Metamorphoses (Books I-XIV)
The Transformation of Ascalaphus into an Owl
5:800 The Goddess now, resolving to
succeed,
5:801 Down to the gloomy shades descends with speed;
5:802 But adverse fate had otherwise
decreed.
5:803 For, long before, her giddy thoughtless
child
5:804 Had broke her fast, and all her
projects spoil'd.
5:805 As in the garden's shady walk
she stray'd,
5:806 A fair pomegranate charm'd the
simple maid,
5:807 Hung in her way, and tempting
her to taste,
5:808 She pluck'd the fruit, and took
a short repast.
5:809 Seven times, a seed at once,
she eat the food;
5:810 The fact Ascalaphus had only
view'd;
5:811 Whom Acheron begot in Stygian
shades
5:812 On Orphne, fam'd among Avernal
maids;
5:813 He saw what past, and by discov'ring
all,
5:814 Detain'd the ravish'd nymph in
cruel thrall.
5:815 But now a queen, she with resentment heard,
5:816 And chang'd the vile informer
to a bird.
5:817 In Phlegeton's black stream her
hand she dips,
5:818 Sprinkles his head, and wets
his babling lips.
5:819 Soon on his face, bedropt with
magick dew,
5:820 A change appear'd, and gawdy
feathers grew.
5:821 A crooked beak the place of nose
supplies,
5:822 Rounder his head, and larger
are his eyes.
5:823 His arms and body waste, but
are supply'd
5:824 With yellow pinions flagging
on each side.
5:825 His nails grow crooked, and are
turn'd to claws,
5:826 And lazily along his heavy wings
he draws.
5:827 Ill-omen'd in his form, the unlucky
fowl,
5:828 Abhorr'd by men, and call'd a
scrieching owl.
Metamorphoses (Books I-XIV)
The Transformation of Ascalaphus into an Owl
5:800 The Goddess now, resolving to
succeed,
5:801 Down to the gloomy shades descends with speed;
5:802 But adverse fate had otherwise
decreed.
5:803 For, long before, her giddy thoughtless
child
5:804 Had broke her fast, and all her
projects spoil'd.
5:805 As in the garden's shady walk
she stray'd,
5:806 A fair pomegranate charm'd the
simple maid,
5:807 Hung in her way, and tempting
her to taste,
5:808 She pluck'd the fruit, and took
a short repast.
5:809 Seven times, a seed at once,
she eat the food;
5:810 The fact Ascalaphus had only
view'd;
5:811 Whom Acheron begot in Stygian
shades
5:812 On Orphne, fam'd among Avernal
maids;
5:813 He saw what past, and by discov'ring
all,
5:814 Detain'd the ravish'd nymph in
cruel thrall.
5:815 But now a queen, she with resentment heard,
5:816 And chang'd the vile informer
to a bird.
5:817 In Phlegeton's black stream her
hand she dips,
5:818 Sprinkles his head, and wets
his babling lips.
5:819 Soon on his face, bedropt with
magick dew,
5:820 A change appear'd, and gawdy
feathers grew.
5:821 A crooked beak the place of nose
supplies,
5:822 Rounder his head, and larger
are his eyes.
5:823 His arms and body waste, but
are supply'd
5:824 With yellow pinions flagging
on each side.
5:825 His nails grow crooked, and are
turn'd to claws,
5:826 And lazily along his heavy wings
he draws.
5:827 Ill-omen'd in his form, the unlucky
fowl,
5:828 Abhorr'd by men, and call'd a
scrieching owl.