Metamorphoses (Books I-XIV)
BOOK THE FOURTH
The Story of Alcithoe and her Sisters
4:1 Yet still Alcithoe perverse remains,
4:2 And Bacchus still, and all his rites,
disdains.
4:3 Too rash, and madly bold, she bids
him prove
4:4 Himself a God, nor owns the son of
Jove.
4:5 Her sisters too unanimous agree,
4:6 Faithful associates in impiety.
4:7 Be this a solemn feast, the priest
had said;
4:8 Be, with each mistress, unemploy'd
each maid.
4:9 With skins of beasts your tender
limbs enclose,
4:10 And with an ivy-crown adorn your
brows,
4:11 The leafy Thyrsus high in triumph
bear,
4:12 And give your locks to wanton in
the air.
4:13 These rites profan'd, the holy seer foreshow'd
4:14 A mourning people, and a vengeful
God.
4:15 Matrons and pious wives obedience show,
4:16 Distaffs, and wooll, half spun,
away they throw:
4:17 Then incense burn, and, Bacchus,
thee adore,
4:18 Or lov'st thou Nyseus, or Lyaeus
more?
4:19 O! doubly got, O! doubly born,
they sung,
4:20 Thou mighty Bromius, hail, from
light'ning sprung!
4:21 Hail, Thyon, Eleleus! each name
is thine:
4:22 Or, listen parent of the genial
vine!
4:23 Iachus! Evan! loudly they repeat,
4:24 And not one Grecian attribute forget,
4:25 Which to thy praise, great Deity,
belong,
4:26 Stil'd justly Liber in the Roman
song.
4:27 Eternity of youth is thine! enjoy
4:28 Years roul'd on years, yet still
a blooming boy.
4:29 In Heav'n thou shin'st with a superior
grace;
4:30 Conceal thy horns, and 'tis a virgin's
face.
4:31 Thou taught'st the tawny Indian
to obey,
4:32 And Ganges, smoothly flowing, own'd
thy sway.
4:33 Lycurgus, Pentheus, equally profane,
4:34 By thy just vengeance equally were
slain.
4:35 By thee the Tuscans, who conspir'd
to keep
4:36 Thee captive, plung'd, and cut
with finns the deep.
4:37 With painted reins, all-glitt'ring
from afar,
4:38 The spotted lynxes proudly draw
thy car.
4:39 Around, the Bacchae, and the satyrs
throng;
4:40 Behind, Silenus, drunk, lags slow
along:
4:41 On his dull ass he nods from side
to side,
4:42 Forbears to fall, yet half forgets
to ride.
4:43 Still at thy near approach, applauses
loud
4:44 Are heard, with yellings of the
female crowd.
4:45 Timbrels, and boxen pipes, with
mingled cries,
4:46 Swell up in sounds confus'd, and
rend the skies.
4:47 Come, Bacchus, come propitious,
all implore,
4:48 And act thy sacred orgies o'er
and o'er.
4:49 But Mineus' daughters, while these rites were
pay'd,
4:50 At home, impertinently busie, stay'd.
4:51 Their wicked tasks they ply with
various art,
4:52 And thro' the loom the sliding
shuttle dart;
4:53 Or at the fire to comb the wooll
they stand,
4:54 Or twirl the spindle with a dext'rous
hand.
4:55 Guilty themselves, they force the
guiltless in;
4:56 Their maids, who share the labour,
share the sin.
4:57 At last one sister cries, who nimbly
knew
4:58 To draw nice threads, and winde
the finest clue,
4:59 While others idly rove, and Gods
revere,
4:60 Their fancy'd Gods! they know not
who, or where;
4:61 Let us, whom Pallas taught her
better arts,
4:62 Still working, cheer with mirthful
chat our hearts,
4:63 And to deceive the time, let me
prevail
4:64 With each by turns to tell some
antique tale.
4:65 She said: her sisters lik'd the
humour well,
4:66 And smiling, bad her the first
story tell.
4:67 But she a-while profoundly seem'd
to muse,
4:68 Perplex'd amid variety to chuse:
4:69 And knew not, whether she should
first relate
4:70 The poor Dircetis, and her wond'rous
fate.
4:71 The Palestines believe it to a
man,
4:72 And show the lake, in which her
scales began.
4:73 Or if she rather should the daughter
sing,
4:74 Who in the hoary verge of life
took wing;
4:75 Who soar'd from Earth, and dwelt
in tow'rs on high,
4:76 And now a dove she flits along
the sky.
4:77 Or how lewd Nais, when her lust
was cloy'd,
4:78 To fishes turn'd the youths, she
had enjoy'd,
4:79 By pow'rful verse, and herbs; effect
most strange!
4:80 At last the changer shar'd herself
the change.
4:81 Or how the tree, which once white
berries bore,
4:82 Still crimson bears, since stain'd
with crimson gore.
4:83 The tree was new; she likes it,
and begins
4:84 To tell the tale, and as she tells,
she spins.
The Story of Pyramus and Thisbe
4:85 In Babylon, where first her queen, for state
4:86 Rais'd walls of brick magnificently
great,
4:87 Liv'd Pyramus, and Thisbe, lovely
pair!
4:88 He found no eastern youth his equal
there,
4:89 And she beyond the fairest nymph
was fair.
4:90 A closer neighbourhood was never
known,
4:91 Tho' two the houses, yet the roof
was one.
4:92 Acquaintance grew, th' acquaintance
they improve
4:93 To friendship, friendship ripen'd
into love:
4:94 Love had been crown'd, but impotently
mad,
4:95 What parents could not hinder,
they forbad.
4:96 For with fierce flames young Pyramus
still burn'd,
4:97 And grateful Thisbe flames as fierce
return'd.
4:98 Aloud in words their thoughts they
dare not break,
4:99 But silent stand; and silent looks
can speak.
4:100 The fire of love the more it
is supprest,
4:101 The more it glows, and rages
in the breast.
4:102 When the division-wall was built, a chink
4:103 Was left, the cement unobserv'd
to shrink.
4:104 So slight the cranny, that it
still had been
4:105 For centuries unclos'd, because
unseen.
4:106 But oh! what thing so small,
so secret lies,
4:107 Which scapes, if form'd for love,
a lover's eyes?
4:108 Ev'n in this narrow chink they
quickly found
4:109 A friendly passage for a trackless
sound.
4:110 Safely they told their sorrows,
and their joys,
4:111 In whisper'd murmurs, and a dying
noise,
4:112 By turns to catch each other's
breath they strove,
4:113 And suck'd in all the balmy breeze
of love.
4:114 Oft as on diff'rent sides they
stood, they cry'd,
4:115 Malicious wall, thus lovers to
divide!
4:116 Suppose, thou should'st a-while
to us give place
4:117 To lock, and fasten in a close
embrace:
4:118 But if too much to grant so sweet
a bliss,
4:119 Indulge at least the pleasure
of a kiss.
4:120 We scorn ingratitude: to thee,
we know,
4:121 This safe conveyance of our minds
we owe.
4:122 Thus they their vain petition did renew
4:123 'Till night, and then they softly
sigh'd adieu.
4:124 But first they strove to kiss,
and that was all;
4:125 Their kisses dy'd untasted on
the wall.
4:126 Soon as the morn had o'er the
stars prevail'd,
4:127 And warm'd by Phoebus, flow'rs
their dews exhal'd,
4:128 The lovers to their well-known
place return,
4:129 Alike they suffer, and alike
they mourn.
4:130 At last their parents they resolve
to cheat
4:131 (If to deceive in love be call'd
deceit),
4:132 To steal by night from home,
and thence unknown
4:133 To seek the fields, and quit
th' unfaithful town.
4:134 But, to prevent their wand'ring
in the dark,
4:135 They both agree to fix upon a
mark;
4:136 A mark, that could not their
designs expose:
4:137 The tomb of Ninus was the mark
they chose.
4:138 There they might rest secure
beneath the shade,
4:139 Which boughs, with snowy fruit
encumber'd, made:
4:140 A wide-spread mulberry its rise
had took
4:141 Just on the margin of a gurgling
brook.
4:142 Impatient for the friendly dusk
they stay;
4:143 And chide the slowness of departing
day;
4:144 In western seas down sunk at
last the light,
4:145 From western seas up-rose the
shades of night.
4:146 The loving Thisbe ev'n prevents the hour,
4:147 With cautious silence she unlocks
the door,
4:148 And veils her face, and marching
thro' the gloom
4:149 Swiftly arrives at th' assignation-tomb.
4:150 For still the fearful sex can
fearless prove;
4:151 Boldly they act, if spirited
by love.
4:152 When lo! a lioness rush'd o'er
the plain,
4:153 Grimly besmear'd with blood of
oxen slain:
4:154 And what to the dire sight new
horrors brought,
4:155 To slake her thirst the neighb'ring
spring she sought.
4:156 Which, by the moon, when trembling
Thisbe spies,
4:157 Wing'd with her fear, swift,
as the wind, she flies;
4:158 And in a cave recovers from her
fright,
4:159 But drop'd her veil, confounded
in her flight.
4:160 When sated with repeated draughts,
again
4:161 The queen of beasts scour'd back
along the plain,
4:162 She found the veil, and mouthing
it all o'er,
4:163 With bloody jaws the lifeless
prey she tore.
4:164 The youth, who could not cheat his guards
so soon,
4:165 Late came, and noted by the glimm'ring
moon
4:166 Some savage feet, new printed
on the ground,
4:167 His cheeks turn'd pale, his limbs
no vigour found;
4:168 But when, advancing on, the veil
he spied
4:169 Distain'd with blood, and ghastly
torn, he cried,
4:170 One night shall death to two
young lovers give,
4:171 But she deserv'd unnumber'd years
to live!
4:172 'Tis I am guilty, I have thee
betray'd,
4:173 Who came not early, as my charming
maid.
4:174 Whatever slew thee, I the cause
remain,
4:175 I nam'd, and fix'd the place
where thou wast slain.
4:176 Ye lions from your neighb'ring
dens repair,
4:177 Pity the wretch, this impious
body tear!
4:178 But cowards thus for death can
idly cry;
4:179 The brave still have it in their
pow'r to die.
4:180 Then to th' appointed tree he
hastes away,
4:181 The veil first gather'd, tho'
all rent it lay:
4:182 The veil all rent yet still it
self endears,
4:183 He kist, and kissing, wash'd
it with his tears.
4:184 Tho' rich (he cry'd) with many
a precious stain,
4:185 Still from my blood a deeper
tincture gain.
4:186 Then in his breast his shining
sword he drown'd,
4:187 And fell supine, extended on
the ground.
4:188 As out again the blade lie dying
drew,
4:189 Out spun the blood, and streaming
upwards flew.
4:190 So if a conduit-pipe e'er burst
you saw,
4:191 Swift spring the gushing waters
thro' the flaw:
4:192 Then spouting in a bow, they
rise on high,
4:193 And a new fountain plays amid
the sky.
4:194 The berries, stain'd with blood,
began to show
4:195 A dark complexion, and forgot
their snow;
4:196 While fatten'd with the flowing
gore, the root
4:197 Was doom'd for ever to a purple
fruit.
4:198 Mean-time poor Thisbe fear'd, so long she
stay'd,
4:199 Her lover might suspect a perjur'd
maid.
4:200 Her fright scarce o'er, she strove
the youth to find
4:201 With ardent eyes, which spoke
an ardent mind.
4:202 Already in his arms, she hears
him sigh
4:203 At her destruction, which was
once so nigh.
4:204 The tomb, the tree, but not the
fruit she knew,
4:205 The fruit she doubted for its
alter'd hue.
4:206 Still as she doubts, her eyes
a body found
4:207 Quiv'ring in death, and gasping
on the ground.
4:208 She started back, the red her
cheeks forsook,
4:209 And ev'ry nerve with thrilling
horrors shook.
4:210 So trembles the smooth surface
of the seas,
4:211 If brush'd o'er gently with a
rising breeze.
4:212 But when her view her bleeding
love confest,
4:213 She shriek'd, she tore her hair,
she beat her breast.
4:214 She rais'd the body, and embrac'd
it round,
4:215 And bath'd with tears unfeign'd
the gaping wound.
4:216 Then her warm lips to the cold
face apply'd,
4:217 And is it thus, ah! thus we meet,
she cry'd!
4:218 My Pyramus! whence sprung thy
cruel fate?
4:219 My Pyramus!-ah! speak, ere 'tis
too late.
4:220 I, thy own Thisbe, but one word
implore,
4:221 One word thy Thisbe never ask'd
before.
4:222 At Thisbe's name, awak'd, he
open'd wide
4:223 His dying eyes; with dying eyes
he try'd
4:224 On her to dwell, but clos'd them
slow, and dy'd.
4:225 The fatal cause was now at last explor'd,
4:226 Her veil she knew, and saw his
sheathless sword:
4:227 From thy own hand thy ruin thou
hast found,
4:228 She said, but love first taught
that hand to wound,
4:229 Ev'n I for thee as bold a hand
can show,
4:230 And love, which shall as true
direct the blow.
4:231 I will against the woman's weakness
strive,
4:232 And never thee, lamented youth,
survive.
4:233 The world may say, I caus'd,
alas! thy death,
4:234 But saw thee breathless, and
resign'd my breath.
4:235 Fate, tho' it conquers, shall
no triumph gain,
4:236 Fate, that divides us, still
divides in vain.
4:237 Now, both our cruel parents, hear my pray'r;
4:238 My pray'r to offer for us both
I dare;
4:239 Oh! see our ashes in one urn
confin'd,
4:240 Whom love at first, and fate
at last has join'd.
4:241 The bliss, you envy'd, is not
our request;
4:242 Lovers, when dead, may sure together
rest.
4:243 Thou, tree, where now one lifeless
lump is laid,
4:244 Ere-long o'er two shalt cast
a friendly shade.
4:245 Still let our loves from thee
be understood,
4:246 Still witness in thy purple fruit
our blood.
4:247 She spoke, and in her bosom plung'd
the sword,
4:248 All warm and reeking from its
slaughter'd lord.
4:249 The pray'r, which dying Thisbe
had preferr'd,
4:250 Both Gods, and parents, with
compassion heard.
4:251 The whiteness of the mulberry
soon fled,
4:252 And rip'ning, sadden'd in a dusky
red:
4:253 While both their parents their
lost children mourn,
4:254 And mix their ashes in one golden
urn.
4:255 Thus did the melancholy tale conclude,
4:256 And a short, silent interval
ensu'd.
4:257 The next in birth unloos'd her
artful tongue,
4:258 And drew attentive all the sister-throng.
The Story of Leucothoe and the Sun
4:259 The Sun, the source of light, by beauty's
pow'r
4:260 Once am'rous grew; then hear
the Sun's amour.
4:261 Venus, and Mars, with his far-piercing
eyes
4:262 This God first spy'd; this God
first all things spies.
4:263 Stung at the sight, and swift
on mischief bent,
4:264 To haughty Juno's shapeless son
he went:
4:265 The Goddess, and her God gallant
betray'd,
4:266 And told the cuckold, where their
pranks were play'd.
4:267 Poor Vulcan soon desir'd to hear
no more,
4:268 He drop'd his hammer, and he
shook all o'er:
4:269 Then courage takes, and full
of vengeful ire
4:270 He heaves the bellows, and blows
fierce the fire:
4:271 From liquid brass, tho' sure,
yet subtile snares
4:272 He forms, and next a wond'rous
net prepares,
4:273 Drawn with such curious art,
so nicely sly,
4:274 Unseen the mashes cheat the searching
eye.
4:275 Not half so thin their webs the
spiders weave,
4:276 Which the most wary, buzzing
prey deceive.
4:277 These chains, obedient to the
touch, he spread
4:278 In secret foldings o'er the conscious
bed:
4:279 The conscious bed again was quickly
prest
4:280 By the fond pair, in lawless
raptures blest.
4:281 Mars wonder'd at his Cytherea's
charms,
4:282 More fast than ever lock'd within
her arms.
4:283 While Vulcan th' iv'ry doors
unbarr'd with care,
4:284 Then call'd the Gods to view
the sportive pair:
4:285 The Gods throng'd in, and saw
in open day,
4:286 Where Mars, and beauty's queen,
all naked, lay.
4:287 O! shameful sight, if shameful
that we name,
4:288 Which Gods with envy view'd,
and could not blame;
4:289 But, for the pleasure, wish'd
to bear the shame.
