phestian land, near Gnossus' realm

Was Lygdus born: a man of unknown fame,

But a plebeian of unblemish'd worth:

Nor had he, more than noble stock, estate;

Yet unimpeach'd for honesty his life.

He thus the ears of his then pregnant spouse

Address'd, when near her bearing time approach'd:--

"Two things my wishes bound; first that thy pains

"May lightly press, next that a male thou bring'st:

"More burdensome are females; strength to them

"Nature denies. Then if by fate ordain'd

"To give a female birth, which I detest,

"Unwilling I command,--O piety!

"Excuse it,--let the babe to death be given."--

He said, and tears profuse the cheeks bedew

Of him who bade, and her who heard his words.

Still Telethusa to the latest hour,

With vain petitions strives her spouse to move,

That thus he should not straighten so his hopes.

Firm to his purpose Lygdus stood. And now

Scarce could the heavy weight her womb sustain;

When in the silent space of night, in sleep

Entranc'd; or Isis stood before her bed,

Or seem'd to stand; surrounded by the pomp

To her belonging. On her forehead shone

The lunar horns, and yellow wheat them bound

In golden radiance, with a regal crown.

With her Anubis, barker came; and came

Bubastis holy; Apis various-mark'd;

He who the voice suppresses, and directs

To silence with his finger; timbrels loud;

Osiris never sought enough; and snakes

Of foreign lands full of somniferous gall.

To her the goddess thus, as rais'd from sleep

She seem'd, and manifest each object stood:--

"O vot'ry, Telethusa! fling aside

"Thy weighty cares; thy husband's mandates cheat;

"Nor waver, when Lucina helps thy pains:

"Save it whate'er it be. A goddess I,

"Assisting, still give aid when rightly claim'd:

"Nor will it e'er thee grieve to have ador'd

"An ingrate goddess."--Thus as she advis'd,

She vanish'd from the bed. The Cretan dame

Rose from the couch o'erjoy'd; and raising high

To heaven her guiltless hands, pray'd that her dream

On truth was founded. Now her pains increas'd;

And now her burthen forc'd itself to air:

A daughter came, but to the sire unknown.

The mother bade them rear it as a boy,

And all a boy believ'd it; none the truth,

The nurse excepted, knew. Glad prayers the sire

Offers, and from its grandsire is it nam'd:

(Iphis, the grandsire's appellation.) Joy'd

The mother hears the name, which either sex

May claim; and none, in that at least, deceiv'd;

The lie lay hid beneath a pious fraud.

The robes were masculine, the face was such

As beauteous boy, or beauteous girl might own.

And now three annual suns the tenth had pass'd,

Thy father, Iphis, had to thee betroth'd

Iaenthe, yellow-hair'd; nymph most admir'd

'Mongst all the Phestians, for her beauteous charms:

Telestes of Dictaea was her sire.

Equal in age, and equal in fair form;

The self-same masters taught the early arts,

Suiting their years. Their unsuspecting minds

Were both by love thus touch'd, in both was fix'd

An equal wound: but far unlike their hopes.

Iaenthe, for a spouse impatient looks,

With nuptial torches. Whom a man she thinks,

That spouse she hopes will be. Iphis too loves,

Despairing what she loves e'er to enjoy:

This still the more her love augments, and burns

A virgin for a virgin. Scarce from tears

Refraining;--"What,"--she cries,--"for me remains?

"What will the issue be? What cure for this

"New love, unknown to all, who prodigies

"Possess in this desire? If the high gods

"Me wish to spare, straight should they me destroy.

"Yet would they me destroy, they should have given

"A curse more natural; a more usual fate.

"Love for an heifer ne'er an heifer moves;

"Nor burns the mare for mares: rams follow ewes;

"The stag pursues his female; birds thus join:

"Nor animal creation female shews

"With love of female seiz'd. Would none were I!

"But lest all monstrous loves Crete might not shew;

"Sol's daughter chose a bull; even that was male

"With female. Yet, if candidly I speak,

"My passion wilder far than hers appears.

"She hop'd-for love pursu'd; by fraud enjoy'd;

"Beneath an heifer's form, th' adulterous spark

"Deceiving. Be from every part of earth

"Assembled here the skill: let Daedalus

"Hither, on waxen wings rebend his flight,

"What could all aid? Could all their learned art

"Change me from maid to youth? or alter thee

"Iaenthe? But why resolute, thy mind

"Not fix? Why Iphis thus thyself forget,

"These stupid wishes driving hence, and thoughts

"So unavailing? Lo! what thou wast born,

"(Save thou would'st also thine own breast deceive)

"What is allow'd behold, and as a maid

"May love, love only. Hope, first snatch'd by love,

"Love feeds on still. From thee all hope is borne.

"No guardians thee debar the dear embrace;

"Nor watchful husband's care; no sire severe;

"Nor she herself denies thy pressing prayers,

"Yet art thou still forbid, though all agree;

"To reap the bliss, though gods and men unite.

"Behold, too, all my votive prayers succeed:

"The favoring gods whate'er I pray'd have given.

"My sire and hers, and even herself comply,

"But nature far more strong denies, alone

"Me irking with refusal. Lo! arrives

"The wish'd-for hour; the matrimonial light

"Approaches; when Iaenthe will be mine;

"And yet far from me. In the midst of waves

"For thirst I perish. Nuptial Juno, why

"Com'st thou, or Hymen to these rites; where none

"Leads to the altar, but where both are led?"--

Here staid her speech; nor less the other nymph

Burn'd; and O, Hymen, pray'd thy quick approach.

But what she wishes Telethusa dreads,

And searches for delays; feign'd sickness oft

Prolongs the time; oft omens dire, and dreams.

Now all her artful fictions are consum'd;

And now the long protracted period came,

For nuptial rites; and, but one day remain'd.

She from her own and daughter's head unbinds

The fillets; and with locks dishevell'd, clasps

The altar, crying;--"Isis, thou who dwell'st

"In Paraetonium; Mareotis' fields;

"In Pharos; and the sev'nfold mouths of Nile.

"Help me I pray! relieve my trembling dread.

"Thee, goddess, once I saw; and with thee all

"Those images beheld; them all I know:

"Thy train, thy torches, and thy timbrels loud.

"And with a mindful soul thy words I mark'd.

"That she enjoys the light, that I myself,

"Not sinful suffer, to thy counsels, we,

"And admonitions owe. Pity us both;

"Grant us thy helping aid."--Tears follow'd words.

Straight seem'd the goddess' altars all to shake;

(And shake they did) trembled the temple's doors;

The lunar horns blaz'd bright; the timbrels rung.

Forth goes the mother, of the omen glad,

Yet not in faith secure. Iphis pursues

His mother with a step more large than wont:

The snow-like whiteness quits his face; his strength

Increases; fiercer frowns his forehead wears:

Shorten'd his uncomb'd locks: more vigor now

Than as a nymph he felt. For thou, a boy

Now art--so late a female! Bear thy gifts

Straight to the temple; and in faith rejoice.

Straight to the temple they their offerings bore,

And on them this short poem was inscrib'd.--

"Iphis a boy, the offerings pays, which maid,

"Iphis had vow'd."--The following sun illum'd

The wide world with his rays; when Venus came,

Juno, and Hymen, to the genial fires;

And the boy Iphis his Iaenthe clasp'd.

*The Tenth Book.*

Marriage of Orpheus and Eurydice. Her death. Descent of Orpheus

to Hell, to recover her. Her second loss. His mournful music on

mount Haemus draws the trees, birds, and beasts around him. Change

of Cyparissus to a cypress-tree. Song of Orpheus. Ganymede.

Hyacinth changed to a flower. The Amanthians to oxen. The

Propaetides to flints. Pygmalion's statue to a woman. Myrrha's

incestuous love, and transformation to a tree. Venus' love for

Adonis. Story of Atalanta and Hippomenes. Adonis changed to an

anemone.

THE *Tenth Book* OF THE METAMORPHOSES OF OVID.

Thence Hymen, in his saffron vesture clad,

Through the vast air departs; and seeks the land

Ciconian; by the voice of Orpheus call'd

Vainly. He came indeed, but with him brought

No wonted gratulations, no glad face,

Nor happy omen. And the torch he bore

Crackled in hissing smoke; nor gather'd flame

From whirling motion. Still more dire th' event

Prov'd, than the presage. As the new-made bride,

Attended by a train of Naiad nymphs,

Rov'd through the grass, a serpent's fangs her heel

Pierc'd, and she instant dy'd. Her, when long-mourn'd

In upper air, the Rhodopeian bard

Ventur'd to seek in shades, and dar'd descend

Through the Taenarian cave to Stygia's realms.

'Mid shadowy crowds, and bury'd ghosts he goes,

To Proserpine, and him who rules the shades

With sway ungrateful. There he strikes the strings

Responsive to his words, and this his song.--

"Gods of this subterraneous world, where all

"Of mortal origin must come, permit

"That I the truth declare; no tedious tales

"Of falshood will I tell. Here came I not

"Your dusky Hell to view: nor to o'ercome

"The triple-throated Medusaean beast

"Snake-hair'd;--my wife alone my journey caus'd,

"Whose heel a trampled serpent venom'd stung:

"Snatch'd in her bloom of years. Much did I wish,

"My loss to bear; nor ought forbore to strive;

"But love o'ercame. Well do the upper gods

"That deity confess. In doubt I stand

"If here too he is known; but here I judge

"His power is felt: the ancient rape, if true,

"Proves love ev'n you first join'd. You I implore,

"By all those regions fill'd with dread; by this

"Chaos immense; your ample realm, all fill'd

"With silence; once again the thread renew

"Eurydice too hasty lost. To you

"We all belong; a little while we stay,

"Then soon or late to one repose we haste:

"All hither tend; this is our final home.

"You hold o'er human kind a lengthen'd reign.

"She too, when once her years mature are fill'd,

"To you again, must by just right belong.

"I then request her only as a loan:

"But should the fates this favor me refuse,

"Certain I'll ne'er return. Two deaths enjoy."--

The bloodless shadows wept as thus he sung,

And struck the strings in concord with his words.

Nor Tantalus at flying waters caught;

Nor roll'd Ixion's wheel: the liver gnaw'd

The birds not: rested on their empty urns

The Belides: and Sisyphus, thou sat'st

Upon thy stone. Nay fame declares, then first,

Vanquish'd by song, the furies felt their cheeks

Wetted with tears. Nor could the royal spouse,

Nor he who rules deep darkness, him withstand

Thus praying; and Eurydice is call'd.

Amid the recent dead she walk'd, and still

Halted with tardy steps from her late wound.

Her, when the bard of Thrace receiv'd, this law

Receiv'd he also: that his eyes reverse

He should not bend, till past Avernus' realms;

Else he'd the granted favor useless find.

In silence mute, through the steep path they climb

Dark, difficult, and thick with pitchy mist;

Nor far earth's surface wanted they to gain:

The lover here, in dread lest she should stray,

And anxious to behold, bent back his sight,

And instant back she sunk. As forth his arms

He stretch'd, to clasp expecting, and be clasp'd:

Unhappy! nought but fleeting air he held.

Twice dying, she can nought her spouse condemn;

For how blame him because too much he lov'd?

She gives her last farewel; which scarce his ears

Receive, then sinks again to shades below.

Orpheus, thus doubly of his spouse despoil'd,

All stunn'd appear'd: not less than he who saw

In wild affright the triple-headed dog,

Chain'd by the midmost: fear him never fled,

Till fled his former nature: sudden stone

On all his body seizing. Or than he,

Olenus, when the crime upon himself

He took, and guilty wish'd to seem; with thee

Hapless Lethaea, confident in charms.

Once breast to breast you join'd, now join as stones,

Which watery Ida bears. Beseeching vain,

And wishing once again the stream to pass,

The ferryman denies. Then on the bank

In squalid guise he sate, nor tasted food

For seven long days; his cares, and grieving soul,

And tears were all the sustenance he knew.

Cruel he call'd the gods of Erebus,

And to high Rhodope himself betook,

And lofty Haemus by the north-wind beat.

Thrice had the sun the year completed, each

By watery Pisces ended. Orpheus still

Fled every female's love: or his deep woe

Made him so cold; or faithful promise giv'n.

