Chapter 13

[304]parvaque cognatas prohibent discrimina terras.nunc illam socia ruptam tellure trisulcamopposuit Natura mari: caput inde Pachynirespuit Ionias praetentis rupibus iras;hinc latrat Gaetula Thetis Lilybaeaque pulsat150brachia consurgens; hinc indignata tenericoncutit obiectum rabies Tyrrhena Pelorum.in medio scopulis se porrigit Aetna perustis,Aetna Giganteos numquam tacitura triumphos,Enceladi bustum, qui saucia terga revinctus155spirat inexhaustum flagranti vulnere sulphuret, quotiens detractat onus cervice rebelliin laevum dextrumque latus, tunc insula fundovellitur et dubiae nutant cum moenibus urbes.Aetnaeos apices solo cognoscere visu,160non aditu temptare licet, pars cetera frondetarboribus; teritur nullo cultore cacumen.nunc movet indigenas nimbos piceaque gravatumfoedat nube diem, nunc motibus astra lacessitterrificis damnisque suis incendia nutrit.165sed quamvis nimio fervens exuberet aestu,scit nivibus servare fidem pariterque favillisdurescit glacies tanti secura vaporis,arcano defensa gelu, fumoque fidelilambit contiguas innoxia flamma pruinas.170quae scopulos tormenta rotant? quae tanta cavernas[305]with his waves whereby a narrow channel now separates these kindred lands. Nature now thrusts out into the sea the three-cornered island, cut off from the mainland to which it once belonged. At one extremity the promontory of Pachynum hurls back with jutting crags the furious waves of the Ionian main, round another roars the African sea that rises and beats upon the curving harbour of Lilybaeum, at the third the raging Tyrrhenian flood, impatient of restraint, shakes the obstacle of Cape Pelorus. In the midst of the island rise the charred cliffs of Aetna, eloquent monument of Jove’s victory over the Giants, the tomb of Enceladus, whose bound and bruised body breathes forth endless sulphur clouds from its burning wounds. Whene’er his rebellious shoulders shift their burden to the right or left, the island is shaken from its foundations and the walls of tottering cities sway this way and that.The peaks of Aetna thou must know by sight alone; to them no foot may approach. The rest is clothed with foliage but the summit no husbandman tills. Now it sends forth native smoke and with pitch-black cloud darkens and oppresses the day, now with awful stirrings it threatens the stars and feeds its flame with the dread fruit of its own body. But though it boils and bursts forth with such great heat yet it knows how to observe a truce with the snow, and together with glowing ashes the ice grows hard, protected from the great heat and secured by indwelling cold, so that the harmless flame licks the neighbouring frost with breath that keeps its compact. What huge engine hurls those rocks; what vast force piles rock on

[304]

parvaque cognatas prohibent discrimina terras.nunc illam socia ruptam tellure trisulcamopposuit Natura mari: caput inde Pachynirespuit Ionias praetentis rupibus iras;hinc latrat Gaetula Thetis Lilybaeaque pulsat150brachia consurgens; hinc indignata tenericoncutit obiectum rabies Tyrrhena Pelorum.in medio scopulis se porrigit Aetna perustis,Aetna Giganteos numquam tacitura triumphos,Enceladi bustum, qui saucia terga revinctus155spirat inexhaustum flagranti vulnere sulphuret, quotiens detractat onus cervice rebelliin laevum dextrumque latus, tunc insula fundovellitur et dubiae nutant cum moenibus urbes.Aetnaeos apices solo cognoscere visu,160non aditu temptare licet, pars cetera frondetarboribus; teritur nullo cultore cacumen.nunc movet indigenas nimbos piceaque gravatumfoedat nube diem, nunc motibus astra lacessitterrificis damnisque suis incendia nutrit.165sed quamvis nimio fervens exuberet aestu,scit nivibus servare fidem pariterque favillisdurescit glacies tanti secura vaporis,arcano defensa gelu, fumoque fidelilambit contiguas innoxia flamma pruinas.170quae scopulos tormenta rotant? quae tanta cavernas

parvaque cognatas prohibent discrimina terras.

nunc illam socia ruptam tellure trisulcam

opposuit Natura mari: caput inde Pachyni

respuit Ionias praetentis rupibus iras;

hinc latrat Gaetula Thetis Lilybaeaque pulsat150

brachia consurgens; hinc indignata teneri

concutit obiectum rabies Tyrrhena Pelorum.

in medio scopulis se porrigit Aetna perustis,

Aetna Giganteos numquam tacitura triumphos,

Enceladi bustum, qui saucia terga revinctus155

spirat inexhaustum flagranti vulnere sulphur

et, quotiens detractat onus cervice rebelli

in laevum dextrumque latus, tunc insula fundo

vellitur et dubiae nutant cum moenibus urbes.

Aetnaeos apices solo cognoscere visu,160

non aditu temptare licet, pars cetera frondet

arboribus; teritur nullo cultore cacumen.

nunc movet indigenas nimbos piceaque gravatum

foedat nube diem, nunc motibus astra lacessit

terrificis damnisque suis incendia nutrit.165

sed quamvis nimio fervens exuberet aestu,

scit nivibus servare fidem pariterque favillis

durescit glacies tanti secura vaporis,

arcano defensa gelu, fumoque fideli

lambit contiguas innoxia flamma pruinas.170

quae scopulos tormenta rotant? quae tanta cavernas

[305]with his waves whereby a narrow channel now separates these kindred lands. Nature now thrusts out into the sea the three-cornered island, cut off from the mainland to which it once belonged. At one extremity the promontory of Pachynum hurls back with jutting crags the furious waves of the Ionian main, round another roars the African sea that rises and beats upon the curving harbour of Lilybaeum, at the third the raging Tyrrhenian flood, impatient of restraint, shakes the obstacle of Cape Pelorus. In the midst of the island rise the charred cliffs of Aetna, eloquent monument of Jove’s victory over the Giants, the tomb of Enceladus, whose bound and bruised body breathes forth endless sulphur clouds from its burning wounds. Whene’er his rebellious shoulders shift their burden to the right or left, the island is shaken from its foundations and the walls of tottering cities sway this way and that.The peaks of Aetna thou must know by sight alone; to them no foot may approach. The rest is clothed with foliage but the summit no husbandman tills. Now it sends forth native smoke and with pitch-black cloud darkens and oppresses the day, now with awful stirrings it threatens the stars and feeds its flame with the dread fruit of its own body. But though it boils and bursts forth with such great heat yet it knows how to observe a truce with the snow, and together with glowing ashes the ice grows hard, protected from the great heat and secured by indwelling cold, so that the harmless flame licks the neighbouring frost with breath that keeps its compact. What huge engine hurls those rocks; what vast force piles rock on

[305]

with his waves whereby a narrow channel now separates these kindred lands. Nature now thrusts out into the sea the three-cornered island, cut off from the mainland to which it once belonged. At one extremity the promontory of Pachynum hurls back with jutting crags the furious waves of the Ionian main, round another roars the African sea that rises and beats upon the curving harbour of Lilybaeum, at the third the raging Tyrrhenian flood, impatient of restraint, shakes the obstacle of Cape Pelorus. In the midst of the island rise the charred cliffs of Aetna, eloquent monument of Jove’s victory over the Giants, the tomb of Enceladus, whose bound and bruised body breathes forth endless sulphur clouds from its burning wounds. Whene’er his rebellious shoulders shift their burden to the right or left, the island is shaken from its foundations and the walls of tottering cities sway this way and that.

The peaks of Aetna thou must know by sight alone; to them no foot may approach. The rest is clothed with foliage but the summit no husbandman tills. Now it sends forth native smoke and with pitch-black cloud darkens and oppresses the day, now with awful stirrings it threatens the stars and feeds its flame with the dread fruit of its own body. But though it boils and bursts forth with such great heat yet it knows how to observe a truce with the snow, and together with glowing ashes the ice grows hard, protected from the great heat and secured by indwelling cold, so that the harmless flame licks the neighbouring frost with breath that keeps its compact. What huge engine hurls those rocks; what vast force piles rock on

[306]vis glomerat? quo fonte ruit Vulcanius amnis?sive quod obicibus discurrens ventus opertisoffenso rimosa furit per saxa meatu,dum scrutatur iter, libertatemque reposcens175putria multivagis populatur flatibus antra;seu mare sulphurei ductum per viscera montisoppressis ignescit aquis et pondera librat.Hic ubi servandum mater fidissima pignusabdidit, ad Phrygios tendit secura penates180turrigeramque petit Cybelen sinuosa draconummembra regens, volucri qui pervia nubila tractusignant et placidis umectant frena venenis:frontem crista tegit; pingunt maculosa virentesterga notae; rutilum squamis intermicat aurum.185nunc spiris Zephyros tranant; nunc arva volatuinferiore secant, cano rota pulvere labenssulcatam fecundat humum: flavescit aristisorbita; surgentes condunt vestigia fruges;vestit iter comitata seges.Iam linquitur Aetna190totaque decrescit refugo Trinacria visu.heu quotiens praesaga mali violavit obortorore genas! quotiens oculos ad tecta retorsittalia voce movens: “salve, gratissima tellus,quam nos praetulimus caelo, tibi gaudia nostri195sanguinis et caros uteri commendo labores.praemia digna manent: nullos patiere ligoneset nullo rigidi versabere vomeris ictu.sponte tuus florebit ager; cessante iuvenco[307]rock? Whence flows forth that fiery stream? Whether it be that the wind, forcing its way past hidden barriers, rages amid the fissured rocks that seek to bar its passage and, seeking a way of escape, sweeps the crumbling caverns with its wandering blasts in its bid for freedom, or that the sea, flowing in through the bowels of the sulphurous mountain, bursts into flame when its waters are compressed and casts up great rocks, I know not.When the loving mother had entrusted her charge to the secret keeping of Henna she went freed from care to visit tower-crowned Cybele in her Phrygian home, driving a car drawn by twining serpents which cleave the pervious clouds on their wingèd course and fleck the bit with harmless poison. Their heads are crested and spots of green mottle their backs while sparkling gold glints amid their scales. Now they swim circling through the air, now they skim the fields with low-driven course. The passing wheels sow the plough-land with golden grain and their track grows yellow with corn. Sprouting stalks cover their traces and attendant crops clothe the path of the goddess.Now is left behind Aetna, and all Sicily sinks lessening into the distance. Ah, how often, foreknowing of coming ill, did she mar her cheek with welling tears; how often look back upon her home with words like these: “Be happy, dear land, dearer than heaven to me, into thy safe keeping I commend my daughter, my sole joy, loved fruit of my labour. No despicable reward shall be thine, for thou shalt suffer no hoe nor shall the cruel iron of the ploughshare know thy soil. Untilled thy fields shall bear fruit, and though thine oxen plough not, a richer

[306]

vis glomerat? quo fonte ruit Vulcanius amnis?sive quod obicibus discurrens ventus opertisoffenso rimosa furit per saxa meatu,dum scrutatur iter, libertatemque reposcens175putria multivagis populatur flatibus antra;seu mare sulphurei ductum per viscera montisoppressis ignescit aquis et pondera librat.Hic ubi servandum mater fidissima pignusabdidit, ad Phrygios tendit secura penates180turrigeramque petit Cybelen sinuosa draconummembra regens, volucri qui pervia nubila tractusignant et placidis umectant frena venenis:frontem crista tegit; pingunt maculosa virentesterga notae; rutilum squamis intermicat aurum.185nunc spiris Zephyros tranant; nunc arva volatuinferiore secant, cano rota pulvere labenssulcatam fecundat humum: flavescit aristisorbita; surgentes condunt vestigia fruges;vestit iter comitata seges.Iam linquitur Aetna190totaque decrescit refugo Trinacria visu.heu quotiens praesaga mali violavit obortorore genas! quotiens oculos ad tecta retorsittalia voce movens: “salve, gratissima tellus,quam nos praetulimus caelo, tibi gaudia nostri195sanguinis et caros uteri commendo labores.praemia digna manent: nullos patiere ligoneset nullo rigidi versabere vomeris ictu.sponte tuus florebit ager; cessante iuvenco

vis glomerat? quo fonte ruit Vulcanius amnis?

sive quod obicibus discurrens ventus opertis

offenso rimosa furit per saxa meatu,

dum scrutatur iter, libertatemque reposcens175

putria multivagis populatur flatibus antra;

seu mare sulphurei ductum per viscera montis

oppressis ignescit aquis et pondera librat.

Hic ubi servandum mater fidissima pignus

abdidit, ad Phrygios tendit secura penates180

turrigeramque petit Cybelen sinuosa draconum

membra regens, volucri qui pervia nubila tractu

signant et placidis umectant frena venenis:

frontem crista tegit; pingunt maculosa virentes

terga notae; rutilum squamis intermicat aurum.185

nunc spiris Zephyros tranant; nunc arva volatu

inferiore secant, cano rota pulvere labens

sulcatam fecundat humum: flavescit aristis

orbita; surgentes condunt vestigia fruges;

vestit iter comitata seges.

