Metamorphoses (Books I-XIV)
The Transformation of Cycnus into a Swan
2:444 Cycnus beheld the nymphs transform'd, ally'd
2:445 To their dead brother on the
mortal side,
2:446 In friendship and affection nearer
bound;
2:447 He left the cities and the realms
he own'd,
2:448 Thro' pathless fields and lonely
shores to range,
2:449 And woods made thicker by the
sisters' change.
2:450 Whilst here, within the dismal
gloom, alone,
2:451 The melancholy monarch made his
moan,
2:452 His voice was lessen'd, as he
try'd to speak,
2:453 And issu'd through a long-extended
neck;
2:454 His hair transforms to down,
his fingers meet
2:455 In skinny films, and shape his
oary feet;
2:456 From both his sides the wings
and feathers break;
2:457 And from his mouth proceeds a
blunted beak:
2:458 All Cycnus now into a Swan was
turn'd,
2:459 Who, still remembring how his
kinsman burn'd,
2:460 To solitary pools and lakes retires,
2:461 And loves the waters as oppos'd
to fires.
2:462 Mean-while Apollo in a gloomy shade
2:463 (The native lustre of his brows
decay'd)
2:464 Indulging sorrow, sickens at
the sight
2:465 Of his own sun-shine, and abhors
the light;
2:466 The hidden griefs, that in his
bosom rise,
2:467 Sadden his looks and over-cast
his eyes,
2:468 As when some dusky orb obstructs
his ray,
2:469 And sullies in a dim eclipse
the day.
2:470 Now secretly with inward griefs he pin'd,
2:471 Now warm resentments to his griefs
he joyn'd,
2:472 And now renounc'd his office
to mankind.
2:473 "Ere since the birth of
time," said he, "I've born
2:474 A long ungrateful toil, without
return;
2:475 Let now some other manage, if
he dare,
2:476 The fiery steeds, and mount the
burning carr;
2:477 Or, if none else, let Jove his
fortune try,
2:478 And learn to lay his murd'ring
thunder by;
2:479 Then will he own, perhaps, but
own too late,
2:480 My son deserv'd not so severe
a fate."
2:481 The Gods stand round him, as he mourns, and
pray
2:482 He would resume the conduct of
the day,
2:483 Nor let the world be lost in
endless night:
2:484 Jove too himself descending from
his height,
2:485 Excuses what had happen'd, and
intreats,
2:486 Majestically mixing pray'rs and
threats.
2:487 Prevail'd upon at length, again
he took
2:488 The harness'd steeds, that still
with horror shook,
2:489 And plies 'em with the lash,
and whips 'em on,
2:490 And, as he whips, upbraids 'em
with his son.
Metamorphoses (Books I-XIV)
The Transformation of Cycnus into a Swan
2:444 Cycnus beheld the nymphs transform'd, ally'd
2:445 To their dead brother on the
mortal side,
2:446 In friendship and affection nearer
bound;
2:447 He left the cities and the realms
he own'd,
2:448 Thro' pathless fields and lonely
shores to range,
2:449 And woods made thicker by the
sisters' change.
2:450 Whilst here, within the dismal
gloom, alone,
2:451 The melancholy monarch made his
moan,
2:452 His voice was lessen'd, as he
try'd to speak,
2:453 And issu'd through a long-extended
neck;
2:454 His hair transforms to down,
his fingers meet
2:455 In skinny films, and shape his
oary feet;
2:456 From both his sides the wings
and feathers break;
2:457 And from his mouth proceeds a
blunted beak:
2:458 All Cycnus now into a Swan was
turn'd,
2:459 Who, still remembring how his
kinsman burn'd,
2:460 To solitary pools and lakes retires,
2:461 And loves the waters as oppos'd
to fires.
2:462 Mean-while Apollo in a gloomy shade
2:463 (The native lustre of his brows
decay'd)
2:464 Indulging sorrow, sickens at
the sight
2:465 Of his own sun-shine, and abhors
the light;
2:466 The hidden griefs, that in his
bosom rise,
2:467 Sadden his looks and over-cast
his eyes,
2:468 As when some dusky orb obstructs
his ray,
2:469 And sullies in a dim eclipse
the day.
2:470 Now secretly with inward griefs he pin'd,
2:471 Now warm resentments to his griefs
he joyn'd,
2:472 And now renounc'd his office
to mankind.
2:473 "Ere since the birth of
time," said he, "I've born
2:474 A long ungrateful toil, without
return;
2:475 Let now some other manage, if
he dare,
2:476 The fiery steeds, and mount the
burning carr;
2:477 Or, if none else, let Jove his
fortune try,
2:478 And learn to lay his murd'ring
thunder by;
2:479 Then will he own, perhaps, but
own too late,
2:480 My son deserv'd not so severe
a fate."
2:481 The Gods stand round him, as he mourns, and
pray
2:482 He would resume the conduct of
the day,
2:483 Nor let the world be lost in
endless night:
2:484 Jove too himself descending from
his height,
2:485 Excuses what had happen'd, and
intreats,
2:486 Majestically mixing pray'rs and
threats.
2:487 Prevail'd upon at length, again
he took
2:488 The harness'd steeds, that still
with horror shook,
2:489 And plies 'em with the lash,
and whips 'em on,
2:490 And, as he whips, upbraids 'em
with his son.