4:290 Each Deity, with laughter tir'd,
departs,
4:291 Yet all still laugh'd at Vulcan
in their hearts.
4:292 Thro' Heav'n the news of this surprizal run,
4:293 But Venus did not thus forget
the Sun.
4:294 He, who stol'n transports idly
had betray'd,
4:295 By a betrayer was in kind repay'd.
4:296 What now avails, great God, thy
piercing blaze,
4:297 That youth, and beauty, and those
golden rays?
4:298 Thou, who can'st warm this universe
alone,
4:299 Feel'st now a warmth more pow'rful
than thy own:
4:300 And those bright eyes, which
all things should survey,
4:301 Know not from fair Leucothoe
to stray.
4:302 The lamp of light, for human
good design'd,
4:303 Is to one virgin niggardly confin'd.
4:304 Sometimes too early rise thy
eastern beams,
4:305 Sometimes too late they set in
western streams:
4:306 'Tis then her beauty thy swift
course delays,
4:307 And gives to winter skies long
summer days.
4:308 Now in thy face thy love-sick
mind appears,
4:309 And spreads thro' impious nations
empty fears:
4:310 For when thy beamless head is
wrapt in night,
4:311 Poor mortals tremble in despair
of light.
4:312 'Tis not the moon, that o'er
thee casts a veil
4:313 'Tis love alone, which makes
thy looks so pale.
4:314 Leucothoe is grown thy only care,
4:315 Not Phaeton's fair mother now
is fair.
4:316 The youthful Rhodos moves no
tender thought,
4:317 And beauteous Porsa is at last
forgot.
4:318 Fond Clytie, scorn'd, yet lov'd,
and sought thy bed,
4:319 Ev'n then thy heart for other
virgins bled.
4:320 Leucothoe has all thy soul possest,
4:321 And chas'd each rival passion
from thy breast.
4:322 To this bright nymph Eurynome
gave birth
4:323 In the blest confines of the
spicy Earth.
4:324 Excelling others, she herself
beheld
4:325 By her own blooming daughter
far excell'd.
4:326 The sire was Orchamus, whose
vast command,
4:327 The sev'nth from Belus, rul'd
the Persian Land.
4:328 Deep in cool vales, beneath th' Hesperian
sky,
4:329 For the Sun's fiery steeds the
pastures lye.
4:330 Ambrosia there they eat, and
thence they gain
4:331 New vigour, and their daily toils
sustain.
4:332 While thus on heav'nly food the
coursers fed,
4:333 And night, around, her gloomy
empire spread,
4:334 The God assum'd the mother's
shape and air,
4:335 And pass'd, unheeded, to his
darling fair.
4:336 Close by a lamp, with maids encompass'd
round,
4:337 The royal spinster, full employ'd,
he found:
4:338 Then cry'd, A-while from work,
my daughter, rest;
4:339 And, like a mother, scarce her
lips he prest.
4:340 Servants retire!-nor secrets
dare to hear,
4:341 Intrusted only to a daughter's
ear.
4:342 They swift obey'd: not one, suspicious,
thought
4:343 The secret, which their mistress
would be taught.
4:344 Then he: since now no witnesses
are near,
4:345 Behold! the God, who guides the
various year!
4:346 The world's vast eye, of light
the source serene,
4:347 Who all things sees, by whom
are all things seen.
4:348 Believe me, nymph! (for I the
truth have show'd)
4:349 Thy charms have pow'r to charm
so great a God.
4:350 Confus'd, she heard him his soft
passion tell,
4:351 And on the floor, untwirl'd,
the spindle fell:
4:352 Still from the sweet confusion
some new grace
4:353 Blush'd out by stealth, and languish'd
in her face.
4:354 The lover, now inflam'd, himself
put on,
4:355 And out at once the God, all-radiant,
shone.
4:356 The virgin startled at his alter'd
form,
4:357 Too weak to bear a God's impetuous
storm:
4:358 No more against the dazling youth
she strove,
4:359 But silent yielded, and indulg'd
his love.
4:360 This Clytie knew, and knew she was undone,
4:361 Whose soul was fix'd, and doated
on the Sun.
4:362 She rag'd to think on her neglected
charms,
4:363 And Phoebus, panting in another's
arms.
4:364 With envious madness fir'd, she
flies in haste,
4:365 And tells the king, his daughter
was unchaste.
4:366 The king, incens'd to hear his
honour stain'd,
4:367 No more the father nor the man
retain'd.
4:368 In vain she stretch'd her arms,
and turn'd her eyes
4:369 To her lov'd God, th' enlightner
of the skies.
4:370 In vain she own'd it was a crime,
yet still
4:371 It was a crime not acted by her
will.
4:372 The brutal sire stood deaf to
ev'ry pray'r,
4:373 And deep in Earth entomb'd alive
the fair.
4:374 What Phoebus could do, was by
Phoebus done:
4:375 Full on her grave with pointed
beams he shone:
4:376 To pointed beams the gaping Earth
gave way;
4:377 Had the nymph eyes, her eyes
had seen the day,
4:378 But lifeless now, yet lovely
still, she lay.
4:379 Not more the God wept, when the
world was fir'd,
4:380 And in the wreck his blooming
boy expir'd.
4:381 The vital flame he strives to
light again,
4:382 And warm the frozen blood in
ev'ry vein:
4:383 But since resistless Fates deny'd
that pow'r,
4:384 On the cold nymph he rain'd a
nectar show'r.
4:385 Ah! undeserving thus (he said)
to die,
4:386 Yet still in odours thou shalt
reach the sky.
4:387 The body soon dissolv'd, and
all around
4:388 Perfum'd with heav'nly fragrancies
the ground,
4:389 A sacrifice for Gods up-rose
from thence,
4:390 A sweet, delightful tree of frankincense.
The Transformation of Clytie
4:391 Tho' guilty Clytie thus the sun betray'd,
4:392 By too much passion she was guilty
made.
4:393 Excess of love begot excess of
grief,
4:394 Grief fondly bad her hence to
hope relief.
4:395 But angry Phoebus hears, unmov'd,
her sighs,
4:396 And scornful from her loath'd
embraces flies.
4:397 All day, all night, in trackless
wilds, alone
4:398 She pin'd, and taught the list'ning
rocks her moan.
4:399 On the bare earth she lies, her
bosom bare,
4:400 Loose her attire, dishevel'd
is her hair.
4:401 Nine times the morn unbarr'd
the gates of light,
4:402 As oft were spread th' alternate
shades of night,
4:403 So long no sustenance the mourner
knew,
4:404 Unless she drunk her tears, or
suck'd the dew.
4:405 She turn'd about, but rose not
from the ground,
4:406 Turn'd to the Sun, still as he
roul'd his round:
4:407 On his bright face hung her desiring
eyes,
4:408 'Till fix'd to Earth, she strove
in vain to rise.
4:409 Her looks their paleness in a
flow'r retain'd,
4:410 But here, and there, some purple
streaks they gain'd.
4:411 Still the lov'd object the fond
leafs pursue,
4:412 Still move their root, the moving
Sun to view,
4:413 And in the Heliotrope the nymph
is true.
4:414 The sisters heard these wonders with surprise,
4:415 But part receiv'd them as romantick
lies;
4:416 And pertly rally'd, that they
could not see
4:417 In Pow'rs divine so vast an energy.
4:418 Part own'd, true Gods such miracles
might do,
4:419 But own'd not Bacchus, one among
the true.
4:420 At last a common, just request
they make,
4:421 And beg Alcithoe her turn to
take.
4:422 I will (she said) and please
you, if I can.
4:423 Then shot her shuttle swift,
and thus began.
4:424 The fate of Daphnis is a fate too known,
4:425 Whom an enamour'd nymph transform'd
to stone,
4:426 Because she fear'd another nymph
might see
4:427 The lovely youth, and love as
much as she:
4:428 So strange the madness is of
jealousie!
4:429 Nor shall I tell, what changes
Scython made,
4:430 And how he walk'd a man, or tripp'd
a maid.
4:431 You too would peevish frown,
and patience want
4:432 To hear, how Celmis grew an adamant.
4:433 He once was dear to Jove, and
saw of old
4:434 Jove, when a child; but what
he saw, he told.
4:435 Crocus, and Smilax may be turn'd
to flow'rs,
4:436 And the Curetes spring from bounteous
show'rs;
4:437 I pass a hundred legends stale,
as these,
4:438 And with sweet novelty your taste
will please.
The Story of Salmacis and Hermaphroditus
4:439 How Salmacis, with weak enfeebling streams
4:440 Softens the body, and unnerves
the limbs,
4:441 And what the secret cause, shall
here be shown;
4:442 The cause is secret, but th'
effect is known.
4:443 The Naids nurst an infant heretofore,
4:444 That Cytherea once to Hermes
bore:
4:445 From both th' illustrious authors
of his race
4:446 The child was nam'd, nor was
it hard to trace
4:447 Both the bright parents thro'
the infant's face.
4:448 When fifteen years in Ida's cool
retreat
4:449 The boy had told, he left his
native seat,
4:450 And sought fresh fountains in
a foreign soil:
4:451 The pleasure lessen'd the attending
toil,
4:452 With eager steps the Lycian fields
he crost,
4:453 A river here he view'd so lovely
bright,
4:454 It shew'd the bottom in a fairer
light,
4:455 Nor kept a sand conceal'd from
human sight.
4:456 The stream produc'd nor slimy
ooze, nor weeds,
4:457 Nor miry rushes, nor the spiky
reeds;
4:458 But dealt enriching moisture
all around,
4:459 The fruitful banks with chearful
verdure crown'd,
4:460 And kept the spring eternal on
the ground.
4:461 A nymph presides, not practis'd
in the chace,
4:462 Nor skilful at the bow, nor at
the race;
4:463 Of all the blue-ey'd daughters
of the main,
4:464 The only stranger to Diana's
train:
4:465 Her sisters often, as 'tis said,
wou'd cry,
4:466 "Fie Salmacis: what, always
idle! fie.
4:467 Or take thy quiver, or thy arrows
seize,
4:468 And mix the toils of hunting
with thy ease."
4:469 Nor quiver she nor arrows e'er
wou'd seize,
4:470 Nor mix the toils of hunting
with her ease.
4:471 But oft would bathe her in the
chrystal tide,
4:472 Oft with a comb her dewy locks
divide;
4:473 Now in the limpid streams she
views her face,
4:474 And drest her image in the floating
glass:
4:475 On beds of leaves she now repos'd
her limbs,
4:476 Now gather'd flow'rs that grew
about her streams,
4:477 And then by chance was gathering,
as he stood
4:478 To view the boy, and long'd for
what she view'd.
4:479 Fain wou'd she meet the youth with hasty
feet,
4:480 She fain wou'd meet him, but
refus'd to meet
4:481 Before her looks were set with
nicest care,
4:482 And well deserv'd to be reputed
fair.
4:483 "Bright youth," she
cries, "whom all thy features prove
4:484 A God, and, if a God, the God
of love;
4:485 But if a mortal, blest thy nurse's
breast,
4:486 Blest are thy parents, and thy
sisters blest:
4:487 But oh how blest! how more than
blest thy bride,
4:488 Ally'd in bliss, if any yet ally'd.
4:489 If so, let mine the stoln enjoyments
be;
4:490 If not, behold a willing bride
in me."
4:491 The boy knew nought of love, and toucht with
shame,
4:492 He strove, and blusht, but still
the blush became:
4:493 In rising blushes still fresh
beauties rose;
4:494 The sunny side of fruit such
blushes shows,
4:495 And such the moon, when all her
silver white
4:496 Turns in eclipses to a ruddy
light.
4:497 The nymph still begs, if not
a nobler bliss,
4:498 A cold salute at least, a sister's
kiss:
4:499 And now prepares to take the
lovely boy
4:500 Between her arms. He, innocently
coy,
4:501 Replies, "Or leave me to
my self alone,
4:502 You rude uncivil nymph, or I'll
be gone."
4:503 "Fair stranger then,"
says she, "it shall be so";
4:504 And, for she fear'd his threats,
she feign'd to go:
4:505 But hid within a covert's neighbouring
green,
4:506 She kept him still in sight,
herself unseen.
4:507 The boy now fancies all the danger
o'er,
4:508 And innocently sports about the
shore,
4:509 Playful and wanton to the stream
he trips,
4:510 And dips his foot, and shivers
as he dips.
4:511 The coolness pleas'd him, and
with eager haste
4:512 His airy garments on the banks
he cast;
4:513 His godlike features, and his
heav'nly hue,
4:514 And all his beauties were expos'd
to view.
4:515 His naked limbs the nymph with
rapture spies,
4:516 While hotter passions in her
bosom rise,
4:517 Flush in her cheeks, and sparkle
in her eyes.
4:518 She longs, she burns to clasp
him in her arms,
4:519 And looks, and sighs, and kindles
at his charms.
4:520 Now all undrest upon the banks he stood,
4:521 And clapt his sides, and leapt
into the flood:
4:522 His lovely limbs the silver waves
divide,
4:523 His limbs appear more lovely
through the tide;
4:524 As lillies shut within a chrystal
case,
4:525 Receive a glossy lustre from
the glass.
4:526 He's mine, he's all my own, the
Naid cries,
4:527 And flings off all, and after
him she flies.
4:528 And now she fastens on him as
he swims,
4:529 And holds him close, and wraps
about his limbs.
4:530 The more the boy resisted, and
was coy,
4:531 The more she clipt, and kist
the strugling boy.
4:532 So when the wrigling snake is
snatcht on high
4:533 In Eagle's claws, and hisses
in the sky,
4:534 Around the foe his twirling tail
he flings,
4:535 And twists her legs, and wriths
about her wings.
4:536 The restless boy still obstinately strove
4:537 To free himself, and still refus'd
her love.
4:538 Amidst his limbs she kept her
limbs intwin'd,
4:539 "And why, coy youth,"
she cries, "why thus unkind!
4:540 Oh may the Gods thus keep us
ever join'd!
4:541 Oh may we never, never part again!"
4:542 So pray'd the nymph, nor did she pray in
vain:
4:543 For now she finds him, as his
limbs she prest,
4:544 Grow nearer still, and nearer
to her breast;
4:545 'Till, piercing each the other's
flesh, they run
4:546 Together, and incorporate in
one:
4:547 Last in one face are both their
faces join'd,
4:548 As when the stock and grafted
twig combin'd
4:549 Shoot up the same, and wear a
common rind:
4:550 Both bodies in a single body
mix,
4:551 A single body with a double sex.
4:552 The boy, thus lost in woman, now survey'd
4:553 The river's guilty stream, and
thus he pray'd.
4:554 (He pray'd, but wonder'd at his
softer tone,
4:555 Surpriz'd to hear a voice but
half his own.)
4:556 You parent-Gods, whose heav'nly
names I bear,
4:557 Hear your Hermaphrodite, and
grant my pray'r;
4:558 Oh grant, that whomsoe'er these
streams contain,
4:559 If man he enter'd, he may rise
again
4:560 Supple, unsinew'd, and but half
a man!
4:561 The heav'nly parents answer'd from on high,
4:562 Their two-shap'd son, the double
votary
4:563 Then gave a secret virtue to
the flood,
4:564 And ting'd its source to make
his wishes good.
Alcithoe and her Sisters transform'd to Bats
4:565 But Mineus' daughters still their tasks pursue,
4:566 To wickedness most obstinately
true:
4:567 At Bacchus still they laugh,
when all around,
4:568 Unseen, the timbrels hoarse were
heard to sound.
4:569 Saffron and myrrh their fragrant
odours shed,
4:570 And now the present deity they
dread.
4:571 Strange to relate! Here ivy first
was seen,
4:572 Along the distaff crept the wond'rous
green.
4:573 Then sudden-springing vines began
to bloom,
4:574 And the soft tendrils curl'd
around the loom:
4:575 While purple clusters, dangling
from on high,
4:576 Ting'd the wrought purple with
a second die.
4:577 Now from the skies was shot a doubtful light,
4:578 The day declining to the bounds
of night.
4:579 The fabrick's firm foundations
shake all o'er,
4:580 False tigers rage, and figur'd
lions roar.
4:581 Torches, aloft, seem blazing
in the air,
4:582 And angry flashes of red light'nings
glare.
4:583 To dark recesses, the dire sight
to shun,
4:584 Swift the pale sisters in confusion
run.