Yet crowds there were, who wish'd the bard's embrace:

And crowds with sorrow saw their love repuls'd.

A hill there rose, and on its summit spread

A wide extended plain, with herbage green:

Shade to the place was wanting; hither came

The heaven-born poet; seated him, and touch'd

His sounding strings, and straight a shade approach'd.

Nor wanted there Chaoenian trees; nor groves

Of poplars; nor the acorn's spacious leaves:

The linden soft, the beech, the virgin bay,

The brittle hazle, and spear-forming ash;

The knotless fir; ilex with fruit low-bow'd;

The genial plane; the maple various stain'd;

Stream-loving willow; and the watery lote;

Box of perpetual green; slight tamarisk;

Two-teinted myrtle; and the laurustine

With purple berries. Thou too, ivy, cam'st

Hither with flexile feet: together flock'd

Grape-bearing vines; and elms with vines entwin'd:

Wild ash, and pitch tree; and arbutus, bent

With loads of ruddy fruit; the pliant palm,

Meed of the conqueror; the pine close bound

About its boughs, but at its summit shagg'd:

Dear to the mother of celestial powers,

Since Atys Cybeleian was transform'd,

And in the trunk a rigid tree became.

In form pyramidal, amid the crowd,

The cypress came; now tree, but once a boy;

Dear to the god who rules the lyre's fine chords,

And rules the bowstring. Once was known a stag

Sacred to nymphs that own Carthaea's fields,

Who bore upon his head a lofty shade

From his wide-spreading horns; his horns bright shone

With gold; his collar, with bright gems bedeck'd,

Fell o'er his shoulders from his round neck hung;

A silver boss, by slender reins control'd

Mov'd o'er his brow; a brazen pair the same,

Shone o'er his temples hanging from his ears:

Devoid of fear, his nature's timid dread

Relinquish'd, oft the houses would he seek;

And oft would gently fondling stoop his neck,

Heedless who strok'd him. Cyparissus, thou

Beyond all others priz'd the sacred beast:

Thou, fairest far amongst the Caean youths.

Thou to fresh pastures led'st the stag; to streams

Of cooling fountains: oft his horns entwin'd

With variegated garlands. Horseman-like

Now on his back thou pressest; and now here,

Now there, thou rul'st his soft jaws with the reins

Of purple tinge. 'Twas once in mid-day heat,

When burnt the bent claws of the sea-shore crab,

In Sol's fierce vapor; on the grassy earth

The weary stag repos'd his limbs, and drew

Cool breezes from the trees umbrageous shades.

Here the boy Cyparissus careless flung

His painted dart, and fix'd it in his side.

Who, when he from the cruel wound beheld

Him dying, instant bent his mind to die.

What consolation did not Phoebus speak?

Urging the loss far slighter grief deserv'd:

Yet mourn'd he still, and from the gods supreme

Begg'd this last gift, to latest times to mourn.

His blood in constant tears exhausted, now

His limbs a green hue take; his locks which late

Hung o'er his snowy forehead, rough become

In frightful bushiness; and hardening quick,

Shoot up to heaven in form a slender spire.

The mourning god, in grief exclaim'd--"By me

"Bemoan'd, thou shalt with others always grieve;

"And henceforth mourners shalt thou still attend."--

Thus did the bard a wood collect around;

And in the midst he sate of thronging beasts,

And crowding birds. The chords he amply try'd

With his impulsive thumb, and vary'd much

In sound, he found their notes concordant still;

Then to this song rais'd his melodious voice.--

"O parent muse! from Jove derive my song:

"All yield to Jove's dominion. Oft my verse

"Before the mightiness of Jove has sung.

"I sung the giants, in a strain sublime,

"And vengeful thunders, o'er Phlegraea's plain

"Scatter'd; a tender theme now claims my lyre:

"I sing of youths by deities belov'd;

"And nymphs who with forbidden wishes burn'd,

"And met the doom their sensual lusts deserv'd.

"The king of gods made Phrygian Ganymede

"His favorite, but some other form possess'd.

"Jove must in shape be something else than Jove.

"He deems no form becomes him, save the bird

"That bears his thunder. Instant all is done;

"The Phrygian borne away: the air he beats

"With his feign'd wing. And now this youth the cup

"Of nectar hands, in Juno's spite, to Jove.

"Son of Amycla, thee had Phoebus plac'd

"Also the skies amidst, had fate allow'd

"For such position place; yet still thou hold'st

"Eternal, what fate grants: oft as the spring

"Winter repulses, and the ram succeeds

"The watery fishes, thou spring'st forth in flower

"'Mid the green sward. Beyond all else my sire

"Thee lov'd, and Delphos, plac'd in midmost earth,

"Wanted its ruling power, whilst now the god

"Eurotas lov'd, and Sparta un-intrench'd.

"Nor lyre, nor darts attention claim'd as wont;

"Of dignity unmindful, he not spurns

"To bear the nets; to curb the hounds; to climb

"With the full train the steepest mountain's ridge:

"And every toil augments his pleasure more.

"Now had the sun the midmost point near gain'd

"'Twixt flying night, and night approaching, each

"Distant in equal space; when from their limbs

"They flung their robes; with the fat olive's juice

"Their bodies shone; they enter'd in the lists

"Of the broad disk, which Phoebus first well pois'd,

"Then flung through lofty air; opposing clouds

"Flying it cleft; at length on solid earth

"It pitch'd, displaying skill with strength combin'd.

"Instant the rash Taenarian boy, impell'd

"By love of sport, sprung on to snatch the orb,

"But the hard ground repulsive in thy face,

"O, Hyacinth! it flung. Pale as the boy

"The god appear'd: he rais'd his fainting limbs,

"And in his arms now cherishes, now wipes

"The fatal wound, now stays his fleeting breath,

"With herbs apply'd; but all his arts are vain;

"Incurable the hurt. Just so, when broke,

"The violet, poppy, or the lily hang,

"Whose dark stems in a water'd garden spring;

"Flaccid they instant droop; the weighty head

"No longer upright rais'd, but bent to earth.

"So bent his dying face; his neck, bereft

"Of vigor, heavy on his shoulder laid.

"Phoebus exclaim'd;--Fall'st thou, OEbalian youth,

"Depriv'd of life in prime? and must I see

"Thy death my fault? thou art my grief, my crime;

"My hand the charge of thy destruction bears:

"I am the cause of thy untimely fate!

"But what my crime? unless with him to sport;

"Unless a fault it were too much to love.

"Would I could life for thee, or with thee quit;

"But fatal laws restrain me: yet shalt thou

"Be with me still; dwell ever on my lips;

"My hand shall sound thee on the lyre I touch;

"My songs of thee shall tell: a new-found flower

"Shall bear the letters which my griefs resound:

"And time shall come, when a most valiant chief

"Shall join him to thy flower; in the same leaf

"His name too shall be read.--As words like these

"The truth-predicting lips of Phoebus spoke,

"Behold! the blood which flow'd along the ground,

"And all the herbage ting'd, is blood no more;

"But springs a flower than Tyrian red more bright,

"A form assuming such as lilies wear:

"Like it, save purple this, that silvery white.

"Nor yet content was Phoebus; for from him

"The honor was deriv'd. Upon its leaves

"He trac'd his groans: _ai, ai_, on every flower

"In mournful characters is fair inscrib'd.

"Nor blush the Spartans, Hyacinth to own:

"His honors still the present age attend;

"And annual are the Hyacinthian feasts,

"In pomp surpassing aught of ancient days.

"Should you by chance of Amathus enquire,

"If williang the Propoetides it bore,

"Denying nods would equally disclaim

"Them, and the race whose foreheads once were rough

"With double horns; Cerastae, hence their name.

"Jove's hospitable altar at their gates

"Of mournful wickedness was rear'd: who saw

"This stain'd with gore, if stranger, might conceive

"That sucking calves, or two-year's sheep there bled.

"There bled the guest! Mild Venus griev'd

"At these most impious rites, at first prepar'd

"To quit her cities, and her Cyprian fields:--

"But how,--she said,--can my beloved clime?

"How can my towns have given offence? what fault

"Abides in them? Rather the impious race,

"Shall vengeance feel in exile, or in death;

"Save death and exile medium may allow:

"How may that be, unless their shape is chang'd?--

"Then while she doubts what shape they shall assume,

"Their horns attract her eyes; struck by the hint,

"Their mighty horns she leaves them, and transforms

"To savage oxen all their lusty limbs.

"Still dar'd th' obscene Propoetides deny

"Venus a goddess' power; for which, fame says

"They first, so forc'd the deity's revenge,

"Their bodies prostituted, and their charms.

"As shame them left, the blood which ting'd their cheeks

"Harden'd, and soon they rigid stone became.

"These saw Pygmalion, and the age beheld

"With crimes o'er-run; the shameful vice abhorr'd

"Which lavish nature gave their female souls.

"Single, and spouseless liv'd he; long a mate

"Press'd not his couch. Meantime the ivory white

"With happy skill, and wond'rous art he carv'd;

"And form'd a beauteous figure; never maid

"So perfect yet was born, and his own work

"With love inspir'd him. Of a nymph her face

"Was such, you must believe the form to live,

"And move, if not by bashfulness restrain'd.

"Thus art his art conceal'd. Pygmalion stares

"In admiration; and his breast draws flames

"From the feign'd body: oft his hands his work

"Approach, if ivory or if flesh to judge;

"Nor ivory then will he confess the form.

"Kisses he gives, and thinks each kiss return'd:

"He speaks, he grasps her; where he grasps, he thinks

"His hands impression leave; and fears to see

"On the prest limbs some marks of livid blue.

"Now blandish'd words he uses; now he bears

"Those gifts so grateful to a girlish mind;

"Pearls, and smooth-polish'd gems, and smallest birds,

"With variegated flowers, and lilies fair,

"And painted figures, and the Heliads' tears,

"Dropt from the weeping tree: with garments gay

"Her limbs too he adorns, and jewels gives

"To deck her fingers; while a necklace large

"Hangs round her neck: her ears light pearls suspend;

"And a bright zone is circled round her waist.

"All well became her, yet most beauteous far

"She unattir'd appear'd. Her on a couch,

"Ting'd with the shell Sidonian, then he laid,

"And call'd her partner of his bed; and plac'd

"Her head reclin'd, as if with sense endu'd,

"On the soft pillow. Now the feast approach'd

"Of Venus, through all Cyprus' isle so fam'd,

"And snowy-chested heifers, whose bent horns

"With gold were gay, receiv'd the deadly blow;

"And incense burnt in clouds. Pygmalion stood

"Before the altar, with his offer'd gifts:

"Timid he spoke,--O ye all-potent gods!

"Give me a spouse just like my ivory nymph,--

"Give me my ivory nymph--he blush'd to say.

"Bright Venus then, as present at her feast,

"Perceiv'd the inmost wishes of his soul;

"And gave the omen of a friendly power.

"Thrice blaz'd the fire, and thrice the flame leap'd high.

"Returning, he the darling statue seeks

"Of his fair nymph; extends him on the couch;

"Kisses, and thinks he feels her lips grow warm:

"Applies his lips again, and with his hand

"Presses her bosom: prest the ivory yields,

"Softening beneath his fingers; nor remains

"Its rigid harshness. So Hymettus' wax

"Yields to the heat, when tempering thumbs it mould

"In various forms; and fit for future use.

"Astonish'd now he joys with trembling soul,

"But fears deception; then he loves again,

"And with his hands again his wishes proves:

"'Twas flesh, the prest pulse leap'd beneath his thumb.

"Then did the Cyprian youth, in words most full

"Of gratitude and love, to Venus pray.

"Then to her living lips his lips he join'd,

"And then the damsel felt his warm salute:

"Blushing she felt it, and her timid eyes

"Op'd to the light, and with the light beheld

"Her lover. Venus bless'd the match she made;

"And when nine times the moon's full orb was seen

"Sharpen'd to horns, the damsel Paphos bore;

"Whose appellation oft the isle receives.

"She Cinyras too bore; if childless he

"A place amongst the happiest might he claim.

"A direful song I sing! be distant far

"Ye daughters; distant far, O, parents be!

"Or if of pleasure to your minds my verse

"Aught gives, in this at least my truth suspect.