Iam linquitur Aetna190

totaque decrescit refugo Trinacria visu.

heu quotiens praesaga mali violavit oborto

rore genas! quotiens oculos ad tecta retorsit

talia voce movens: “salve, gratissima tellus,

quam nos praetulimus caelo, tibi gaudia nostri195

sanguinis et caros uteri commendo labores.

praemia digna manent: nullos patiere ligones

et nullo rigidi versabere vomeris ictu.

sponte tuus florebit ager; cessante iuvenco

[307]rock? Whence flows forth that fiery stream? Whether it be that the wind, forcing its way past hidden barriers, rages amid the fissured rocks that seek to bar its passage and, seeking a way of escape, sweeps the crumbling caverns with its wandering blasts in its bid for freedom, or that the sea, flowing in through the bowels of the sulphurous mountain, bursts into flame when its waters are compressed and casts up great rocks, I know not.When the loving mother had entrusted her charge to the secret keeping of Henna she went freed from care to visit tower-crowned Cybele in her Phrygian home, driving a car drawn by twining serpents which cleave the pervious clouds on their wingèd course and fleck the bit with harmless poison. Their heads are crested and spots of green mottle their backs while sparkling gold glints amid their scales. Now they swim circling through the air, now they skim the fields with low-driven course. The passing wheels sow the plough-land with golden grain and their track grows yellow with corn. Sprouting stalks cover their traces and attendant crops clothe the path of the goddess.Now is left behind Aetna, and all Sicily sinks lessening into the distance. Ah, how often, foreknowing of coming ill, did she mar her cheek with welling tears; how often look back upon her home with words like these: “Be happy, dear land, dearer than heaven to me, into thy safe keeping I commend my daughter, my sole joy, loved fruit of my labour. No despicable reward shall be thine, for thou shalt suffer no hoe nor shall the cruel iron of the ploughshare know thy soil. Untilled thy fields shall bear fruit, and though thine oxen plough not, a richer

[307]

rock? Whence flows forth that fiery stream? Whether it be that the wind, forcing its way past hidden barriers, rages amid the fissured rocks that seek to bar its passage and, seeking a way of escape, sweeps the crumbling caverns with its wandering blasts in its bid for freedom, or that the sea, flowing in through the bowels of the sulphurous mountain, bursts into flame when its waters are compressed and casts up great rocks, I know not.

When the loving mother had entrusted her charge to the secret keeping of Henna she went freed from care to visit tower-crowned Cybele in her Phrygian home, driving a car drawn by twining serpents which cleave the pervious clouds on their wingèd course and fleck the bit with harmless poison. Their heads are crested and spots of green mottle their backs while sparkling gold glints amid their scales. Now they swim circling through the air, now they skim the fields with low-driven course. The passing wheels sow the plough-land with golden grain and their track grows yellow with corn. Sprouting stalks cover their traces and attendant crops clothe the path of the goddess.

Now is left behind Aetna, and all Sicily sinks lessening into the distance. Ah, how often, foreknowing of coming ill, did she mar her cheek with welling tears; how often look back upon her home with words like these: “Be happy, dear land, dearer than heaven to me, into thy safe keeping I commend my daughter, my sole joy, loved fruit of my labour. No despicable reward shall be thine, for thou shalt suffer no hoe nor shall the cruel iron of the ploughshare know thy soil. Untilled thy fields shall bear fruit, and though thine oxen plough not, a richer

[308]ditior oblatas mirabitur incola messes.”200sic ait et fulvis tetigit serpentibus Idam.Hic sedes augusta deae templique colendirelligiosa silex, densis quam pinus obumbratfrondibus et nulla lucos agitante procellastridula coniferis modulatur carmina ramis.205terribiles intus thiasi vesanaque mixtoconcentu delubra gemunt; ululatibus Idebacchatur; timidas inclinant Gargara silvas.postquam visa Ceres, mugitum tympana frenant;conticuere chori; Corybas non impulit ensem;210non buxus, non aera sonant blandasque leonessummisere iubas. adytis gavisa Cybebeexilit et pronas intendit ad oscula turres.Viderat haec dudum summa speculatus ab arceIuppiter ac Veneri mentis penetralia pandit:215“curarum, Cytherea, tibi secreta fatebor.candida Tartareo nuptum Proserpina regiiam pridem decreta dari: sic Atropos urget;sic cecinit longaeva Themis. nunc matre remotarem peragi tempus. fines invade Sicanos220et Cereris prolem patulis inludere campis,crastina puniceos cum lux detexerit ortus,coge tuis armata dolis, quibus urere cuncta,me quoque, saepe soles, cur ultima regna quiescunt?nulla sit inmunis regio nullumque sub umbris225pectus inaccensum Veneri. iam tristis Erinys[309]husbandman shall view with wonder the self-sown harvest.” So spake she and reached Mount Ida, drawn by her yellow serpents.Here is the queenly seat of the goddess and in her holy temple the sacred statue, o’ershadowed by the thick leaves of the pine wood which, though no storm wind shakes the grove, gives forth creakings with its cone-bearing branches. Within are the dread bands of the initiate with whose wild chantings the shrine rings; Ida is loud with howlings and Gargarus bends his woods in fear. As soon as Ceres appears the drums restrain their rattle; the choirs are silent and the Corybantes stay the flourish of their knives. Pipes and cymbals are still, and the lions sink their manes in greeting. Cybele[121]rejoicing runs forth from the shrine and bends her towered head to kiss her guest.Long had Jove seen this, watching from his lofty seat, and to Venus he thus enfolded the secrets of his heart: “Goddess of Cythera, I will impart to thee my hidden troubles; long ago I decided that fair Proserpine should be given in marriage to the lord of Hell; such is Atropos’ bidding, such old Themis’ prophecy. Now that her mother has left her is the time for action. Do thou visit the confines of Sicily, and armed with thy wiles, lead Ceres’ daughter to sport in the level meads what time to-morrow’s light has unfolded the rosy dawn; employ those arts with which thou art wont to inflame all things, often even myself. Why should the nether kingdoms know not love? Let no land be free and no breast even amid the shades unfired by Venus. At last let the gloomy Fury[121]Cybele and Cybebe are alternative forms in Latin. The normal English form is Cybele.

[308]

ditior oblatas mirabitur incola messes.”200sic ait et fulvis tetigit serpentibus Idam.Hic sedes augusta deae templique colendirelligiosa silex, densis quam pinus obumbratfrondibus et nulla lucos agitante procellastridula coniferis modulatur carmina ramis.205terribiles intus thiasi vesanaque mixtoconcentu delubra gemunt; ululatibus Idebacchatur; timidas inclinant Gargara silvas.postquam visa Ceres, mugitum tympana frenant;conticuere chori; Corybas non impulit ensem;210non buxus, non aera sonant blandasque leonessummisere iubas. adytis gavisa Cybebeexilit et pronas intendit ad oscula turres.Viderat haec dudum summa speculatus ab arceIuppiter ac Veneri mentis penetralia pandit:215“curarum, Cytherea, tibi secreta fatebor.candida Tartareo nuptum Proserpina regiiam pridem decreta dari: sic Atropos urget;sic cecinit longaeva Themis. nunc matre remotarem peragi tempus. fines invade Sicanos220et Cereris prolem patulis inludere campis,crastina puniceos cum lux detexerit ortus,coge tuis armata dolis, quibus urere cuncta,me quoque, saepe soles, cur ultima regna quiescunt?nulla sit inmunis regio nullumque sub umbris225pectus inaccensum Veneri. iam tristis Erinys

ditior oblatas mirabitur incola messes.”200

sic ait et fulvis tetigit serpentibus Idam.

Hic sedes augusta deae templique colendi

relligiosa silex, densis quam pinus obumbrat

frondibus et nulla lucos agitante procella

stridula coniferis modulatur carmina ramis.205

terribiles intus thiasi vesanaque mixto

concentu delubra gemunt; ululatibus Ide

bacchatur; timidas inclinant Gargara silvas.

postquam visa Ceres, mugitum tympana frenant;

conticuere chori; Corybas non impulit ensem;210

non buxus, non aera sonant blandasque leones

summisere iubas. adytis gavisa Cybebe

exilit et pronas intendit ad oscula turres.

Viderat haec dudum summa speculatus ab arce

Iuppiter ac Veneri mentis penetralia pandit:215

“curarum, Cytherea, tibi secreta fatebor.

candida Tartareo nuptum Proserpina regi

iam pridem decreta dari: sic Atropos urget;

sic cecinit longaeva Themis. nunc matre remota

rem peragi tempus. fines invade Sicanos220

et Cereris prolem patulis inludere campis,

crastina puniceos cum lux detexerit ortus,

coge tuis armata dolis, quibus urere cuncta,

me quoque, saepe soles, cur ultima regna quiescunt?

nulla sit inmunis regio nullumque sub umbris225

pectus inaccensum Veneri. iam tristis Erinys

[309]husbandman shall view with wonder the self-sown harvest.” So spake she and reached Mount Ida, drawn by her yellow serpents.Here is the queenly seat of the goddess and in her holy temple the sacred statue, o’ershadowed by the thick leaves of the pine wood which, though no storm wind shakes the grove, gives forth creakings with its cone-bearing branches. Within are the dread bands of the initiate with whose wild chantings the shrine rings; Ida is loud with howlings and Gargarus bends his woods in fear. As soon as Ceres appears the drums restrain their rattle; the choirs are silent and the Corybantes stay the flourish of their knives. Pipes and cymbals are still, and the lions sink their manes in greeting. Cybele[121]rejoicing runs forth from the shrine and bends her towered head to kiss her guest.Long had Jove seen this, watching from his lofty seat, and to Venus he thus enfolded the secrets of his heart: “Goddess of Cythera, I will impart to thee my hidden troubles; long ago I decided that fair Proserpine should be given in marriage to the lord of Hell; such is Atropos’ bidding, such old Themis’ prophecy. Now that her mother has left her is the time for action. Do thou visit the confines of Sicily, and armed with thy wiles, lead Ceres’ daughter to sport in the level meads what time to-morrow’s light has unfolded the rosy dawn; employ those arts with which thou art wont to inflame all things, often even myself. Why should the nether kingdoms know not love? Let no land be free and no breast even amid the shades unfired by Venus. At last let the gloomy Fury[121]Cybele and Cybebe are alternative forms in Latin. The normal English form is Cybele.

[309]

husbandman shall view with wonder the self-sown harvest.” So spake she and reached Mount Ida, drawn by her yellow serpents.

Here is the queenly seat of the goddess and in her holy temple the sacred statue, o’ershadowed by the thick leaves of the pine wood which, though no storm wind shakes the grove, gives forth creakings with its cone-bearing branches. Within are the dread bands of the initiate with whose wild chantings the shrine rings; Ida is loud with howlings and Gargarus bends his woods in fear. As soon as Ceres appears the drums restrain their rattle; the choirs are silent and the Corybantes stay the flourish of their knives. Pipes and cymbals are still, and the lions sink their manes in greeting. Cybele[121]rejoicing runs forth from the shrine and bends her towered head to kiss her guest.

Long had Jove seen this, watching from his lofty seat, and to Venus he thus enfolded the secrets of his heart: “Goddess of Cythera, I will impart to thee my hidden troubles; long ago I decided that fair Proserpine should be given in marriage to the lord of Hell; such is Atropos’ bidding, such old Themis’ prophecy. Now that her mother has left her is the time for action. Do thou visit the confines of Sicily, and armed with thy wiles, lead Ceres’ daughter to sport in the level meads what time to-morrow’s light has unfolded the rosy dawn; employ those arts with which thou art wont to inflame all things, often even myself. Why should the nether kingdoms know not love? Let no land be free and no breast even amid the shades unfired by Venus. At last let the gloomy Fury

[121]Cybele and Cybebe are alternative forms in Latin. The normal English form is Cybele.