4:585 Their arms were lost in pinions,
as they fled,
4:586 And subtle films each slender
limb o'er-spread.
4:587 Their alter'd forms their senses
soon reveal'd;
4:588 Their forms, how alter'd, darkness
still conceal'd.
4:589 Close to the roof each, wond'ring,
upwards springs,
4:590 Born on unknown, transparent,
plumeless wings.
4:591 They strove for words; their
little bodies found
4:592 No words, but murmur'd in a fainting
sound.
4:593 In towns, not woods, the sooty
bats delight,
4:594 And, never, 'till the dusk, begin
their flight;
4:595 'Till Vesper rises with his ev'ning
flame;
4:596 From whom the Romans have deriv'd
their name.
The Transformation of Ino and Melicerta to Sea-Gods
4:597 The pow'r of Bacchus now o'er Thebes had
flown:
4:598 With awful rev'rence soon the
God they own.
4:599 Proud Ino, all around the wonder
tells,
4:600 And on her nephew deity still
dwells.
4:601 Of num'rous sisters, she alone
yet knew
4:602 No grief, but grief, which she
from sisters drew.
4:603 Imperial Juno saw her with disdain,
4:604 Vain in her offspring, in her
consort vain,
4:605 Who rul'd the trembling Thebans
with a nod,
4:606 But saw her vainest in her foster-God.
4:607 Could then (she cry'd) a bastard-boy
have pow'r
4:608 To make a mother her own son
devour?
4:609 Could he the Tuscan crew to fishes
change,
4:610 And now three sisters damn to
forms so strange?
4:611 Yet shall the wife of Jove find
no relief?
4:612 Shall she, still unreveng'd,
disclose her grief?
4:613 Have I the mighty freedom to
complain?
4:614 Is that my pow'r? is that to
ease my pain?
4:615 A foe has taught me vengeance;
and who ought
4:616 To scorn that vengeance, which
a foe has taught?
4:617 What sure destruction frantick
rage can throw,
4:618 The gaping wounds of slaughter'd
Pentheus show.
4:619 Why should not Ino, fir'd with
madness, stray,
4:620 Like her mad sisters her own
kindred slay?
4:621 Why, she not follow, where they
lead the way?
4:622 Down a steep, yawning cave, where yews display'd
4:623 In arches meet, and lend a baleful
shade,
4:624 Thro' silent labyrinths a passage
lies
4:625 To mournful regions, and infernal
skies.
4:626 Here Styx exhales its noisome
clouds, and here,
4:627 The fun'ral rites once paid,
all souls appear.
4:628 Stiff cold, and horror with a
ghastly face
4:629 And staring eyes, infest the
dreary place.
4:630 Ghosts, new-arriv'd, and strangers
to these plains,
4:631 Know not the palace, where grim
Pluto reigns.
4:632 They journey doubtful, nor the
road can tell,
4:633 Which leads to the metropolis
of Hell.
4:634 A thousand avenues those tow'rs
command,
4:635 A thousand gates for ever open
stand.
4:636 As all the rivers, disembogu'd,
find room
4:637 For all their waters in old Ocean's
womb:
4:638 So this vast city worlds of shades
receives,
4:639 And space for millions still
of worlds she leaves.
4:640 Th' unbody'd spectres freely
rove, and show
4:641 Whate'er they lov'd on Earth,
they love below.
4:642 The lawyers still, or right,
or wrong, support,
4:643 The courtiers smoothly glide
to Pluto's court.
4:644 Still airy heroes thoughts of
glory fire,
4:645 Still the dead poet strings his
deathless lyre,
4:646 And lovers still with fancy'd
darts expire.
4:647 The Queen of Heaven, to gratify her hate,
4:648 And sooth immortal wrath, forgets
her state.
4:649 Down from the realms of day,
to realms of night,
4:650 The Goddess swift precipitates
her flight.
4:651 At Hell arriv'd, the noise Hell's
porter heard,
4:652 Th' enormous dog his triple head
up-rear'd:
4:653 Thrice from three grizly throats
he howl'd profound,
4:654 Then suppliant couch'd, and stretch'd
along the ground.
4:655 The trembling threshold, which
Saturnia prest,
4:656 The weight of such divinity confest.
4:657 Before a lofty, adamantine gate,
4:658 Which clos'd a tow'r of brass,
the Furies sate:
4:659 Mis-shapen forms, tremendous
to the sight,
4:660 Th' implacable foul daughters
of the night.
4:661 A sounding whip each bloody sister
shakes,
4:662 Or from her tresses combs the
curling snakes.
4:663 But now great Juno's majesty
was known;
4:664 Thro' the thick gloom, all heav'nly
bright, she shone:
4:665 The hideous monsters their obedience
show'd,
4:666 And rising from their seats,
submissive bow'd.
4:667 This is the place of woe, here groan the
dead;
4:668 Huge Tityus o'er nine acres here
is spread.
4:669 Fruitful for pain th' immortal
liver breeds,
4:670 Still grows, and still th' insatiate
vulture feeds.
4:671 Poor Tantalus to taste the water
tries,
4:672 But from his lips the faithless
water flies:
4:673 Then thinks the bending tree
he can command,
4:674 The tree starts backwards, and
eludes his hand.
4:675 The labour too of Sisyphus is
vain,
4:676 Up the steep mount he heaves
the stone with pain,
4:677 Down from the summet rouls the
stone again.
4:678 The Belides their leaky vessels
still
4:679 Are ever filling, and yet never
fill:
4:680 Doom'd to this punishment for
blood they shed,
4:681 For bridegrooms slaughter'd in
the bridal bed.
4:682 Stretch'd on the rolling wheel
Ixion lies;
4:683 Himself he follows, and himself
he flies.
4:684 Ixion, tortur'd, Juno sternly
ey'd,
4:685 Then turn'd, and toiling Sisyphus
espy'd:
4:686 And why (she said) so wretched
is the fate
4:687 Of him, whose brother proudly
reigns in state?
4:688 Yet still my altars unador'd
have been
4:689 By Athamas, and his presumptuous
queen.
4:690 What caus'd her hate, the Goddess thus confest,
4:691 What caus'd her journey now was
more than guest.
4:692 That hate, relentless, its revenge
did want,
4:693 And that revenge the Furies soon
could grant:
4:694 They could the glory of proud
Thebes efface,
4:695 And hide in ruin the Cadmean
race.
4:696 For this she largely promises,
entreats,
4:697 And to intreaties adds imperial
threats.
4:698 Then fell Tisiphone with rage was stung,
4:699 And from her mouth th' untwisted
serpents flung.
4:700 To gain this trifling boon, there
is no need
4:701 (She cry'd) in formal speeches
to proceed.
4:702 Whatever thou command'st to do,
is done;
4:703 Believe it finish'd, tho' not
yet begun.
4:704 But from these melancholly seats
repair
4:705 To happier mansions, and to purer
air.
4:706 She spoke: the Goddess, darting
upwards, flies,
4:707 And joyous re-ascends her native
skies:
4:708 Nor enter'd there, till 'round
her Iris threw
4:709 Ambrosial sweets, and pour'd
celestial dew.
4:710 The faithful Fury, guiltless of delays,
4:711 With cruel haste the dire command
obeys.
4:712 Girt in a bloody gown, a torch
she shakes,
4:713 And round her neck twines speckled
wreaths of snakes.
4:714 Fear, and dismay, and agonizing
pain,
4:715 With frantick rage, compleat
her loveless train.
4:716 To Thebes her flight she sped,
and Hell forsook;
4:717 At her approach the Theban turrets
shook:
4:718 The sun shrunk back, thick clouds
the day o'er-cast,
4:719 And springing greens were wither'd
as she past.
4:720 Now, dismal yellings heard, strange spectres
seen,
4:721 Confound as much the monarch
as the queen.
4:722 In vain to quit the palace they
prepar'd,
4:723 Tisiphone was there, and kept
the ward.
4:724 She wide extended her unfriendly
arms,
4:725 And all the Fury lavish'd all
her harms.
4:726 Part of her tresses loudly hiss,
and part
4:727 Spread poyson, as their forky
tongues they dart.
4:728 Then from her middle locks two
snakes she drew,
4:729 Whose merit from superior mischief
grew:
4:730 Th' envenom'd ruin, thrown with
spiteful care,
4:731 Clung to the bosoms of the hapless
pair.
4:732 The hapless pair soon with wild
thoughts were fir'd,
4:733 And madness, by a thousand ways
inspir'd.
4:734 'Tis true, th' unwounded body
still was sound,
4:735 But 'twas the soul which felt
the deadly wound.
4:736 Nor did th' unsated monster here
give o'er,
4:737 But dealt of plagues a fresh,
unnumber'd store.
4:738 Each baneful juice too well she
understood,
4:739 Foam, churn'd by Cerberus, and
Hydra's blood.
4:740 Hot hemlock, and cold aconite
she chose,
4:741 Delighted in variety of woes.
4:742 Whatever can untune th' harmonious
soul,
4:743 And its mild, reas'ning faculties
controul,
4:744 Give false ideas, raise desires
profane,
4:745 And whirl in eddies the tumultuous
brain,
4:746 Mix'd with curs'd art, she direfully
around
4:747 Thro' all their nerves diffus'd
the sad compound.
4:748 Then toss'd her torch in circles
still the same,
4:749 Improv'd their rage, and added
flame to flame.
4:750 The grinning Fury her own conquest
spy'd,
4:751 And to her rueful shades return'd
with pride,
4:752 And threw th' exhausted, useless
snakes aside.
4:753 Now Athamas cries out, his reason fled,
4:754 Here, fellow-hunters, let the
toils be spread.
4:755 I saw a lioness, in quest of
food,
4:756 With her two young, run roaring
in this wood.
4:757 Again the fancy'd savages were
seen,
4:758 As thro' his palace still he
chac'd his queen;
4:759 Then tore Learchus from her breast:
the child
4:760 Stretch'd little arms, and on
its father smil'd:
4:761 A father now no more, who now
begun
4:762 Around his head to whirl his
giddy son,
4:763 And, quite insensible to Nature's
call,
4:764 The helpless infant flung against
the wall.
4:765 The same mad poyson in the mother
wrought,
4:766 Young Melicerta in her arms she
caught,
4:767 And with disorder'd tresses,
howling, flies,
4:768 O! Bacchus, Evoe, Bacchus! loud
she cries.
4:769 The name of Bacchus Juno laugh'd
to hear,
4:770 And said, Thy foster-God has
cost thee dear.
4:771 A rock there stood, whose side the beating
waves
4:772 Had long consum'd, and hollow'd
into caves.
4:773 The head shot forwards in a bending
steep,
4:774 And cast a dreadful covert o'er
the deep.
4:775 The wretched Ino, on destruction
bent,
4:776 Climb'd up the cliff; such strength
her fury lent:
4:777 Thence with her guiltless boy,
who wept in vain,
4:778 At one bold spring she plung'd
into the main.
4:779 Her neice's fate touch'd Cytherea's breast,
4:780 And in soft sounds she Neptune
thus addrest:
4:781 Great God of waters, whose extended
sway
4:782 Is next to his, whom Heav'n and
Earth obey:
4:783 Let not the suit of Venus thee
displease,
4:784 Pity the floaters on th' Ionian
seas.
4:785 Encrease thy Subject-Gods, nor
yet disdain
4:786 To add my kindred to that glorious
train.
4:787 If from the sea I may such honours
claim,
4:788 If 'tis desert, that from the
sea I came,
4:789 As Grecian poets artfully have
sung,
4:790 And in the name confest, from
whence I sprung.
4:791 Pleas'd Neptune nodded his assent, and free
4:792 Both soon became from frail mortality.
4:793 He gave them form, and majesty
divine,
4:794 And bad them glide along the
foamy brine.
4:795 For Melicerta is Palaemon known,
4:796 And Ino once, Leucothoe is grown.
The Transformation of the Theban Matrons
4:797 The Theban matrons their lov'd queen pursu'd,
4:798 And tracing to the rock, her
footsteps view'd.
4:799 Too certain of her fate, they
rend the skies
4:800 With piteous shrieks, and lamentable
cries.
4:801 All beat their breasts, and Juno
all upbraid,
4:802 Who still remember'd a deluded
maid:
4:803 Who, still revengeful for one
stol'n embrace,
4:804 Thus wreak'd her hate on the
Cadmean race.
4:805 This Juno heard: And shall such
elfs, she cry'd,
4:806 Dispute my justice, or my pow'r
deride?
4:807 You too shall feel my wrath not
idly spent;
4:808 A Goddess never for insults was
meant.
4:809 She, who lov'd most, and who most lov'd had
been,
4:810 Said, Not the waves shall part
me from my queen.
4:811 She strove to plunge into the
roaring flood;
4:812 Fix'd to the stone, a stone her
self she stood.
4:813 This, on her breast would fain
her blows repeat,
4:814 Her stiffen'd hands refus'd her
breast to beat.
4:815 That, stretch'd her arms unto
the seas; in vain
4:816 Her arms she labour'd to unstretch
again.
4:817 To tear her comely locks another
try'd,
4:818 Both comely locks, and fingers
petryfi'd.
4:819 Part thus; but Juno with a softer
mind
4:820 Part doom'd to mix among the
feather'd kind.
4:821 Transform'd, the name of Theban
birds they keep,
4:822 And skim the surface of that
fatal deep.
Cadmus and his Queen transform'd to Serpents
4:823 Mean-time, the wretched Cadmus mourns, nor
knows,
4:824 That they who mortal fell, immortal
rose.
4:825 With a long series of new ills
opprest,
4:826 He droops, and all the man forsakes
his breast.
4:827 Strange prodigies confound his
frighted eyes;
4:828 From the fair city, which he
rais'd, he flies:
4:829 As if misfortune not pursu'd
his race,
4:830 But only hung o'er that devoted
place.
4:831 Resolv'd by sea to seek some
distant land,
4:832 At last he safely gain'd th'
Illyrian strand.
4:833 Chearless himself, his consort
still he chears,
4:834 Hoary, and loaden'd both with
woes and years.
4:835 Then to recount past sorrows
they begin,
4:836 And trace them to the gloomy
origin.
4:837 That serpent sure was hallow'd,
Cadmus cry'd,
4:838 Which once my spear transfix'd
with foolish pride;
4:839 When the big teeth, a seed before
unknown,
4:840 By me along the wond'ring glebe
were sown,
4:841 And sprouting armies by themselves
o'erthrown.
4:842 If thence the wrath of Heav'n
on me is bent,
4:843 May Heav'n conclude it with one
sad event;
4:844 To an extended serpent change
the man:
4:845 And while he spoke, the wish'd-for
change began.
4:846 His skin with sea-green spots
was vary'd 'round,
4:847 And on his belly prone he prest
the ground.
4:848 He glitter'd soon with many a
golden scale,
4:849 And his shrunk legs clos'd in
a spiry tail.
4:850 Arms yet remain'd, remaining
arms he spread
4:851 To his lov'd wife, and human
tears yet shed.
4:852 Come, my Harmonia, come, thy
face recline
4:853 Down to my face; still touch,
what still is mine.
4:854 O! let these hands, while hands,
be gently prest,
4:855 While yet the serpent has not
all possest.
4:856 More he had spoke, but strove
to speak in vain,
4:857 The forky tongue refus'd to tell
his pain,
4:858 And learn'd in hissings only
to complain.
4:859 Then shriek'd Harmonia, Stay, my Cadmus,
stay,
4:860 Glide not in such a monstrous
shape away!
4:861 Destruction, like impetuous waves,
rouls on.
4:862 Where are thy feet, thy legs,
thy shoulders gone?
4:863 Chang'd is thy visage, chang'd
is all thy frame;
4:864 Cadmus is only Cadmus now in
name.
4:865 Ye Gods, my Cadmus to himself
restore,
4:866 Or me like him transform; I ask
no more.
4:867 The husband-serpent show'd he still had thought,
4:868 With wonted fondness an embrace
he sought;
4:869 Play'd 'round her neck in many
a harmless twist,
4:870 And lick'd that bosom, which,
a man, he kist.
4:871 The lookers-on (for lookers-on
there were)
4:872 Shock'd at the sight, half-dy'd
away with fear.
4:873 The transformation was again
renew'd,
4:874 And, like the husband, chang'd
the wife they view'd.
4:875 Both, serpents now, with fold
involv'd in fold,
4:876 To the next covert amicably roul'd.