"Believe the deed not: if you must believe,

"Mark well the punishment the crime deserv'd.

"Since nature could such heinous deeds permit;

"The Thracian realms, my land, I 'gratulate;

"And joy this clime at such a distance lies,

"From that which could such monstrous acts produce.

"Let Araby be in amomum rich;

"And cinnamon, and zedoary produce;

"Incense which through the wood exudes; and flowers

"Of vary'd teints,--while Myrrha too it bears:

"Too great the price which this new tree procur'd.

"Cupid denies, O Myrrha! that his darts

"Thee wounded; vindicating from that crime

"His weapons. Thee, with Stygian torch most fierce,

"And viperous venom furies did enflame.

"Wicked to hate thy parent sure had been,

"But thus to love is worse than bitterest hate.

"The choicest nobles come from every part

"To gain thee; youths from all the East arrive,

"To struggle for thy hand. Chuse, Myrrha, chuse

"One from the crowd: one only in the world

"Whom chuse thou may'st not. She herself perceiv'd,

"And curb'd the baneful passion in her mind;

"Communing thus:--Ah! whither rove my thoughts?

"What meditate I? O, ye gods! I pray,

"O piety, O parents' sacred laws,

"Forbid this wicked act; oppose a deed

"So full of horrid guilt,--if guilt it be!

"But pious nature ne'er such love condemns.

"All animals in undistinguish'd form

"Cohabit: shame the heifer never feels

"Join'd with her sire; the steed his daughter takes

"As partner; with the female flock, who ow'd

"To him their being, couples oft the goat;

"And birds bring forth to birds who them produc'd.

"Blest those who thus enjoy; but human race

"Perversest laws invents: vexatious rules

"Forbid what nature grants. Yet am I told,

"Nations exist, where mother joins with son,

"And daughter with her sire; their pious love

"Increas'd more strongly by the double bond.

"Ah, me! unhappy, in such glorious climes

"Begotten not; I suffer but from place.

"But why on these ideas dwell? hence far

"Forbidden hopes. Well he deserves thy love,

"But as a father love him. Wert thou not

"Of mighty Cinyras the daughter, then

"Thou might'st the couch of Cinyras ascend.

"Now mine he is so much, he is not mine;

"Our very nearness is my greatest curse:

"More close, a perfect stranger had I been.

"Far hence I would depart; my country leave,

"This mischief flying; but curs'd love restrains.

"For, present, Cinyras I may behold;

"Touch, speak, my kisses to his face apply,

"If nought he'll grant beyond. How! impious maid,

"Dar'st thou hope ought beyond? perceiv'st thou not

"What laws, what names thou would'st confound? would'st thou

"The mother's rival be?--thy father's whore?

"Thy offspring's sister would'st thou then be call'd?

"Thy brother's parent? Fear'st thou not the three,

"Whose locks with sable serpents horrid curl?

"Who conscious bosoms pierce with searching eyes,

"And hurl their furious torches in the face?

"While yet thy body can resist, no more

"Cherish the heinous guilt thus in thy mind;

"Nor violate great Nature's sacred law

"With lust forbidden. Grant I should consent,

"The king would me deny: too pious he,

"Too dear to him the law. O, that in him

"Such furious passion rag'd as burns in me!--

"She ended; Cinyras, the worthy crowd

"Of suitors held in doubt; herself he ask'd,

"As name by name he counted, which as spouse

"She most would wish. Silent at first she stood,

"Then burning gaz'd on his paternal face,

"As the warm tears gush'd in her shining eyes.

"These, Cinyras effects of virgin fear

"Believing, chid her and forbade to weep.

"Drying her cheeks, he on them press'd a kiss;

"With too much pleasure she the kiss receiv'd:

"And when consulted what the spouse must be

"She would prefer, she answer'd,--one like you.--

"He witless of her meaning, prais'd her words,

"And said,--be such thy pious duty still--

"The sound of piety the virgin's eyes,

"With sense of guilt, cast conscious to the ground.

"'Twas now deep night when sleep sooth'd all the cares

"Of mortal breasts. But Myrrha wakeful laid

"Consum'd with raging fires; and rolling deep

"Her frantic wishes in her wandering mind.

"Despairing now, and now resolv'd to try;

"Now shame o'ercomes her, and anon desire:

"And undetermin'd how to act she rests.

"A mighty tree thus, wounded by the axe,

"Ere yet it feels the final blow, in doubt

"Seems where to fall; they fear on every side:

"Thus did her stagger'd mind from vary'd force

"Waver now here, now there; press'd hard by each,

"No ease for love, no rest but death appears.

"Death pleas'd. She rose, and round her throat prepar'd

"The cord to fasten; from the topmost beam

"She ty'd her girdle, and--farewel!--exclaim'd--

"Dear Cinyras! guess whence my fatal end.--

"Then drew the noose around her pallid neck.

"'Tis said, th' imperfect murmuring of her words,

"Reach'd to the faithful nurse's ears, who laid

"Before the threshold of her foster-child.

"The matron rose, threw wide the door, and saw

"Prepar'd the instrument of death. At once

"She scream'd aloud, her bosom tore, deep blows

"Gave her own limbs, and from the rescu'd neck

"Tore the tight noose. Then had she time to weep,

"Then to embrace, then to inquire the cause

"Of the dread cord. But dumb the virgin sate

"And motionless, her eyes to earth were fix'd;

"Griev'd that so check'd her efforts were for death.

"More the nurse presses, bares her silver'd hairs

"And wither'd bosom; by the cradle begs,

"And the first food she tasted, to confess

"To her the cause of sorrow. Myrrha sighs,

"But turns her eyes aside as thus she begs.

"Determin'd still to know, the nurse persists

"And not content her secrecy alone

"To promise, says--yet tell me, and my aid

"Allow me to afford thee. Not yet slow,

"Though aged. Is it love? with charms and plants

"I know thy love to cure. Have envious eyes

"Thee harm'd? with magic rites their charm I'll spoil.

"Are the gods angry? with appeasing rites

"Their anger we will soothe. What ill beside

"Can be conjectur'd? Lo! thy house secure,

"And safe thy fortune; both in prosperous train.

"Yet lives thy mother, and thy father lives.--

"Her father's name when Myrrha heard she drew

"Deep from her breast a mournful sigh; nor yet

"The nurse suspected guilt was in her soul:

"But saw that love disturb'd her. In her aim

"Inflexible; again she urg'd to know

"The grief whate'er it prov'd; and lull'd her head

"Upon her aged lap, and clasp'd her form

"In her own feeble arms, as thus she spoke;--

"I see thou lovest; banish far thy fear,

"My diligence in this shall aid thee; nay

"Not e'en thy father shall the secret know.--

"Madly she bounded from the lap, and cry'd,

"While press'd the couch her face,--I beg thee go!

"And spare my grievous shame.--More pressing still--

"Or go--she said--or ask not why I mourn:

"What thou so seek'st to know is shameful guilt.--

"With horror struck, the ancient dame holds forth

"Her hands, which equal shook with fear and age;

"Then suppliant at her foster-daughter's feet

"Fell. Now she coaxes; now she threatens loud;

"If not made privy, threatens to declare

"The cord's adventure, and half-finish'd death:

"And offers aid once more her love to gain.

"She rais'd her head, and fill'd her nurse's breast

"With sudden gushing tears. And oft she strove

"All to confess; as oft her tongue was mute;

"And in her garments hid her blushing face.--

"Then,--happy mother in thy spouse!--she said;

"No more, but groan'd. Through her cold limbs and bones,

"The ancient nurse a shivering tremor felt,

"And her white hairs all o'er her head, erect

"Like bristles stood; for all the truth she saw.

"Much did she urge the direful flame to drive

"Far from her soul, if that could be. The maid

"Knows all is just she argues, yet is fix'd

"For death, unless her lover is obtain'd.

"Then she;--O live, enjoy thy--silent there,

"Enjoy thy parent--she not dar'd to say:

"Yet by a sacred oath her promise bound.

"Now Ceres' annual feast, the pious dames

"All solemniz'd: in snowy robes enwrapt,

"They offer'd wheaten wreaths, and primal fruits.

"The rites of Venus, and the touch of man,

"For thrice three nights forbidden things they held.

"The monarch's spouse Cenchreis, 'mid the crowd

"Forth went to celebrate the secret feast:

"And while the couch its legal partner lack'd,

"The ill-officious nurse the king espy'd

"Oppress'd with wine, and told the tale of love,

"Beneath a fictious name, and prais'd her charms.

"The virgin's years he asks.--Equal her age

"To Myrrha's--she replies.--Desir'd to bring

"The damsel, she returns:--Rejoice!--she cries,

"Rejoice! our point is gain'd.--The hapless nymph

"Felt not a general joy; presaging pangs

"Shot through her bosom; still she joy'd: her mind

"Such discord tore. Now was the silent hour;

"Booetes 'mid the Trioenes had bent

"His wain with sloping pole; when Myrrha came

"To her flagitious crime. Bright Luna fled

"The skies; black clouds the lurking stars o'erspread;

"The night saw not its fires. Thou, Icarus,

"Thy face first hidst; and thou, Erigone

"Hallow'd for thy parental love so pure.

"Thrice was she warn'd by stumbling feet, and thrice

"The owl funereal utter'd her death-note.

"Yet on she went; darkness and sable night

"Her shame diminish'd. Fast her left hand grasps

"Her nurse, the other waves t'explore the way.

"The threshold of the nuptial chamber now

"She touches; now she gently opes the door;

"Now enters. Then her trembling knees loose shook

"Beneath her bending hams; her color fled:

"Her blood flow'd back; and all her wishes sunk.

"The nearer was her crime approach'd, the more

"With horror she beheld it, and sore mourn'd

"Her daring; anxious to return unknown.

"The hoary dame, her, lingering thus, dragg'd on,

"And when presented at the lofty couch,

"Said--Cinyras receive her, she's thine own!--

"And the devoted bodies gave to join.

"The sire his proper bowels, on the bed

"Obscene, receiv'd; her virgin terrors calm'd,

"And sooth'd her trembling. Haply too, he said--

"My daughter,--from her age; and haply she--

"My sire,--lest names were wanting to their crime.

"Fill'd with her father from the bed she rose,

"Bearing in her dire womb the impious fruit;

"Carrying her crime conceiv'd. Th' ensuing night

"Her incest she repeats, nor ends she here.

"But Cinyras eager at length to know,

"After such frequent converse, who him lov'd;

"At once his daughter and his sin beheld,

"By lamps brought sudden. Grief repress'd all words;

"But from the sheath he snatch'd his glittering sword.

"Quick Myrrha fled; darkness and favoring night

"Sav'd her from death. O'er wide-spread fields she roam'd;

"Through Araby palm-bearing, and the lands

"Panchaea holds. Nine times returning light

"Had fill'd the horns of Luna, still she stray'd:

"Then weary rested in Sabaea's fields;

"While scarce she bore the burden of her womb.

"Then what to ask uncertain, 'twixt the fear

"Of death and weariness of hated life;

"In words like these she utter'd forth her prayers,--

"Ye powers, if those who guilt confess are heard,

"A punishment exemplar I deserve;

"I shrink not from it. Yet the living race

"Lest I contaminate, if left to live;

"Or lest I mix prophane with shades below,

"Drive me from either realm; from life and death

"Debar me, into some new shape transform'd.--

"The penitent some god propitious heard;

"Her final prayer at least success obtain'd:

"For as she spoke rose round her legs the earth;

"The lofty tree's foundation, crooked roots

"Shot from her spreading toes; hard wood her bones

"Became; the marrow in the midst remain'd

"As pith; as sappy juice still flow'd her blood:

"Her arms large boughs were spread; her fingers chang'd

"To slender twigs; rough bark her skin became.

"The growing tree press'd hard the gravid womb;

"Invested next her breast, and o'er her neck

"Threaten'd to spread. Impatient of delay

"She shrunk below to meet th' approaching wood,

"And hid beneath the rising bark her face.

"Human sensation with her change of shape

"She lost, yet still she weeps; and from the tree

"Warm drops yet fall, and much the tears are priz'd.

"The myrrh which oozes from the bark still holds

"Its mistress' name, well known in every age.