[310]sentiat ardores; Acheron Ditisque severiferrea lascivis mollescant corda sagittis.”Accelerat praecepta Venus; iussuque parentisPallas et inflexo quae terret Maenala cornu230addunt se comites. divino semita gressuclaruit, augurium qualis laturus iniquumpraepes sanguineo dilabitur igne cometesprodigiale rubens: non illum navita tuto,non impune vident populi, sed crine minaci235nuntiat aut ratibus ventos aut urbibus hostes.devenere locum, Cereris quo tecta nitebantCyclopum firmata manu: stant ardua ferromoenia, ferrati postes, inmensaque nectitclaustra chalybs. nullum tanto sudore Pyragmon240nec Steropes construxit opus: non talibus umquamspiravere Notis animae nec flumine tantoincoctum maduit lassa cervice metallum.atria cingit ebur; trabibus solidatur aënisculmen et in celsas surgunt electra columnas.245Ipsa domum tenero mulcens Proserpina cantuinrita texebat rediturae munera matri.hic elementorum seriem sedesque paternasinsignibat acu, veterem qua lege tumultumdiscrevit Natura parens et semina iustis250discessere locis: quidquid leve, fertur in altum;in medium graviora cadunt; incanduit aër;legit flamma polum; fluxit mare; terra pependit.nec color unus erat: stellas accendit in auro,[311]feel the sting of passion and Acheron and the steely heart of stern Dis grow tender with love’s arrows.”Venus hastes to do his bidding; and at their sire’s behest there join her Pallas and Diana whose bent bow affrights all Maenalus’ slopes. Neath her divine feet the path shone bright, even as a comet, fraught with augury of ill, falls headlong, a glowing portent of blood-red fire; no sailor may look on it and live, no people view it but to their destruction; the message of its threatening tail is storm to ships and an enemy’s attack to cities. They reached the place where shone Ceres’ palace, firm-built by the Cyclops’ hands; up tower the iron walls, iron stand the gates, and steel bars secure the massy doors. Neither Pyragmon nor Steropes e’er builded a work with toil so great as that, nor ever did bellows breathe forth such blasts nor the molten mass of metal flow in a stream so deep that the very furnaces were weary of heating it. The hall was walled with ivory; the roof strengthened with beams of bronze and supported by lofty columns of electron.Proserpine herself, soothing the house with sweet song, was sewing all in vain a gift against her mother’s return. In this cloth she embroidered with her needle the concourse of atoms and the dwelling of the Father of the gods and pictured how mother Nature ordered elemental chaos, and how the first principles of things sprang apart, each to his proper place—those that were light being born aloft, the heavier ones falling to a centre. The air grew bright and fire chose the pole as its seat. Here flowed the sea; there hung the earth suspended. Many were the colours she employed, tricking the stars with gold and flooding the sea

[310]

sentiat ardores; Acheron Ditisque severiferrea lascivis mollescant corda sagittis.”Accelerat praecepta Venus; iussuque parentisPallas et inflexo quae terret Maenala cornu230addunt se comites. divino semita gressuclaruit, augurium qualis laturus iniquumpraepes sanguineo dilabitur igne cometesprodigiale rubens: non illum navita tuto,non impune vident populi, sed crine minaci235nuntiat aut ratibus ventos aut urbibus hostes.devenere locum, Cereris quo tecta nitebantCyclopum firmata manu: stant ardua ferromoenia, ferrati postes, inmensaque nectitclaustra chalybs. nullum tanto sudore Pyragmon240nec Steropes construxit opus: non talibus umquamspiravere Notis animae nec flumine tantoincoctum maduit lassa cervice metallum.atria cingit ebur; trabibus solidatur aënisculmen et in celsas surgunt electra columnas.245Ipsa domum tenero mulcens Proserpina cantuinrita texebat rediturae munera matri.hic elementorum seriem sedesque paternasinsignibat acu, veterem qua lege tumultumdiscrevit Natura parens et semina iustis250discessere locis: quidquid leve, fertur in altum;in medium graviora cadunt; incanduit aër;legit flamma polum; fluxit mare; terra pependit.nec color unus erat: stellas accendit in auro,

sentiat ardores; Acheron Ditisque severi

ferrea lascivis mollescant corda sagittis.”

Accelerat praecepta Venus; iussuque parentis

Pallas et inflexo quae terret Maenala cornu230

addunt se comites. divino semita gressu

claruit, augurium qualis laturus iniquum

praepes sanguineo dilabitur igne cometes

prodigiale rubens: non illum navita tuto,

non impune vident populi, sed crine minaci235

nuntiat aut ratibus ventos aut urbibus hostes.

devenere locum, Cereris quo tecta nitebant

Cyclopum firmata manu: stant ardua ferro

moenia, ferrati postes, inmensaque nectit

claustra chalybs. nullum tanto sudore Pyragmon240

nec Steropes construxit opus: non talibus umquam

spiravere Notis animae nec flumine tanto

incoctum maduit lassa cervice metallum.

atria cingit ebur; trabibus solidatur aënis

culmen et in celsas surgunt electra columnas.245

Ipsa domum tenero mulcens Proserpina cantu

inrita texebat rediturae munera matri.

hic elementorum seriem sedesque paternas

insignibat acu, veterem qua lege tumultum

discrevit Natura parens et semina iustis250

discessere locis: quidquid leve, fertur in altum;

in medium graviora cadunt; incanduit aër;

legit flamma polum; fluxit mare; terra pependit.

nec color unus erat: stellas accendit in auro,

[311]feel the sting of passion and Acheron and the steely heart of stern Dis grow tender with love’s arrows.”Venus hastes to do his bidding; and at their sire’s behest there join her Pallas and Diana whose bent bow affrights all Maenalus’ slopes. Neath her divine feet the path shone bright, even as a comet, fraught with augury of ill, falls headlong, a glowing portent of blood-red fire; no sailor may look on it and live, no people view it but to their destruction; the message of its threatening tail is storm to ships and an enemy’s attack to cities. They reached the place where shone Ceres’ palace, firm-built by the Cyclops’ hands; up tower the iron walls, iron stand the gates, and steel bars secure the massy doors. Neither Pyragmon nor Steropes e’er builded a work with toil so great as that, nor ever did bellows breathe forth such blasts nor the molten mass of metal flow in a stream so deep that the very furnaces were weary of heating it. The hall was walled with ivory; the roof strengthened with beams of bronze and supported by lofty columns of electron.Proserpine herself, soothing the house with sweet song, was sewing all in vain a gift against her mother’s return. In this cloth she embroidered with her needle the concourse of atoms and the dwelling of the Father of the gods and pictured how mother Nature ordered elemental chaos, and how the first principles of things sprang apart, each to his proper place—those that were light being born aloft, the heavier ones falling to a centre. The air grew bright and fire chose the pole as its seat. Here flowed the sea; there hung the earth suspended. Many were the colours she employed, tricking the stars with gold and flooding the sea

[311]

feel the sting of passion and Acheron and the steely heart of stern Dis grow tender with love’s arrows.”

Venus hastes to do his bidding; and at their sire’s behest there join her Pallas and Diana whose bent bow affrights all Maenalus’ slopes. Neath her divine feet the path shone bright, even as a comet, fraught with augury of ill, falls headlong, a glowing portent of blood-red fire; no sailor may look on it and live, no people view it but to their destruction; the message of its threatening tail is storm to ships and an enemy’s attack to cities. They reached the place where shone Ceres’ palace, firm-built by the Cyclops’ hands; up tower the iron walls, iron stand the gates, and steel bars secure the massy doors. Neither Pyragmon nor Steropes e’er builded a work with toil so great as that, nor ever did bellows breathe forth such blasts nor the molten mass of metal flow in a stream so deep that the very furnaces were weary of heating it. The hall was walled with ivory; the roof strengthened with beams of bronze and supported by lofty columns of electron.

Proserpine herself, soothing the house with sweet song, was sewing all in vain a gift against her mother’s return. In this cloth she embroidered with her needle the concourse of atoms and the dwelling of the Father of the gods and pictured how mother Nature ordered elemental chaos, and how the first principles of things sprang apart, each to his proper place—those that were light being born aloft, the heavier ones falling to a centre. The air grew bright and fire chose the pole as its seat. Here flowed the sea; there hung the earth suspended. Many were the colours she employed, tricking the stars with gold and flooding the sea

[312]ostro fundit aquas, attollit litora gemmis255filaque mentitos iamiam caelantia fluctusarte tument: credas inlidi cautibus algamet raucum bibulis inserpere murmur harenis.addit quinque plagas: mediam subtegmine rubroobsessam fervore notat; squalebat inustus260limes et adsiduo sitiebant stamina sole.vitales utrimque duas, quas mitis oberrattemperies habitanda viris; in fine supremotorpentes traxit geminas brumaque perennifoedat et aeterno contristat frigore telas.265nec non et patrui pingit sacraria Ditisfatalesque sibi Manes; nec defuit omen,praescia nam subitis maduerunt fletibus ora.Coeperat et vitreis summo iam margine textiOceanum sinuare vadis; sed cardine verso270cernit adesse deas imperfectumque laboremdeserit et niveos infecit purpura vultusper liquidas succensa genas castaeque pudorisinluxere faces: non sic decus ardet eburnum,Lydia Sidonio quod femina tinxerit ostro.275Merserat unda diem; sparso nox umida somnolanguida caeruleis invexerat otia bigis,iamque viam Pluto superas molitur ad aurasgermani monitu. torvos invisa iugalesAllecto temone ligat, qui pascua mandunt280Cocyti pratisque Erebi nigrantibus errant[313]with purple. The shore she embossed with precious stones and cunningly employed raised threadwork to imitate the swelling billows. You might have thought you saw the seaweed dashed against the rocks and heard the murmur of the hissing waves flooding up the thirsty sands. Five zones she added; indicating that the centre was the torrid zone by embroidering it with red yarn: its desert confines are parched and the thread she used was dried by the sun’s unfailing heat. On either side lay the two habitable zones, blessed with a mild climate fit for the life of man. At the top and bottom she set the two frozen zones, portraying eternal winter’s horror in her weaving and the gloom of never-ceasing cold. Further she embroidered the accursèd seat of her uncle, Dis, and the nether gods, her destined fellows. Nor did the omen pass unmarked, for prophetic of the future her cheeks grew wet with sudden tears.Next she began to trace Ocean’s glassy shallows at the tapestry’s farthest edge, but at that moment the doors opened, she saw the goddesses enter, and left her work unfinished. A glowing blush that mantled to her clear cheeks suffused her fair countenance and lit the torches of stainless purity. Not so beautiful even the glow of ivory which a Lydian maid has stained with Sidon’s scarlet dye.Now the sun was dipped in Ocean and misty night scattering sleep had brought for mortals ease and leisure in her black two-horsed chariot; when Pluto, warned by his brother, made his way to the upper air. The dread fury Allecto yokes to the chariot-pole the two fierce pairs of steeds that grace Cocytus’ banks and roam the dark meads of Erebus, and,

[312]

ostro fundit aquas, attollit litora gemmis255filaque mentitos iamiam caelantia fluctusarte tument: credas inlidi cautibus algamet raucum bibulis inserpere murmur harenis.addit quinque plagas: mediam subtegmine rubroobsessam fervore notat; squalebat inustus260limes et adsiduo sitiebant stamina sole.vitales utrimque duas, quas mitis oberrattemperies habitanda viris; in fine supremotorpentes traxit geminas brumaque perennifoedat et aeterno contristat frigore telas.265nec non et patrui pingit sacraria Ditisfatalesque sibi Manes; nec defuit omen,praescia nam subitis maduerunt fletibus ora.Coeperat et vitreis summo iam margine textiOceanum sinuare vadis; sed cardine verso270cernit adesse deas imperfectumque laboremdeserit et niveos infecit purpura vultusper liquidas succensa genas castaeque pudorisinluxere faces: non sic decus ardet eburnum,Lydia Sidonio quod femina tinxerit ostro.275Merserat unda diem; sparso nox umida somnolanguida caeruleis invexerat otia bigis,iamque viam Pluto superas molitur ad aurasgermani monitu. torvos invisa iugalesAllecto temone ligat, qui pascua mandunt280Cocyti pratisque Erebi nigrantibus errant

ostro fundit aquas, attollit litora gemmis255

filaque mentitos iamiam caelantia fluctus

arte tument: credas inlidi cautibus algam

et raucum bibulis inserpere murmur harenis.

addit quinque plagas: mediam subtegmine rubro

obsessam fervore notat; squalebat inustus260

limes et adsiduo sitiebant stamina sole.

vitales utrimque duas, quas mitis oberrat

temperies habitanda viris; in fine supremo

torpentes traxit geminas brumaque perenni

foedat et aeterno contristat frigore telas.265

nec non et patrui pingit sacraria Ditis

fatalesque sibi Manes; nec defuit omen,

praescia nam subitis maduerunt fletibus ora.

Coeperat et vitreis summo iam margine texti

Oceanum sinuare vadis; sed cardine verso270

cernit adesse deas imperfectumque laborem

deserit et niveos infecit purpura vultus

per liquidas succensa genas castaeque pudoris

inluxere faces: non sic decus ardet eburnum,

Lydia Sidonio quod femina tinxerit ostro.275

Merserat unda diem; sparso nox umida somno

languida caeruleis invexerat otia bigis,

iamque viam Pluto superas molitur ad auras

germani monitu. torvos invisa iugales

Allecto temone ligat, qui pascua mandunt280

Cocyti pratisque Erebi nigrantibus errant

[313]with purple. The shore she embossed with precious stones and cunningly employed raised threadwork to imitate the swelling billows. You might have thought you saw the seaweed dashed against the rocks and heard the murmur of the hissing waves flooding up the thirsty sands. Five zones she added; indicating that the centre was the torrid zone by embroidering it with red yarn: its desert confines are parched and the thread she used was dried by the sun’s unfailing heat. On either side lay the two habitable zones, blessed with a mild climate fit for the life of man. At the top and bottom she set the two frozen zones, portraying eternal winter’s horror in her weaving and the gloom of never-ceasing cold. Further she embroidered the accursèd seat of her uncle, Dis, and the nether gods, her destined fellows. Nor did the omen pass unmarked, for prophetic of the future her cheeks grew wet with sudden tears.Next she began to trace Ocean’s glassy shallows at the tapestry’s farthest edge, but at that moment the doors opened, she saw the goddesses enter, and left her work unfinished. A glowing blush that mantled to her clear cheeks suffused her fair countenance and lit the torches of stainless purity. Not so beautiful even the glow of ivory which a Lydian maid has stained with Sidon’s scarlet dye.Now the sun was dipped in Ocean and misty night scattering sleep had brought for mortals ease and leisure in her black two-horsed chariot; when Pluto, warned by his brother, made his way to the upper air. The dread fury Allecto yokes to the chariot-pole the two fierce pairs of steeds that grace Cocytus’ banks and roam the dark meads of Erebus, and,

[313]

with purple. The shore she embossed with precious stones and cunningly employed raised threadwork to imitate the swelling billows. You might have thought you saw the seaweed dashed against the rocks and heard the murmur of the hissing waves flooding up the thirsty sands. Five zones she added; indicating that the centre was the torrid zone by embroidering it with red yarn: its desert confines are parched and the thread she used was dried by the sun’s unfailing heat. On either side lay the two habitable zones, blessed with a mild climate fit for the life of man. At the top and bottom she set the two frozen zones, portraying eternal winter’s horror in her weaving and the gloom of never-ceasing cold. Further she embroidered the accursèd seat of her uncle, Dis, and the nether gods, her destined fellows. Nor did the omen pass unmarked, for prophetic of the future her cheeks grew wet with sudden tears.

