Metamorphoses (Books I-XIV)
The Story of Caeneus
12:234 Then Nestor thus: what once this age has known,
12:235 In fated Cygnus, and in him alone,
12:236 These eyes have seen in Caeneus long before;
12:237 Whose body not a thousand swords cou'd bore.
12:238 Caeneus, in courage, and in strength, excell'd;
12:239 And still his Othrys with his fame is fill'd:
12:240 But what did most his martial deeds adorn
12:241 (Though since he chang'd his sex) a woman born.
12:242 A novelty so strange, and full of Fate,
12:243 His list'ning audience ask'd him to relate.
12:244 Achilles thus commends their common sute:
12:245 O father, first for prudence in repute,
12:246 Tell, with that eloquence, so much thy own,
12:247 What thou hast heard, or what of Caeneus known:
12:248 What was he, whence his change of sex begun,
12:249 What trophies, join'd in wars with thee, he won?
12:250 Who conquer'd him, and in what fatal strife
12:251 The youth, without a wound, cou'd lose his life?
12:252 Neleides then: Though tardy age, and time,
12:253 Have shrunk my sinews, and decay'd my prime;
12:254 Though much I have forgotten of my store,
12:255 Yet not exhausted, I remember more.
12:256 Of all that arms atchiev'd, or peace design'd,
12:257 That action still is fresher in my mind,
12:258 Than ought beside. If reverend age can give
12:259 To faith a sanction, in my third I live.
12:260 'Twas in my second cent'ry, I survey'd
12:261 Young Caenis, then a fair Thessalian maid:
12:262 Caenis the bright, was born to high command;
12:263 A princess, and a native of thy land,
12:264 Divine Achilles; every tongue proclaim'd
12:265 Her beauty, and her eyes all hearts inflam'd.
12:266 Peleus, thy sire, perhaps had sought her bed,
12:267 Among the rest; but he had either led
12:268 Thy mother then; or was by promise ty'd;
12:269 But she to him, and all, alike her love deny'd.
12:270 It was her fortune once to take her way
12:271 Along the sandy margin of the sea:
12:272 The Pow'r of ocean view'd her as she pass'd,
12:273 And, lov'd as soon as seen, by force embrac'd.
12:274 So Fame reports. Her virgin-treasure seiz'd,
12:275 And his new joys, the ravisher so pleas'd,
12:276 That thus, transported, to the nymph he cry'd;
12:277 Ask what thou wilt, no pray'r shall be deny'd.
12:278 This also Fame relates: the haughty fair,
12:279 Who not the rape ev'n of a God cou'd bear,
12:280 This answer, proud, return'd: To mighty wrongs
12:281 A mighty recompence, of right, belongs.
12:282 Give me no more to suffer such a shame;
12:283 But change the woman, for a better name;
12:284 One gift for all: she said; and while she spoke,
12:285 A stern, majestick, manly tone she took.
12:286 A man she was: and as the Godhead swore,
12:287 To Caeneus turn'd, who Caenis was before.
12:288 To this the lover adds, without request,
12:289 No force of steel shou'd violate his breast.
12:290 Glad of the gift, the new-made warrior goes;
12:291 And arms among the Greeks, and longs for equal foes.
Metamorphoses (Books I-XIV)
The Story of Caeneus
12:234 Then Nestor thus: what once this age has known,
12:235 In fated Cygnus, and in him alone,
12:236 These eyes have seen in Caeneus long before;
12:237 Whose body not a thousand swords cou'd bore.
12:238 Caeneus, in courage, and in strength, excell'd;
12:239 And still his Othrys with his fame is fill'd:
12:240 But what did most his martial deeds adorn
12:241 (Though since he chang'd his sex) a woman born.
12:242 A novelty so strange, and full of Fate,
12:243 His list'ning audience ask'd him to relate.
12:244 Achilles thus commends their common sute:
12:245 O father, first for prudence in repute,
12:246 Tell, with that eloquence, so much thy own,
12:247 What thou hast heard, or what of Caeneus known:
12:248 What was he, whence his change of sex begun,
12:249 What trophies, join'd in wars with thee, he won?
12:250 Who conquer'd him, and in what fatal strife
12:251 The youth, without a wound, cou'd lose his life?
12:252 Neleides then: Though tardy age, and time,
12:253 Have shrunk my sinews, and decay'd my prime;
12:254 Though much I have forgotten of my store,
12:255 Yet not exhausted, I remember more.
12:256 Of all that arms atchiev'd, or peace design'd,
12:257 That action still is fresher in my mind,
12:258 Than ought beside. If reverend age can give
12:259 To faith a sanction, in my third I live.
12:260 'Twas in my second cent'ry, I survey'd
12:261 Young Caenis, then a fair Thessalian maid:
12:262 Caenis the bright, was born to high command;
12:263 A princess, and a native of thy land,
12:264 Divine Achilles; every tongue proclaim'd
12:265 Her beauty, and her eyes all hearts inflam'd.
12:266 Peleus, thy sire, perhaps had sought her bed,
12:267 Among the rest; but he had either led
12:268 Thy mother then; or was by promise ty'd;
12:269 But she to him, and all, alike her love deny'd.
12:270 It was her fortune once to take her way
12:271 Along the sandy margin of the sea:
12:272 The Pow'r of ocean view'd her as she pass'd,
12:273 And, lov'd as soon as seen, by force embrac'd.
12:274 So Fame reports. Her virgin-treasure seiz'd,
12:275 And his new joys, the ravisher so pleas'd,
12:276 That thus, transported, to the nymph he cry'd;
12:277 Ask what thou wilt, no pray'r shall be deny'd.
12:278 This also Fame relates: the haughty fair,
12:279 Who not the rape ev'n of a God cou'd bear,
12:280 This answer, proud, return'd: To mighty wrongs
12:281 A mighty recompence, of right, belongs.
12:282 Give me no more to suffer such a shame;
12:283 But change the woman, for a better name;
12:284 One gift for all: she said; and while she spoke,
12:285 A stern, majestick, manly tone she took.
12:286 A man she was: and as the Godhead swore,
12:287 To Caeneus turn'd, who Caenis was before.
12:288 To this the lover adds, without request,
12:289 No force of steel shou'd violate his breast.
12:290 Glad of the gift, the new-made warrior goes;
12:291 And arms among the Greeks, and longs for equal foes.