4:877 There curl'd they lie, or wave
along the green,
4:878 Fearless see men, by men are
fearless seen,
4:879 Still mild, and conscious what
they once have been.
The Story of Perseus
4:880 Yet tho' this harsh, inglorious fate they
found,
4:881 Each in the deathless grandson
liv'd renown'd.
4:882 Thro' conquer'd India Bacchus
nobly rode,
4:883 And Greece with temples hail'd
the conqu'ring God.
4:884 In Argos only proud Acrisius
reign'd,
4:885 Who all the consecrated rites
profan'd.
4:886 Audacious wretch! thus Bacchus
to deny,
4:887 And the great Thunderer's great
son defie!
4:888 Nor him alone: thy daughter vainly
strove,
4:889 Brave Perseus of celestial stem
to prove,
4:890 And her self pregnant by a golden
Jove.
4:891 Yet this was true, and truth
in time prevails;
4:892 Acrisius now his unbelief bewails.
4:893 His former thought, an impious
thought he found,
4:894 And both the heroe, and the God
were own'd.
4:895 He saw, already one in Heav'n
was plac'd,
4:896 And one with more than mortal
triumphs grac'd,
4:897 The victor Perseus with the Gorgon-head,
4:898 O'er Libyan sands his airy journey
sped.
4:899 The gory drops distill'd, as
swift he flew,
4:900 And from each drop envenom'd
serpents grew,
4:901 The mischiefs brooded on the
barren plains,
4:902 And still th' unhappy fruitfulness
remains.
Atlas transform'd to a Mountain
4:903 Thence Perseus, like a cloud, by storms was
driv'n,
4:904 Thro' all th' expanse beneath
the cope of Heaven.
4:905 The jarring winds unable to controul,
4:906 He saw the southern, and the
northern pole:
4:907 And eastward thrice, and westward
thrice was whirl'd,
4:908 And from the skies survey'd the
nether world.
4:909 But when grey ev'ning show'd
the verge of night,
4:910 He fear'd in darkness to pursue
his flight.
4:911 He pois'd his pinions, and forgot
to soar,
4:912 And sinking, clos'd them on th'
Hesperian shore:
4:913 Then beg'd to rest, 'till Lucifer
begun
4:914 To wake the morn, the morn to
wake the sun.
4:915 Here Atlas reign'd, of more than human size,
4:916 And in his kingdom the world's
limit lies.
4:917 Here Titan bids his weary'd coursers
sleep,
4:918 And cools the burning axle in
the deep.
4:919 The mighty monarch, uncontrol'd,
alone,
4:920 His sceptre sways: no neighb'ring
states are known.
4:921 A thousand flocks on shady mountains
fed,
4:922 A thousand herds o'er grassy
plains were spread.
4:923 Here wond'rous trees their shining
stores unfold,
4:924 Their shining stores too wond'rous
to be told,
4:925 Their leafs, their branches,
and their apples, gold.
4:926 Then Perseus the gigantick prince
addrest,
4:927 Humbly implor'd a hospitable
rest.
4:928 If bold exploits thy admiration
fire,
4:929 He said, I fancy, mine thou wilt
admire.
4:930 Or if the glory of a race can
move,
4:931 Not mean my glory, for I spring
from Jove.
4:932 At this confession Atlas ghastly
star'd,
4:933 Mindful of what an oracle declar'd,
4:934 That the dark womb of Time conceal'd
a day,
4:935 Which should, disclos'd, the
bloomy gold betray:
4:936 All should at once be ravish'd
from his eyes,
4:937 And Jove's own progeny enjoy
the prize.
4:938 For this, the fruit he loftily
immur'd,
4:939 And a fierce dragon the strait
pass secur'd.
4:940 For this, all strangers he forbad
to land,
4:941 And drove them from th' inhospitable
strand.
4:942 To Perseus then: Fly quickly,
fly this coast,
4:943 Nor falsly dare thy acts and
race to boast.
4:944 In vain the heroe for one night
entreats,
4:945 Threat'ning he storms, and next
adds force to threats.
4:946 By strength not Perseus could
himself defend,
4:947 For who in strength with Atlas
could contend?
4:948 But since short rest to me thou
wilt not give,
4:949 A gift of endless rest from me
receive,
4:950 He said, and backward turn'd,
no more conceal'd
4:951 The present, and Medusa's head
reveal'd.
4:952 Soon the high Atlas a high mountain
stood,
4:953 His locks, and beard became a
leafy wood.
4:954 His hands, and shoulders, into
ridges went,
4:955 The summit-head still crown'd
the steep ascent.
4:956 His bones a solid, rocky hardness
gain'd:
4:957 He, thus immensely grown (as
fate ordain'd),
4:958 The stars, the Heav'ns, and all
the Gods sustain'd.
Andromeda rescu'd from the Sea Monster
4:959 Now Aeolus had with strong chains confin'd,
4:960 And deep imprison'd e'vry blust'ring
wind,
4:961 The rising Phospher with a purple
light
4:962 Did sluggish mortals to new toils
invite.
4:963 His feet again the valiant Perseus
plumes,
4:964 And his keen sabre in his hand
resumes:
4:965 Then nobly spurns the ground,
and upwards springs,
4:966 And cuts the liquid air with
sounding wings.
4:967 O'er various seas, and various
lands he past,
4:968 'Till Aethiopia's shore appear'd
at last.
4:969 Andromeda was there, doom'd to
attone
4:970 By her own ruin follies not her
own:
4:971 And if injustice in a God can
be,
4:972 Such was the Libyan God's unjust
decree.
4:973 Chain'd to a rock she stood;
young Perseus stay'd
4:974 His rapid flight, to view the
beauteous maid.
4:975 So sweet her frame, so exquisitely
fine,
4:976 She seem'd a statue by a hand
divine,
4:977 Had not the wind her waving tresses
show'd,
4:978 And down her cheeks the melting
sorrows flow'd.
4:979 Her faultless form the heroe's
bosom fires;
4:980 The more he looks, the more he
still admires.
4:981 Th' admirer almost had forgot
to fly,
4:982 And swift descended, flutt'ring
from on high.
4:983 O! Virgin, worthy no such chains
to prove,
4:984 But pleasing chains in the soft
folds of love;
4:985 Thy country, and thy name (he
said) disclose,
4:986 And give a true rehearsal of
thy woes.
4:987 A quick reply her bashfulness refus'd,
4:988 To the free converse of a man
unus'd.
4:989 Her rising blushes had concealment
found
4:990 From her spread hands, but that
her hands were bound.
4:991 She acted to her full extent
of pow'r,
4:992 And bath'd her face with a fresh,
silent show'r.
4:993 But by degrees in innocence grown
bold,
4:994 Her name, her country, and her
birth she told:
4:995 And how she suffer'd for her
mother's pride,
4:996 Who with the Nereids once in
beauty vy'd.
4:997 Part yet untold, the seas began
to roar,
4:998 And mounting billows tumbled
to the shore.
4:999 Above the waves a monster rais'd
his head,
4:1000 His body o'er the deep was
widely spread:
4:1001 Onward he flounc'd; aloud the
virgin cries;
4:1002 Each parent to her shrieks
in shrieks replies:
4:1003 But she had deepest cause to
rend the skies.
4:1004 Weeping, to her they cling;
no sign appears
4:1005 Of help, they only lend their
helpless tears.
4:1006 Too long you vent your sorrows,
Perseus said,
4:1007 Short is the hour, and swift
the time of aid,
4:1008 In me the son of thund'ring
Jove behold,
4:1009 Got in a kindly show'r of fruitful
gold.
4:1010 Medusa's snaky head is now
my prey,
4:1011 And thro' the clouds I boldly
wing my way.
4:1012 If such desert be worthy of
esteem,
4:1013 And, if your daughter I from
death redeem,
4:1014 Shall she be mine? Shall it
not then be thought,
4:1015 A bride, so lovely, was too
cheaply bought?
4:1016 For her my arms I willingly
employ,
4:1017 If I may beauties, which I
save, enjoy.
4:1018 The parents eagerly the terms
embrace:
4:1019 For who would slight such terms
in such a case?
4:1020 Nor her alone they promise,
but beside,
4:1021 The dowry of a kingdom with
the bride.
4:1022 As well-rigg'd gallies, which slaves, sweating,
row,
4:1023 With their sharp beaks the
whiten'd ocean plough;
4:1024 So when the monster mov'd,
still at his back
4:1025 The furrow'd waters left a
foamy track.
4:1026 Now to the rock he was advanc'd
so nigh,
4:1027 Whirl'd from a sling a stone
the space would fly.
4:1028 Then bounding, upwards the
brave Perseus sprung,
4:1029 And in mid air on hov'ring
pinions hung.
4:1030 His shadow quickly floated
on the main;
4:1031 The monster could not his wild
rage restrain,
4:1032 But at the floating shadow
leap'd in vain.
4:1033 As when Jove's bird, a speckl'd
serpent spies,
4:1034 Which in the shine of Phoebus
basking lies,
4:1035 Unseen, he souses down, and
bears away,
4:1036 Truss'd from behind, the vainly-hissing
prey.
4:1037 To writh his neck the labour
nought avails,
4:1038 Too deep th' imperial talons
pierce his scales.
4:1039 Thus the wing'd heroe now descends,
now soars,
4:1040 And at his pleasure the vast
monster gores.
4:1041 Full in his back, swift stooping
from above,
4:1042 The crooked sabre to its hilt
he drove.
4:1043 The monster rag'd, impatient
of the pain,
4:1044 First bounded high, and then
sunk low again.
4:1045 Now, like a savage boar, when
chaf'd with wounds,
4:1046 And bay'd with opening mouths
of hungry hounds,
4:1047 He on the foe turns with collected
might,
4:1048 Who still eludes him with an
airy flight;
4:1049 And wheeling round, the scaly
armour tries
4:1050 Of his thick sides; his thinner
tall now plies:
4:1051 'Till from repeated strokes
out gush'd a flood,
4:1052 And the waves redden'd with
the streaming blood.
4:1053 At last the dropping wings,
befoam'd all o'er,
4:1054 With flaggy heaviness their
master bore:
4:1055 A rock he spy'd, whose humble
head was low,
4:1056 Bare at an ebb, but cover'd
at a flow.
4:1057 A ridgy hold, he, thither flying,
gain'd,
4:1058 And with one hand his bending
weight sustain'd;
4:1059 With th' other, vig'rous blows
he dealt around,
4:1060 And the home-thrusts the expiring
monster own'd.
4:1061 In deaf'ning shouts the glad
applauses rise,
4:1062 And peal on peal runs ratling
thro' the skies.
4:1063 The saviour-youth the royal
pair confess,
4:1064 And with heav'd hands their
daughter's bridegroom bless.
4:1065 The beauteous bride moves on,
now loos'd from chains,
4:1066 The cause, and sweet reward
of all the heroe's pains,
4:1067 Mean-time, on shore triumphant Perseus stood,
4:1068 And purg'd his hands, smear'd
with the monster's blood:
4:1069 Then in the windings of a sandy
bed
4:1070 Compos'd Medusa's execrable
head.
4:1071 But to prevent the roughness,
leafs he threw,
4:1072 And young, green twigs, which
soft in waters grew,
4:1073 There soft, and full of sap;
but here, when lay'd,
4:1074 Touch'd by the head, that softness
soon decay'd.
4:1075 The wonted flexibility quite
gone,
4:1076 The tender scyons harden'd
into stone.
4:1077 Fresh, juicy twigs, surpriz'd,
the Nereids brought,
4:1078 Fresh, juicy twigs the same
contagion caught.
4:1079 The nymphs the petrifying seeds
still keep,
4:1080 And propagate the wonder thro'
the deep.
4:1081 The pliant sprays of coral
yet declare
4:1082 Their stiff'ning Nature, when
expos'd to air.
4:1083 Those sprays, which did, like
bending osiers, move,
4:1084 Snatch'd from their element,
obdurate prove,
4:1085 And shrubs beneath the waves,
grow stones above.
4:1086 The great immortals grateful Perseus prais'd,
4:1087 And to three Pow'rs three turfy
altars rais'd.
4:1088 To Hermes this; and that he
did assign
4:1089 To Pallas: the mid honours,
Jove, were thine,
4:1090 He hastes for Pallas a white
cow to cull,
4:1091 A calf for Hermes, but for
Jove a bull.
4:1092 Then seiz'd the prize of his
victorious fight,
4:1093 Andromeda, and claim'd the
nuptial rite.
4:1094 Andromeda alone he greatly
sought,
4:1095 The dowry kingdom was not worth
his thought.
4:1096 Pleas'd Hymen now his golden torch displays;
4:1097 With rich oblations fragrant
altars blaze,
4:1098 Sweet wreaths of choicest flow'rs
are hung on high,
4:1099 And cloudless pleasure smiles
in ev'ry eye.
4:1100 The melting musick melting
thoughts inspires,
4:1101 And warbling songsters aid
the warbling lyres.
4:1102 The palace opens wide in pompous
state,
4:1103 And by his peers surrounded,
Cepheus sate.
4:1104 A feast was serv'd, fit for
a king to give,
4:1105 And fit for God-like heroes
to receive.
4:1106 The banquet ended, the gay, chearful bowl
4:1107 Mov'd round, and brighten'd,
and enlarg'd each soul.
4:1108 Then Perseus ask'd, what customs
there obtain'd,
4:1109 And by what laws the people
were restrain'd.
4:1110 Which told; the teller a like
freedom takes,
4:1111 And to the warrior his petition
makes,
4:1112 To know, what arts had won
Medusa's snakes.
The Story of Medusa's Head
4:1113 The heroe with his just request complies,
4:1114 Shows, how a vale beneath cold
Atlas lies,
4:1115 Where, with aspiring mountains
fenc'd around,
4:1116 He the two daughters of old
Phorcus found.
4:1117 Fate had one common eye to
both assign'd,
4:1118 Each saw by turns, and each
by turns was blind.
4:1119 But while one strove to lend
her sister sight,
4:1120 He stretch'd his hand, and
stole their mutual light,
4:1121 And left both eyeless, both
involv'd in night.
4:1122 Thro' devious wilds, and trackless
woods he past,
4:1123 And at the Gorgon-seats arriv'd
at last:
4:1124 But as he journey'd, pensive
he survey'd,
4:1125 What wasteful havock dire Medusa
made.
4:1126 Here, stood still breathing
statues, men before;
4:1127 There, rampant lions seem'd
in stone to roar.
4:1128 Nor did he, yet affrighted,
quit the field,
4:1129 But in the mirror of his polish'd
shield
4:1130 Reflected saw Medusa slumbers
take,
4:1131 And not one serpent by good
chance awake.
4:1132 Then backward an unerring blow
he sped,
4:1133 And from her body lop'd at
once her head.
4:1134 The gore prolifick prov'd;
with sudden force
4:1135 Sprung Pegasus, and wing'd
his airy course.
4:1136 The Heav'n-born warrior faithfully went
on,
4:1137 And told the num'rous dangers
which he run.
4:1138 What subject seas, what lands
he had in view,
4:1139 And nigh what stars th' advent'rous
heroe flew.
4:1140 At last he silent sate; the
list'ning throng
4:1141 Sigh'd at the pause of his
delightful tongue.
4:1142 Some beg'd to know, why this
alone should wear,
4:1143 Of all the sisters, such destructive
hair.
4:1144 Great Perseus then: With me you shall prevail,
4:1145 Worth the relation, to relate
a tale.
4:1146 Medusa once had charms; to
gain her love
4:1147 A rival crowd of envious lovers
strove.
4:1148 They, who have seen her, own,
they ne'er did trace
4:1149 More moving features in a sweeter
face.
4:1150 Yet above all, her length of
hair, they own,
4:1151 In golden ringlets wav'd, and
graceful shone.
4:1152 Her Neptune saw, and with such
beauties fir'd,
4:1153 Resolv'd to compass, what his
soul desir'd.
4:1154 In chaste Minerva's fane, he,
lustful, stay'd,
4:1155 And seiz'd, and rifled the
young, blushing maid.
4:1156 The bashful Goddess turn'd
her eyes away,
4:1157 Nor durst such bold impurity
survey;
4:1158 But on the ravish'd virgin
vengeance takes,
4:1159 Her shining hair is chang'd
to hissing snakes.
4:1160 These in her Aegis Pallas joys
to bear,
4:1161 The hissing snakes her foes
more sure ensnare,
4:1162 Than they did lovers once,
when shining hair.