Next she began to trace Ocean’s glassy shallows at the tapestry’s farthest edge, but at that moment the doors opened, she saw the goddesses enter, and left her work unfinished. A glowing blush that mantled to her clear cheeks suffused her fair countenance and lit the torches of stainless purity. Not so beautiful even the glow of ivory which a Lydian maid has stained with Sidon’s scarlet dye.

Now the sun was dipped in Ocean and misty night scattering sleep had brought for mortals ease and leisure in her black two-horsed chariot; when Pluto, warned by his brother, made his way to the upper air. The dread fury Allecto yokes to the chariot-pole the two fierce pairs of steeds that grace Cocytus’ banks and roam the dark meads of Erebus, and,

[314]stagnaque tranquillae potantes marcida Lethesaegra soporatis spumant oblivia linguis:Orphnaeus crudele micans Aethonque sagittaocior et Stygii sublimis gloria Nycteus285armenti Ditisque nota signatus Alastor.stabant ante fores iuncti saevumque fremebantcrastina venturae spectantes gaudia praedae.LIBRI SECUNDI PRAEFATIO(XXXIV.)Otia sopitis ageret cum cantibus Orpheusneglectumque diu deposuisset opus,lugebant erepta sibi solacia Nymphae,quaerebant dulces flumina maesta modos.saeva feris natura redit metuensque leonem5implorat citharae vacca tacentis opem.illius et duri flevere silentia montessilvaque Bistoniam saepe secuta chelyn.Sed postquam Inachiis Alcides missus ab ArgisThracia pacifero contigit arva pede10diraque sanguinei vertit praesaepia regiset Diomedeos gramine pavit equos,tunc patriae festo laetatus tempore vatesdesuetae repetit fila canora lyrae[315]drinking the rotting pools of sluggish Lethe, let dark oblivion drip from their slumbrous lips—Orphnaeus, savage and fleet, Aethon, swifter than an arrow, great Nyctaeus, proud glory of Hell’s steeds, and Alastor, branded with the mark of Dis. These stood harnessed before the door and savagely champed the bit all eager for the morrow’s enjoyment of their destined booty.BOOK II PREFACE(XXXIV.)When Orpheus sought repose and, lulling his song to sleep, had long laid aside his neglected task, the Nymphs complained that their joy had been reft from them and the sad rivers mourned the loss of his tuneful lays. Nature’s savagery returned and the heifer in terror of the lion looked in vain for help from the now voiceless lyre. The rugged mountains lamented his silence and the woods that had so often followed his Thracian lute.But after that Hercules, setting forth from Inachian Argos, reached the plains of Thrace on his mission of salvation, and destroying the stables of Diomede, fed the horses of the bloody tyrant on grass, then it was that the poet, o’erjoyed at his country’s happy fate, took up once more the tuneful strings of his lute long laid aside, and touching its

[314]

stagnaque tranquillae potantes marcida Lethesaegra soporatis spumant oblivia linguis:Orphnaeus crudele micans Aethonque sagittaocior et Stygii sublimis gloria Nycteus285armenti Ditisque nota signatus Alastor.stabant ante fores iuncti saevumque fremebantcrastina venturae spectantes gaudia praedae.

stagnaque tranquillae potantes marcida Lethes

aegra soporatis spumant oblivia linguis:

Orphnaeus crudele micans Aethonque sagitta

ocior et Stygii sublimis gloria Nycteus285

armenti Ditisque nota signatus Alastor.

stabant ante fores iuncti saevumque fremebant

crastina venturae spectantes gaudia praedae.

(XXXIV.)

Otia sopitis ageret cum cantibus Orpheusneglectumque diu deposuisset opus,lugebant erepta sibi solacia Nymphae,quaerebant dulces flumina maesta modos.saeva feris natura redit metuensque leonem5implorat citharae vacca tacentis opem.illius et duri flevere silentia montessilvaque Bistoniam saepe secuta chelyn.Sed postquam Inachiis Alcides missus ab ArgisThracia pacifero contigit arva pede10diraque sanguinei vertit praesaepia regiset Diomedeos gramine pavit equos,tunc patriae festo laetatus tempore vatesdesuetae repetit fila canora lyrae

Otia sopitis ageret cum cantibus Orpheus

neglectumque diu deposuisset opus,

lugebant erepta sibi solacia Nymphae,

quaerebant dulces flumina maesta modos.

saeva feris natura redit metuensque leonem5

implorat citharae vacca tacentis opem.

illius et duri flevere silentia montes

silvaque Bistoniam saepe secuta chelyn.

Sed postquam Inachiis Alcides missus ab Argis

Thracia pacifero contigit arva pede10

diraque sanguinei vertit praesaepia regis

et Diomedeos gramine pavit equos,

tunc patriae festo laetatus tempore vates

desuetae repetit fila canora lyrae

[315]drinking the rotting pools of sluggish Lethe, let dark oblivion drip from their slumbrous lips—Orphnaeus, savage and fleet, Aethon, swifter than an arrow, great Nyctaeus, proud glory of Hell’s steeds, and Alastor, branded with the mark of Dis. These stood harnessed before the door and savagely champed the bit all eager for the morrow’s enjoyment of their destined booty.BOOK II PREFACE(XXXIV.)When Orpheus sought repose and, lulling his song to sleep, had long laid aside his neglected task, the Nymphs complained that their joy had been reft from them and the sad rivers mourned the loss of his tuneful lays. Nature’s savagery returned and the heifer in terror of the lion looked in vain for help from the now voiceless lyre. The rugged mountains lamented his silence and the woods that had so often followed his Thracian lute.But after that Hercules, setting forth from Inachian Argos, reached the plains of Thrace on his mission of salvation, and destroying the stables of Diomede, fed the horses of the bloody tyrant on grass, then it was that the poet, o’erjoyed at his country’s happy fate, took up once more the tuneful strings of his lute long laid aside, and touching its

[315]

drinking the rotting pools of sluggish Lethe, let dark oblivion drip from their slumbrous lips—Orphnaeus, savage and fleet, Aethon, swifter than an arrow, great Nyctaeus, proud glory of Hell’s steeds, and Alastor, branded with the mark of Dis. These stood harnessed before the door and savagely champed the bit all eager for the morrow’s enjoyment of their destined booty.

(XXXIV.)

When Orpheus sought repose and, lulling his song to sleep, had long laid aside his neglected task, the Nymphs complained that their joy had been reft from them and the sad rivers mourned the loss of his tuneful lays. Nature’s savagery returned and the heifer in terror of the lion looked in vain for help from the now voiceless lyre. The rugged mountains lamented his silence and the woods that had so often followed his Thracian lute.

But after that Hercules, setting forth from Inachian Argos, reached the plains of Thrace on his mission of salvation, and destroying the stables of Diomede, fed the horses of the bloody tyrant on grass, then it was that the poet, o’erjoyed at his country’s happy fate, took up once more the tuneful strings of his lute long laid aside, and touching its

[316]et resides levi modulatus pectine nervos15pollice festivo nobile duxit ebur.vix auditus erat: venti frenantur et undae,pigrior adstrictis torpuit Hebrus aquis,porrexit Rhodope sitientes carmina rupes,excussit gelidas pronior Ossa nives;20ardua nudato descendit populus Haemoet comitem quercum pinus amica trahit,Cirrhaeasque dei quamvis despexerit artes,Orpheis laurus vocibus acta venit.securum blandi leporem fovere Molossi25vicinumque lupo praebuit agna latus.concordes varia ludunt cum tigride dammae;Massylam cervi non timuere iubam.Ille novercales stimulos actusque canebatHerculis et forti monstra subacta manu,30quod timidae matri pressos ostenderit anguesintrepidusque fero riserit ore puer:“te neque Dictaeas quatiens mugitibus urbestaurus nec Stygii terruit ira canis,non leo sidereos caeli rediturus ad axes,35non Erymanthei gloria montis aper.solvis Amazonios cinctus, Stymphalidas arcuadpetis, occiduo ducis ab orbe gregestergeminique ducis numerosos deicis artuset totiens uno victor ab hoste redis.40non cadere Antaeo, non crescere profuit hydrae;nec cervam volucres eripuere pedes.Caci flamma perit; rubuit Busiride Nilus;prostratis maduit nubigenis Pholoë.[317]idle chords with the smooth quill, plied the famed ivory with festal fingers. Scarce had they heard him when the winds and waves were stilled; Hebrus flowed more sluggishly with reluctant stream, Rhodope stretched out her rocks all eager for the song, and Ossa, his summit less exalted, shook off his coat of snow. The tall poplar and the pine, accompanied by the oak, left the slopes of treeless Haemus, and even the laurel came, allured by the voice of Orpheus, though erstwhile it had despised Apollo’s art. Molossian dogs fawned playfully on fearless hares, and the lamb made room for the wolf by her side. Does sported in amity with the striped tiger and hinds had no fear of the lion’s mane.He sang the stings of a step-dame’s ire[122]and the deeds of Hercules, the monsters overcome by his strong right arm; how while yet a child he had shown the strangled snakes to his terrified mother, and had laughed, fearlessly scorning such dangers. “Thee nor the bull that shook with his bellowing the cities of Crete alarmed, nor the savagery of the hound of Hell; thee not the lion, soon to become a constellation in the heavens, nor the wild boar that brought renown to Erymanthus’ height. Thou hast stripped the Amazons of their girdles, shot with thy bow the birds of Stymphalus, and driven home the cattle of the western clime. Thou hast o’erthrown the many limbs of the triple-headed monster and returned thrice victorious from a single foe. Vain the falls of Antaeus, vain the sprouting of the Hydra’s new heads. Its winged feet availed not to save Diana’s deer from thy hand. Cacus’ flames were quenched and Nile ran rich with Busiris’ blood. Pholoë’s slopes reeked with the slaughter of the[122]Juno is called the stepmother of Hercules.

[316]

et resides levi modulatus pectine nervos15pollice festivo nobile duxit ebur.vix auditus erat: venti frenantur et undae,pigrior adstrictis torpuit Hebrus aquis,porrexit Rhodope sitientes carmina rupes,excussit gelidas pronior Ossa nives;20ardua nudato descendit populus Haemoet comitem quercum pinus amica trahit,Cirrhaeasque dei quamvis despexerit artes,Orpheis laurus vocibus acta venit.securum blandi leporem fovere Molossi25vicinumque lupo praebuit agna latus.concordes varia ludunt cum tigride dammae;Massylam cervi non timuere iubam.Ille novercales stimulos actusque canebatHerculis et forti monstra subacta manu,30quod timidae matri pressos ostenderit anguesintrepidusque fero riserit ore puer:“te neque Dictaeas quatiens mugitibus urbestaurus nec Stygii terruit ira canis,non leo sidereos caeli rediturus ad axes,35non Erymanthei gloria montis aper.solvis Amazonios cinctus, Stymphalidas arcuadpetis, occiduo ducis ab orbe gregestergeminique ducis numerosos deicis artuset totiens uno victor ab hoste redis.40non cadere Antaeo, non crescere profuit hydrae;nec cervam volucres eripuere pedes.Caci flamma perit; rubuit Busiride Nilus;prostratis maduit nubigenis Pholoë.

et resides levi modulatus pectine nervos15

pollice festivo nobile duxit ebur.

vix auditus erat: venti frenantur et undae,

pigrior adstrictis torpuit Hebrus aquis,

porrexit Rhodope sitientes carmina rupes,

excussit gelidas pronior Ossa nives;20

ardua nudato descendit populus Haemo

et comitem quercum pinus amica trahit,

Cirrhaeasque dei quamvis despexerit artes,

Orpheis laurus vocibus acta venit.

securum blandi leporem fovere Molossi25

vicinumque lupo praebuit agna latus.

concordes varia ludunt cum tigride dammae;

Massylam cervi non timuere iubam.

Ille novercales stimulos actusque canebat

Herculis et forti monstra subacta manu,30

quod timidae matri pressos ostenderit angues

intrepidusque fero riserit ore puer:

“te neque Dictaeas quatiens mugitibus urbes

taurus nec Stygii terruit ira canis,

non leo sidereos caeli rediturus ad axes,35

non Erymanthei gloria montis aper.

solvis Amazonios cinctus, Stymphalidas arcu

adpetis, occiduo ducis ab orbe greges

tergeminique ducis numerosos deicis artus

et totiens uno victor ab hoste redis.40

non cadere Antaeo, non crescere profuit hydrae;

nec cervam volucres eripuere pedes.

Caci flamma perit; rubuit Busiride Nilus;

prostratis maduit nubigenis Pholoë.

