Metamorphoses (Books I-XIV)
The Story of Cygnus
12:99 From these first onsets, the Sigaean shore
12:100 Was strew'd with carcasses, and stain'd with gore:
12:101 Neptunian Cygnus troops of Greeks had slain;
12:102 Achilles in his carr had scour'd the plain,
12:103 And clear'd the Trojan ranks: where-e'er he fought,
12:104 Cygnus, or Hector, through the fields he sought:
12:105 Cygnus he found; on him his force essay'd:
12:106 For Hector was to the tenth year delay'd.
12:107 His white-main'd steeds, that bow'd beneath the yoke,
12:108 He chear'd to courage, with a gentle stroke;
12:109 Then urg'd his fiery chariot on the foe;
12:110 And rising shook his lance; in act to throw.
12:111 But first he cry'd, O youth, be proud to bear
12:112 Thy death, ennobled by Pelides' spear.
12:113 The lance pursu'd the voice without delay,
12:114 Nor did the whizzing weapon miss the way;
12:115 But pierc'd his cuirass, with such fury sent,
12:116 And sign'd his bosom with a purple dint.
12:117 At this the seed of Neptune: Goddess-born,
12:118 For ornament, not use, these arms are worn;
12:119 This helm, and heavy buckler, I can spare;
12:120 As only decorations of the war:
12:121 So Mars is arm'd for glory, not for need.
12:122 'Tis somewhat more from Neptune to proceed,
12:123 Than from a daughter of the sea to spring:
12:124 Thy sire is mortal; mine is ocean's king.
12:125 Secure of death, I shou'd contemn thy dart,
12:126 Tho' naked; and impassible depart:
12:127 He said, and threw: the trembling weapon pass'd
12:128 Through nine bull-hides, each under other plac'd,
12:129 On his broad shield; and stuck within the last.
12:130 Achilles wrench'd it out; and sent again
12:131 The hostile gift: the hostile gift was vain.
12:132 He try'd a third, a tough well-chosen spear;
12:133 Th' inviolable body stood sincere,
12:134 Though Cygnus then did no defence provide,
12:135 But scornful offer'd his unshielded side.
12:136 Not otherwise th' impatient hero far'd,
12:137 Than as a bull incompass'd with a guard,
12:138 Amid the Circus roars, provok'd from far
12:139 By sight of scarlet, and a sanguine war:
12:140 They quit their ground, his bended horns elude;
12:141 In vain pursuing, and in vain pursu'd:
12:142 Before to farther fight he wou'd advance,
12:143 He stood considering, and survey'd his lance.
12:144 Doubts if he wielded not a wooden spear
12:145 Without a point: he look'd, the point was there.
12:146 This is my hand, and this my lance, he said;
12:147 By which so many thousand foes are dead,
12:148 O whither is their usual virtue fled!
12:149 I had it once; and the Lyrnessian wall,
12:150 And Tenedos, confess'd it in their fall.
12:151 Thy streams, Caicus, rowl'd a crimson-flood;
12:152 And Thebes ran red with her own natives' blood.
12:153 Twice Telephus employ'd their piercing steel,
12:154 To wound him first, and afterward to heal.
12:155 The vigour of this arm was never vain:
12:156 And that my wonted prowess I retain,
12:157 Witness these heaps of slaughter on the plain.
12:158 He said; and, doubtful of his former deeds,
12:159 To some new tryal of his force proceeds.
12:160 He chose Menoetes from among the rest;
12:161 At him he launch'd his spear, and pierc'd his breast:
12:162 On the hard earth the Lycian knock'd his head,
12:163 And lay supine; and forth the spirit fled.
12:164 Then thus the hero: Neither can I blame
12:165 The hand, or jav'lin; both are still the same.
12:166 The same I will employ against this foe,
12:167 And wish but with the same success to throw.
12:168 So spoke the chief; and while he spoke he threw;
12:169 The weapon with unerring fury flew,
12:170 At his left shoulder aim'd: nor entrance found;
12:171 But back, as from a rock, with swift rebound
12:172 Harmless return'd: a bloody mark appear'd,
12:173 Which with false joy the flatter'd hero chear'd.
12:174 Wound there was none; the blood that was in view,
12:175 The lance before from slain Menoetes drew.
12:176 Headlong he leaps from off his lofty car,
12:177 And in close fight on foot renews the war.
12:178 Raging with high disdain, repeats his blows;
12:179 Nor shield, nor armour can their force oppose;
12:180 Huge cantlets of his buckler strew the ground,
12:181 And no defence in his bor'd arms is found,
12:182 But on his flesh, no wound or blood is seen;
12:183 The sword it self is blunted on the skin.