"Meantime the misbegotten infant grew

"Within the trunk, and press'd to find a way

"To push to light, and leave the parent womb.

"Within the tree the gravid womb swell'd large,

"Stretch'd was the mother with the load, but mute

"Were all her woes; nor in travailing voice

"Lucina could she call. Yet hard to strain

"She seem'd; thick groans oft gave the bending bole,

"And tears flow'd copious. Mild Lucina came,

"And stood before the groaning boughs, and gave

"Assisting help, and spoke the spellful words.

"Cleft is the tree, and through the fissur'd bark

"A living burthen comes: the infant cries,

"Who on soft grass plac'd. The Naiad nymphs

"Him bathe in tears maternal: such a face

"Ev'n Envy could not blame. As painters form

"The naked Cupid's beauty, such had he;

"And that their dress no help to guess may give,

"This the light quiver take, or that resign.

"Quick passing time unheeded glides along

"Deceiving: nought than years more quickly flies.

"The child, of sister and of grandsire born,

"Late in the tree confin'd, late thence reliev'd;

"Just seen most beauteous of the infant tribe,

"Now youth, now man appears, more beauteous still:

"Now Venus charm'd, his mother's pangs aveng'd.

"As kisses sweet the quiver-bearing boy

"Press'd on his mother's lips, he witless raz'd

"Slightly her bosom, with a dart that stood

"Protruding. Venus, wounded, angry push'd

"Her son far from her; light the wound appear'd;

"At first even her deceiving. With the blaze

"Of manly beauty caught, she now contemns

"The Cythereian shores; nor Paphos seeks,

"Girt by profoundest seas; Cnidos, so fam'd

"For fish; nor Amathus with metals rich.

"Heaven too, she quits, to heaven she now prefers

"Adonis: him she follows, him attends;

"Whose sole employ was loitering in the shade,

"In anxious study to increase her charms.

"Bare to the knee, her robe, like Dian's train

"High-girt, o'er hills, through woods, and brambly rocks

"She roves: exhorts the dogs, and drives such game

"As threaten not with danger; fearful hares,

"High-antler'd stags, and rapid-flying deer.

"Fierce boars she shuns, and shuns the robber-wolf,

"Strong-talon'd bears, and lions slaughter-gorg'd.

"Thou too, Adonis, admonition heardst

"These to avoid, if admonition ought

"With thee could weigh:--Be brave,--the goddess said--

"To those who fly thee; courage 'gainst the bold

"To danger drags. Dear youth, thy heart is brave;

"Indulge not to my hazard, nor provoke

"Fierce beasts by nature arm'd, nor seek for fame.

"Nor youth nor beauty, such as Venus move,

"Will move the lion, or the bristly boar:

"Their eyes and breasts untouch'd by brightest charms.

"Thunder and lightning in his bended tusks

"The fierce boar carries; rapid is the force

"The tawny lion, (hated race!) exerts:

"My cause of hatred when to thee disclos'd,

"Will raise thy wonder at the monstrous crime,

"In days of yore committed. Now hard toil

"Unwonted tires me. Lo! the poplar's shade

"So opportune invites; and the green turf

"A couch presents. Upon the ground with thee

"I'll rest:--she spoke, and as she stretch'd along,

"She press'd the grass, and press'd the lovely youth:

"Smiling, her head upon his breast reclin'd,

"'Midst intermingling kisses, thus she spoke.--

"Perhaps thou'st heard of that renowned maid,

"Whose fleetness in the race the swiftest man's

"Surpass'd. Not fabulous the tale you heard:

"She vanquish'd all. And hard it was to say,

"If praise for swiftness, or for beauteous form,

"She most deserv'd. To her, who once enquir'd

"Of marriage, fate-predicting Phoebus said--

"A spouse would, Atalanta, be thy bane;

"Avoid an husband's couch. Yet wilt thou not

"An husband's couch avoid; but lose thyself,

"Thyself yet living.--Terror-struck to hear

"The sentence of the god, maiden she lives

"Amid the thickest woods; driving severe

"The throngs of pressing suitors from her far,

"By hard conditions.--Ne'er can I be gain'd--

"She said--till vanquish'd in the race. With me

"Your swiftness try: the conqueror in the strife,

"Shall gain me spouse, and gain a genial couch;

"But death must him who lags behind reward.

"Such be the laws of trial.--Pitiless

"The law appear'd; but (such is beauty's power)

"Crowds of rash lovers to the law agreed.

"There sat Hippomenes to view the race

"Unequal; and exclaim'd,--are there so mad,

"As seek a wife through peril so immense?--

"And the blind love of all the youths condemn'd.

"But when her face he saw, and saw her limbs

"Bar'd for the contest, (limbs like mine, or thine,

"Were thine of female mould,) amaz'd he look'd

"With uprais'd hands, and cry'd;--forgive my fault,

"Ye whom but now I blam'd; the great reward

"For which you labor, then to me unknown!--

"Thus praising, fire he feels, and hopes no youth

"More swift will run, and envious fears their speed--

"But why the fortune of this contest leave,

"Untry'd--he said,--myself? Heaven helps the bold.--

"While musing thus Hippomenes remarks

"The virgin's flying pace. Though not less swift

"Th' Aoenian youth beheld her, than the dart

"Shot from the Scythian bow; her beauty more

"Ravish'd his eyes, and speed her charms increas'd.

"Th' opposing breeze, which met her rapid feet,

"Blew back the ribbons which her sandals bound;

"Her tresses floated down her ivory back;

"And loosely flow'd her garment o'er her knees,

"With painted border gay: a purple bloom

"With virgin whiteness mixt, her body shew'd;

"As when the snow-white hall a deepen'd tinge

"From purple curtains shews. While this the guest

"Intently notes, the utmost goal is pass'd:

"Victorious Atalanta with the wreath

"Is crown'd: the vanquish'd sigh, and meet the doom

"Agreed. He, by the youths' untimely fate

"Deterr'd not, forward stood, and on the nymph

"Fix'd full his eyes, and said;--Why seek you thus

"An easy conquest, vanquishing the weak?

"With me contend. So potent am I born

"You need not blush to such high rank to yield.

"Megareus was my sire, Onchestius his,

"Grandson to Neptune; thus the fourth I boast

"From Ocean's sovereign. Nor beneath my race

"Stoops aught my valor; should success me crown,

"A lofty and an everlasting fame,

"Hippomenes your conqueror, would you gain.--

"As thus he spoke, with softening eyes the maid

"Beheld him, doubtful which 'twere best to wish,

"To vanquish or be vanquish'd. While she thus

"Utter'd her thoughts--What god, an envious foe

"To beauty would destroy him: urg'd to seek

"My bed, by risking thus his own dear life?

"I cannot sure so great a prize be thought!

"His beauty melts me not; though yet I own

"Such beauty well might melt. But such a youth

"He seems, he moves me not but from his years.

"What courage in him reigns! his soul unaw'd

"By death. He springs the fourth from Ocean's king!

"Then how he loves! and prizes so my hand,

"That should hard fortune keep me from his arms,

"He'd perish. Stranger, while thou may'st, depart;

"Avoid the bloody nuptials. Marriage, I

"Too cruel make. No maid would thee refuse;

"And soon may'st thou a wiser nymph select.

"But why for him this care? from me who see

"So many die, whom he too has beheld?

"Then let him perish; since the numerous train

"Of slaughter'd lovers warns him not: he spurns

"An hated life. How! should he then be slain

"Because with me to live he wishes? Death

"Inglorious must he gain, reward of love?

"Hatred would such a conquest still attend.

"Still is not mine the fault. Do thou desist;

"Or if thy madness holds, O, that thy feet

"More swift may be! See in his youthful face

"What virgin beauties! Ah! Hippomenes,

"Would Atalanta thou had'st never seen.

"Well worthy thou of life. Were I more blest;

"Had rugged fate not me a spouse forbade,

"Thou, sole art he, by whom to Hymen's couch

"With joy I would be led.--Thus spoke the nymph,

"In fond simplicity, first touch'd by love,

"Unknowing what she felt: ardent she lov'd,

"Yet knew the passion not which rul'd her soul.

"Now loud the people, and the king demand,

"The wonted race. To me with anxious words

"Hippomenes, great Neptune's offspring pray'd--

"O Cytherea! I adjure thee, aid

"My bold attempt; from thee those flames I felt,

"Grant them thy succour.--Gales auspicious waft

"To me the tender prayers, my soul is mov'd:

"Nor long the aid so needful I delay.

"A tract there lies in Cyprus' richest lands,

"Nam'd Tamasene by those who dwell around,

"This ancient times made sacred unto me:

"And with this gift my temples were endow'd.

"'Midst of the field appears a shining tree;

"Yellow its leaves, its crackling branches gold.

"By chance there straying, from the boughs I pluck'd

"Three golden apples, bore them in my hand,

"And seen by none, except the favor'd youth,

"Approach'd Hippomenes, and taught their use.

"The trumpets gave the sign, each ready sprung--

"Shot from the barrier, and with rapid feet

"Skimm'd lightly o'er the sand. O'er the wide main

"With feet unwetted, they might seem to fly;

"Or sweep th' unbending ears of hoary grain.

"Loud shouts encouraging, and cheering words,

"On every side a stimulus afford,

"To urge the youth's exertions.--Now,--they cry,--

"Now, now, Hippomenes, the time to press!

"On, on! exert thy vigor--flag not now,--

"The race is thine.--The grateful sounds both heard,

"Megareus' son, and Schoeneus' daughter; hard

"Which joy'd the most to judge. How oft her pace

"She slacken'd, when with ease she might have pass'd,

"And ceas'd unwilling on his face to gaze.

"Tir'd now, parch'd breathings from the mouth ascends

"Of Neptune's son, and far remote the goal.

"Then, as his last resource, he distant flung

"One of the tree's bright produce. In amaze

"The virgin saw it roll; and from the course

"Swerv'd, tempted to obtain the glittering fruit.

"Hippomenes o'ershoots her; all around

"Applauses ring. She soon corrects delay,

"And wasted moments, with more rapid speed,

"And leaves again the youth behind. Again,

"Delay'd to catch the second flying fruit,

"The youth is follow'd, and again o'erpass'd.

"Now near the goal they come,--O, goddess! now

"Who gave the boon assist; he said, and flung

"With youthful force obliquely o'er the plain,

"More to detain, the last bright glittering gold.

"In doubt the virgin saw it fly: I urg'd

"That she should follow; and fresh weight I gave

"The apple when obtain'd; thus by the load

"Her course impeding, and obtain'd delay.

"But lest my tale, in length surpass the race,

"The vanquish'd virgin was the victor's prize.

"Think'st thou Adonis, did I not deserve

"Most grateful thanks in smoking incense paid?

"Mindless, nor thanks, nor incense yielded he;

"And sudden anger in my bosom rag'd.

"Irk'd at the slight, I instantly provide

"That future times with less contempt behave:

"And 'gainst them both my raging bosom burns.

"Now pass'd they near a temple, long since rais'd

"By fam'd Echion, in a shady wood,

"To the great mother of the heavenly gods,

"When the long journey tempted to repose;

"And there, inspir'd by me, ill-tim'd desire

"Hippomenes excited. Near the fane

"A cave-like close recess dim-lighted stood,

"With native pumice roof'd, hallow'd of old;

"Where priests the numerous images had plac'd,

"Of ancient deities. They enter'd here,

"And with forbidden lust the place defil'd.

"The wooden images their eyes avert:

"The tower-crown'd goddess dubious stands to plunge,

"The guilty couple in the Stygian wave.

"Too light that sentence seems: straight yellow manes

"Cover their soft smooth necks; their fingers curve

"To mighty claws; their arms to fore-legs turn;

"And new-form'd tails sweep lightly o'er the sand:

"Angry their countenance glares; for speech they roar;

"They haunt the forests for their nuptial dome.

"Transform'd to lions, and by others fear'd,

"Their tam'd mouths champ the Cybeleian reins.

"Do thou, O dearest boy! their rage avoid;

"Not theirs alone, but all the savage tribe,

"That stubborn meet with breasts the furious war;

"Not turn their backs for flight: lest bold too much,

"Thou and myself, have cause too much too mourn.--

"Thus she admonish'd; and by coupled swans

"Upborne, she cleft the air; but his brave soul

"Her cautious admonitions rash contemn'd.