[317]idle chords with the smooth quill, plied the famed ivory with festal fingers. Scarce had they heard him when the winds and waves were stilled; Hebrus flowed more sluggishly with reluctant stream, Rhodope stretched out her rocks all eager for the song, and Ossa, his summit less exalted, shook off his coat of snow. The tall poplar and the pine, accompanied by the oak, left the slopes of treeless Haemus, and even the laurel came, allured by the voice of Orpheus, though erstwhile it had despised Apollo’s art. Molossian dogs fawned playfully on fearless hares, and the lamb made room for the wolf by her side. Does sported in amity with the striped tiger and hinds had no fear of the lion’s mane.He sang the stings of a step-dame’s ire[122]and the deeds of Hercules, the monsters overcome by his strong right arm; how while yet a child he had shown the strangled snakes to his terrified mother, and had laughed, fearlessly scorning such dangers. “Thee nor the bull that shook with his bellowing the cities of Crete alarmed, nor the savagery of the hound of Hell; thee not the lion, soon to become a constellation in the heavens, nor the wild boar that brought renown to Erymanthus’ height. Thou hast stripped the Amazons of their girdles, shot with thy bow the birds of Stymphalus, and driven home the cattle of the western clime. Thou hast o’erthrown the many limbs of the triple-headed monster and returned thrice victorious from a single foe. Vain the falls of Antaeus, vain the sprouting of the Hydra’s new heads. Its winged feet availed not to save Diana’s deer from thy hand. Cacus’ flames were quenched and Nile ran rich with Busiris’ blood. Pholoë’s slopes reeked with the slaughter of the[122]Juno is called the stepmother of Hercules.

[317]

idle chords with the smooth quill, plied the famed ivory with festal fingers. Scarce had they heard him when the winds and waves were stilled; Hebrus flowed more sluggishly with reluctant stream, Rhodope stretched out her rocks all eager for the song, and Ossa, his summit less exalted, shook off his coat of snow. The tall poplar and the pine, accompanied by the oak, left the slopes of treeless Haemus, and even the laurel came, allured by the voice of Orpheus, though erstwhile it had despised Apollo’s art. Molossian dogs fawned playfully on fearless hares, and the lamb made room for the wolf by her side. Does sported in amity with the striped tiger and hinds had no fear of the lion’s mane.

He sang the stings of a step-dame’s ire[122]and the deeds of Hercules, the monsters overcome by his strong right arm; how while yet a child he had shown the strangled snakes to his terrified mother, and had laughed, fearlessly scorning such dangers. “Thee nor the bull that shook with his bellowing the cities of Crete alarmed, nor the savagery of the hound of Hell; thee not the lion, soon to become a constellation in the heavens, nor the wild boar that brought renown to Erymanthus’ height. Thou hast stripped the Amazons of their girdles, shot with thy bow the birds of Stymphalus, and driven home the cattle of the western clime. Thou hast o’erthrown the many limbs of the triple-headed monster and returned thrice victorious from a single foe. Vain the falls of Antaeus, vain the sprouting of the Hydra’s new heads. Its winged feet availed not to save Diana’s deer from thy hand. Cacus’ flames were quenched and Nile ran rich with Busiris’ blood. Pholoë’s slopes reeked with the slaughter of the

[122]Juno is called the stepmother of Hercules.

[318]te Libyci stupuere sinus, te maxima Tethys45horruit, imposito cum premerere polo:firmior Herculea mundus cervice pependit;lustrarunt umeros Phoebus et astra tuos.”Thracius haec vates. sed tu Tirynthius alter,Florentine, mihi: tu mea plectra moves50antraque Musarum longo torpentia somnoexcutis et placidos ducis in orbe choros.LIBER SECUNDUS(XXXV.)Impulit Ionios praemisso lumine fluctusnondum pura dies; tremulis vibratur in undisardor et errantes ludunt per caerula flammae.iamque audax animi fidaeque oblita parentisfraude Dionaea riguos Proserpina saltus5(sic Parcae iussere) petit. ter cardine versopraesagum cecinere fores; ter conscia fatiflebile terrificis gemuit mugitibus Aetna,nullis illa tamen monstris nulloque teneturprodigio. comites gressum iunxere sorores.10Prima dolo gaudens et tanto concita votoit Venus et raptus metitur corde futuros,iam dirum flexura chaos, iam Dite subactoingenti famulos Manes ductura triumpho.[319]cloud-born Centaurs. Thee the curving shore of Libya held in awe; thee the mighty Ocean gazed at in amaze when thou laidst the world’s bulk on thy back; on the neck of Hercules the heaven was poised more surely; the sun and stars coursed over thy shoulders.”So sang the Thracian bard. But thou, Florentinus,[123]art a second Hercules to me. ’Tis thou causest my quill to stir, ’tis thou disturbest the Muses’ cavern long plunged in sleep and leadest their gentle bands in the dance.BOOK II(XXXV.)Not yet had bright day with herald beams struck the waves of the Ionian main; the light of dawn shimmered on the waters and the straying brilliance flickered over the deep blue sea. And now bold Proserpine, forgetful of her mother’s jealous care and tempted by the wiles of Venus, seeks the stream-fed vale. Such was the Fates’ decree. Thrice did the doors sound a warning note as the hinges turned; thrice did prophetic Aetna rumble mournfully with awful thunders. But her can no portent, no omen detain. The sister goddesses bore her company.First goes Venus exulting in her trickery and inspired by her great mission. In her heart she takes account of the coming rape; soon she will rule dread Chaos, soon, Dis once subdued, she will lead the subject ghosts. Her hair, parted into many[123]See Introduction, p. xiv.

[318]

te Libyci stupuere sinus, te maxima Tethys45horruit, imposito cum premerere polo:firmior Herculea mundus cervice pependit;lustrarunt umeros Phoebus et astra tuos.”Thracius haec vates. sed tu Tirynthius alter,Florentine, mihi: tu mea plectra moves50antraque Musarum longo torpentia somnoexcutis et placidos ducis in orbe choros.

te Libyci stupuere sinus, te maxima Tethys45

horruit, imposito cum premerere polo:

firmior Herculea mundus cervice pependit;

lustrarunt umeros Phoebus et astra tuos.”

Thracius haec vates. sed tu Tirynthius alter,

Florentine, mihi: tu mea plectra moves50

antraque Musarum longo torpentia somno

excutis et placidos ducis in orbe choros.

(XXXV.)

Impulit Ionios praemisso lumine fluctusnondum pura dies; tremulis vibratur in undisardor et errantes ludunt per caerula flammae.iamque audax animi fidaeque oblita parentisfraude Dionaea riguos Proserpina saltus5(sic Parcae iussere) petit. ter cardine versopraesagum cecinere fores; ter conscia fatiflebile terrificis gemuit mugitibus Aetna,nullis illa tamen monstris nulloque teneturprodigio. comites gressum iunxere sorores.10Prima dolo gaudens et tanto concita votoit Venus et raptus metitur corde futuros,iam dirum flexura chaos, iam Dite subactoingenti famulos Manes ductura triumpho.

Impulit Ionios praemisso lumine fluctus

nondum pura dies; tremulis vibratur in undis

ardor et errantes ludunt per caerula flammae.

iamque audax animi fidaeque oblita parentis

fraude Dionaea riguos Proserpina saltus5

(sic Parcae iussere) petit. ter cardine verso

praesagum cecinere fores; ter conscia fati

flebile terrificis gemuit mugitibus Aetna,

nullis illa tamen monstris nulloque tenetur

prodigio. comites gressum iunxere sorores.10

Prima dolo gaudens et tanto concita voto

it Venus et raptus metitur corde futuros,

iam dirum flexura chaos, iam Dite subacto

ingenti famulos Manes ductura triumpho.

[319]cloud-born Centaurs. Thee the curving shore of Libya held in awe; thee the mighty Ocean gazed at in amaze when thou laidst the world’s bulk on thy back; on the neck of Hercules the heaven was poised more surely; the sun and stars coursed over thy shoulders.”So sang the Thracian bard. But thou, Florentinus,[123]art a second Hercules to me. ’Tis thou causest my quill to stir, ’tis thou disturbest the Muses’ cavern long plunged in sleep and leadest their gentle bands in the dance.BOOK II(XXXV.)Not yet had bright day with herald beams struck the waves of the Ionian main; the light of dawn shimmered on the waters and the straying brilliance flickered over the deep blue sea. And now bold Proserpine, forgetful of her mother’s jealous care and tempted by the wiles of Venus, seeks the stream-fed vale. Such was the Fates’ decree. Thrice did the doors sound a warning note as the hinges turned; thrice did prophetic Aetna rumble mournfully with awful thunders. But her can no portent, no omen detain. The sister goddesses bore her company.First goes Venus exulting in her trickery and inspired by her great mission. In her heart she takes account of the coming rape; soon she will rule dread Chaos, soon, Dis once subdued, she will lead the subject ghosts. Her hair, parted into many[123]See Introduction, p. xiv.

[319]

cloud-born Centaurs. Thee the curving shore of Libya held in awe; thee the mighty Ocean gazed at in amaze when thou laidst the world’s bulk on thy back; on the neck of Hercules the heaven was poised more surely; the sun and stars coursed over thy shoulders.”

So sang the Thracian bard. But thou, Florentinus,[123]art a second Hercules to me. ’Tis thou causest my quill to stir, ’tis thou disturbest the Muses’ cavern long plunged in sleep and leadest their gentle bands in the dance.

(XXXV.)

Not yet had bright day with herald beams struck the waves of the Ionian main; the light of dawn shimmered on the waters and the straying brilliance flickered over the deep blue sea. And now bold Proserpine, forgetful of her mother’s jealous care and tempted by the wiles of Venus, seeks the stream-fed vale. Such was the Fates’ decree. Thrice did the doors sound a warning note as the hinges turned; thrice did prophetic Aetna rumble mournfully with awful thunders. But her can no portent, no omen detain. The sister goddesses bore her company.

First goes Venus exulting in her trickery and inspired by her great mission. In her heart she takes account of the coming rape; soon she will rule dread Chaos, soon, Dis once subdued, she will lead the subject ghosts. Her hair, parted into many

[123]See Introduction, p. xiv.

[320]illi multifidos crinis sinuatur in orbes15Idalia divisus acu; sudata maritofibula purpureos gemma suspendit amictus.Candida Parrhasii post hanc regina Lycaeiet Pandionias quae cuspide protegit arces,utraque virgo, ruunt: haec tristibus aspera bellis,20haec metuenda feris. Tritonia casside fulvacaelatum Typhona gerit, qui summa peremptusima parte viget, moriens et parte superstes;hastaque terribili surgens per nubila ferroinstar habet silvae; tantum stridentia colla25Gorgonis obtentu pallae fulgentis inumbrat.at Triviae lenis species et multus in orefrater erat, Phoebique genas et lumina Phoebiesse putes, solusque dabat discrimina sexus.brachia nuda nitent; levibus proiecerat auris30indociles errare comas, arcuque remissootia nervus agit; pendent post terga sagittae.crispatur gemino vestis Gortynia cinctupoplite fusa tenus, motoque in stamine Deloserrat et aurato trahitur circumflua ponto.35Quas inter Cereris proles, nunc gloria matris,mox dolor, aequali tendit per gramina passunec membris nec honore minor potuitque videriPallas, si clipeum ferret, si spicula, Phoebe.collectae tereti nodantur iaspide vestes.40pectinis ingenio numquam felicior artiscontigit eventus; nulli sic consona telaefila nec in tantum veri duxere figuras.hic Hyperionio Solem de semine nasci[321]locks, is braided round her head and secured by a Cyprian pin, and a brooch cunningly fabricated by her spouse Vulcan supports her cloak thick studded with purple jewels.Behind her hasten Diana, fair queen of Arcadian Lycaeus, and Pallas who, with her spear, protects the citadel of Athens—virgins both; Pallas, cruel goddess of war, Diana bane of wild creatures. On her burnished helmet the Triton-born goddess wore a carved figure of Typhon, the upper part of his body lifeless, the lower limbs yet writhing, part dead, part quick. Her terrible spear, piercing the clouds as she brandished it, resembled a tree; only the Gorgon’s hissing neck she hid in the spread of her glittering cloak. But mild was Diana’s gaze and very like her brother looked she; Phoebus’ own one had thought her cheeks and eyes, her sex alone disclosed the difference. Her shining arms were bare, her straying locks fluttered in the gentle breeze, and the chord of her unstrung bow hung idle, her arrows slung behind her back. Her Cretan tunic, gathered with girdles twain, flows down to her knees, and on her waving dress Delos wanders and stretches surrounded by a golden sea.Between the two Ceres’ child, now her mother’s pride, so soon to be her sorrow, treads the grass with equal pace, their equal, too, in stature and beauty; Pallas you might have thought her, had she carried a shield, Diana, if a javelin. A brooch of polished jasper secured her girded dress. Never did art give happier issue to the shuttle’s skill; never was cloth so beautifully made nor embroidery so lifelike. In it she had worked the birth of the sun from the seed of Hyperion, the birth, too, of the moon,

[320]

illi multifidos crinis sinuatur in orbes15Idalia divisus acu; sudata maritofibula purpureos gemma suspendit amictus.Candida Parrhasii post hanc regina Lycaeiet Pandionias quae cuspide protegit arces,utraque virgo, ruunt: haec tristibus aspera bellis,20haec metuenda feris. Tritonia casside fulvacaelatum Typhona gerit, qui summa peremptusima parte viget, moriens et parte superstes;hastaque terribili surgens per nubila ferroinstar habet silvae; tantum stridentia colla25Gorgonis obtentu pallae fulgentis inumbrat.at Triviae lenis species et multus in orefrater erat, Phoebique genas et lumina Phoebiesse putes, solusque dabat discrimina sexus.brachia nuda nitent; levibus proiecerat auris30indociles errare comas, arcuque remissootia nervus agit; pendent post terga sagittae.crispatur gemino vestis Gortynia cinctupoplite fusa tenus, motoque in stamine Deloserrat et aurato trahitur circumflua ponto.35Quas inter Cereris proles, nunc gloria matris,mox dolor, aequali tendit per gramina passunec membris nec honore minor potuitque videriPallas, si clipeum ferret, si spicula, Phoebe.collectae tereti nodantur iaspide vestes.40pectinis ingenio numquam felicior artiscontigit eventus; nulli sic consona telaefila nec in tantum veri duxere figuras.hic Hyperionio Solem de semine nasci

illi multifidos crinis sinuatur in orbes15

Idalia divisus acu; sudata marito

fibula purpureos gemma suspendit amictus.