12:184 This vain attempt the chief no longer bears;
12:185 But round his hollow temples and his ears
12:186 His buckler beats: the son of Neptune, stunn'd
12:187 With these repeated buffets, quits his ground;
12:188 A sickly sweat succeeds, and shades of night;
12:189 Inverted Nature swims before his sight:
12:190 Th' insulting victor presses on the more,
12:191 And treads the steps the vanquish'd trod before,
12:192 Nor rest, nor respite gives. A stone there lay
12:193 Behind his trembling foe, and stopp'd his way:
12:194 Achilles took th' advantage which he found,
12:195 O'er-turn'd, and push'd him backward on the ground,
12:196 His buckler held him under, while he press'd,
12:197 With both his knees, above his panting breast.
12:198 Unlac'd his helm: about his chin the twist
12:199 He ty'd; and soon the strangled soul dismiss'd.
12:200 With eager haste he went to strip the dead:
12:201 The vanish'd body from his arms was fled.
12:202 His sea-God sire, t' immortalize his frame,
12:203 Had turn'd it to a bird that bears his name.
12:204 A truce succeeds the labours of this day,
12:205 And arms suspended with a long delay.
12:206 While Trojan walls are kept with watch and ward;
12:207 The Greeks before their trenches mount the guard;
12:208 The feast approach'd; when to the blue-ey'd maid
12:209 His vows for Cygnus slain the victor paid,
12:210 And a white heyfer on her altar laid.
12:211 The reeking entrails on the fire they threw,
12:212 And to the Gods the grateful odour flew.
12:213 Heav'n had its part in sacrifice: the rest
12:214 Was broil'd, and roasted for the future feast.
12:215 The chief-invited guests were set around!
12:216 And hunger first asswag'd, the bowls were crown'd,
12:217 Which in deep draughts their cares, and labours drown'd.
12:218 The mellow harp did not their ears employ:
12:219 And mute was all the warlike symphony:
12:220 Discourse, the food of souls, was their delight,
12:221 And pleasing chat prolong'd the summer's night.
12:222 The subject, deeds of arms; and valour shown,
12:223 Or on the Trojan side, or on their own.
12:224 Of dangers undertaken, fame atchiev'd,
12:225 They talk'd by turns; the talk by turns reliev'd.
12:226 What things but these could fierce Achilles tell,
12:227 Or what cou'd fierce Achilles hear so well?
12:228 The last great act perform'd, of Cygnus slain,
12:229 Did most the martial audience entertain:
12:230 Wondring to find a body free by Fate
12:231 From steel; and which cou'd ev'n that steel rebate:
12:232 Amaz'd, their admiration they renew;
12:233 And scarce Pelides cou'd believe it true.
Metamorphoses (Books I-XIV)
The Story of Cygnus
12:99 From these first onsets, the Sigaean shore
12:100 Was strew'd with carcasses, and stain'd with gore:
12:101 Neptunian Cygnus troops of Greeks had slain;
12:102 Achilles in his carr had scour'd the plain,
12:103 And clear'd the Trojan ranks: where-e'er he fought,
12:104 Cygnus, or Hector, through the fields he sought:
12:105 Cygnus he found; on him his force essay'd:
12:106 For Hector was to the tenth year delay'd.
12:107 His white-main'd steeds, that bow'd beneath the yoke,
12:108 He chear'd to courage, with a gentle stroke;
12:109 Then urg'd his fiery chariot on the foe;
12:110 And rising shook his lance; in act to throw.
12:111 But first he cry'd, O youth, be proud to bear
12:112 Thy death, ennobled by Pelides' spear.
12:113 The lance pursu'd the voice without delay,
12:114 Nor did the whizzing weapon miss the way;
12:115 But pierc'd his cuirass, with such fury sent,
12:116 And sign'd his bosom with a purple dint.
12:117 At this the seed of Neptune: Goddess-born,
12:118 For ornament, not use, these arms are worn;
12:119 This helm, and heavy buckler, I can spare;
12:120 As only decorations of the war:
12:121 So Mars is arm'd for glory, not for need.
12:122 'Tis somewhat more from Neptune to proceed,
12:123 Than from a daughter of the sea to spring:
12:124 Thy sire is mortal; mine is ocean's king.
12:125 Secure of death, I shou'd contemn thy dart,
12:126 Tho' naked; and impassible depart:
12:127 He said, and threw: the trembling weapon pass'd
12:128 Through nine bull-hides, each under other plac'd,
12:129 On his broad shield; and stuck within the last.
12:130 Achilles wrench'd it out; and sent again
12:131 The hostile gift: the hostile gift was vain.
12:132 He try'd a third, a tough well-chosen spear;
12:133 Th' inviolable body stood sincere,
12:134 Though Cygnus then did no defence provide,
12:135 But scornful offer'd his unshielded side.
12:136 Not otherwise th' impatient hero far'd,
12:137 Than as a bull incompass'd with a guard,
12:138 Amid the Circus roars, provok'd from far
12:139 By sight of scarlet, and a sanguine war:
12:140 They quit their ground, his bended horns elude;
12:141 In vain pursuing, and in vain pursu'd:
12:142 Before to farther fight he wou'd advance,
12:143 He stood considering, and survey'd his lance.