"By chance his dogs the well-mark'd footprints trac'd,

"And from his lurking covert rous'd a boar;

"Whom with a stroke oblique, as from the brake

"To spring he went, the gallant youth transpierc'd.

"Instant, with crooked tusks, the gore-stain'd spear

"Wrench'd the fierce boar away, and at him rush'd,

"Trembling, and safety seeking: every fang

"Deep in his groin he plung'd, and on the sand

"Stretch'd him expiring. Cytherea, borne

"Through midmost ether in her chariot light,

"Had not at Cyprus with her swans arriv'd,

"When, known from far, she heard his dying groans;

"And thither turn'd her snowy birds. From high

"When lifeless she beheld him, in his blood

"Convulsive struggling, quick she darted down,

"She tore her garments, and she tore her hair;

"And with unpitying hands her breast she smote.

"Then, fate upbraiding first, she said;--Not all

"Shall bend to your decision; still shalt thou

"Remain, Adonis, monument of woe,

"Suffer'd by me! The image of thy death,

"Annual repeated, annual shall renew

"Remembrance of my mourning. But thy blood

"A flower shall form. Shalt thou, O Proserpine,

"A female body to a scented herb

"Transform; and I the Cinyreian youth

"Forbidden be to change?--She said, and flung

"Nectar most odorous on the ebbing gore;

"Which instant swelling rose. So bubbles rise

"On the smooth stream when showery floods descend.

"Nor long the term, an hour's short space elaps'd,

"When the same teinted flower the blood produc'd:

"Such flowers the deep pomegranate bears, which hides

"Its purple grains beneath a flexile rind.

"But short its boast, for the same winds afford

"Its name, and shake them where they light adhere:

"Ripe for their fall in fragile beauty gay."

*The Eleventh Book.*

Rage of the Thracian women. Massacre of Orpheus. The women

transformed to trees by Bacchus. Midas' foolish wish to change

all things he touched into gold. Contest of skill between Pan and

Apollo. The ears of Midas transformed to asses ears. Troy built

by Apollo and Neptune. Laoemedon's perfidy. Hesione freed by

Hercules, and married to Telamon. Peleus and Thetis. Birth of

Achilles. Chione ravished by Mercury, and by Apollo. Slain by

Diana. Her sire Daedalion changed into an hawk. A wolf changed by

Thetis to marble. Voyage of Ceyx to Delphos. Lost in a storm.

Grief of Alcyone. Morpheus acquaints her with her husband's

death. Change of both to kingfishers. AEsacus into a cormorant.

THE *Eleventh Book* OF THE METAMORPHOSES OF OVID.

While thus the Thracian bard the forests drew,

And rocks, and furious beasts with strains divine;--

Behold the Thracian dames! their madden'd breasts

Clad with the shaggy spoil of furious beasts,

Espy'd him from an hillock's rising swell,

As to his sounding strings he shap'd the song.

When one, her tresses in the ruffling air

Wild streaming, cry'd--"Lo! him who spurns our ties!"--

And full her dart 'gainst the harmonious mouth

Of Phoebus' son she flung: entwisted round

With leaves, a bruise without a wound appear'd.

A stone another for a weapon seiz'd;

The flying stone was even in air subdu'd

By harmony and song; and at his feet

Low fell, as suppliant for its daring fault.

But now the tumult swells more furious,--bounds

It knows not! mad Erinnys reigns around.

Yet all their weapons had his music's power

Soften'd; but clamor, Berecynthian horns,

Drums, clappings, bacchanalian shouts, and howls,

Drown'd the soft lyre. Then were the stones distain'd

With silenc'd Orpheus' blood. The Bacchae first

Drove wide the crowding birds, the snakes, the beasts,

In throngs collected by his tuneful voice;

Glory of Orpheus' stage. From thence they turn'd

Their gory hands on Orpheus, and around

Cluster'd like fowls that in the day espy

The bird of darkness. Then as in the morn

The high-rais'd amphitheatre beholds

The stag a prey to hounds; so they the bard

Attack'd, and flung their Thyrsi twin'd with leaves;

For different use first form'd. Those hurl huge clods:

These branches torn from trees; and others stones.

Lest to their fury arms were wanting, lo!

A yoke of oxen with the ploughshare broke

The ground, not distant far; with sinews there

Of nervous strength, the husbandmen upturn'd

The stubborn soil; with sweat producing fruit.

These, when the troop they saw, affrighted fled,

Quitting their instruments of toil. Their rakes,

Their ponderous harrows, and their huge long spades,

Were scatter'd left on the deserted field.

These when their furious hands had seiz'd, and tore

From the strong oxen's heads the threatening horns,

Back they return'd to end the poet's fate;

And sacrilegious, as he stretch'd his hands,

They slaughter'd him! Then first in vain his words

Were utter'd; nought could then his speech avail.

Then, heavenly powers! his spirit was expell'd

And breath'd in air, even through that mouth whose sound

Hard rocks had heard, and wildest beasts had own'd.

For thee, O Orpheus! mourn'd the feather'd tribe,

And crowds of savage monsters; flinty rocks

Bewail'd thee; forests, which thy tempting song

So oft had caus'd to follow, wept; the trees,

Shorn of their pride, bewail'd with falling leaves.

Each stream, 'tis said, with flowing tears increas'd

Its current. Naiad nymphs and Dryads wore

Garments of sable tinge, with streaming hair.

Wide scatter'd lie his limbs. His head and lyre

Thou, Hebrus, dost receive; and while they glide,

Wond'rous occurrence! down the floating stream,

The lyre a mournful moan sends forth; the lips,

Now lifeless, murmur plaintive; and the bank

Echoes the lamentations. Borne along

To ocean, now his native stream they leave,

And reach Methymna on the Lesbian shore.

The head, expos'd thus on the foreign sand,

And locks still dropping with the watery wave,

A snake approach'd. But Phoebus gave his aid,

And check'd the greedy bite; with open jaws

The serpent rears in stone congeal'd, as then

Widely he gap'd. The ghost from earth descends,

And views the regions he had view'd before.

Exploring through th' Elysian fields he meets

His dear Eurydice; with longing arms

He clasps her. Here they walk, now side by side,

With equal pace; now follows he, and now

A little space precedes her: Orpheus there

Back on Eurydice in safety looks.

But Bacchus suffer'd not the heinous deed

Unpunish'd to remain; griev'd that the bard

Who sung his praises, thus was snatch'd away,

He bound the Thracian matrons, who the crime

Had perpetrated, fast by twisted roots

To earth as trees. He stretch'd their feet and toes,

Which follow'd him so swift, and struck their points

Deep in the solid earth: A bird ensnar'd

Thus finds his leg imprison'd by the wires

Hid by the crafty fowler, and his wings

Beats, while his fluttering draws more tight the noose.

So each, as firmly fixt to earth she stood,

Affrighted strove to fly, but strove in vain:

The flexile roots detain'd them; and fast ty'd,

Spite of their struggling bounds, while they explore

For toes and nails, and while they seek for feet,

They see the wood their taper legs conceal;

Their grieving hands to beat their thighs are rais'd;

Their hands strike solid wood: their shoulders, breasts,

Are also wood become. Their outstretch'd arms

Extended boughs appear'd, and boughs they were.

Nor sated yet was Bacchus; all their fields

He quits; attended by a worthier troop.

To Tmolus' vineyards and Pactolus' stream

He hies: the stream not yet for gold was fam'd;

Not yet so precious were its envy'd sands.

Satyrs and Bacchant' nymphs, his 'custom'd choir

Attend him, but Silenus was not found.

Him drunken had the rustic Phrygians seiz'd,

Reeling with wine, and tottering 'neath his years;

With ivy crown'd; and fetter'd to their king,

The royal Midas, brought him. Midas once

The Thracian Orpheus Bacchus' orgies taught,

With sage Eumolpus; and at once he knew

His old associate in the sacred rites;

And joyful feasted with voluptuous fare,

For twice five days, and twice five nights his guest.

Th' eleventh time Phosphor' now the lofty host

Of stars had chas'd from heaven; the jovial king

Went forth to Lydia's fields, and there restor'd

Silenus to the youth his foster-child.

He, joy'd again his nursing sire to see,

On him bestow'd his anxious sought desire,

Though useless was the gift. Greedy he crav'd

What only harm'd him,--saying--"Grant, O, power!

"Whate'er I touch may straight to gold be chang'd"--

Bacchus consents to what he wishes;--gives

The hurtful gift; but grieves to see his mind

No better wish demand. Joyful departs

The Berecynthian monarch, with ill-fate

Delighted; and, each object touching, tries

The promis'd faith. Scarcely himself believ'd,

When from a growing ilex down he tore

A sprouting bough, straight gold the bough became:

A stone from earth he lifted, pale the stone

In gold appear'd: he touch'd a turfy clod,

The clod quick harden'd with the potent touch:

He pluck'd the ripen'd hoary ears of wheat,

And golden shone the grain: he from the tree

An apple snatch'd, the fam'd Hesperian fruit

He seem'd to hold: where'er his fingers touch'd

The lofty pillars, all the pillars shone:

Nay, where his hands he in the waters lav'd,

The waters flowing from his hands seem'd such

As Danae might deceive. Scarce can his breast

His towering projects hold; all fancy'd gold.

Th' attendant slaves before their master, joy'd

At this great fortune, heap'd the table high

With dainties; nor was bread deficient there:

But when his hands the Cerealian boon

Had touch'd, the Cerealian boon grew hard:

And when the dainty food with greedy tooth

He strove to eat, the dainty food grew bright,

In glittering plates, where'er his teeth had touch'd.

He mixt pure water with his patron's wine,

And fluid gold adown his cheeks straight flow'd.

With panic seiz'd, the new-found plague to view,

Rich, yet most wretched; from his wealthy hoard

Fain would he fly; and from his soul detests

What late he anxious pray'd. The plenteous gold

Abates his hunger nought, and parching thirst

Burns in his throat. He well deserves the curse

Caus'd by now-hated gold. Lifting his hands

And splendid arms to heaven, he cries,--"O sire

"Lenaean! pardon my offence: my fault

"Is evident; but pity me, I pray,

"And from me move this fair deceitful curse."

Bacchus, the gentlest of celestial powers,

Reliev'd him, as he thus his error own'd:

The compact first agreed dissolv'd, and void

The grant became:--"Lest still thou shouldst remain

"With gold"--he said,--"so madly wish'd, imbu'd,

"Haste to the stream by mighty Sardis' town

"Which flows; thy path along the mountain's ridge

"Explore, opposing still the gliding waves,

"Till thou the spring espy'st. Then deeply plunge

"Beneath the foaming gush thy head, where full

"It spouts its waters; and thy error cleanse,

"As clean thy limbs thou washest."--To the stream

The king as bidden hastes. The golden charm

Tinges the river; from the monarch's limbs

It passes to the stream. And now the banks

Harden in veins of gold to sight disclos'd;

And the pale sands in glittering splendor shine.

Detesting riches, now in woods he lives,

And rural dales; with Pan, who still resorts

To mountain caverns. Still his soul remains

Stupidly dull; the folly of his breast

Was doom'd to harm its owner as before.

High Tmolus rears with steep ascent his head,

O'erlooking distant ocean; wide he spreads

His bounds abrupt; confin'd by Sardis here,

By small Hypaepe there. Upon his top,

While Pan in boastful strain the tender nymphs

Pleas'd with his notes, and on his wax-join'd reeds

A paltry ditty play'd; boldly he dar'd

To place his own above Apollo's song.

The god to try th' unequal strife descends;

Tmolus the umpire. On his mountain plac'd,

The ancient judge from his attentive ears

The branches clear'd; save that his azure head

With oak was crown'd, and acorns dangling down

His hollow temples grac'd. The shepherd's god

Beholding,--"no delay, your judge,"--he said--

"Shall cause,"--and straight Pan sounds the rural reeds.

His barbarous music much the judgment pleas'd

Of Midas, who amidst the crowd approach'd.