Candida Parrhasii post hanc regina Lycaei

et Pandionias quae cuspide protegit arces,

utraque virgo, ruunt: haec tristibus aspera bellis,20

haec metuenda feris. Tritonia casside fulva

caelatum Typhona gerit, qui summa peremptus

ima parte viget, moriens et parte superstes;

hastaque terribili surgens per nubila ferro

instar habet silvae; tantum stridentia colla25

Gorgonis obtentu pallae fulgentis inumbrat.

at Triviae lenis species et multus in ore

frater erat, Phoebique genas et lumina Phoebi

esse putes, solusque dabat discrimina sexus.

brachia nuda nitent; levibus proiecerat auris30

indociles errare comas, arcuque remisso

otia nervus agit; pendent post terga sagittae.

crispatur gemino vestis Gortynia cinctu

poplite fusa tenus, motoque in stamine Delos

errat et aurato trahitur circumflua ponto.35

Quas inter Cereris proles, nunc gloria matris,

mox dolor, aequali tendit per gramina passu

nec membris nec honore minor potuitque videri

Pallas, si clipeum ferret, si spicula, Phoebe.

collectae tereti nodantur iaspide vestes.40

pectinis ingenio numquam felicior artis

contigit eventus; nulli sic consona telae

fila nec in tantum veri duxere figuras.

hic Hyperionio Solem de semine nasci

[321]locks, is braided round her head and secured by a Cyprian pin, and a brooch cunningly fabricated by her spouse Vulcan supports her cloak thick studded with purple jewels.Behind her hasten Diana, fair queen of Arcadian Lycaeus, and Pallas who, with her spear, protects the citadel of Athens—virgins both; Pallas, cruel goddess of war, Diana bane of wild creatures. On her burnished helmet the Triton-born goddess wore a carved figure of Typhon, the upper part of his body lifeless, the lower limbs yet writhing, part dead, part quick. Her terrible spear, piercing the clouds as she brandished it, resembled a tree; only the Gorgon’s hissing neck she hid in the spread of her glittering cloak. But mild was Diana’s gaze and very like her brother looked she; Phoebus’ own one had thought her cheeks and eyes, her sex alone disclosed the difference. Her shining arms were bare, her straying locks fluttered in the gentle breeze, and the chord of her unstrung bow hung idle, her arrows slung behind her back. Her Cretan tunic, gathered with girdles twain, flows down to her knees, and on her waving dress Delos wanders and stretches surrounded by a golden sea.Between the two Ceres’ child, now her mother’s pride, so soon to be her sorrow, treads the grass with equal pace, their equal, too, in stature and beauty; Pallas you might have thought her, had she carried a shield, Diana, if a javelin. A brooch of polished jasper secured her girded dress. Never did art give happier issue to the shuttle’s skill; never was cloth so beautifully made nor embroidery so lifelike. In it she had worked the birth of the sun from the seed of Hyperion, the birth, too, of the moon,

[321]

locks, is braided round her head and secured by a Cyprian pin, and a brooch cunningly fabricated by her spouse Vulcan supports her cloak thick studded with purple jewels.

Behind her hasten Diana, fair queen of Arcadian Lycaeus, and Pallas who, with her spear, protects the citadel of Athens—virgins both; Pallas, cruel goddess of war, Diana bane of wild creatures. On her burnished helmet the Triton-born goddess wore a carved figure of Typhon, the upper part of his body lifeless, the lower limbs yet writhing, part dead, part quick. Her terrible spear, piercing the clouds as she brandished it, resembled a tree; only the Gorgon’s hissing neck she hid in the spread of her glittering cloak. But mild was Diana’s gaze and very like her brother looked she; Phoebus’ own one had thought her cheeks and eyes, her sex alone disclosed the difference. Her shining arms were bare, her straying locks fluttered in the gentle breeze, and the chord of her unstrung bow hung idle, her arrows slung behind her back. Her Cretan tunic, gathered with girdles twain, flows down to her knees, and on her waving dress Delos wanders and stretches surrounded by a golden sea.

Between the two Ceres’ child, now her mother’s pride, so soon to be her sorrow, treads the grass with equal pace, their equal, too, in stature and beauty; Pallas you might have thought her, had she carried a shield, Diana, if a javelin. A brooch of polished jasper secured her girded dress. Never did art give happier issue to the shuttle’s skill; never was cloth so beautifully made nor embroidery so lifelike. In it she had worked the birth of the sun from the seed of Hyperion, the birth, too, of the moon,

[322]fecerat et pariter, forma sed dispare, Lunam,45aurorae noctisque duces; cunabula Tethyspraebet et infantes gremio solatur anheloscaeruleusque sinus roseis radiatur alumnis.invalidum dextro portat Titana lacertonondum luce gravem nec pubescentibus alte50cristatum radiis: primo clementior aevofingitur et tenerum vagitu despuit ignem.laeva parte soror vitrei libamina potatuberis et parvo signatur tempora cornu.Tali luxuriat cultu. comitantur euntem55Naides et socia stipant utrimque caterva,quae fontes, Crinise, tuos et saxa rotantemPantagiam nomenque Gelam qui praebuit urbiconcelebrant, quas pigra vado Camerina palustri,quas Arethusaei latices, quas advena nutrit60Alpheus; Cyane totum supereminet agmen:qualis Amazonidum peltis exultat aduncispulchra cohors, quotiens Arcton populata viragoHippolyte niveas ducit post proelia turmas,seu flavos stravere Getas seu forte rigentem65Thermodontiaca Tanaim fregere securi;aut quales referunt Baccho sollemnia NymphaeMaeoniae, quas Hermus alit, ripasque paternaspercurrunt auro madidae: laetatur in antroamnis et undantem declinat prodigus urnam.70Viderat herboso sacrum de vertice vulgusHenna parens florum curvaque in valle sedentem[323]though diverse was her shape—of sun and moon that bring the dawning and the night. Tethys affords them a cradle and soothes in her bosom their infant sobs; the rosy light of her foster-children irradiates her dark blue plains. On her right shoulder she carried the infant Titan, too young as yet to vex with his light, and his encircling beams not grown; he is pictured as more gentle in those tender years, and from his mouth issues a soft flame that accompanies his infant cries. The moon, his sister, carried on Tethys’ left shoulder, sucks the milk of that bright breast, her forehead marked with a little horn.Such is the wonder of Proserpine’s dress. The Naiads bear her company and on either side crowd around her, those who haunt thy streams, Crinisus, and Pantagia’s rocky torrent and Gela’s who gives his name to the city; those whom Camerina, the unmoved, nurtures in her shallow marshes, whose home is Arethusa’s flood or the stream of Alpheus, her foreign lover; tallest of their company is Cyane. So move they as the beauteous band of Amazons, brandishing their moon-shaped shields what time the maiden warrior Hippolyte, after laying waste the regions of the north, leads home her fair army after battle, whether they have o’erthrown the yellow-haired Getae or cloven frozen Tanais with the axe of their native Thermodon; or as the Lydian Nymphs celebrate the festivals of Bacchus—the Nymphs whose sire was Hermus along whose banks they course, splashed with his golden waters: the river-god rejoices in his cavern home and pours forth the flooding urn with generous hand.Henna, mother of blossoms, had espied the goddess’ company from her grassy summit and thus addressed

[322]

fecerat et pariter, forma sed dispare, Lunam,45aurorae noctisque duces; cunabula Tethyspraebet et infantes gremio solatur anheloscaeruleusque sinus roseis radiatur alumnis.invalidum dextro portat Titana lacertonondum luce gravem nec pubescentibus alte50cristatum radiis: primo clementior aevofingitur et tenerum vagitu despuit ignem.laeva parte soror vitrei libamina potatuberis et parvo signatur tempora cornu.Tali luxuriat cultu. comitantur euntem55Naides et socia stipant utrimque caterva,quae fontes, Crinise, tuos et saxa rotantemPantagiam nomenque Gelam qui praebuit urbiconcelebrant, quas pigra vado Camerina palustri,quas Arethusaei latices, quas advena nutrit60Alpheus; Cyane totum supereminet agmen:qualis Amazonidum peltis exultat aduncispulchra cohors, quotiens Arcton populata viragoHippolyte niveas ducit post proelia turmas,seu flavos stravere Getas seu forte rigentem65Thermodontiaca Tanaim fregere securi;aut quales referunt Baccho sollemnia NymphaeMaeoniae, quas Hermus alit, ripasque paternaspercurrunt auro madidae: laetatur in antroamnis et undantem declinat prodigus urnam.70Viderat herboso sacrum de vertice vulgusHenna parens florum curvaque in valle sedentem

fecerat et pariter, forma sed dispare, Lunam,45

aurorae noctisque duces; cunabula Tethys

praebet et infantes gremio solatur anhelos

caeruleusque sinus roseis radiatur alumnis.

invalidum dextro portat Titana lacerto

nondum luce gravem nec pubescentibus alte50

cristatum radiis: primo clementior aevo

fingitur et tenerum vagitu despuit ignem.

laeva parte soror vitrei libamina potat

uberis et parvo signatur tempora cornu.

Tali luxuriat cultu. comitantur euntem55

Naides et socia stipant utrimque caterva,

quae fontes, Crinise, tuos et saxa rotantem

Pantagiam nomenque Gelam qui praebuit urbi

concelebrant, quas pigra vado Camerina palustri,

quas Arethusaei latices, quas advena nutrit60

Alpheus; Cyane totum supereminet agmen:

qualis Amazonidum peltis exultat aduncis

pulchra cohors, quotiens Arcton populata virago

Hippolyte niveas ducit post proelia turmas,

seu flavos stravere Getas seu forte rigentem65

Thermodontiaca Tanaim fregere securi;

aut quales referunt Baccho sollemnia Nymphae

Maeoniae, quas Hermus alit, ripasque paternas

percurrunt auro madidae: laetatur in antro

amnis et undantem declinat prodigus urnam.70

Viderat herboso sacrum de vertice vulgus

Henna parens florum curvaque in valle sedentem

[323]though diverse was her shape—of sun and moon that bring the dawning and the night. Tethys affords them a cradle and soothes in her bosom their infant sobs; the rosy light of her foster-children irradiates her dark blue plains. On her right shoulder she carried the infant Titan, too young as yet to vex with his light, and his encircling beams not grown; he is pictured as more gentle in those tender years, and from his mouth issues a soft flame that accompanies his infant cries. The moon, his sister, carried on Tethys’ left shoulder, sucks the milk of that bright breast, her forehead marked with a little horn.Such is the wonder of Proserpine’s dress. The Naiads bear her company and on either side crowd around her, those who haunt thy streams, Crinisus, and Pantagia’s rocky torrent and Gela’s who gives his name to the city; those whom Camerina, the unmoved, nurtures in her shallow marshes, whose home is Arethusa’s flood or the stream of Alpheus, her foreign lover; tallest of their company is Cyane. So move they as the beauteous band of Amazons, brandishing their moon-shaped shields what time the maiden warrior Hippolyte, after laying waste the regions of the north, leads home her fair army after battle, whether they have o’erthrown the yellow-haired Getae or cloven frozen Tanais with the axe of their native Thermodon; or as the Lydian Nymphs celebrate the festivals of Bacchus—the Nymphs whose sire was Hermus along whose banks they course, splashed with his golden waters: the river-god rejoices in his cavern home and pours forth the flooding urn with generous hand.Henna, mother of blossoms, had espied the goddess’ company from her grassy summit and thus addressed

[323]

though diverse was her shape—of sun and moon that bring the dawning and the night. Tethys affords them a cradle and soothes in her bosom their infant sobs; the rosy light of her foster-children irradiates her dark blue plains. On her right shoulder she carried the infant Titan, too young as yet to vex with his light, and his encircling beams not grown; he is pictured as more gentle in those tender years, and from his mouth issues a soft flame that accompanies his infant cries. The moon, his sister, carried on Tethys’ left shoulder, sucks the milk of that bright breast, her forehead marked with a little horn.

Such is the wonder of Proserpine’s dress. The Naiads bear her company and on either side crowd around her, those who haunt thy streams, Crinisus, and Pantagia’s rocky torrent and Gela’s who gives his name to the city; those whom Camerina, the unmoved, nurtures in her shallow marshes, whose home is Arethusa’s flood or the stream of Alpheus, her foreign lover; tallest of their company is Cyane. So move they as the beauteous band of Amazons, brandishing their moon-shaped shields what time the maiden warrior Hippolyte, after laying waste the regions of the north, leads home her fair army after battle, whether they have o’erthrown the yellow-haired Getae or cloven frozen Tanais with the axe of their native Thermodon; or as the Lydian Nymphs celebrate the festivals of Bacchus—the Nymphs whose sire was Hermus along whose banks they course, splashed with his golden waters: the river-god rejoices in his cavern home and pours forth the flooding urn with generous hand.