Metamorphoses (Books I-XIV)
BOOK THE FOURTH
The Story of Alcithoe and her Sisters
4:1 Yet still Alcithoe perverse remains,
4:2 And Bacchus still, and all his rites,
disdains.
4:3 Too rash, and madly bold, she bids
him prove
4:4 Himself a God, nor owns the son of
Jove.
4:5 Her sisters too unanimous agree,
4:6 Faithful associates in impiety.
4:7 Be this a solemn feast, the priest
had said;
4:8 Be, with each mistress, unemploy'd
each maid.
4:9 With skins of beasts your tender
limbs enclose,
4:10 And with an ivy-crown adorn your
brows,
4:11 The leafy Thyrsus high in triumph
bear,
4:12 And give your locks to wanton in
the air.
4:13 These rites profan'd, the holy seer foreshow'd
4:14 A mourning people, and a vengeful
God.
4:15 Matrons and pious wives obedience show,
4:16 Distaffs, and wooll, half spun,
away they throw:
4:17 Then incense burn, and, Bacchus,
thee adore,
4:18 Or lov'st thou Nyseus, or Lyaeus
more?
4:19 O! doubly got, O! doubly born,
they sung,
4:20 Thou mighty Bromius, hail, from
light'ning sprung!
4:21 Hail, Thyon, Eleleus! each name
is thine:
4:22 Or, listen parent of the genial
vine!
4:23 Iachus! Evan! loudly they repeat,
4:24 And not one Grecian attribute forget,
4:25 Which to thy praise, great Deity,
belong,
4:26 Stil'd justly Liber in the Roman
song.
4:27 Eternity of youth is thine! enjoy
4:28 Years roul'd on years, yet still
a blooming boy.
4:29 In Heav'n thou shin'st with a superior
grace;
4:30 Conceal thy horns, and 'tis a virgin's
face.
4:31 Thou taught'st the tawny Indian
to obey,
4:32 And Ganges, smoothly flowing, own'd
thy sway.
4:33 Lycurgus, Pentheus, equally profane,
4:34 By thy just vengeance equally were
slain.
4:35 By thee the Tuscans, who conspir'd
to keep
4:36 Thee captive, plung'd, and cut
with finns the deep.
4:37 With painted reins, all-glitt'ring
from afar,
4:38 The spotted lynxes proudly draw
thy car.
4:39 Around, the Bacchae, and the satyrs
throng;
4:40 Behind, Silenus, drunk, lags slow
along:
4:41 On his dull ass he nods from side
to side,
4:42 Forbears to fall, yet half forgets
to ride.
4:43 Still at thy near approach, applauses
loud
4:44 Are heard, with yellings of the
female crowd.
4:45 Timbrels, and boxen pipes, with
mingled cries,
4:46 Swell up in sounds confus'd, and
rend the skies.
4:47 Come, Bacchus, come propitious,
all implore,
4:48 And act thy sacred orgies o'er
and o'er.
4:49 But Mineus' daughters, while these rites were
pay'd,
4:50 At home, impertinently busie, stay'd.
4:51 Their wicked tasks they ply with
various art,
4:52 And thro' the loom the sliding
shuttle dart;
4:53 Or at the fire to comb the wooll
they stand,
4:54 Or twirl the spindle with a dext'rous
hand.
4:55 Guilty themselves, they force the
guiltless in;
4:56 Their maids, who share the labour,
share the sin.
4:57 At last one sister cries, who nimbly
knew
4:58 To draw nice threads, and winde
the finest clue,
4:59 While others idly rove, and Gods
revere,
4:60 Their fancy'd Gods! they know not
who, or where;
4:61 Let us, whom Pallas taught her
better arts,
4:62 Still working, cheer with mirthful
chat our hearts,
4:63 And to deceive the time, let me
prevail
4:64 With each by turns to tell some
antique tale.
4:65 She said: her sisters lik'd the
humour well,
4:66 And smiling, bad her the first
story tell.
4:67 But she a-while profoundly seem'd
to muse,
4:68 Perplex'd amid variety to chuse:
4:69 And knew not, whether she should
first relate
4:70 The poor Dircetis, and her wond'rous
fate.
4:71 The Palestines believe it to a
man,
4:72 And show the lake, in which her
scales began.
4:73 Or if she rather should the daughter
sing,
4:74 Who in the hoary verge of life
took wing;
4:75 Who soar'd from Earth, and dwelt
in tow'rs on high,
4:76 And now a dove she flits along
the sky.
4:77 Or how lewd Nais, when her lust
was cloy'd,
4:78 To fishes turn'd the youths, she
had enjoy'd,
4:79 By pow'rful verse, and herbs; effect
most strange!
4:80 At last the changer shar'd herself
the change.
4:81 Or how the tree, which once white
berries bore,
4:82 Still crimson bears, since stain'd
with crimson gore.
4:83 The tree was new; she likes it,
and begins
4:84 To tell the tale, and as she tells,
she spins.
The Story of Pyramus and Thisbe
4:85 In Babylon, where first her queen, for state
4:86 Rais'd walls of brick magnificently
great,
4:87 Liv'd Pyramus, and Thisbe, lovely
pair!
4:88 He found no eastern youth his equal
there,
4:89 And she beyond the fairest nymph
was fair.
4:90 A closer neighbourhood was never
known,
4:91 Tho' two the houses, yet the roof
was one.
4:92 Acquaintance grew, th' acquaintance
they improve
4:93 To friendship, friendship ripen'd
into love:
4:94 Love had been crown'd, but impotently
mad,
4:95 What parents could not hinder,
they forbad.
4:96 For with fierce flames young Pyramus
still burn'd,
4:97 And grateful Thisbe flames as fierce
return'd.
4:98 Aloud in words their thoughts they
dare not break,
4:99 But silent stand; and silent looks
can speak.
4:100 The fire of love the more it
is supprest,
4:101 The more it glows, and rages
in the breast.
4:102 When the division-wall was built, a chink
4:103 Was left, the cement unobserv'd
to shrink.
4:104 So slight the cranny, that it
still had been
4:105 For centuries unclos'd, because
unseen.
4:106 But oh! what thing so small,
so secret lies,
4:107 Which scapes, if form'd for love,
a lover's eyes?
4:108 Ev'n in this narrow chink they
quickly found
4:109 A friendly passage for a trackless
sound.
4:110 Safely they told their sorrows,
and their joys,
4:111 In whisper'd murmurs, and a dying
noise,
4:112 By turns to catch each other's
breath they strove,
4:113 And suck'd in all the balmy breeze
of love.
4:114 Oft as on diff'rent sides they
stood, they cry'd,
4:115 Malicious wall, thus lovers to
divide!
4:116 Suppose, thou should'st a-while
to us give place
4:117 To lock, and fasten in a close
embrace:
4:118 But if too much to grant so sweet
a bliss,
4:119 Indulge at least the pleasure
of a kiss.
4:120 We scorn ingratitude: to thee,
we know,
4:121 This safe conveyance of our minds
we owe.
4:122 Thus they their vain petition did renew
4:123 'Till night, and then they softly
sigh'd adieu.
4:124 But first they strove to kiss,
and that was all;
4:125 Their kisses dy'd untasted on
the wall.
4:126 Soon as the morn had o'er the
stars prevail'd,
4:127 And warm'd by Phoebus, flow'rs
their dews exhal'd,
4:128 The lovers to their well-known
place return,
4:129 Alike they suffer, and alike
they mourn.
4:130 At last their parents they resolve
to cheat
4:131 (If to deceive in love be call'd
deceit),
4:132 To steal by night from home,
and thence unknown
4:133 To seek the fields, and quit
th' unfaithful town.
4:134 But, to prevent their wand'ring
in the dark,
4:135 They both agree to fix upon a
mark;
4:136 A mark, that could not their
designs expose:
4:137 The tomb of Ninus was the mark
they chose.
4:138 There they might rest secure
beneath the shade,
4:139 Which boughs, with snowy fruit
encumber'd, made:
4:140 A wide-spread mulberry its rise
had took
4:141 Just on the margin of a gurgling
brook.
4:142 Impatient for the friendly dusk
they stay;
4:143 And chide the slowness of departing
day;
4:144 In western seas down sunk at
last the light,
4:145 From western seas up-rose the
shades of night.
4:146 The loving Thisbe ev'n prevents the hour,
4:147 With cautious silence she unlocks
the door,
4:148 And veils her face, and marching
thro' the gloom
4:149 Swiftly arrives at th' assignation-tomb.
4:150 For still the fearful sex can
fearless prove;
4:151 Boldly they act, if spirited
by love.
4:152 When lo! a lioness rush'd o'er
the plain,
4:153 Grimly besmear'd with blood of
oxen slain:
4:154 And what to the dire sight new
horrors brought,
4:155 To slake her thirst the neighb'ring
spring she sought.
4:156 Which, by the moon, when trembling
Thisbe spies,
4:157 Wing'd with her fear, swift,
as the wind, she flies;
4:158 And in a cave recovers from her
fright,
4:159 But drop'd her veil, confounded
in her flight.
4:160 When sated with repeated draughts,
again
4:161 The queen of beasts scour'd back
along the plain,
4:162 She found the veil, and mouthing
it all o'er,
4:163 With bloody jaws the lifeless
prey she tore.
4:164 The youth, who could not cheat his guards
so soon,
4:165 Late came, and noted by the glimm'ring
moon
4:166 Some savage feet, new printed
on the ground,
4:167 His cheeks turn'd pale, his limbs
no vigour found;
4:168 But when, advancing on, the veil
he spied
4:169 Distain'd with blood, and ghastly
torn, he cried,
4:170 One night shall death to two
young lovers give,
4:171 But she deserv'd unnumber'd years
to live!
4:172 'Tis I am guilty, I have thee
betray'd,
4:173 Who came not early, as my charming
maid.
4:174 Whatever slew thee, I the cause
remain,
4:175 I nam'd, and fix'd the place
where thou wast slain.
4:176 Ye lions from your neighb'ring
dens repair,
4:177 Pity the wretch, this impious
body tear!
4:178 But cowards thus for death can
idly cry;
4:179 The brave still have it in their
pow'r to die.
4:180 Then to th' appointed tree he
hastes away,
4:181 The veil first gather'd, tho'
all rent it lay:
4:182 The veil all rent yet still it
self endears,
4:183 He kist, and kissing, wash'd
it with his tears.
4:184 Tho' rich (he cry'd) with many
a precious stain,
4:185 Still from my blood a deeper
tincture gain.
4:186 Then in his breast his shining
sword he drown'd,
4:187 And fell supine, extended on
the ground.
4:188 As out again the blade lie dying
drew,
4:189 Out spun the blood, and streaming
upwards flew.
4:190 So if a conduit-pipe e'er burst
you saw,
4:191 Swift spring the gushing waters
thro' the flaw:
4:192 Then spouting in a bow, they
rise on high,
4:193 And a new fountain plays amid
the sky.
4:194 The berries, stain'd with blood,
began to show
4:195 A dark complexion, and forgot
their snow;
4:196 While fatten'd with the flowing
gore, the root
4:197 Was doom'd for ever to a purple
fruit.
4:198 Mean-time poor Thisbe fear'd, so long she
stay'd,
4:199 Her lover might suspect a perjur'd
maid.
4:200 Her fright scarce o'er, she strove
the youth to find
4:201 With ardent eyes, which spoke
an ardent mind.
4:202 Already in his arms, she hears
him sigh
4:203 At her destruction, which was
once so nigh.
4:204 The tomb, the tree, but not the
fruit she knew,
4:205 The fruit she doubted for its
alter'd hue.
4:206 Still as she doubts, her eyes
a body found
4:207 Quiv'ring in death, and gasping
on the ground.
4:208 She started back, the red her
cheeks forsook,
4:209 And ev'ry nerve with thrilling
horrors shook.
4:210 So trembles the smooth surface
of the seas,
4:211 If brush'd o'er gently with a
rising breeze.
4:212 But when her view her bleeding
love confest,
4:213 She shriek'd, she tore her hair,
she beat her breast.
4:214 She rais'd the body, and embrac'd
it round,
4:215 And bath'd with tears unfeign'd
the gaping wound.
4:216 Then her warm lips to the cold
face apply'd,
4:217 And is it thus, ah! thus we meet,
she cry'd!
4:218 My Pyramus! whence sprung thy
cruel fate?
4:219 My Pyramus!-ah! speak, ere 'tis
too late.
4:220 I, thy own Thisbe, but one word
implore,
4:221 One word thy Thisbe never ask'd
before.
4:222 At Thisbe's name, awak'd, he
open'd wide
4:223 His dying eyes; with dying eyes
he try'd
4:224 On her to dwell, but clos'd them
slow, and dy'd.
4:225 The fatal cause was now at last explor'd,
4:226 Her veil she knew, and saw his
sheathless sword:
4:227 From thy own hand thy ruin thou
hast found,
4:228 She said, but love first taught
that hand to wound,
4:229 Ev'n I for thee as bold a hand
can show,
4:230 And love, which shall as true
direct the blow.
4:231 I will against the woman's weakness
strive,
4:232 And never thee, lamented youth,
survive.
4:233 The world may say, I caus'd,
alas! thy death,
4:234 But saw thee breathless, and
resign'd my breath.
4:235 Fate, tho' it conquers, shall
no triumph gain,
4:236 Fate, that divides us, still
divides in vain.
4:237 Now, both our cruel parents, hear my pray'r;
4:238 My pray'r to offer for us both
I dare;
4:239 Oh! see our ashes in one urn
confin'd,
4:240 Whom love at first, and fate
at last has join'd.
4:241 The bliss, you envy'd, is not
our request;
4:242 Lovers, when dead, may sure together
rest.
4:243 Thou, tree, where now one lifeless
lump is laid,
4:244 Ere-long o'er two shalt cast
a friendly shade.
4:245 Still let our loves from thee
be understood,
4:246 Still witness in thy purple fruit
our blood.
4:247 She spoke, and in her bosom plung'd
the sword,
4:248 All warm and reeking from its
slaughter'd lord.
4:249 The pray'r, which dying Thisbe
had preferr'd,
4:250 Both Gods, and parents, with
compassion heard.
4:251 The whiteness of the mulberry
soon fled,
4:252 And rip'ning, sadden'd in a dusky
red:
4:253 While both their parents their
lost children mourn,
4:254 And mix their ashes in one golden
urn.
4:255 Thus did the melancholy tale conclude,
4:256 And a short, silent interval
ensu'd.
4:257 The next in birth unloos'd her
artful tongue,
4:258 And drew attentive all the sister-throng.
The Story of Leucothoe and the Sun
4:259 The Sun, the source of light, by beauty's
pow'r
4:260 Once am'rous grew; then hear
the Sun's amour.
4:261 Venus, and Mars, with his far-piercing
eyes
4:262 This God first spy'd; this God
first all things spies.
4:263 Stung at the sight, and swift
on mischief bent,
4:264 To haughty Juno's shapeless son
he went:
4:265 The Goddess, and her God gallant
betray'd,
4:266 And told the cuckold, where their
pranks were play'd.
4:267 Poor Vulcan soon desir'd to hear
no more,
4:268 He drop'd his hammer, and he
shook all o'er:
4:269 Then courage takes, and full
of vengeful ire
4:270 He heaves the bellows, and blows
fierce the fire:
4:271 From liquid brass, tho' sure,
yet subtile snares
4:272 He forms, and next a wond'rous
net prepares,
4:273 Drawn with such curious art,
so nicely sly,
4:274 Unseen the mashes cheat the searching
eye.
4:275 Not half so thin their webs the
spiders weave,
4:276 Which the most wary, buzzing
prey deceive.
4:277 These chains, obedient to the
touch, he spread
4:278 In secret foldings o'er the conscious
bed:
4:279 The conscious bed again was quickly
prest
4:280 By the fond pair, in lawless
raptures blest.
4:281 Mars wonder'd at his Cytherea's
charms,
4:282 More fast than ever lock'd within
her arms.
4:283 While Vulcan th' iv'ry doors
unbarr'd with care,
4:284 Then call'd the Gods to view
the sportive pair:
4:285 The Gods throng'd in, and saw
in open day,
4:286 Where Mars, and beauty's queen,
all naked, lay.
4:287 O! shameful sight, if shameful
that we name,
4:288 Which Gods with envy view'd,
and could not blame;
4:289 But, for the pleasure, wish'd
to bear the shame.