Now venerable Tmolus on the face

Of Phoebus turn'd his eyes; and with him turn'd

Th' attentive woods. Parnassian laurel bound

His golden locks; deep dipt in Tyrian dye,

His garment swept the ground; his left hand held

The instrument with gems and ivory rich;

The other grasp'd the bow: his posture shew'd

The skilful master's art: lightly he touch'd

The chords with thumb experienc'd. Justly charm'd

With melody so sweet, Tmolus decreed

The pipe of Pan to Phoebus' lute should yield.

Much did the judgment of the sacred hill,

And much his sentence all delight, save one:

For Midas blames him, and unjust declares

The arbitration. Human shape no more

The god permits his foolish ears to wear;

But long extends them, and with hoary hairs

Fills them within; and grants them power to move,

From their foundation flexile. All beside

Was man, one part felt his revenge alone;

A slowly pacing asses ears he bears.

His head, weigh'd heavy with his load of shame,

He strove in purple turban to enfold;

Thus his disgrace to hide. But when as wont

His slave his hairs, unseemly lengthen'd, cropp'd,

He saw the change; the tale he fear'd to tell,

Of what he witness'd, though he anxious wish'd

In public to proclaim it: yet to hold

Sacred the trust surpass'd his power. He went

Forth, and digg'd up the earth; with whispering voice

There he imparted of his master's ears

What he had seen; and murmur'd to the sod:

But bury'd close the confidential words

Beneath the turf again: then, all fill'd up,

Silently he departed. From the spot

Began a thick-grown tuft of trembling reeds

To spring, which ripening with the year's full round,

Betray'd their planter. By the light south wind

When agitated, they the bury'd words

Disclos'd, betraying what the monarch's ears.

Latona's son, aveng'd, high Tmolus leaves,

And cleaving liquid air, lights in the realm

Laoemedon commands: on the strait sea,

Nephelian Helle names, an altar stands

Sacred to Panomphaean Jove, where seen

Lofty Rhaetaeum rises to the left,

Sigaeum to the right. From thence he saw

Laoemedon, as first he toil'd to build

The walls of infant Troy; with toil immense

The undertaking in progression grew,

And mighty sums he saw the work would ask.

A mortal shape he takes; a mortal shape

Clothes too the trident-bearing sire, who rules

The swelling deep. The Phrygian monarch's walls

They raise, a certain treasure for their toil

Agreed on first. The work is finished. Base,

The king disowns the compact, and his lies

Perfidious, backs with perjury.--"Boast not

"This treatment calmly borne," the ocean's god

Exclaim'd; and o'er the sordid Trojan's shores

Pour'd all his flood of billows; and transform'd

The land to sheets of water; swept away

The tiller's treasure; bury'd all the meads.

Nor sated with this ruin, he demands

The monarch's daughter should be given a prey

To an huge monster of the main; whom, chain'd

To the hard rock, Alcides' arm set free,

And claim'd the boon his due; the promis'd steeds.

Refus'd the prize his valorous deed deserv'd,

He sack'd the walls of doubly-perjur'd Troy,

Nor thence did Telamon, whose powerful arm

The hero aided, unrewarded go;

Hesione was by Alcides given.

Peleus was famous for his goddess-spouse:

Proud not more justly of his grandsire's fame,

Than of his consort's father; numbers more

Might boast them grandsons of imperial Jove;

To him alone a goddess-bride belong'd.

For aged Proteus had to Thetis said,--

"O, goddess of the waves, a child conceive!

"Thou shalt be mother of a youth, whose deeds

"Will far the bravest of his sire's transcend:

"And mightier than his sire's shall be his name."

Hence, lest the world than Jove a mightier god

Should know, though Jove with amorous flames fierce burn'd,

He shunn'd th' embraces of the watery dame:

And bade his grandson Peleus to his hopes

Succeed, and clasp the virgin in his arms.

Haemonia's coast a bay possesses, curv'd

Like a bent bow; whose arms enclosing stretch

Far in the sea; where if more deep the waves

An haven would be form'd: the waters spread

Just o'er the sand. Firm is the level shore;

Such as would ne'er the race retard, nor hold

The print of feet; no seaweed there was spread.

Nigh sprung a grove of myrtle, cover'd thick

With double-teinted berries: in the midst

A cave appear'd, by art or nature form'd;

But art most plain was seen. Here, Thetis! oft,

Plac'd unattir'd on thy rein'd dolphin's back,

Thou didst delight to come. There, as thou laid'st

In slumbers bound, did Peleus on thee seize.

And when his most endearing prayers were spurn'd,

Force he prepar'd; both arms around thy neck

Close clasp'd. And then to thy accustom'd arts,

Of often-varied-form, hadst thou not fled,

He might have prosper'd in his daring hope.

But now a bird thou wert; the bird he held:

Now an huge tree; Peleus the tree grasp'd firm:

A spotted tiger then thy third-chang'd shape;

Frighted at that, AEaecides his hold

Quit from her body. Then the ocean powers

He worshipp'd, pouring wine upon the waves,

And bleating victims slew, and incense burn'd:

Till from the gulf profound the prophet spoke

Of Carpathus. "O, Peleus! gain thou shalt

"The wish'd-for nuptials; only when she rests

"In the cool cavern sleeping, thou with cords

"And fetters strong her, unsuspecting, bind;

"Nor let an hundred shapes thy soul deceive;

"Still hold her fast whatever form she wears,

"Till in her pristine looks she shines again."

This Proteus said, and plung'd his head beneath

The waves, while scarce his final words were heard.

Prone down the west was Titan speeding now;

And to th' Hesperian waves his car inclin'd,

When the fair Nereid from the wide deep came,

And sought her 'custom'd couch. Scarce Peleus seiz'd

Her virgin limbs, when straight a thousand forms

She try'd, till fast she saw her members ty'd;

And her arms fetter'd close in every part:

Then sigh'd, and said; "thou conquerest by some god:"

And the fair form of Thetis was display'd.

The hero clasp'd her, and his wishes gain'd;

And great Achilles straight the nymph conceiv'd.

Now blest was Peleus in his son and bride;

And blest in all which can to man belong;

Save in the crime of murder'd Phocus. Driven

From his paternal home, of brother's blood

Guilty, Trachinia's soil receiv'd him first.

Here Ceyx, Phosphor's offspring, who retain'd

His father's splendor on his forehead, rul'd

The land; which knew not bloodshed, knew not force.

At that time gloomy, sad, himself unlike,

He mourn'd a brother's loss. To him, fatigu'd

With travel, and with care worn out, the son

Of AEaecus arriv'd; and in the town

Enter'd with followers few: the flocks and herds

That journey'd with him, just without the walls,

In a dark vale were left. When the first grant

T'approach the monarch was obtain'd, he rais'd

The olive in his suppliant hand; then told

His name, and lineage, but his crime conceal'd.

His cause of flight dissembling, next he beg'd,

For him and his, some pastures and a town.

Then thus Trachinia's king with friendly brow:

"To all, the very meanest of mankind,

"Are our possessions free; nor do I rule

"A realm inhospitable: add to these

"Inducements strong, thine own illustrious name,

"And grandsire Jove. In praying lose not time.

"Whate'er thou wouldst, thou shalt receive; and all,

"Such as it is, with me most freely share;

"Would it were better." Speaking thus, he wept:

His cause of grief to Peleus and his friends,

Anxious enquiring, then the monarch told.

"Perchance this bird, which by fierce rapine lives,

"Dread of the feather'd tribe, you think still wings

"Possess'd. Once man, he bore a noble soul;

"Though stern, and rough in war, and fond of blood.

"His name Daedalion: from the sire produc'd

"Who calls Aurora forth, and last of stars

"Relinquishes the sky. Peace my delight;

"Peace to preserve was still my care: my joys

"I shar'd in Hymen's bonds. Fierce wars alone,

"My brother pleas'd. His valor then o'erthrew

"Monarchs and nations, who, in alter'd form,

"Drives now Thisbaean pigeons through the air.

"His daughter Chione, in beauty rich,

"For marriage ripe, now fourteen years had seen;

"And numerous suitors with her charms were fir'd.

"It chanc'd that Phoebus once, and Maiae's son,

"Returning from his favorite Delphos this,

"That from Cyllene's top, together saw

"The nymph,--together felt the amorous flame.

"Apollo his warm hopes till night defers;

"But Hermes brooks delay not: with his rod,

"Compelling sleep, he strokes the virgin's face;

"Beneath the potent touch she sinks, and yields

"Without resistance to his amorous force.

"Night spread o'er heaven the stars, when Phoebus took

"A matron's form, and seiz'd fore-tasted joys.

"When its full time the womb matur'd had seen,

"Autolycus was born; the crafty seed

"Of the wing'd-footed god; acute of thought

"To every shade of theft; from his sire's art

"Degenerate nought; white he was wont to make

"Appear as black; and black from white produce.

"Philammon, famous with the lyre and song,

"Was born to Phoebus (twins the nymph brought forth).

"But where the benefit that two she bears?

"Where that the favorite of two gods she boasts?

"What that a valiant sire she claims? and claims

"As ancestor the mighty thundering god?

"Is it that glory such as this still harms?

"Certain it hurtful prov'd to her, who dar'd

"Herself prefer to Dian', and despise

"The goddess' beauty; fierce in ire she cry'd,--

"At least I'll try to make my actions please.--

"Nor stay'd; the bow she bent, and from the cord

"Impell'd the dart; through her deserving tongue

"The reed was sent. Mute straight that tongue became;

"Nor sound, nor what she try'd to utter, heard:

"Striving to speak, life flow'd with flowing blood.

"What woe (O hapless piety!) oppress'd

"My heart! What solace to her tender sire

"I spoke; my solace just the same he heard,

"As rocks hear murmuring waves. But still he moan'd

"For his lost child; but when the flames he saw

"Ascending, four times 'mid the funeral fires

"He strove to plunge; four times from thence repuls'd,

"His rapid limbs address'd for flight, and rush'd

"Like a young bullock, when the hornet's sting

"Deep in his neck he bears, in pathless ways.

"Ev'n now more swift than man he seem'd to run:

"His feet seem'd wings to wear, for all behind

"He left far distant. Through desire of death,

"Rapid he gain'd Parnassus' loftiest ridge.

"Apollo, pitying, when Daedalion flung

"From the high rock his body, to a bird

"Transform'd him, and on sudden pinions bore

"Him floating: bended hooks he gave his claws,

"And gave a crooked beak; valor as wont;

"And strength more great than such a body shews.

"Now as an hawk, to every bird a foe,

"He wages war on all; and griev'd himself,

"He constant cause for others grief affords."

While these miraculous deeds bright Phosphor's sob

Tells of his brother, Peleus' herdsman comes,

Phocian Anetor, flying, and, with speed

Breathless, "O Peleus! Peleus!" he exclaims,

"Of horrid slaughter messenger I come!"

Him Peleus bids, whate'er he brings, to speak;

Trachinia's monarch even with friendly dread

Trembles the news to hear. When thus the man:

"The weary cattle to the curving shore

"I'd driv'n, when Sol from loftiest heaven might view

"His journey half perform'd, while half remain'd.

"Part of the oxen on the yellow sand,

"On their knees bending view'd the spacious plain

"Of wide-spread waters; part with loitering pace

"Stray'd here, and thither; others swam and rear'd

"Their lofty necks above the waves. There stood

"Close to the sea a temple, where nor gold,

"Nor polish'd marble shone; but rear'd with trees

"Thick-pil'd, it gloom'd within an ancient grove.

"This, Nereus and the Nereid nymphs possess.

"A fisherman, as on the shore he dry'd

"His nets, inform'd us these the temple own'd.

"A marsh joins near the fane, with willows thick

"Beset, which waves o'erflowing first has form'd.

"A wolf from thence, a beast of monstrous bulk,

"Thundering with mighty clash, with terror struck

"The neighbouring spots: then from the marshy woods

"Sprung out; his jaws terrific, smear'd with foam

"And clotted gore; his eyes with red flames glar'd.

"Mad though he rag'd with ire and famine both,

"Famine less strong appear'd; for his dire maw

"And craving hunger, he not car'd to fill

"With the slain oxen; wounding all the herd:

"All hostile overthrowing. Some of us,

"Ranch'd by his deadly tooth, to death were sent

"Defence attempting. The shore and marsh

"With bellowings echoing, and the ocean's edge

"Redden with blood. But ruinous, delay!

"For hesitation leisure is not now.