Henna, mother of blossoms, had espied the goddess’ company from her grassy summit and thus addressed

[324]compellat Zephyrum: “pater o gratissime veris,qui mea lascivo regnas per prata meatusemper et adsiduis inroras flatibus annum,75respice Nympharum coetus et celsa Tonantisgermina per nostros dignantia ludere campos.nunc adsis faveasque, precor; nunc omnia fetupubescant virgulta velis, ut fertilis Hyblainvideat vincique suos non abnuat hortos.80quidquid turiferis spirat Panchaia silvis,quidquid odoratus longe blanditur Hydaspes,quidquid ab extremis ales longaeva coloniscolligit optato repetens exordia leto,[124]in venas disperge meas et flamine largo85rura fove. merear divino pollice carpiet nostris cupiant ornari numina sertis.”Dixerat; ille novo madidantes nectare pennasconcutit et glaebas fecundo rore maritat,quaque volat vernus sequitur rubor; omnis in herbasturget humus medioque patent convexa sereno.91sanguineo splendore rosas, vaccinia nigroimbuit et dulci violas ferrugine pingit.Parthica quae tantis variantur cingula gemmisregales vinctura sinus? quae vellera tantum95ditibus Assyrii spumis fucantur aëni?non tales volucer pandit Iunonius alas,nec sic innumeros arcu mutante coloresincipiens redimitur hiems, cum tramite flexosemita discretis interviret umida nimbis.100Forma loci superat flores: curvata tumoreparvo planities et mollibus edita cliviscreverat in collem; vivo de pumice fontes[124]letoHeinsius; Birtsaeclo(FDWB1V1).[325]Zephyrus, lurking in the winding vale: “Gracious father of the spring, thou who ever rulest over my meads with errant breeze and bringest rain upon the summer lands with thine unceasing breath, behold this company of Nymphs and Jove’s tall daughters who deign to sport them in my meadows. Be present to bless, I pray. Grant that now all the trees be thick with newly-grown fruit, that fertile Hybla may be jealous and admit her paradise surpassed. All the sweet airs of Panchaea’s incense-bearing woods, all the honied odours of Hydaspes’ distant stream, all the spices which from furthest fields the long-lived Phoenix gathers, seeking new birth from wished for death—spread thou all these through my veins and with generous breath refresh my country. May I be worthy to be plundered by divine fingers and goddesses seek to be decked with my garlands.”So spake she, and Zephyrus shook his wings adrip with fresh nectar and drenches the ground with their life-giving dew. Wheresoe’er he flies spring’s brilliance follows. The fields grow lush with verdure and heaven’s dome shines cloudless above them. He paints the bright roses red, the hyacinths blue and the sweet violets purple. What girdles of Babylon, meet cincture of a royal breast, are adorned with such varied jewels? What fleece so dyed in the rich juice of the murex where stand the brazen towers of Tyre? Not the wings of Juno’s own bird display such colouring. Not thus do the many-changing hues of the rainbow span young winter’s sky when in curved arch its rainy path glows green amid the parting clouds.Even more lovely than the flowers is the country. The plain, with gentle swell and gradual slopes, rose into a hill; issuing from the living rock gushing

[324]

compellat Zephyrum: “pater o gratissime veris,qui mea lascivo regnas per prata meatusemper et adsiduis inroras flatibus annum,75respice Nympharum coetus et celsa Tonantisgermina per nostros dignantia ludere campos.nunc adsis faveasque, precor; nunc omnia fetupubescant virgulta velis, ut fertilis Hyblainvideat vincique suos non abnuat hortos.80quidquid turiferis spirat Panchaia silvis,quidquid odoratus longe blanditur Hydaspes,quidquid ab extremis ales longaeva coloniscolligit optato repetens exordia leto,[124]in venas disperge meas et flamine largo85rura fove. merear divino pollice carpiet nostris cupiant ornari numina sertis.”Dixerat; ille novo madidantes nectare pennasconcutit et glaebas fecundo rore maritat,quaque volat vernus sequitur rubor; omnis in herbasturget humus medioque patent convexa sereno.91sanguineo splendore rosas, vaccinia nigroimbuit et dulci violas ferrugine pingit.Parthica quae tantis variantur cingula gemmisregales vinctura sinus? quae vellera tantum95ditibus Assyrii spumis fucantur aëni?non tales volucer pandit Iunonius alas,nec sic innumeros arcu mutante coloresincipiens redimitur hiems, cum tramite flexosemita discretis interviret umida nimbis.100Forma loci superat flores: curvata tumoreparvo planities et mollibus edita cliviscreverat in collem; vivo de pumice fontes

compellat Zephyrum: “pater o gratissime veris,

qui mea lascivo regnas per prata meatu

semper et adsiduis inroras flatibus annum,75

respice Nympharum coetus et celsa Tonantis

germina per nostros dignantia ludere campos.

nunc adsis faveasque, precor; nunc omnia fetu

pubescant virgulta velis, ut fertilis Hybla

invideat vincique suos non abnuat hortos.80

quidquid turiferis spirat Panchaia silvis,

quidquid odoratus longe blanditur Hydaspes,

quidquid ab extremis ales longaeva colonis

colligit optato repetens exordia leto,[124]

in venas disperge meas et flamine largo85

rura fove. merear divino pollice carpi

et nostris cupiant ornari numina sertis.”

Dixerat; ille novo madidantes nectare pennas

concutit et glaebas fecundo rore maritat,

quaque volat vernus sequitur rubor; omnis in herbas

turget humus medioque patent convexa sereno.91

sanguineo splendore rosas, vaccinia nigro

imbuit et dulci violas ferrugine pingit.

Parthica quae tantis variantur cingula gemmis

regales vinctura sinus? quae vellera tantum95

ditibus Assyrii spumis fucantur aëni?

non tales volucer pandit Iunonius alas,

nec sic innumeros arcu mutante colores

incipiens redimitur hiems, cum tramite flexo

semita discretis interviret umida nimbis.100

Forma loci superat flores: curvata tumore

parvo planities et mollibus edita clivis

creverat in collem; vivo de pumice fontes

[124]letoHeinsius; Birtsaeclo(FDWB1V1).

[325]Zephyrus, lurking in the winding vale: “Gracious father of the spring, thou who ever rulest over my meads with errant breeze and bringest rain upon the summer lands with thine unceasing breath, behold this company of Nymphs and Jove’s tall daughters who deign to sport them in my meadows. Be present to bless, I pray. Grant that now all the trees be thick with newly-grown fruit, that fertile Hybla may be jealous and admit her paradise surpassed. All the sweet airs of Panchaea’s incense-bearing woods, all the honied odours of Hydaspes’ distant stream, all the spices which from furthest fields the long-lived Phoenix gathers, seeking new birth from wished for death—spread thou all these through my veins and with generous breath refresh my country. May I be worthy to be plundered by divine fingers and goddesses seek to be decked with my garlands.”So spake she, and Zephyrus shook his wings adrip with fresh nectar and drenches the ground with their life-giving dew. Wheresoe’er he flies spring’s brilliance follows. The fields grow lush with verdure and heaven’s dome shines cloudless above them. He paints the bright roses red, the hyacinths blue and the sweet violets purple. What girdles of Babylon, meet cincture of a royal breast, are adorned with such varied jewels? What fleece so dyed in the rich juice of the murex where stand the brazen towers of Tyre? Not the wings of Juno’s own bird display such colouring. Not thus do the many-changing hues of the rainbow span young winter’s sky when in curved arch its rainy path glows green amid the parting clouds.Even more lovely than the flowers is the country. The plain, with gentle swell and gradual slopes, rose into a hill; issuing from the living rock gushing

[325]

Zephyrus, lurking in the winding vale: “Gracious father of the spring, thou who ever rulest over my meads with errant breeze and bringest rain upon the summer lands with thine unceasing breath, behold this company of Nymphs and Jove’s tall daughters who deign to sport them in my meadows. Be present to bless, I pray. Grant that now all the trees be thick with newly-grown fruit, that fertile Hybla may be jealous and admit her paradise surpassed. All the sweet airs of Panchaea’s incense-bearing woods, all the honied odours of Hydaspes’ distant stream, all the spices which from furthest fields the long-lived Phoenix gathers, seeking new birth from wished for death—spread thou all these through my veins and with generous breath refresh my country. May I be worthy to be plundered by divine fingers and goddesses seek to be decked with my garlands.”

So spake she, and Zephyrus shook his wings adrip with fresh nectar and drenches the ground with their life-giving dew. Wheresoe’er he flies spring’s brilliance follows. The fields grow lush with verdure and heaven’s dome shines cloudless above them. He paints the bright roses red, the hyacinths blue and the sweet violets purple. What girdles of Babylon, meet cincture of a royal breast, are adorned with such varied jewels? What fleece so dyed in the rich juice of the murex where stand the brazen towers of Tyre? Not the wings of Juno’s own bird display such colouring. Not thus do the many-changing hues of the rainbow span young winter’s sky when in curved arch its rainy path glows green amid the parting clouds.

Even more lovely than the flowers is the country. The plain, with gentle swell and gradual slopes, rose into a hill; issuing from the living rock gushing

[326]roscida mobilibus lambebant gramina rivis,silvaque torrentes ramorum frigore soles105temperat et medio brumam sibi vindicat aestu:apta fretis abies, bellis accommoda cornus,quercus amica Iovi, tumulos tectura cupressus,ilex plena favis, venturi praescia laurus;fluctuat hic denso crispata cacumine buxus,110hic hederae serpunt, hic pampinus induit ulmos.haud procul inde lacus (Pergum dixere Sicani)panditur et nemorum frondoso margine cinctusvicinis pallescit aquis: admittit in altumcernentes oculos et late pervius umor115ducit inoffensos liquido sub flumine visusimaque perspicui prodit secreta profundi.[huc elapsa cohors gaudet per florida rura.][125]Hortatur Cytherea legant. “nunc ite, sorores,dum matutinis praesudat solibus aër,120dum meus umectat flaventes Lucifer agrosroranti praevectus equo.” sic fata doloriscarpit signa sui. varios tum cetera saltusinvasere cohors: credas examina fundiHyblaeum raptura thymum, cum cerea reges125castra movent fagique cava dimissus ab alvomellifer electis exercitus obstrepit herbis.pratorum spoliatur honos: haec lilia fuscisintexit violis; hanc mollis amaracus ornat;haec graditur stellata rosis, haec alba ligustris.130te quoque, flebilibus maerens Hyacinthe figuris,[125]Written into F by a later hand. Doubtless an interpolation and as such erased in C. It anticipates thesaltus invasere cohorsof 123.[327]streams bedewed their grassy banks. With the shade of its branches a wood tempers the sun’s fierce heat and at summer’s height makes for itself the cold of winter. There grows the pine, useful for seafaring, the cornel-tree for weapons of war, the oak, friendly to Jove, the cypress, sentinel of graves, the holm filled with honeycombs, and the laurel foreknowing of the future; here the box-tree waves its thick crown of leaves, here creeps the ivy, here the vine clothes the elm. Not far from here lies a lake called by the Sicani Pergus, girt with a cincture of leafy woods close around its pallid waters. Deep down therein the eye of whoso would can see, and the everywhere transparent water invites an untrammelled gaze into its oozy depths and betrays the uttermost secrets of its pellucid gulfs. [Hither came their company well pleased with the flowery climb.]Venus bids them gather flowers. “Come, sisters, while yet the morning sun shines through the moist air, and while Lucifer, my harbinger of dawn, yet drives his dewy steeds and waters the flower-bright field.” So spake she and gathered the flower that testifies to her own woe.[126]Her companions ranged the various vales. You could have believed a swarm of bees was on the wing, eager to gather its sweetness from Hyblaean thyme, where the king bees lead out their wax-housed armies and the honey-bearing host, issuing from the beech-tree’s hollow bole, buzzes around its favourite flowers. The meadows are despoiled of their glory; this goddess weaves lilies with dark violets, another decks herself with pliant marjoram, a third steps forth rose-crowned, another wreathed with white privet. Thee also, Hyacinthus,[126]Traditionally said to be the anemone, which is supposed to have sprung up red from the spot where Adonis was killed by the boar.

