Chapter 9

[204]XXV. (XXX., XXXI.)Epithalamium dictum Palladio V. C. tribuno et notario et Celerinae.PRAEFATIOCarmina per thalamum quamvis festina negarenec volui genero nec potui socero.hic socius, dux ille mihi nostrique per aulamordinis hic consors emicat, ille prior.hunc mihi coniungit studiis communibus aetas;5hunc mihi praeponit vel senium vel honos.carmen amor generi, soceri reverentia poscitofficio vatis, militis obsequio.Forte Venus blando quaesitum frigore somnumvitibus intexti gremio successerat antridensaque sidereos per gramina fuderat artusadclinis florum cumulo; crispatur opacapampinus et musto sudantem ventilat uvam.5ora decet neglecta sopor; fastidit amictumaestus et exuto translucent pectore frondes.Idaliae iuxta famulae triplexque vicissimnexa sub ingenti requiescit Gratia quercu.pennati passim pueri quo quemque vocavit10umbra iacent; fluitant arcus ramisque propinquispendentes placido suspirant igne pharetrae.[205]XXV (XXX, XXXI)Epithalamium of Palladius and Celerina.[80]PREFACEAsked to improvise a song in honour of a marriage I find myself unwilling to refuse the bridegroom and unable to say no to his father-in-law. The former was my comrade-in-arms, the latter my general; at court the first is of equal rank with me, the second my superior. Similarity of age and pursuits made me a friend of Palladius; age and dignity set Celerinus far above me. The love I bear the one demands my good offices as a poet, the awe in which I hold the other a soldier’s obedience: I must sing.It chanced that Venus had one day retired into the bosom of a cave overgrown with vine to woo sleep mid its alluring cool, and had laid her goddess limbs on the thick grass, her head upon a heap of flowers. The vine branches stir gently in the breeze and sway the full-veined grapes. Slumber befits the disorder of her brow, the midday heat will none of coverings, and the leaves show through them the gleam of her bare breast. Round her lie the nymphs of Ida and hard by beneath a lofty oak-tree the three Graces sleep with interlaced arms. Here and there, where’er the shade invites them, repose winged Cupids. Their bows are unstrung and their quivers hang from the branches of neighbouring trees, instinct with latent fire. Some[80]This poem and the marriage it celebrates probably belong to the year 399. We know little of P. save that he was the friend and colleague (tribunus et notarius, cf.Introduction, p. xii) of Claudian. His father (l. 61) was probably prefect of Egypt in 382 (Cod. Theod.viii. 5. 37). Celerina’s grandfather held the same post (l. 73); her father (ll. 82et sqq.)—thesocerof line 2 of the preface—wasprimicerius notariorum(so Godefroy onCod. Theod.vi. 2).

[204]

XXV. (XXX., XXXI.)

Epithalamium dictum Palladio V. C. tribuno et notario et Celerinae.

PRAEFATIO

Carmina per thalamum quamvis festina negarenec volui genero nec potui socero.hic socius, dux ille mihi nostrique per aulamordinis hic consors emicat, ille prior.hunc mihi coniungit studiis communibus aetas;5hunc mihi praeponit vel senium vel honos.carmen amor generi, soceri reverentia poscitofficio vatis, militis obsequio.Forte Venus blando quaesitum frigore somnumvitibus intexti gremio successerat antridensaque sidereos per gramina fuderat artusadclinis florum cumulo; crispatur opacapampinus et musto sudantem ventilat uvam.5ora decet neglecta sopor; fastidit amictumaestus et exuto translucent pectore frondes.Idaliae iuxta famulae triplexque vicissimnexa sub ingenti requiescit Gratia quercu.pennati passim pueri quo quemque vocavit10umbra iacent; fluitant arcus ramisque propinquispendentes placido suspirant igne pharetrae.

Carmina per thalamum quamvis festina negare

nec volui genero nec potui socero.

hic socius, dux ille mihi nostrique per aulam

ordinis hic consors emicat, ille prior.

hunc mihi coniungit studiis communibus aetas;5

hunc mihi praeponit vel senium vel honos.

carmen amor generi, soceri reverentia poscit

officio vatis, militis obsequio.

Forte Venus blando quaesitum frigore somnum

vitibus intexti gremio successerat antri

densaque sidereos per gramina fuderat artus

adclinis florum cumulo; crispatur opaca

pampinus et musto sudantem ventilat uvam.5

ora decet neglecta sopor; fastidit amictum

aestus et exuto translucent pectore frondes.

Idaliae iuxta famulae triplexque vicissim

nexa sub ingenti requiescit Gratia quercu.

pennati passim pueri quo quemque vocavit10

umbra iacent; fluitant arcus ramisque propinquis

pendentes placido suspirant igne pharetrae.