"While ought remains, let all together join;

"Arm! arm! and on him hurl united spears."

The herdsman ceas'd, Peleus the loss not mov'd;

But conscious of his fault, infers the plague

Sent by the childless Nereid to avenge

Her slaughter'd Phocus' loss. Yet Ceyx bids

His warriors arm, and take their forceful darts;

With them prepar'd to issue: but his spouse

Alcyoene, rous'd by the tumult, sprung

Forth from her chamber; unadorn'd her locks,

Which scatter'd hung around her. Ceyx' neck

Clasping, she begg'd with moving words and tears,

Aid he would send, but go not; thus preserve

Two lives in one. Then Peleus to the queen;

"Banish your laudable and duteous fears.

"For what the king intended, thanks are due.

"Arms 'gainst this novel plague I will not take:

"Prayers must the goddess of the deep appease."

A lofty tower there stood, whose summit bore

A beacon; grateful object to the sight

Of weary mariners. Thither they mount,

And see with sighs the herd strew'd o'er the beach;

The monster ravaging with gory jaw,

And his long shaggy hairs in blood bedy'd.

Thence Peleus, stretching to the wide sea shore

His arms, to Psamathe cerulean pray'd,

To finish there her rage, and grant relief.

Unmov'd she heard AEaecides implore:

But Thetis, suppliant, from the goddess gain'd

The favor for her spouse. Uncheck'd, the wolf

The furious slaughter quits not, fierce the more

From the sweet taste of blood, till to a stone

Transform'd, as on a bull's torn neck he hung.

His form remains; and, save his color, all;

The color only shews him wolf no more:

And shews no terror he shall now inspire.

Still in this realm the angry fates deny'd

Peleus to stay; exil'd, he wander'd on,

And reach'd Magnesia: from Acastus there

Thessalian, expiation he receiv'd.

Ceyx meantime, with anxious doubts disturb'd;

First with the prodigy, his brother's change,

Then those which follow'd; to the Clarian god

Prepar'd to go, the oracles to seek,

Which sweetly solace men's uneasy minds.

Delphos was inaccessible; the road

Phorbas prophane, with all his Phlegians barr'd.

Yet first Alcyoene, most faithful spouse!

He tells thee of his purpose. Instant seiz'd

A death-like coldness on her inmost heart:

A boxen paleness o'er her features spread;

And down her cheeks the tears in torrents roll'd.

Thrice she attempted words, but thrice her tears

Her words prevented; then her pious plaints,

Broken by interrupted sobs, she spoke.

"My dearest lord! what hapless fault of mine

"Thy soul has alter'd? Where that love for me

"Thou wont'st to shew? Canst thou now unconcern'd

"Depart, and leave Alcyoene behind?

"Glads thee this tedious journey? Am I lov'd

"Most dearly farthest absent? Yet by land

"Was all thy journey, then I should but grieve,

"Not tremble: sighs would then of fears take place.

"The sea, the dread appearance of the main,

"Me terrifies. But lately I beheld

"Torn planks bestrew the shore: and oft I've read

"On empty tombs, the names of dead inscrib'd.

"Let not fallacious confidence thy mind

"Mislead, that AEoelus I call my sire;

"Who binds the furious winds in caves, and smoothes

"At will the ocean. No! when issu'd once,

"They sweep the main, no power of his can rule:

"And uncontroll'd they ravage all the land:

"Nor checks them aught on ocean. Clouds of heaven,

"They clash; and ruddy lightnings hurl along

"In fierce encounter. More their force I know,

"(For well I knew, and oft have mark'd their power,

"While yet an infant at my sire's abode,)

"The more I deem them such as should be fear'd.

"Yet dearest spouse, if thy firm-fixt resolve

"No prayers can change, and obstinate thou stand'st

"For sailing, let me also with thee go:

"Together then the buffeting we'll bear.

"Then shall I fear but what I suffer; then

"Whate'er we suffer we'll together feel:

"Together sailing o'er the boundless main."

Her words and tears the star-born husband mov'd;

For less of love he felt not. Yet his scheme

To voyage o'er the deep he could not change;

Nor yet consent Alcyoene should share

His peril: and with soothing soft replies,

He try'd to calm her timid breast. Nor yet

Himself approv'd the arguments he try'd,

His consort to persuade consent to yield

To his departure. This at length he adds

As solace, which alone her bosom mov'd.

"All absence tedious seems; but by the fires

"My father bears, I swear, if fates permit,

"Returning, thou shalt see me, ere the moon

"Shall twice have fill'd her orb." Hope in her breast

Thus rais'd by promise of a quick return,

Instant the vessel, from the dock drawn forth,

He bids them launch in ocean, and complete

In all her stores and tackling. This beheld

Alcyoene; and, presaging again

Woes of the future, trembled, and a flood

Of tears again gush'd forth; again she clasp'd

His neck; at length, as, wretched wife, she cry'd,--

"Farewell" she, swooning, lifeless sunk to earth.

The rowers now, while Ceyx sought delays,

To their strong breasts the double-ranking oars

Drew back, and cleft with equal stroke the surge.

Her humid eyes she rais'd, and first beheld

Her husband standing on the crooked poop,

Waving his hand as signal; she his sign

Return'd. When farther from the land they shot,

Her straining eyes no more indulg'd to know

His features; still, while yet they could, her eyes

Pursu'd the flying vessel. This at length

Increasing distance her forbade to see;

Still she perceiv'd the floating sails, which spread

From the mast's loftiest summit. Sails at length

Were also lost in distance: then she sought

Anxious her widow'd chamber; and her limbs

Threw on the couch. The bed, the vacant space,

Renew'd her tears, reminding of her loss.

Now far from port they'd sail'd, when the strong ropes

The breeze began to strain; the rowers turn

Their oars, and lash them to the vessel's side;

Hoist to the mast's extremest height their yards;

And loose their sails to catch the coming breeze.

Scarce half, not more than half, the sea's extent

The vessel now had plough'd; and either land

Was distant far; when, as dim night approach'd,

The sea seem'd foaming white with rising waves;

And the strong East more furious 'gan to blow.

Long had the master cry'd,--"Lower down your yards,

"And close furl every sail!"--he bids; the storm

Adverse, impedes the sound; the roaring waves

Drown every voice in noise. Yet some, untold,

Haste to secure the oars; part bind the sails;

Part fortify the sides: this water laves,

Ejecting seas on seas; that lowers the yards.

While thus they toil unguided, rough the storm

Increases; from each quarter furious winds

Wage warfare, and with mounting billows join.

Trembles the ruler of the bark, and owns

His state; he knows not what he should command,

Nor what forbid; so swift the sudden storm;

So much more strong the tempest than his skill.

Men clamorous shout; cords rattle; mighty waves

Roar, on waves rushing; thunders roll through air;

In billows mounts the ocean, and appears

To meet the sky, and o'er the hanging clouds

Sprinkles its foam. Now from the lowest depths,

As yellow sands they turn, the billows shine;

Now blacker seem they than the Stygian waves;

Now flatten'd, all with spumy froth is spread.

The ship Trachinian too, each rapid change

In agitation heaves; now rais'd sublime

The deepen'd vale she views as from a ridge

So lofty: down to Acheron's low depths,

Now in the hollow of the wave she falls,

And views th' o'erhanging heaven from hell's deep gulf.

Oft bursting on her side with loud report

The billows sound; nor with less fury beat

Than the balista, or huge battering ram,

Driv'n on the tottering fort: or lions fierce,

Whose strength and rage increasing with their speed,

Rush on the armour'd breast and outstretch'd spear.

So rush'd the waves with wind-propelling power

High o'er the decks; and 'bove the rigging rose.

Now shook the wedges; open rents appear'd,

The pitchy covering gone, and wide-display'd,

A passage opens to the deadly flood.

Then from the breaking clouds fell torrent showers;

All heaven seem'd sweeping down to swell the main;

And the swol'n main, ascending to invade

Celestial regions, soak'd with floods each sail:

And ocean's briny waters mix'd with rain.

No light the firmament possess'd, and night

Frown'd blacker through the tempest. Lightning oft

Reft the thick gloom, and gave a brilliant blaze;

And while the lightnings flame the waters burn.

Now o'er the vessel's cover'd deck the waves

High tower; and as a soldier, braver far

Than all his fellows, urg'd by thirst of fame,

(The well-defended walls to scale oft try'd,)

At length his hope obtains, and singly keeps

His post, by foes on every side assail'd:

So when the furious billows raging beat

The lofty side, the tenth impetuous rears

Above the rest, and forceful rushes on;

The battery ceasing not on the spent bark,

Till o'er the wall, as of a captur'd town,

Downward it rushes. Part without invade,

And part are lodg'd within. In terror all

In trembling panic stand: not more the crowd

Which fill a city's walls, when foes without

Mine their foundations; while an entrance gain'd

Within, part rage already. Art no more

Can aid; all courage droops; as many deaths

Seem rapid rushing as the billows break.

This wails in tears his fate; that stupid stands;

This calls those blest whom funeral rites await:

One to his deity rich offerings vows,

And vainly stretching forth to heaven his arms,

The heaven he sees not, begs for aid: his friends,

Brethren and parents, fill of this the mind;

Of that his children, or whate'er he leaves.

Alcyoene, alone in Ceyx' soul

Found place; and but Alcyoene, his lips

Nought utter'd. Her alone he wish'd to see;

Yet joy'd she far was absent. Much he long'd

To view once more his dear paternal shores;

And turn his last looks tow'rd his regal dome:

But where to turn he knows not; in a whirl

So boils the sea; and all the heaven is hid

In shade, by more than pitchy clouds produc'd:

Night doubly darken'd. Now the whirlwind's force

Shivers the mast, and tears the helm away:

And like a victor, proud to view his spoils,

Mounts an high wave, and scornfully beholds

The lower billows; thundering down it sweeps,

Impell'd by force that Athos might o'erturn,

Or Pindus, from their roots; and plunge in sea.

Down in the lowest depths, the weight and blow

Bury'd the vessel; with her most the crew

Sunk in the raging gulf: some met their fate,

Ne'er to return to air: some floated still;

To splinter'd fragments of the bark they clung.

Ceyx himself, grasp'd only in that hand

A shatter'd plank, which once a sceptre held;

And AEoelus and Phosphor' call'd in vain:

But chiefly from his lips was, as he swam,

Alcyoene resounded; that lov'd name

Remember'd constant, and repeated most.

He prays the billows may his body bear

To meet her eyes; and prays her friendly hands

His burial may perform. While thus he swims,

Alcyoene he names, whene'er the waves

To gasp for breath permit him; and beneath

The billows, tries Alcyoene to sound.

Lo! a black towering arch of waters broke

Midst of the surges; in the boiling foam

Involv'd, o'erwhelm'd he sunk. That mournful night

Was Phosphor' dark, impalpable to view:

And since stern fate to heaven his post fast bound,

He veil'd in densest clouds his grieving face.

Meantime Alcyoene her height of woe

Unknown, counts each sad night, and now with haste

The garments he should wear prepares; and now

Those to adorn herself when him she meets;

Cherishing emptiest hopes of his return.

Devoutest offerings to the heavenly powers

She bore; but incense far before the rest

On Juno's altar burn'd; and oft she pray'd

For him who was not. For his safety pray'd;

For his return; and that his love might still

Without a rival hers remain: the last

Of all her ardent prayers indulgence found.

But longer bore the goddess not to hear

Such vain petitions for the dead; these hands

Polluted, from her altars to remove,

To Iris thus she spoke:--"O, faithful maid!

"Most trusty messenger, with speed repair

"To Somnus' drowsy hall; him bid to send

"A vision form'd in lifeless Ceyx' shape

"To tell Alcyoene her woes' extent."

She ended: in her various-teinted robe

Attir'd, and spreading o'er the spacious heaven

Her sweeping arch, Iris the dwelling sought

The goddess order'd. Hid beneath a steep

Near the Cimmerians, in a deep dug cave,

Form'd in a hollow mountain, stands the hall

And secret dwelling of inactive sleep;

Where Phoebus rising, or in mid-day height,

Or setting-radiance, ne'er can dart his beams.

Clouds with dim darkness mingled, from the ground

Exhale, and twilight makes a doubtful day.