12:144 Doubts if he wielded not a wooden spear
12:145 Without a point: he look'd, the point was there.
12:146 This is my hand, and this my lance, he said;
12:147 By which so many thousand foes are dead,
12:148 O whither is their usual virtue fled!
12:149 I had it once; and the Lyrnessian wall,
12:150 And Tenedos, confess'd it in their fall.
12:151 Thy streams, Caicus, rowl'd a crimson-flood;
12:152 And Thebes ran red with her own natives' blood.
12:153 Twice Telephus employ'd their piercing steel,
12:154 To wound him first, and afterward to heal.
12:155 The vigour of this arm was never vain:
12:156 And that my wonted prowess I retain,
12:157 Witness these heaps of slaughter on the plain.
12:158 He said; and, doubtful of his former deeds,
12:159 To some new tryal of his force proceeds.
12:160 He chose Menoetes from among the rest;
12:161 At him he launch'd his spear, and pierc'd his breast:
12:162 On the hard earth the Lycian knock'd his head,
12:163 And lay supine; and forth the spirit fled.
12:164 Then thus the hero: Neither can I blame
12:165 The hand, or jav'lin; both are still the same.
12:166 The same I will employ against this foe,
12:167 And wish but with the same success to throw.
12:168 So spoke the chief; and while he spoke he threw;
12:169 The weapon with unerring fury flew,
12:170 At his left shoulder aim'd: nor entrance found;
12:171 But back, as from a rock, with swift rebound
12:172 Harmless return'd: a bloody mark appear'd,
12:173 Which with false joy the flatter'd hero chear'd.
12:174 Wound there was none; the blood that was in view,
12:175 The lance before from slain Menoetes drew.
12:176 Headlong he leaps from off his lofty car,
12:177 And in close fight on foot renews the war.
12:178 Raging with high disdain, repeats his blows;
12:179 Nor shield, nor armour can their force oppose;
12:180 Huge cantlets of his buckler strew the ground,
12:181 And no defence in his bor'd arms is found,
12:182 But on his flesh, no wound or blood is seen;
12:183 The sword it self is blunted on the skin.
12:184 This vain attempt the chief no longer bears;
12:185 But round his hollow temples and his ears
12:186 His buckler beats: the son of Neptune, stunn'd
12:187 With these repeated buffets, quits his ground;
12:188 A sickly sweat succeeds, and shades of night;
12:189 Inverted Nature swims before his sight:
12:190 Th' insulting victor presses on the more,
12:191 And treads the steps the vanquish'd trod before,
12:192 Nor rest, nor respite gives. A stone there lay
12:193 Behind his trembling foe, and stopp'd his way:
12:194 Achilles took th' advantage which he found,
12:195 O'er-turn'd, and push'd him backward on the ground,
12:196 His buckler held him under, while he press'd,
12:197 With both his knees, above his panting breast.
12:198 Unlac'd his helm: about his chin the twist
12:199 He ty'd; and soon the strangled soul dismiss'd.
12:200 With eager haste he went to strip the dead:
12:201 The vanish'd body from his arms was fled.
12:202 His sea-God sire, t' immortalize his frame,
12:203 Had turn'd it to a bird that bears his name.
12:204 A truce succeeds the labours of this day,
12:205 And arms suspended with a long delay.
12:206 While Trojan walls are kept with watch and ward;
12:207 The Greeks before their trenches mount the guard;
12:208 The feast approach'd; when to the blue-ey'd maid
12:209 His vows for Cygnus slain the victor paid,
12:210 And a white heyfer on her altar laid.
12:211 The reeking entrails on the fire they threw,
12:212 And to the Gods the grateful odour flew.
12:213 Heav'n had its part in sacrifice: the rest
12:214 Was broil'd, and roasted for the future feast.
12:215 The chief-invited guests were set around!
12:216 And hunger first asswag'd, the bowls were crown'd,
12:217 Which in deep draughts their cares, and labours drown'd.
12:218 The mellow harp did not their ears employ:
12:219 And mute was all the warlike symphony:
12:220 Discourse, the food of souls, was their delight,
12:221 And pleasing chat prolong'd the summer's night.
12:222 The subject, deeds of arms; and valour shown,
12:223 Or on the Trojan side, or on their own.
12:224 Of dangers undertaken, fame atchiev'd,
12:225 They talk'd by turns; the talk by turns reliev'd.
12:226 What things but these could fierce Achilles tell,
12:227 Or what cou'd fierce Achilles hear so well?
12:228 The last great act perform'd, of Cygnus slain,
12:229 Did most the martial audience entertain:
12:230 Wondring to find a body free by Fate
12:231 From steel; and which cou'd ev'n that steel rebate:
12:232 Amaz'd, their admiration they renew;
12:233 And scarce Pelides cou'd believe it true.