4:290 Each Deity, with laughter tir'd,
departs,
4:291 Yet all still laugh'd at Vulcan
in their hearts.
4:292 Thro' Heav'n the news of this surprizal run,
4:293 But Venus did not thus forget
the Sun.
4:294 He, who stol'n transports idly
had betray'd,
4:295 By a betrayer was in kind repay'd.
4:296 What now avails, great God, thy
piercing blaze,
4:297 That youth, and beauty, and those
golden rays?
4:298 Thou, who can'st warm this universe
alone,
4:299 Feel'st now a warmth more pow'rful
than thy own:
4:300 And those bright eyes, which
all things should survey,
4:301 Know not from fair Leucothoe
to stray.
4:302 The lamp of light, for human
good design'd,
4:303 Is to one virgin niggardly confin'd.
4:304 Sometimes too early rise thy
eastern beams,
4:305 Sometimes too late they set in
western streams:
4:306 'Tis then her beauty thy swift
course delays,
4:307 And gives to winter skies long
summer days.
4:308 Now in thy face thy love-sick
mind appears,
4:309 And spreads thro' impious nations
empty fears:
4:310 For when thy beamless head is
wrapt in night,
4:311 Poor mortals tremble in despair
of light.
4:312 'Tis not the moon, that o'er
thee casts a veil
4:313 'Tis love alone, which makes
thy looks so pale.
4:314 Leucothoe is grown thy only care,
4:315 Not Phaeton's fair mother now
is fair.
4:316 The youthful Rhodos moves no
tender thought,
4:317 And beauteous Porsa is at last
forgot.
4:318 Fond Clytie, scorn'd, yet lov'd,
and sought thy bed,
4:319 Ev'n then thy heart for other
virgins bled.
4:320 Leucothoe has all thy soul possest,
4:321 And chas'd each rival passion
from thy breast.
4:322 To this bright nymph Eurynome
gave birth
4:323 In the blest confines of the
spicy Earth.
4:324 Excelling others, she herself
beheld
4:325 By her own blooming daughter
far excell'd.
4:326 The sire was Orchamus, whose
vast command,
4:327 The sev'nth from Belus, rul'd
the Persian Land.
4:328 Deep in cool vales, beneath th' Hesperian
sky,
4:329 For the Sun's fiery steeds the
pastures lye.
4:330 Ambrosia there they eat, and
thence they gain
4:331 New vigour, and their daily toils
sustain.
4:332 While thus on heav'nly food the
coursers fed,
4:333 And night, around, her gloomy
empire spread,
4:334 The God assum'd the mother's
shape and air,
4:335 And pass'd, unheeded, to his
darling fair.
4:336 Close by a lamp, with maids encompass'd
round,
4:337 The royal spinster, full employ'd,
he found:
4:338 Then cry'd, A-while from work,
my daughter, rest;
4:339 And, like a mother, scarce her
lips he prest.
4:340 Servants retire!-nor secrets
dare to hear,
4:341 Intrusted only to a daughter's
ear.
4:342 They swift obey'd: not one, suspicious,
thought
4:343 The secret, which their mistress
would be taught.
4:344 Then he: since now no witnesses
are near,
4:345 Behold! the God, who guides the
various year!
4:346 The world's vast eye, of light
the source serene,
4:347 Who all things sees, by whom
are all things seen.
4:348 Believe me, nymph! (for I the
truth have show'd)
4:349 Thy charms have pow'r to charm
so great a God.
4:350 Confus'd, she heard him his soft
passion tell,
4:351 And on the floor, untwirl'd,
the spindle fell:
4:352 Still from the sweet confusion
some new grace
4:353 Blush'd out by stealth, and languish'd
in her face.
4:354 The lover, now inflam'd, himself
put on,
4:355 And out at once the God, all-radiant,
shone.
4:356 The virgin startled at his alter'd
form,
4:357 Too weak to bear a God's impetuous
storm:
4:358 No more against the dazling youth
she strove,
4:359 But silent yielded, and indulg'd
his love.
4:360 This Clytie knew, and knew she was undone,
4:361 Whose soul was fix'd, and doated
on the Sun.
4:362 She rag'd to think on her neglected
charms,
4:363 And Phoebus, panting in another's
arms.
4:364 With envious madness fir'd, she
flies in haste,
4:365 And tells the king, his daughter
was unchaste.
4:366 The king, incens'd to hear his
honour stain'd,
4:367 No more the father nor the man
retain'd.
4:368 In vain she stretch'd her arms,
and turn'd her eyes
4:369 To her lov'd God, th' enlightner
of the skies.
4:370 In vain she own'd it was a crime,
yet still
4:371 It was a crime not acted by her
will.
4:372 The brutal sire stood deaf to
ev'ry pray'r,
4:373 And deep in Earth entomb'd alive
the fair.
4:374 What Phoebus could do, was by
Phoebus done:
4:375 Full on her grave with pointed
beams he shone:
4:376 To pointed beams the gaping Earth
gave way;
4:377 Had the nymph eyes, her eyes
had seen the day,
4:378 But lifeless now, yet lovely
still, she lay.
4:379 Not more the God wept, when the
world was fir'd,
4:380 And in the wreck his blooming
boy expir'd.
4:381 The vital flame he strives to
light again,
4:382 And warm the frozen blood in
ev'ry vein:
4:383 But since resistless Fates deny'd
that pow'r,
4:384 On the cold nymph he rain'd a
nectar show'r.
4:385 Ah! undeserving thus (he said)
to die,
4:386 Yet still in odours thou shalt
reach the sky.
4:387 The body soon dissolv'd, and
all around
4:388 Perfum'd with heav'nly fragrancies
the ground,
4:389 A sacrifice for Gods up-rose
from thence,
4:390 A sweet, delightful tree of frankincense.
The Transformation of Clytie
4:391 Tho' guilty Clytie thus the sun betray'd,
4:392 By too much passion she was guilty
made.
4:393 Excess of love begot excess of
grief,
4:394 Grief fondly bad her hence to
hope relief.
4:395 But angry Phoebus hears, unmov'd,
her sighs,
4:396 And scornful from her loath'd
embraces flies.
4:397 All day, all night, in trackless
wilds, alone
4:398 She pin'd, and taught the list'ning
rocks her moan.
4:399 On the bare earth she lies, her
bosom bare,
4:400 Loose her attire, dishevel'd
is her hair.
4:401 Nine times the morn unbarr'd
the gates of light,
4:402 As oft were spread th' alternate
shades of night,
4:403 So long no sustenance the mourner
knew,
4:404 Unless she drunk her tears, or
suck'd the dew.
4:405 She turn'd about, but rose not
from the ground,
4:406 Turn'd to the Sun, still as he
roul'd his round:
4:407 On his bright face hung her desiring
eyes,
4:408 'Till fix'd to Earth, she strove
in vain to rise.
4:409 Her looks their paleness in a
flow'r retain'd,
4:410 But here, and there, some purple
streaks they gain'd.
4:411 Still the lov'd object the fond
leafs pursue,
4:412 Still move their root, the moving
Sun to view,
4:413 And in the Heliotrope the nymph
is true.
4:414 The sisters heard these wonders with surprise,
4:415 But part receiv'd them as romantick
lies;
4:416 And pertly rally'd, that they
could not see
4:417 In Pow'rs divine so vast an energy.
4:418 Part own'd, true Gods such miracles
might do,
4:419 But own'd not Bacchus, one among
the true.
4:420 At last a common, just request
they make,
4:421 And beg Alcithoe her turn to
take.
4:422 I will (she said) and please
you, if I can.
4:423 Then shot her shuttle swift,
and thus began.
4:424 The fate of Daphnis is a fate too known,
4:425 Whom an enamour'd nymph transform'd
to stone,
4:426 Because she fear'd another nymph
might see
4:427 The lovely youth, and love as
much as she:
4:428 So strange the madness is of
jealousie!
4:429 Nor shall I tell, what changes
Scython made,
4:430 And how he walk'd a man, or tripp'd
a maid.
4:431 You too would peevish frown,
and patience want
4:432 To hear, how Celmis grew an adamant.
4:433 He once was dear to Jove, and
saw of old
4:434 Jove, when a child; but what
he saw, he told.
4:435 Crocus, and Smilax may be turn'd
to flow'rs,
4:436 And the Curetes spring from bounteous
show'rs;
4:437 I pass a hundred legends stale,
as these,
4:438 And with sweet novelty your taste
will please.
The Story of Salmacis and Hermaphroditus
4:439 How Salmacis, with weak enfeebling streams
4:440 Softens the body, and unnerves
the limbs,
4:441 And what the secret cause, shall
here be shown;
4:442 The cause is secret, but th'
effect is known.
4:443 The Naids nurst an infant heretofore,
4:444 That Cytherea once to Hermes
bore:
4:445 From both th' illustrious authors
of his race
4:446 The child was nam'd, nor was
it hard to trace
4:447 Both the bright parents thro'
the infant's face.
4:448 When fifteen years in Ida's cool
retreat
4:449 The boy had told, he left his
native seat,
4:450 And sought fresh fountains in
a foreign soil:
4:451 The pleasure lessen'd the attending
toil,
4:452 With eager steps the Lycian fields
he crost,
4:453 A river here he view'd so lovely
bright,
4:454 It shew'd the bottom in a fairer
light,
4:455 Nor kept a sand conceal'd from
human sight.
4:456 The stream produc'd nor slimy
ooze, nor weeds,
4:457 Nor miry rushes, nor the spiky
reeds;
4:458 But dealt enriching moisture
all around,
4:459 The fruitful banks with chearful
verdure crown'd,
4:460 And kept the spring eternal on
the ground.
4:461 A nymph presides, not practis'd
in the chace,
4:462 Nor skilful at the bow, nor at
the race;
4:463 Of all the blue-ey'd daughters
of the main,
4:464 The only stranger to Diana's
train:
4:465 Her sisters often, as 'tis said,
wou'd cry,
4:466 "Fie Salmacis: what, always
idle! fie.
4:467 Or take thy quiver, or thy arrows
seize,
4:468 And mix the toils of hunting
with thy ease."
4:469 Nor quiver she nor arrows e'er
wou'd seize,
4:470 Nor mix the toils of hunting
with her ease.
4:471 But oft would bathe her in the
chrystal tide,
4:472 Oft with a comb her dewy locks
divide;
4:473 Now in the limpid streams she
views her face,
4:474 And drest her image in the floating
glass:
4:475 On beds of leaves she now repos'd
her limbs,
4:476 Now gather'd flow'rs that grew
about her streams,
4:477 And then by chance was gathering,
as he stood
4:478 To view the boy, and long'd for
what she view'd.
4:479 Fain wou'd she meet the youth with hasty
feet,
4:480 She fain wou'd meet him, but
refus'd to meet
4:481 Before her looks were set with
nicest care,
4:482 And well deserv'd to be reputed
fair.
4:483 "Bright youth," she
cries, "whom all thy features prove
4:484 A God, and, if a God, the God
of love;
4:485 But if a mortal, blest thy nurse's
breast,
4:486 Blest are thy parents, and thy
sisters blest:
4:487 But oh how blest! how more than
blest thy bride,
4:488 Ally'd in bliss, if any yet ally'd.
4:489 If so, let mine the stoln enjoyments
be;
4:490 If not, behold a willing bride
in me."
4:491 The boy knew nought of love, and toucht with
shame,
4:492 He strove, and blusht, but still
the blush became:
4:493 In rising blushes still fresh
beauties rose;
4:494 The sunny side of fruit such
blushes shows,
4:495 And such the moon, when all her
silver white
4:496 Turns in eclipses to a ruddy
light.
4:497 The nymph still begs, if not
a nobler bliss,
4:498 A cold salute at least, a sister's
kiss:
4:499 And now prepares to take the
lovely boy
4:500 Between her arms. He, innocently
coy,
4:501 Replies, "Or leave me to
my self alone,
4:502 You rude uncivil nymph, or I'll
be gone."
4:503 "Fair stranger then,"
says she, "it shall be so";
4:504 And, for she fear'd his threats,
she feign'd to go:
4:505 But hid within a covert's neighbouring
green,
4:506 She kept him still in sight,
herself unseen.
4:507 The boy now fancies all the danger
o'er,
4:508 And innocently sports about the
shore,
4:509 Playful and wanton to the stream
he trips,
4:510 And dips his foot, and shivers
as he dips.
4:511 The coolness pleas'd him, and
with eager haste
4:512 His airy garments on the banks
he cast;
4:513 His godlike features, and his
heav'nly hue,
4:514 And all his beauties were expos'd
to view.
4:515 His naked limbs the nymph with
rapture spies,
4:516 While hotter passions in her
bosom rise,
4:517 Flush in her cheeks, and sparkle
in her eyes.
4:518 She longs, she burns to clasp
him in her arms,
4:519 And looks, and sighs, and kindles
at his charms.
4:520 Now all undrest upon the banks he stood,
4:521 And clapt his sides, and leapt
into the flood:
4:522 His lovely limbs the silver waves
divide,
4:523 His limbs appear more lovely
through the tide;
4:524 As lillies shut within a chrystal
case,
4:525 Receive a glossy lustre from
the glass.
4:526 He's mine, he's all my own, the
Naid cries,
4:527 And flings off all, and after
him she flies.
4:528 And now she fastens on him as
he swims,
4:529 And holds him close, and wraps
about his limbs.
4:530 The more the boy resisted, and
was coy,
4:531 The more she clipt, and kist
the strugling boy.
4:532 So when the wrigling snake is
snatcht on high
4:533 In Eagle's claws, and hisses
in the sky,
4:534 Around the foe his twirling tail
he flings,
4:535 And twists her legs, and wriths
about her wings.
4:536 The restless boy still obstinately strove
4:537 To free himself, and still refus'd
her love.
4:538 Amidst his limbs she kept her
limbs intwin'd,
4:539 "And why, coy youth,"
she cries, "why thus unkind!
4:540 Oh may the Gods thus keep us
ever join'd!
4:541 Oh may we never, never part again!"
4:542 So pray'd the nymph, nor did she pray in
vain:
4:543 For now she finds him, as his
limbs she prest,
4:544 Grow nearer still, and nearer
to her breast;
4:545 'Till, piercing each the other's
flesh, they run
4:546 Together, and incorporate in
one:
4:547 Last in one face are both their
faces join'd,
4:548 As when the stock and grafted
twig combin'd
4:549 Shoot up the same, and wear a
common rind:
4:550 Both bodies in a single body
mix,
4:551 A single body with a double sex.
4:552 The boy, thus lost in woman, now survey'd
4:553 The river's guilty stream, and
thus he pray'd.
4:554 (He pray'd, but wonder'd at his
softer tone,
4:555 Surpriz'd to hear a voice but
half his own.)
4:556 You parent-Gods, whose heav'nly
names I bear,
4:557 Hear your Hermaphrodite, and
grant my pray'r;
4:558 Oh grant, that whomsoe'er these
streams contain,
4:559 If man he enter'd, he may rise
again
4:560 Supple, unsinew'd, and but half
a man!
4:561 The heav'nly parents answer'd from on high,
4:562 Their two-shap'd son, the double
votary
4:563 Then gave a secret virtue to
the flood,
4:564 And ting'd its source to make
his wishes good.
Alcithoe and her Sisters transform'd to Bats
4:565 But Mineus' daughters still their tasks pursue,
4:566 To wickedness most obstinately
true:
4:567 At Bacchus still they laugh,
when all around,
4:568 Unseen, the timbrels hoarse were
heard to sound.
4:569 Saffron and myrrh their fragrant
odours shed,
4:570 And now the present deity they
dread.
4:571 Strange to relate! Here ivy first
was seen,
4:572 Along the distaff crept the wond'rous
green.
4:573 Then sudden-springing vines began
to bloom,
4:574 And the soft tendrils curl'd
around the loom:
4:575 While purple clusters, dangling
from on high,
4:576 Ting'd the wrought purple with
a second die.
4:577 Now from the skies was shot a doubtful light,
4:578 The day declining to the bounds
of night.
4:579 The fabrick's firm foundations
shake all o'er,
4:580 False tigers rage, and figur'd
lions roar.
4:581 Torches, aloft, seem blazing
in the air,
4:582 And angry flashes of red light'nings
glare.
4:583 To dark recesses, the dire sight
to shun,
4:584 Swift the pale sisters in confusion
run.