The watchful bird, with crested head, ne'er calls

Aurora with his song; no wakeful dog,

Nor goose more wakeful, e'er the silence breaks;

No savage beasts, no pastur'd flocks, no boughs

Shook by the breeze; no brawl of human voice

There sounds: but death-like silence reigns around.

Yet from the rock's foundation, gently flows

A stream of Lethe's water, whose dull waves

In gentle murmuring o'er the pebbles purl,

Tempting to slumber. At the cavern door

The fruitful poppy, and ten thousand plants,

From which moist night the drowsy juices drains,

Then scatters o'er the shady earth, grew thick.

Round all the house no gate was seen, which, turn'd

On the dry hinge should creak; no centry strict

The threshold to protect. But in the midst

The lofty bed of ebon form'd, was plac'd.

Black were the feathers; all the coverings black,

And stretch'd at length the god was seen; his limbs

With lassitude relax'd. Around him throng'd

In every part, vain dreams, in various forms,

In number more than what the harvest bears

Of bearded grains; the woods of verdant leaves;

Or shore of yellow sands. Here came the nymph;

Th' opposing dreams push'd sideways with her hands,

And through the sacred mansion from her robe

Scatter'd refulgent light. With pain the god,

His eyelids weigh'd with slothful torpor, rais'd;

But at each effort down they sunk again:

And on his breast his nodding chin still smote.

At length he rous'd him from his drowsy state;

And, on his elbow resting, ask'd the nymph,

For well he knew her, why she thither came.

Then she--"O Somnus! peaceful rest of all!

"Somnus! most placid of immortal powers;

"Calm of the soul; whom care for ever flies;

"Who soothest bosoms, with diurnal toil

"Fatigu'd; and renovat'st for toil again;

"Dispatch a vision to Trachinia's town,

"(By great Alcides founded,) in the form

"Its hapless monarch bore: let it display

"The lively image of her husband's wreck,

"To sad Alcyoene. This Juno bids."--

Iris, her message thus deliver'd, turn'd:

For more the soporific mist, which rose

Around, she bore not; soon as sleep she felt

Stealing upon her limbs, abrupt she fled,

Mounting the bow by which she glided down.

The drowsy sire, from 'midst a thousand sons,

Calls Morpheus forth, an artful god, who well

All shapes can feign. None copies else so close

The bidden gait, the features, and the mode

Of converse; vesture too the same he wears,

And language such as most they wont to speak.

Mankind alone he imitates. To seem

Fierce beasts, and birds, and long-extended snakes

Another claims: this Icelos the gods

Have nam'd; by mortals as Photebor known.

A third is Phantasus of different skill;

His change is happiest when he earth becomes,

Or rocks, or waves, or trees, or substance aught

That animation lacks. These shew their forms

By night to mighty heroes and to kings;

The rest before th' ignobler crowd perform.

All these the ancient Somnus pass'd, and chose

Morpheus alone from all his brethren crowd,

The deed Thaumantian Iris bade, to do;

Then, weigh'd with slumber, dropp'd again his head,

And shrunk once more within the sable couch.

He flies through darkness on unrustling wings,

And short the space, ere in Trachinia's town

He lights; and from his shoulders lays aside

His pinions; when he Ceyx' form assumes.

In Ceyx' ghastly shape pallid he stood,

Despoil'd of garments, at the widow'd bed

Of the sad queen: soak'd was his beard, and streams

Seem'd from his heavy dripping locks to flow.

Then leaning o'er the couch, while gushing tears

O'erspread his cheeks, he thus his wife bespoke;--

"Know'st thou thy Ceyx, wretched, wretched wife?

"Or are my features chang'd by death? Again

"View me, and here behold thy husband's shade,

"Instead of husband: all thy pious prayers

"For me, Alcyoene, were vain. I'm lost!

"No more false hopes encourage, me to see.

"The showery southwind, on th' AEgean main,

"Seiz'd on our vessel, and with mighty blast

"Shiver'd it wide in fragments; and the waves

"Rush'd in my throat as loud thy name I call'd;

"But call'd in vain. No doubtful author brings

"To thee these tidings; no vague rumor this,

"In person I relate it. Shipwreck'd I,

"My fate to thee detail. Rise, and assist!

"Pour forth thy tears; in sable garments clothe;

"Nor send my ghost to wander undeplor'd,

"In shady Tartarus." Thus Morpheus spoke;

And in such accents, that the queen, deceiv'd,

Believ'd her husband spoke. Adown his cheeks

Seem'd real tears to flow; and even his hand

With Ceyx' motion mov'd. Deeply she groan'd,

Ev'n in her sleep, and rais'd her longing arms

To clasp his body; empty air she clasp'd:

Exclaiming;--"stay; O whither dost thou fly?

"Together let us hence!"--Rous'd with the noise,

And spectre of her spouse; sleep fled her eyes,

And round she cast her gaze for that to seek

Which she but now beheld. Wak'd by her voice,

Her slaves approach'd with lights; but when in vain

She search'd for what she lack'd, her face she struck;

Rent from her breasts her garments; beat her breasts

Themselves: nor stay'd her twisted hair to loose,

But tore the bands away; then to her nurse

Anxious the subject of her grief to learn--

"Alcyoene,"--she cries--"is now no more!

"She with her Ceyx in one moment fell.

"Hence with your soothing words; shipwreck'd he dy'd.

"I saw; I knew him; as he fled me, stretch'd

"My arms to hold the fugitive.--Ah! no!

"The shadow fled, 'twas but his ghost; but shade

"My husband mere resembling ne'er was form'd.

"Yet had he not his wonted looks, nor shone

"In former brightness his beloved face.

"I saw him, hapless stand with pallid cheek,

"Naked, with tresses dropping still. Lo! here

"Wretched he stood, just on the spot I point:"--

Then anxious try'd his footmarks there to trace.--

"This did my mind foreboding fear; I pray'd

"When me thou fled'st, the winds thou would'st not trust:

"But since to sure destruction forth thou went'st,

"Would that by me companion'd thou had'st gone.

"With thee my bliss had been;--with thee to go.

"Unwasted then one moment of the space

"For life allow'd; not ev'n in death disjoin'd.

"But now I perish, and upon the waves,

"Though absent, float; the main me overwhelms,

"Though from the main far distant. Mental storms

"To me more cruel were than ocean's waves,

"Should I but longer seek to spin out life,

"And combat such deep grief? I will not strive

"Nor wretched thee desert; but now, though late,

"Now will I join thee; and the funeral verse

"Shall us unite; not in the self-same urn,

"Yet in the self-same tomb; bones join'd with bones,

"Allow'd not, yet shall name with name be seen."--

The rest by grief was chok'd, and sounding blows

Each sentence interrupted; while deep groans

Burst from her raving bosom. Morning shone,

And forth she issu'd to the shore, and sought

In grief the spot, where last his face she view'd

Departing. "Here,"--she said,--"as slow he went,

"As slow he loos'd his cables; on this beach

"The parting kiss he gave." While her mind's eye

Retraces every circumstance, she looks,

And something sees far floating on the waves,

Not much unlike a man: dubious at first

What it may be, she views it: nearer now

The billows drive it; and though distant still,

Plain to the eye a body was descry'd.

Whose body, witless, still a shipwreck'd wretch

With boding omen mov'd her; and in tears

She wail'd him as a stranger in these plaints.--

"Unhappy wretch! whoe'er thou art; and she

"Thy wife, if wife thou had'st"--but now the surge

More near the body bore. The more she views

Nearer the corps; the more her senses fly.

And now close driven to shore it floats, and now

Well she discern'd it was, it was--her spouse!

"'Tis he!"--she loudly shriek'd, and tore her face,

Her hair, her garments. Then her trembling arms

To Ceyx stretching; "Dearest husband!"--cry'd.

"Art thou restor'd thus to my wretched breast?"

High-rais'd by art, adjoining to the beach

A mole was form'd, which broke the primal strength

Of ocean's fury, and the fierce waves tir'd.

Hither she sprung, and, wond'rous that she could!

She flew; the light air winnowing with her wings

New-sprung; a mournful bird she skimm'd along

The water's surface. As she flies, her beak

Slender and small, a creaking noise sends forth,

Of mournful sound, and full of sad complaint.

Soon as the silent bloodless corse she reach'd,

Around his dear-lov'd limbs her wings she clasp'd,

And gave cold kisses with her horny bill.

If Ceyx felt them, or his head was rais'd

To meet her by the waves, th' unlearned doubt.

But sure he felt them. Both at length, the gods

Commisserating, chang'd to feather'd birds.

The same their love remains, and subject still

To the same fates; and in the plumag'd pair

The nuptial bond is sacred; join'd in one

Parents they soon become; and Halcyon sits

Sev'n peaceful days 'mid winter's keenest rule

Upon her floating nest. Safe then the main:

For AEoelus with watchful care the winds

Guards, and prevents their egress; and the seas

Smooths for the offspring, with a grandsire's care.

These, as they skimm'd the surface of the main,

An ancient sire beheld, and prais'd their love:

Constant in death: his neighbour or himself

Also repeats;--the bird which there you see,

Brushing the ocean with his slender legs,

(And shews a corm'rant with his spacious maw)

A monarch's offspring was; would you descend

Through the long series, 'till to him you reach;

Ilus; Assaracus; and Ganymede,

Borne up to heaven by Jove, supply'd the stock

From whence he sprung; Laoemedon the old;

And Priam doom'd to end his days with Troy.

Hector his brother; but in spring of youth

He felt this strange adventure, he perchance

As Hector's might have left a towering name:

Though from old Dymas' daughter Hector sprung.

Fair Alixirrhoe, so fame reports,

Daughter of two-horn'd Granicus, brought forth,

By stealth, AEsacus 'neath thick Ida's shade.

Wall'd cities he detested; and remote

From glittering palaces, secluded hills

Inhabited, and unambitious plains;

And scarce at Troy's assemblies e'er was seen.

Yet had he not a clownish heart, nor breast

To love impregnable. By chance he saw

Cebrenus' daughter, fair Hesperie--oft

By him through every shady wood pursu'd--

As on her father's banks her tresses, spread

Adown her back, in Phoebus' rays she dry'd.

The nymph, discover'd, fled. So rapid flies

Th' affrighted stag to 'scape the tawny Wolf;

Or duck, stream-loving, from the hawk, when caught,

Far from her wonted lakes. The Trojan youth

Quick follows, swift through hope; she swift through fear.

Lo! in the herbage hid, her flying foot

With crooked fang a serpent bit, and pour'd

O'er all her limbs the poison: with her flight

Her life was stopp'd. Frantic, he clasps her form

Now lifeless, and exclaims--"how grieve I now,

"That e'er I thee pursu'd; not this I fear'd!

"How mean my conquest, bought at such a price!

"Both, hapless nymph! in thy destruction join'd:

"I gave the cause, the serpent but the wound.

"I guiltier far than he, unless my death

"Shall thine avenge."--He said, and in the main,

From an high rock, by hoarsely-roaring waves

Deep-worn beneath, prepar'd to plunge. Receiv'd

By pitying Tethys softly in his fall,

She clothes him, as he swims the main, with wings;

And death, so much desir'd, denies him still.

The lover, furious at th' unwelcome gift

Of life upon him forc'd, and his pent soul,

Bent on escaping from its hated seat

Confin'd, soon as the new-shot plumes he felt

Spring from his shoulders, up he flew, and plunged

Again his body in the depths below:

His feathers broke his fall. AEsacus rav'd,

And deeply div'd; with headlong fury still,

And endless perseverance death he sought.

Love keeps him meagre still; from joint to joint

His legs still longer grow; his outstretch'd neck

Is long; and distant far his head is plac'd.

He loves the ocean, and the name he bears,

From constant diving, seems correctly giv'n.

*The Twelfth Book.*

Rape of Helen. Expedition of the Greeks against Troy. House of

Fame. The Trojan war. Combat of Achilles and Cygnus. The latter

slain and transformed to a swan. Story of Caeneus. Fight of the

Lapithae and Centaurs. Change of Caeneus to a bird. Contest of

Hercules with Periclymenos. Death of Achilles. Dispute for his

arms.

THE *Twelfth Book* OF THE METAMORPHOSES OF OVID.