[326]

roscida mobilibus lambebant gramina rivis,silvaque torrentes ramorum frigore soles105temperat et medio brumam sibi vindicat aestu:apta fretis abies, bellis accommoda cornus,quercus amica Iovi, tumulos tectura cupressus,ilex plena favis, venturi praescia laurus;fluctuat hic denso crispata cacumine buxus,110hic hederae serpunt, hic pampinus induit ulmos.haud procul inde lacus (Pergum dixere Sicani)panditur et nemorum frondoso margine cinctusvicinis pallescit aquis: admittit in altumcernentes oculos et late pervius umor115ducit inoffensos liquido sub flumine visusimaque perspicui prodit secreta profundi.[huc elapsa cohors gaudet per florida rura.][125]Hortatur Cytherea legant. “nunc ite, sorores,dum matutinis praesudat solibus aër,120dum meus umectat flaventes Lucifer agrosroranti praevectus equo.” sic fata doloriscarpit signa sui. varios tum cetera saltusinvasere cohors: credas examina fundiHyblaeum raptura thymum, cum cerea reges125castra movent fagique cava dimissus ab alvomellifer electis exercitus obstrepit herbis.pratorum spoliatur honos: haec lilia fuscisintexit violis; hanc mollis amaracus ornat;haec graditur stellata rosis, haec alba ligustris.130te quoque, flebilibus maerens Hyacinthe figuris,

roscida mobilibus lambebant gramina rivis,

silvaque torrentes ramorum frigore soles105

temperat et medio brumam sibi vindicat aestu:

apta fretis abies, bellis accommoda cornus,

quercus amica Iovi, tumulos tectura cupressus,

ilex plena favis, venturi praescia laurus;

fluctuat hic denso crispata cacumine buxus,110

hic hederae serpunt, hic pampinus induit ulmos.

haud procul inde lacus (Pergum dixere Sicani)

panditur et nemorum frondoso margine cinctus

vicinis pallescit aquis: admittit in altum

cernentes oculos et late pervius umor115

ducit inoffensos liquido sub flumine visus

imaque perspicui prodit secreta profundi.

[huc elapsa cohors gaudet per florida rura.][125]

Hortatur Cytherea legant. “nunc ite, sorores,

dum matutinis praesudat solibus aër,120

dum meus umectat flaventes Lucifer agros

roranti praevectus equo.” sic fata doloris

carpit signa sui. varios tum cetera saltus

invasere cohors: credas examina fundi

Hyblaeum raptura thymum, cum cerea reges125

castra movent fagique cava dimissus ab alvo

mellifer electis exercitus obstrepit herbis.

pratorum spoliatur honos: haec lilia fuscis

intexit violis; hanc mollis amaracus ornat;

haec graditur stellata rosis, haec alba ligustris.130

te quoque, flebilibus maerens Hyacinthe figuris,

[125]Written into F by a later hand. Doubtless an interpolation and as such erased in C. It anticipates thesaltus invasere cohorsof 123.

[327]streams bedewed their grassy banks. With the shade of its branches a wood tempers the sun’s fierce heat and at summer’s height makes for itself the cold of winter. There grows the pine, useful for seafaring, the cornel-tree for weapons of war, the oak, friendly to Jove, the cypress, sentinel of graves, the holm filled with honeycombs, and the laurel foreknowing of the future; here the box-tree waves its thick crown of leaves, here creeps the ivy, here the vine clothes the elm. Not far from here lies a lake called by the Sicani Pergus, girt with a cincture of leafy woods close around its pallid waters. Deep down therein the eye of whoso would can see, and the everywhere transparent water invites an untrammelled gaze into its oozy depths and betrays the uttermost secrets of its pellucid gulfs. [Hither came their company well pleased with the flowery climb.]Venus bids them gather flowers. “Come, sisters, while yet the morning sun shines through the moist air, and while Lucifer, my harbinger of dawn, yet drives his dewy steeds and waters the flower-bright field.” So spake she and gathered the flower that testifies to her own woe.[126]Her companions ranged the various vales. You could have believed a swarm of bees was on the wing, eager to gather its sweetness from Hyblaean thyme, where the king bees lead out their wax-housed armies and the honey-bearing host, issuing from the beech-tree’s hollow bole, buzzes around its favourite flowers. The meadows are despoiled of their glory; this goddess weaves lilies with dark violets, another decks herself with pliant marjoram, a third steps forth rose-crowned, another wreathed with white privet. Thee also, Hyacinthus,[126]Traditionally said to be the anemone, which is supposed to have sprung up red from the spot where Adonis was killed by the boar.

[327]

streams bedewed their grassy banks. With the shade of its branches a wood tempers the sun’s fierce heat and at summer’s height makes for itself the cold of winter. There grows the pine, useful for seafaring, the cornel-tree for weapons of war, the oak, friendly to Jove, the cypress, sentinel of graves, the holm filled with honeycombs, and the laurel foreknowing of the future; here the box-tree waves its thick crown of leaves, here creeps the ivy, here the vine clothes the elm. Not far from here lies a lake called by the Sicani Pergus, girt with a cincture of leafy woods close around its pallid waters. Deep down therein the eye of whoso would can see, and the everywhere transparent water invites an untrammelled gaze into its oozy depths and betrays the uttermost secrets of its pellucid gulfs. [Hither came their company well pleased with the flowery climb.]

Venus bids them gather flowers. “Come, sisters, while yet the morning sun shines through the moist air, and while Lucifer, my harbinger of dawn, yet drives his dewy steeds and waters the flower-bright field.” So spake she and gathered the flower that testifies to her own woe.[126]Her companions ranged the various vales. You could have believed a swarm of bees was on the wing, eager to gather its sweetness from Hyblaean thyme, where the king bees lead out their wax-housed armies and the honey-bearing host, issuing from the beech-tree’s hollow bole, buzzes around its favourite flowers. The meadows are despoiled of their glory; this goddess weaves lilies with dark violets, another decks herself with pliant marjoram, a third steps forth rose-crowned, another wreathed with white privet. Thee also, Hyacinthus,

[126]Traditionally said to be the anemone, which is supposed to have sprung up red from the spot where Adonis was killed by the boar.

[328]Narcissumque metunt, nunc inclita germina veris,praestantes olim pueros: tu natus Amyclis,hunc Helicon genuit; disci te perculit error,hunc fontis decepit amor; te fronte retusa135Delius, hunc fracta Cephisus harundine luget.Aestuat ante alias avido fervore legendifrugiferae spes una deae: nunc vimine textoridentes calathos spoliis agrestibus implet;nunc sociat flores seseque ignara coronat,140augurium fatale tori. quin ipsa tubarumarmorumque potens dextram, qua fortia turbatagmina, qua stabiles portas et moenia vellit,iam levibus laxat studiis hastamque reponitinsuetisque docet galeam mitescere sertis;145ferratus lascivit apex horrorque recessitMartius et cristae pacato fulgure vernant.nec, quae Parthenium canibus scrutatur odorem,aspernata choros libertatemque comaruminiecta voluit tantum frenare corona.150Talia virgineo passim dum more geruntur,ecce repens mugire fragor, confligere turrespronaque vibratis radicibus oppida verti.causa latet; dubios agnovit sola tumultusdiva Paphi mixtoque metu perterrita gaudet.155iamque per anfractus animarum rector opacossub terris quaerebat iter gravibusque gementem[329]they gather, thy flower inscribed with woe, and Narcissus too—once lovely boys, now the pride of flowering spring. Thou, Hyacinthus, wert born at Amyclae, Narcissus was Helicon’s child; thee the errant discus slew; him the amorous water-nymphs beguiled; for thee weeps Delos’ god with sorrow-weighted brow; for him Cephisus with his broken reeds.But beyond her fellows she, the one hope of the corn-bearing goddess, burned with a fierce desire to gather flowers. Now she fills with the spoil of the fields her laughing baskets, osier-woven; now she twines a wreath of flowers and crowns herself therewith, little seeing in this a foreshadowing of the marriage fate holds in store for her. E’en Pallas herself, goddess of the trumpets and of the weapons of war, devotes to gentler pursuits the hand wherewith she o’erwhelms the host of battle and throws down stout gates and city walls. She lays aside her spear and wreaths her helmet with soft flowers—strange aureole! The iron peak is gay, o’ershadowed the fierce martial glint, and the plumes, erstwhile levin bolts, now nod with blossoms. Nor does Diana, who scours Mount Parthenius with her keen-scented hounds, disdain this company but would fain bind her free-flowing tresses with a flowery crown.But while the maidens so disport themselves, wandering through the fields, a sudden roar is heard, towers crash and towns, shaken to their foundations, totter and fall. None knows whence comes the tumult; Paphus’ goddess alone recognized the sound that set her companions in amaze, and fear mixed with joy fills her heart. For now the king of souls was pricking his way through the dim labyrinth of the underworld and crushing Enceladus, groaning

[328]

Narcissumque metunt, nunc inclita germina veris,praestantes olim pueros: tu natus Amyclis,hunc Helicon genuit; disci te perculit error,hunc fontis decepit amor; te fronte retusa135Delius, hunc fracta Cephisus harundine luget.Aestuat ante alias avido fervore legendifrugiferae spes una deae: nunc vimine textoridentes calathos spoliis agrestibus implet;nunc sociat flores seseque ignara coronat,140augurium fatale tori. quin ipsa tubarumarmorumque potens dextram, qua fortia turbatagmina, qua stabiles portas et moenia vellit,iam levibus laxat studiis hastamque reponitinsuetisque docet galeam mitescere sertis;145ferratus lascivit apex horrorque recessitMartius et cristae pacato fulgure vernant.nec, quae Parthenium canibus scrutatur odorem,aspernata choros libertatemque comaruminiecta voluit tantum frenare corona.150Talia virgineo passim dum more geruntur,ecce repens mugire fragor, confligere turrespronaque vibratis radicibus oppida verti.causa latet; dubios agnovit sola tumultusdiva Paphi mixtoque metu perterrita gaudet.155iamque per anfractus animarum rector opacossub terris quaerebat iter gravibusque gementem

Narcissumque metunt, nunc inclita germina veris,

praestantes olim pueros: tu natus Amyclis,

hunc Helicon genuit; disci te perculit error,

hunc fontis decepit amor; te fronte retusa135

Delius, hunc fracta Cephisus harundine luget.

Aestuat ante alias avido fervore legendi

frugiferae spes una deae: nunc vimine texto

ridentes calathos spoliis agrestibus implet;

nunc sociat flores seseque ignara coronat,140

augurium fatale tori. quin ipsa tubarum

armorumque potens dextram, qua fortia turbat

agmina, qua stabiles portas et moenia vellit,

iam levibus laxat studiis hastamque reponit

insuetisque docet galeam mitescere sertis;145

ferratus lascivit apex horrorque recessit

Martius et cristae pacato fulgure vernant.

nec, quae Parthenium canibus scrutatur odorem,

aspernata choros libertatemque comarum

iniecta voluit tantum frenare corona.150

Talia virgineo passim dum more geruntur,

ecce repens mugire fragor, confligere turres

pronaque vibratis radicibus oppida verti.

causa latet; dubios agnovit sola tumultus

diva Paphi mixtoque metu perterrita gaudet.155

iamque per anfractus animarum rector opacos

sub terris quaerebat iter gravibusque gementem

[329]they gather, thy flower inscribed with woe, and Narcissus too—once lovely boys, now the pride of flowering spring. Thou, Hyacinthus, wert born at Amyclae, Narcissus was Helicon’s child; thee the errant discus slew; him the amorous water-nymphs beguiled; for thee weeps Delos’ god with sorrow-weighted brow; for him Cephisus with his broken reeds.But beyond her fellows she, the one hope of the corn-bearing goddess, burned with a fierce desire to gather flowers. Now she fills with the spoil of the fields her laughing baskets, osier-woven; now she twines a wreath of flowers and crowns herself therewith, little seeing in this a foreshadowing of the marriage fate holds in store for her. E’en Pallas herself, goddess of the trumpets and of the weapons of war, devotes to gentler pursuits the hand wherewith she o’erwhelms the host of battle and throws down stout gates and city walls. She lays aside her spear and wreaths her helmet with soft flowers—strange aureole! The iron peak is gay, o’ershadowed the fierce martial glint, and the plumes, erstwhile levin bolts, now nod with blossoms. Nor does Diana, who scours Mount Parthenius with her keen-scented hounds, disdain this company but would fain bind her free-flowing tresses with a flowery crown.But while the maidens so disport themselves, wandering through the fields, a sudden roar is heard, towers crash and towns, shaken to their foundations, totter and fall. None knows whence comes the tumult; Paphus’ goddess alone recognized the sound that set her companions in amaze, and fear mixed with joy fills her heart. For now the king of souls was pricking his way through the dim labyrinth of the underworld and crushing Enceladus, groaning

[329]

they gather, thy flower inscribed with woe, and Narcissus too—once lovely boys, now the pride of flowering spring. Thou, Hyacinthus, wert born at Amyclae, Narcissus was Helicon’s child; thee the errant discus slew; him the amorous water-nymphs beguiled; for thee weeps Delos’ god with sorrow-weighted brow; for him Cephisus with his broken reeds.

But beyond her fellows she, the one hope of the corn-bearing goddess, burned with a fierce desire to gather flowers. Now she fills with the spoil of the fields her laughing baskets, osier-woven; now she twines a wreath of flowers and crowns herself therewith, little seeing in this a foreshadowing of the marriage fate holds in store for her. E’en Pallas herself, goddess of the trumpets and of the weapons of war, devotes to gentler pursuits the hand wherewith she o’erwhelms the host of battle and throws down stout gates and city walls. She lays aside her spear and wreaths her helmet with soft flowers—strange aureole! The iron peak is gay, o’ershadowed the fierce martial glint, and the plumes, erstwhile levin bolts, now nod with blossoms. Nor does Diana, who scours Mount Parthenius with her keen-scented hounds, disdain this company but would fain bind her free-flowing tresses with a flowery crown.

But while the maidens so disport themselves, wandering through the fields, a sudden roar is heard, towers crash and towns, shaken to their foundations, totter and fall. None knows whence comes the tumult; Paphus’ goddess alone recognized the sound that set her companions in amaze, and fear mixed with joy fills her heart. For now the king of souls was pricking his way through the dim labyrinth of the underworld and crushing Enceladus, groaning

Back to Index Next