4:585 Their arms were lost in pinions,
as they fled,
4:586 And subtle films each slender
limb o'er-spread.
4:587 Their alter'd forms their senses
soon reveal'd;
4:588 Their forms, how alter'd, darkness
still conceal'd.
4:589 Close to the roof each, wond'ring,
upwards springs,
4:590 Born on unknown, transparent,
plumeless wings.
4:591 They strove for words; their
little bodies found
4:592 No words, but murmur'd in a fainting
sound.
4:593 In towns, not woods, the sooty
bats delight,
4:594 And, never, 'till the dusk, begin
their flight;
4:595 'Till Vesper rises with his ev'ning
flame;
4:596 From whom the Romans have deriv'd
their name.
The Transformation of Ino and Melicerta to Sea-Gods
4:597 The pow'r of Bacchus now o'er Thebes had
flown:
4:598 With awful rev'rence soon the
God they own.
4:599 Proud Ino, all around the wonder
tells,
4:600 And on her nephew deity still
dwells.
4:601 Of num'rous sisters, she alone
yet knew
4:602 No grief, but grief, which she
from sisters drew.
4:603 Imperial Juno saw her with disdain,
4:604 Vain in her offspring, in her
consort vain,
4:605 Who rul'd the trembling Thebans
with a nod,
4:606 But saw her vainest in her foster-God.
4:607 Could then (she cry'd) a bastard-boy
have pow'r
4:608 To make a mother her own son
devour?
4:609 Could he the Tuscan crew to fishes
change,
4:610 And now three sisters damn to
forms so strange?
4:611 Yet shall the wife of Jove find
no relief?
4:612 Shall she, still unreveng'd,
disclose her grief?
4:613 Have I the mighty freedom to
complain?
4:614 Is that my pow'r? is that to
ease my pain?
4:615 A foe has taught me vengeance;
and who ought
4:616 To scorn that vengeance, which
a foe has taught?
4:617 What sure destruction frantick
rage can throw,
4:618 The gaping wounds of slaughter'd
Pentheus show.
4:619 Why should not Ino, fir'd with
madness, stray,
4:620 Like her mad sisters her own
kindred slay?
4:621 Why, she not follow, where they
lead the way?
4:622 Down a steep, yawning cave, where yews display'd
4:623 In arches meet, and lend a baleful
shade,
4:624 Thro' silent labyrinths a passage
lies
4:625 To mournful regions, and infernal
skies.
4:626 Here Styx exhales its noisome
clouds, and here,
4:627 The fun'ral rites once paid,
all souls appear.
4:628 Stiff cold, and horror with a
ghastly face
4:629 And staring eyes, infest the
dreary place.
4:630 Ghosts, new-arriv'd, and strangers
to these plains,
4:631 Know not the palace, where grim
Pluto reigns.
4:632 They journey doubtful, nor the
road can tell,
4:633 Which leads to the metropolis
of Hell.
4:634 A thousand avenues those tow'rs
command,
4:635 A thousand gates for ever open
stand.
4:636 As all the rivers, disembogu'd,
find room
4:637 For all their waters in old Ocean's
womb:
4:638 So this vast city worlds of shades
receives,
4:639 And space for millions still
of worlds she leaves.
4:640 Th' unbody'd spectres freely
rove, and show
4:641 Whate'er they lov'd on Earth,
they love below.
4:642 The lawyers still, or right,
or wrong, support,
4:643 The courtiers smoothly glide
to Pluto's court.
4:644 Still airy heroes thoughts of
glory fire,
4:645 Still the dead poet strings his
deathless lyre,
4:646 And lovers still with fancy'd
darts expire.
4:647 The Queen of Heaven, to gratify her hate,
4:648 And sooth immortal wrath, forgets
her state.
4:649 Down from the realms of day,
to realms of night,
4:650 The Goddess swift precipitates
her flight.
4:651 At Hell arriv'd, the noise Hell's
porter heard,
4:652 Th' enormous dog his triple head
up-rear'd:
4:653 Thrice from three grizly throats
he howl'd profound,
4:654 Then suppliant couch'd, and stretch'd
along the ground.
4:655 The trembling threshold, which
Saturnia prest,
4:656 The weight of such divinity confest.
4:657 Before a lofty, adamantine gate,
4:658 Which clos'd a tow'r of brass,
the Furies sate:
4:659 Mis-shapen forms, tremendous
to the sight,
4:660 Th' implacable foul daughters
of the night.
4:661 A sounding whip each bloody sister
shakes,
4:662 Or from her tresses combs the
curling snakes.
4:663 But now great Juno's majesty
was known;
4:664 Thro' the thick gloom, all heav'nly
bright, she shone:
4:665 The hideous monsters their obedience
show'd,
4:666 And rising from their seats,
submissive bow'd.
4:667 This is the place of woe, here groan the
dead;
4:668 Huge Tityus o'er nine acres here
is spread.
4:669 Fruitful for pain th' immortal
liver breeds,
4:670 Still grows, and still th' insatiate
vulture feeds.
4:671 Poor Tantalus to taste the water
tries,
4:672 But from his lips the faithless
water flies:
4:673 Then thinks the bending tree
he can command,
4:674 The tree starts backwards, and
eludes his hand.
4:675 The labour too of Sisyphus is
vain,
4:676 Up the steep mount he heaves
the stone with pain,
4:677 Down from the summet rouls the
stone again.
4:678 The Belides their leaky vessels
still
4:679 Are ever filling, and yet never
fill:
4:680 Doom'd to this punishment for
blood they shed,
4:681 For bridegrooms slaughter'd in
the bridal bed.
4:682 Stretch'd on the rolling wheel
Ixion lies;
4:683 Himself he follows, and himself
he flies.
4:684 Ixion, tortur'd, Juno sternly
ey'd,
4:685 Then turn'd, and toiling Sisyphus
espy'd:
4:686 And why (she said) so wretched
is the fate
4:687 Of him, whose brother proudly
reigns in state?
4:688 Yet still my altars unador'd
have been
4:689 By Athamas, and his presumptuous
queen.
4:690 What caus'd her hate, the Goddess thus confest,
4:691 What caus'd her journey now was
more than guest.
4:692 That hate, relentless, its revenge
did want,
4:693 And that revenge the Furies soon
could grant:
4:694 They could the glory of proud
Thebes efface,
4:695 And hide in ruin the Cadmean
race.
4:696 For this she largely promises,
entreats,
4:697 And to intreaties adds imperial
threats.
4:698 Then fell Tisiphone with rage was stung,
4:699 And from her mouth th' untwisted
serpents flung.
4:700 To gain this trifling boon, there
is no need
4:701 (She cry'd) in formal speeches
to proceed.
4:702 Whatever thou command'st to do,
is done;
4:703 Believe it finish'd, tho' not
yet begun.
4:704 But from these melancholly seats
repair
4:705 To happier mansions, and to purer
air.
4:706 She spoke: the Goddess, darting
upwards, flies,
4:707 And joyous re-ascends her native
skies:
4:708 Nor enter'd there, till 'round
her Iris threw
4:709 Ambrosial sweets, and pour'd
celestial dew.
4:710 The faithful Fury, guiltless of delays,
4:711 With cruel haste the dire command
obeys.
4:712 Girt in a bloody gown, a torch
she shakes,
4:713 And round her neck twines speckled
wreaths of snakes.
4:714 Fear, and dismay, and agonizing
pain,
4:715 With frantick rage, compleat
her loveless train.
4:716 To Thebes her flight she sped,
and Hell forsook;
4:717 At her approach the Theban turrets
shook:
4:718 The sun shrunk back, thick clouds
the day o'er-cast,
4:719 And springing greens were wither'd
as she past.
4:720 Now, dismal yellings heard, strange spectres
seen,
4:721 Confound as much the monarch
as the queen.
4:722 In vain to quit the palace they
prepar'd,
4:723 Tisiphone was there, and kept
the ward.
4:724 She wide extended her unfriendly
arms,
4:725 And all the Fury lavish'd all
her harms.
4:726 Part of her tresses loudly hiss,
and part
4:727 Spread poyson, as their forky
tongues they dart.
4:728 Then from her middle locks two
snakes she drew,
4:729 Whose merit from superior mischief
grew:
4:730 Th' envenom'd ruin, thrown with
spiteful care,
4:731 Clung to the bosoms of the hapless
pair.
4:732 The hapless pair soon with wild
thoughts were fir'd,
4:733 And madness, by a thousand ways
inspir'd.
4:734 'Tis true, th' unwounded body
still was sound,
4:735 But 'twas the soul which felt
the deadly wound.
4:736 Nor did th' unsated monster here
give o'er,
4:737 But dealt of plagues a fresh,
unnumber'd store.
4:738 Each baneful juice too well she
understood,
4:739 Foam, churn'd by Cerberus, and
Hydra's blood.
4:740 Hot hemlock, and cold aconite
she chose,
4:741 Delighted in variety of woes.
4:742 Whatever can untune th' harmonious
soul,
4:743 And its mild, reas'ning faculties
controul,
4:744 Give false ideas, raise desires
profane,
4:745 And whirl in eddies the tumultuous
brain,
4:746 Mix'd with curs'd art, she direfully
around
4:747 Thro' all their nerves diffus'd
the sad compound.
4:748 Then toss'd her torch in circles
still the same,
4:749 Improv'd their rage, and added
flame to flame.
4:750 The grinning Fury her own conquest
spy'd,
4:751 And to her rueful shades return'd
with pride,
4:752 And threw th' exhausted, useless
snakes aside.
4:753 Now Athamas cries out, his reason fled,
4:754 Here, fellow-hunters, let the
toils be spread.
4:755 I saw a lioness, in quest of
food,
4:756 With her two young, run roaring
in this wood.
4:757 Again the fancy'd savages were
seen,
4:758 As thro' his palace still he
chac'd his queen;
4:759 Then tore Learchus from her breast:
the child
4:760 Stretch'd little arms, and on
its father smil'd:
4:761 A father now no more, who now
begun
4:762 Around his head to whirl his
giddy son,
4:763 And, quite insensible to Nature's
call,
4:764 The helpless infant flung against
the wall.
4:765 The same mad poyson in the mother
wrought,
4:766 Young Melicerta in her arms she
caught,
4:767 And with disorder'd tresses,
howling, flies,
4:768 O! Bacchus, Evoe, Bacchus! loud
she cries.
4:769 The name of Bacchus Juno laugh'd
to hear,
4:770 And said, Thy foster-God has
cost thee dear.
4:771 A rock there stood, whose side the beating
waves
4:772 Had long consum'd, and hollow'd
into caves.
4:773 The head shot forwards in a bending
steep,
4:774 And cast a dreadful covert o'er
the deep.
4:775 The wretched Ino, on destruction
bent,
4:776 Climb'd up the cliff; such strength
her fury lent:
4:777 Thence with her guiltless boy,
who wept in vain,
4:778 At one bold spring she plung'd
into the main.
4:779 Her neice's fate touch'd Cytherea's breast,
4:780 And in soft sounds she Neptune
thus addrest:
4:781 Great God of waters, whose extended
sway
4:782 Is next to his, whom Heav'n and
Earth obey:
4:783 Let not the suit of Venus thee
displease,
4:784 Pity the floaters on th' Ionian
seas.
4:785 Encrease thy Subject-Gods, nor
yet disdain
4:786 To add my kindred to that glorious
train.
4:787 If from the sea I may such honours
claim,
4:788 If 'tis desert, that from the
sea I came,
4:789 As Grecian poets artfully have
sung,
4:790 And in the name confest, from
whence I sprung.
4:791 Pleas'd Neptune nodded his assent, and free
4:792 Both soon became from frail mortality.
4:793 He gave them form, and majesty
divine,
4:794 And bad them glide along the
foamy brine.
4:795 For Melicerta is Palaemon known,
4:796 And Ino once, Leucothoe is grown.
The Transformation of the Theban Matrons
4:797 The Theban matrons their lov'd queen pursu'd,
4:798 And tracing to the rock, her
footsteps view'd.
4:799 Too certain of her fate, they
rend the skies
4:800 With piteous shrieks, and lamentable
cries.
4:801 All beat their breasts, and Juno
all upbraid,
4:802 Who still remember'd a deluded
maid:
4:803 Who, still revengeful for one
stol'n embrace,
4:804 Thus wreak'd her hate on the
Cadmean race.
4:805 This Juno heard: And shall such
elfs, she cry'd,
4:806 Dispute my justice, or my pow'r
deride?
4:807 You too shall feel my wrath not
idly spent;
4:808 A Goddess never for insults was
meant.
4:809 She, who lov'd most, and who most lov'd had
been,
4:810 Said, Not the waves shall part
me from my queen.
4:811 She strove to plunge into the
roaring flood;
4:812 Fix'd to the stone, a stone her
self she stood.
4:813 This, on her breast would fain
her blows repeat,
4:814 Her stiffen'd hands refus'd her
breast to beat.
4:815 That, stretch'd her arms unto
the seas; in vain
4:816 Her arms she labour'd to unstretch
again.
4:817 To tear her comely locks another
try'd,
4:818 Both comely locks, and fingers
petryfi'd.
4:819 Part thus; but Juno with a softer
mind
4:820 Part doom'd to mix among the
feather'd kind.
4:821 Transform'd, the name of Theban
birds they keep,
4:822 And skim the surface of that
fatal deep.
Cadmus and his Queen transform'd to Serpents
4:823 Mean-time, the wretched Cadmus mourns, nor
knows,
4:824 That they who mortal fell, immortal
rose.
4:825 With a long series of new ills
opprest,
4:826 He droops, and all the man forsakes
his breast.
4:827 Strange prodigies confound his
frighted eyes;
4:828 From the fair city, which he
rais'd, he flies:
4:829 As if misfortune not pursu'd
his race,
4:830 But only hung o'er that devoted
place.
4:831 Resolv'd by sea to seek some
distant land,
4:832 At last he safely gain'd th'
Illyrian strand.
4:833 Chearless himself, his consort
still he chears,
4:834 Hoary, and loaden'd both with
woes and years.
4:835 Then to recount past sorrows
they begin,
4:836 And trace them to the gloomy
origin.
4:837 That serpent sure was hallow'd,
Cadmus cry'd,
4:838 Which once my spear transfix'd
with foolish pride;
4:839 When the big teeth, a seed before
unknown,
4:840 By me along the wond'ring glebe
were sown,
4:841 And sprouting armies by themselves
o'erthrown.
4:842 If thence the wrath of Heav'n
on me is bent,
4:843 May Heav'n conclude it with one
sad event;
4:844 To an extended serpent change
the man:
4:845 And while he spoke, the wish'd-for
change began.
4:846 His skin with sea-green spots
was vary'd 'round,
4:847 And on his belly prone he prest
the ground.
4:848 He glitter'd soon with many a
golden scale,
4:849 And his shrunk legs clos'd in
a spiry tail.
4:850 Arms yet remain'd, remaining
arms he spread
4:851 To his lov'd wife, and human
tears yet shed.
4:852 Come, my Harmonia, come, thy
face recline
4:853 Down to my face; still touch,
what still is mine.
4:854 O! let these hands, while hands,
be gently prest,
4:855 While yet the serpent has not
all possest.
4:856 More he had spoke, but strove
to speak in vain,
4:857 The forky tongue refus'd to tell
his pain,
4:858 And learn'd in hissings only
to complain.
4:859 Then shriek'd Harmonia, Stay, my Cadmus,
stay,
4:860 Glide not in such a monstrous
shape away!
4:861 Destruction, like impetuous waves,
rouls on.
4:862 Where are thy feet, thy legs,
thy shoulders gone?
4:863 Chang'd is thy visage, chang'd
is all thy frame;
4:864 Cadmus is only Cadmus now in
name.
4:865 Ye Gods, my Cadmus to himself
restore,
4:866 Or me like him transform; I ask
no more.
4:867 The husband-serpent show'd he still had thought,
4:868 With wonted fondness an embrace
he sought;
4:869 Play'd 'round her neck in many
a harmless twist,
4:870 And lick'd that bosom, which,
a man, he kist.
4:871 The lookers-on (for lookers-on
there were)
4:872 Shock'd at the sight, half-dy'd
away with fear.
4:873 The transformation was again
renew'd,
4:874 And, like the husband, chang'd
the wife they view'd.
4:875 Both, serpents now, with fold
involv'd in fold,
4:876 To the next covert amicably roul'd.
4:877 There curl'd they lie, or wave
along the green,
4:878 Fearless see men, by men are
fearless seen,
4:879 Still mild, and conscious what
they once have been.
The Story of Perseus
4:880 Yet tho' this harsh, inglorious fate they
found,
4:881 Each in the deathless grandson
liv'd renown'd.
4:882 Thro' conquer'd India Bacchus
nobly rode,
4:883 And Greece with temples hail'd
the conqu'ring God.
4:884 In Argos only proud Acrisius
reign'd,
4:885 Who all the consecrated rites
profan'd.
4:886 Audacious wretch! thus Bacchus
to deny,
4:887 And the great Thunderer's great
son defie!
4:888 Nor him alone: thy daughter vainly
strove,
4:889 Brave Perseus of celestial stem
to prove,
4:890 And her self pregnant by a golden
Jove.
4:891 Yet this was true, and truth
in time prevails;
4:892 Acrisius now his unbelief bewails.
4:893 His former thought, an impious
thought he found,
4:894 And both the heroe, and the God
were own'd.
4:895 He saw, already one in Heav'n
was plac'd,
4:896 And one with more than mortal
triumphs grac'd,
4:897 The victor Perseus with the Gorgon-head,
4:898 O'er Libyan sands his airy journey
sped.
4:899 The gory drops distill'd, as
swift he flew,
4:900 And from each drop envenom'd
serpents grew,
4:901 The mischiefs brooded on the
barren plains,
4:902 And still th' unhappy fruitfulness
remains.
Atlas transform'd to a Mountain
4:903 Thence Perseus, like a cloud, by storms was
driv'n,
4:904 Thro' all th' expanse beneath
the cope of Heaven.
4:905 The jarring winds unable to controul,
4:906 He saw the southern, and the
northern pole:
4:907 And eastward thrice, and westward
thrice was whirl'd,
4:908 And from the skies survey'd the
nether world.
4:909 But when grey ev'ning show'd
the verge of night,
4:910 He fear'd in darkness to pursue
his flight.
4:911 He pois'd his pinions, and forgot
to soar,
4:912 And sinking, clos'd them on th'
Hesperian shore:
4:913 Then beg'd to rest, 'till Lucifer
begun
4:914 To wake the morn, the morn to
wake the sun.
4:915 Here Atlas reign'd, of more than human size,
4:916 And in his kingdom the world's
limit lies.
4:917 Here Titan bids his weary'd coursers
sleep,
4:918 And cools the burning axle in
the deep.
4:919 The mighty monarch, uncontrol'd,
alone,
4:920 His sceptre sways: no neighb'ring
states are known.
4:921 A thousand flocks on shady mountains
fed,
4:922 A thousand herds o'er grassy
plains were spread.
4:923 Here wond'rous trees their shining
stores unfold,
4:924 Their shining stores too wond'rous
to be told,
4:925 Their leafs, their branches,
and their apples, gold.
4:926 Then Perseus the gigantick prince
addrest,
4:927 Humbly implor'd a hospitable
rest.
4:928 If bold exploits thy admiration
fire,
4:929 He said, I fancy, mine thou wilt
admire.
4:930 Or if the glory of a race can
move,
4:931 Not mean my glory, for I spring
from Jove.
4:932 At this confession Atlas ghastly
star'd,
4:933 Mindful of what an oracle declar'd,
4:934 That the dark womb of Time conceal'd
a day,
4:935 Which should, disclos'd, the
bloomy gold betray:
4:936 All should at once be ravish'd
from his eyes,
4:937 And Jove's own progeny enjoy
the prize.
4:938 For this, the fruit he loftily
immur'd,
4:939 And a fierce dragon the strait
pass secur'd.
4:940 For this, all strangers he forbad
to land,
4:941 And drove them from th' inhospitable
strand.
4:942 To Perseus then: Fly quickly,
fly this coast,
4:943 Nor falsly dare thy acts and
race to boast.
4:944 In vain the heroe for one night
entreats,
4:945 Threat'ning he storms, and next
adds force to threats.
4:946 By strength not Perseus could
himself defend,
4:947 For who in strength with Atlas
could contend?
4:948 But since short rest to me thou
wilt not give,
4:949 A gift of endless rest from me
receive,
4:950 He said, and backward turn'd,
no more conceal'd
4:951 The present, and Medusa's head
reveal'd.
4:952 Soon the high Atlas a high mountain
stood,
4:953 His locks, and beard became a
leafy wood.
4:954 His hands, and shoulders, into
ridges went,
4:955 The summit-head still crown'd
the steep ascent.
4:956 His bones a solid, rocky hardness
gain'd:
4:957 He, thus immensely grown (as
fate ordain'd),
4:958 The stars, the Heav'ns, and all
the Gods sustain'd.
Andromeda rescu'd from the Sea Monster
4:959 Now Aeolus had with strong chains confin'd,
4:960 And deep imprison'd e'vry blust'ring
wind,
4:961 The rising Phospher with a purple
light
4:962 Did sluggish mortals to new toils
invite.
4:963 His feet again the valiant Perseus
plumes,
4:964 And his keen sabre in his hand
resumes:
4:965 Then nobly spurns the ground,
and upwards springs,
4:966 And cuts the liquid air with
sounding wings.
4:967 O'er various seas, and various
lands he past,
4:968 'Till Aethiopia's shore appear'd
at last.
4:969 Andromeda was there, doom'd to
attone
4:970 By her own ruin follies not her
own:
4:971 And if injustice in a God can
be,
4:972 Such was the Libyan God's unjust
decree.
4:973 Chain'd to a rock she stood;
young Perseus stay'd
4:974 His rapid flight, to view the
beauteous maid.
4:975 So sweet her frame, so exquisitely
fine,
4:976 She seem'd a statue by a hand
divine,
4:977 Had not the wind her waving tresses
show'd,
4:978 And down her cheeks the melting
sorrows flow'd.
4:979 Her faultless form the heroe's
bosom fires;
4:980 The more he looks, the more he
still admires.
4:981 Th' admirer almost had forgot
to fly,
4:982 And swift descended, flutt'ring
from on high.
4:983 O! Virgin, worthy no such chains
to prove,
4:984 But pleasing chains in the soft
folds of love;
4:985 Thy country, and thy name (he
said) disclose,
4:986 And give a true rehearsal of
thy woes.
4:987 A quick reply her bashfulness refus'd,
4:988 To the free converse of a man
unus'd.
4:989 Her rising blushes had concealment
found
4:990 From her spread hands, but that
her hands were bound.
4:991 She acted to her full extent
of pow'r,
4:992 And bath'd her face with a fresh,
silent show'r.
4:993 But by degrees in innocence grown
bold,
4:994 Her name, her country, and her
birth she told:
4:995 And how she suffer'd for her
mother's pride,
4:996 Who with the Nereids once in
beauty vy'd.
4:997 Part yet untold, the seas began
to roar,
4:998 And mounting billows tumbled
to the shore.
4:999 Above the waves a monster rais'd
his head,
4:1000 His body o'er the deep was
widely spread:
4:1001 Onward he flounc'd; aloud the
virgin cries;
4:1002 Each parent to her shrieks
in shrieks replies:
4:1003 But she had deepest cause to
rend the skies.
4:1004 Weeping, to her they cling;
no sign appears
4:1005 Of help, they only lend their
helpless tears.
4:1006 Too long you vent your sorrows,
Perseus said,
4:1007 Short is the hour, and swift
the time of aid,
4:1008 In me the son of thund'ring
Jove behold,
4:1009 Got in a kindly show'r of fruitful
gold.
4:1010 Medusa's snaky head is now
my prey,
4:1011 And thro' the clouds I boldly
wing my way.
4:1012 If such desert be worthy of
esteem,
4:1013 And, if your daughter I from
death redeem,
4:1014 Shall she be mine? Shall it
not then be thought,
4:1015 A bride, so lovely, was too
cheaply bought?
4:1016 For her my arms I willingly
employ,
4:1017 If I may beauties, which I
save, enjoy.
4:1018 The parents eagerly the terms
embrace:
4:1019 For who would slight such terms
in such a case?
4:1020 Nor her alone they promise,
but beside,
4:1021 The dowry of a kingdom with
the bride.
4:1022 As well-rigg'd gallies, which slaves, sweating,
row,
4:1023 With their sharp beaks the
whiten'd ocean plough;
4:1024 So when the monster mov'd,
still at his back
4:1025 The furrow'd waters left a
foamy track.
4:1026 Now to the rock he was advanc'd
so nigh,
4:1027 Whirl'd from a sling a stone
the space would fly.
4:1028 Then bounding, upwards the
brave Perseus sprung,
4:1029 And in mid air on hov'ring
pinions hung.
4:1030 His shadow quickly floated
on the main;
4:1031 The monster could not his wild
rage restrain,
4:1032 But at the floating shadow
leap'd in vain.
4:1033 As when Jove's bird, a speckl'd
serpent spies,
4:1034 Which in the shine of Phoebus
basking lies,
4:1035 Unseen, he souses down, and
bears away,
4:1036 Truss'd from behind, the vainly-hissing
prey.
4:1037 To writh his neck the labour
nought avails,
4:1038 Too deep th' imperial talons
pierce his scales.
4:1039 Thus the wing'd heroe now descends,
now soars,
4:1040 And at his pleasure the vast
monster gores.
4:1041 Full in his back, swift stooping
from above,
4:1042 The crooked sabre to its hilt
he drove.
4:1043 The monster rag'd, impatient
of the pain,
4:1044 First bounded high, and then
sunk low again.
4:1045 Now, like a savage boar, when
chaf'd with wounds,
4:1046 And bay'd with opening mouths
of hungry hounds,
4:1047 He on the foe turns with collected
might,
4:1048 Who still eludes him with an
airy flight;
4:1049 And wheeling round, the scaly
armour tries
4:1050 Of his thick sides; his thinner
tall now plies:
4:1051 'Till from repeated strokes
out gush'd a flood,
4:1052 And the waves redden'd with
the streaming blood.
4:1053 At last the dropping wings,
befoam'd all o'er,
4:1054 With flaggy heaviness their
master bore:
4:1055 A rock he spy'd, whose humble
head was low,
4:1056 Bare at an ebb, but cover'd
at a flow.
4:1057 A ridgy hold, he, thither flying,
gain'd,
4:1058 And with one hand his bending
weight sustain'd;
4:1059 With th' other, vig'rous blows
he dealt around,
4:1060 And the home-thrusts the expiring
monster own'd.
4:1061 In deaf'ning shouts the glad
applauses rise,
4:1062 And peal on peal runs ratling
thro' the skies.
4:1063 The saviour-youth the royal
pair confess,
4:1064 And with heav'd hands their
daughter's bridegroom bless.
4:1065 The beauteous bride moves on,
now loos'd from chains,
4:1066 The cause, and sweet reward
of all the heroe's pains,
4:1067 Mean-time, on shore triumphant Perseus stood,
4:1068 And purg'd his hands, smear'd
with the monster's blood:
4:1069 Then in the windings of a sandy
bed
4:1070 Compos'd Medusa's execrable
head.
4:1071 But to prevent the roughness,
leafs he threw,
4:1072 And young, green twigs, which
soft in waters grew,
4:1073 There soft, and full of sap;
but here, when lay'd,
4:1074 Touch'd by the head, that softness
soon decay'd.
4:1075 The wonted flexibility quite
gone,
4:1076 The tender scyons harden'd
into stone.
4:1077 Fresh, juicy twigs, surpriz'd,
the Nereids brought,
4:1078 Fresh, juicy twigs the same
contagion caught.
4:1079 The nymphs the petrifying seeds
still keep,
4:1080 And propagate the wonder thro'
the deep.
4:1081 The pliant sprays of coral
yet declare
4:1082 Their stiff'ning Nature, when
expos'd to air.
4:1083 Those sprays, which did, like
bending osiers, move,
4:1084 Snatch'd from their element,
obdurate prove,
4:1085 And shrubs beneath the waves,
grow stones above.
4:1086 The great immortals grateful Perseus prais'd,
4:1087 And to three Pow'rs three turfy
altars rais'd.
4:1088 To Hermes this; and that he
did assign
4:1089 To Pallas: the mid honours,
Jove, were thine,
4:1090 He hastes for Pallas a white
cow to cull,
4:1091 A calf for Hermes, but for
Jove a bull.
4:1092 Then seiz'd the prize of his
victorious fight,
4:1093 Andromeda, and claim'd the
nuptial rite.
4:1094 Andromeda alone he greatly
sought,
4:1095 The dowry kingdom was not worth
his thought.
4:1096 Pleas'd Hymen now his golden torch displays;
4:1097 With rich oblations fragrant
altars blaze,
4:1098 Sweet wreaths of choicest flow'rs
are hung on high,
4:1099 And cloudless pleasure smiles
in ev'ry eye.
4:1100 The melting musick melting
thoughts inspires,
4:1101 And warbling songsters aid
the warbling lyres.
4:1102 The palace opens wide in pompous
state,
4:1103 And by his peers surrounded,
Cepheus sate.
4:1104 A feast was serv'd, fit for
a king to give,
4:1105 And fit for God-like heroes
to receive.
4:1106 The banquet ended, the gay, chearful bowl
4:1107 Mov'd round, and brighten'd,
and enlarg'd each soul.
4:1108 Then Perseus ask'd, what customs
there obtain'd,
4:1109 And by what laws the people
were restrain'd.
4:1110 Which told; the teller a like
freedom takes,
4:1111 And to the warrior his petition
makes,
4:1112 To know, what arts had won
Medusa's snakes.
The Story of Medusa's Head
4:1113 The heroe with his just request complies,
4:1114 Shows, how a vale beneath cold
Atlas lies,
4:1115 Where, with aspiring mountains
fenc'd around,
4:1116 He the two daughters of old
Phorcus found.
4:1117 Fate had one common eye to
both assign'd,
4:1118 Each saw by turns, and each
by turns was blind.
4:1119 But while one strove to lend
her sister sight,
4:1120 He stretch'd his hand, and
stole their mutual light,
4:1121 And left both eyeless, both
involv'd in night.
4:1122 Thro' devious wilds, and trackless
woods he past,
4:1123 And at the Gorgon-seats arriv'd
at last:
4:1124 But as he journey'd, pensive
he survey'd,
4:1125 What wasteful havock dire Medusa
made.
4:1126 Here, stood still breathing
statues, men before;
4:1127 There, rampant lions seem'd
in stone to roar.
4:1128 Nor did he, yet affrighted,
quit the field,
4:1129 But in the mirror of his polish'd
shield
4:1130 Reflected saw Medusa slumbers
take,
4:1131 And not one serpent by good
chance awake.
4:1132 Then backward an unerring blow
he sped,
4:1133 And from her body lop'd at
once her head.
4:1134 The gore prolifick prov'd;
with sudden force
4:1135 Sprung Pegasus, and wing'd
his airy course.
4:1136 The Heav'n-born warrior faithfully went
on,
4:1137 And told the num'rous dangers
which he run.
4:1138 What subject seas, what lands
he had in view,
4:1139 And nigh what stars th' advent'rous
heroe flew.
4:1140 At last he silent sate; the
list'ning throng
4:1141 Sigh'd at the pause of his
delightful tongue.
4:1142 Some beg'd to know, why this
alone should wear,
4:1143 Of all the sisters, such destructive
hair.
4:1144 Great Perseus then: With me you shall prevail,
4:1145 Worth the relation, to relate
a tale.
4:1146 Medusa once had charms; to
gain her love
4:1147 A rival crowd of envious lovers
strove.
4:1148 They, who have seen her, own,
they ne'er did trace
4:1149 More moving features in a sweeter
face.
4:1150 Yet above all, her length of
hair, they own,
4:1151 In golden ringlets wav'd, and
graceful shone.
4:1152 Her Neptune saw, and with such
beauties fir'd,
4:1153 Resolv'd to compass, what his
soul desir'd.
4:1154 In chaste Minerva's fane, he,
lustful, stay'd,
4:1155 And seiz'd, and rifled the
young, blushing maid.
4:1156 The bashful Goddess turn'd
her eyes away,
4:1157 Nor durst such bold impurity
survey;
4:1158 But on the ravish'd virgin
vengeance takes,
4:1159 Her shining hair is chang'd
to hissing snakes.
4:1160 These in her Aegis Pallas joys
to bear,
4:1161 The hissing snakes her foes
more sure ensnare,
4:1162 Than they did lovers once,
when shining hair.