[205]XXV (XXX, XXXI)Epithalamium of Palladius and Celerina.[80]PREFACEAsked to improvise a song in honour of a marriage I find myself unwilling to refuse the bridegroom and unable to say no to his father-in-law. The former was my comrade-in-arms, the latter my general; at court the first is of equal rank with me, the second my superior. Similarity of age and pursuits made me a friend of Palladius; age and dignity set Celerinus far above me. The love I bear the one demands my good offices as a poet, the awe in which I hold the other a soldier’s obedience: I must sing.It chanced that Venus had one day retired into the bosom of a cave overgrown with vine to woo sleep mid its alluring cool, and had laid her goddess limbs on the thick grass, her head upon a heap of flowers. The vine branches stir gently in the breeze and sway the full-veined grapes. Slumber befits the disorder of her brow, the midday heat will none of coverings, and the leaves show through them the gleam of her bare breast. Round her lie the nymphs of Ida and hard by beneath a lofty oak-tree the three Graces sleep with interlaced arms. Here and there, where’er the shade invites them, repose winged Cupids. Their bows are unstrung and their quivers hang from the branches of neighbouring trees, instinct with latent fire. Some[80]This poem and the marriage it celebrates probably belong to the year 399. We know little of P. save that he was the friend and colleague (tribunus et notarius, cf.Introduction, p. xii) of Claudian. His father (l. 61) was probably prefect of Egypt in 382 (Cod. Theod.viii. 5. 37). Celerina’s grandfather held the same post (l. 73); her father (ll. 82et sqq.)—thesocerof line 2 of the preface—wasprimicerius notariorum(so Godefroy onCod. Theod.vi. 2).

[205]

XXV (XXX, XXXI)

Epithalamium of Palladius and Celerina.[80]

PREFACE

Asked to improvise a song in honour of a marriage I find myself unwilling to refuse the bridegroom and unable to say no to his father-in-law. The former was my comrade-in-arms, the latter my general; at court the first is of equal rank with me, the second my superior. Similarity of age and pursuits made me a friend of Palladius; age and dignity set Celerinus far above me. The love I bear the one demands my good offices as a poet, the awe in which I hold the other a soldier’s obedience: I must sing.

It chanced that Venus had one day retired into the bosom of a cave overgrown with vine to woo sleep mid its alluring cool, and had laid her goddess limbs on the thick grass, her head upon a heap of flowers. The vine branches stir gently in the breeze and sway the full-veined grapes. Slumber befits the disorder of her brow, the midday heat will none of coverings, and the leaves show through them the gleam of her bare breast. Round her lie the nymphs of Ida and hard by beneath a lofty oak-tree the three Graces sleep with interlaced arms. Here and there, where’er the shade invites them, repose winged Cupids. Their bows are unstrung and their quivers hang from the branches of neighbouring trees, instinct with latent fire. Some

[80]This poem and the marriage it celebrates probably belong to the year 399. We know little of P. save that he was the friend and colleague (tribunus et notarius, cf.Introduction, p. xii) of Claudian. His father (l. 61) was probably prefect of Egypt in 382 (Cod. Theod.viii. 5. 37). Celerina’s grandfather held the same post (l. 73); her father (ll. 82et sqq.)—thesocerof line 2 of the preface—wasprimicerius notariorum(so Godefroy onCod. Theod.vi. 2).

[206]pars vigiles ludunt aut per virgulta vagantesscrutantur nidos avium vel roscida laetimala legunt donum Veneri flexusque sequuntur15palmitis et summas pennis librantur in ulmos;defendunt alii lucum Dryadasque procacesspectandi cupidas et rustica numina pelluntsilvestresque deos longeque tuentibus antrumflammea lascivis intendunt spicula Faunis:20cum subito varius vicina clamor ab urbeet fausti iuvenum plausus mixtaeque choreisauditae per rura lyrae. Celerina per omnesItaliae canitur montes omnisque maritumPalladium resonabat ager.Pervenit ad aures25vox iucunda deae strepituque excita reseditet reliquum nitido detersit pollice somnumutque fuit, turbata comas, intecta papillas,mollibus exurgit stratis interque suorumagmen et innumeros Hymenaeum quaerit Amores30(hunc Musa genitum legit Cytherea ducemquepraefecit thalamis; nullum iunxisse cubilehoc sine nec primas fas est attollere taedas).conspicitur tandem. platano namque ille sub altafusus inaequales cera texebat avenas35Maenaliosque modos et pastoralia labrismurmura temptabat relegens orisque recursudissimilem tenui variabat harundine ventum.Restitit ut vidit Venerem, digitisque remissisad terram tacito defluxit fistula flatu.40[207]wake and play or wander through the thickets in search of birds’ nests or take delight in plucking dewy apples as a gift for Venus or hunt the gadding vine for grapes, and, poised on their wings, climb its branches to the very tops of the elm-trees. Others keep guard over the wood and drive off the wanton, curious Dryads, the country gods and the woodland deities, discharging flaming darts at the amorous Fauns who try from a distance to catch a glimpse of Venus’ bower. Suddenly there arose cries and shoutings from the neighbouring city; joyous acclamations of youth and the strains of the lyre accompanying dancing in the streets. Through all the hills of Italy the name of Celerina is chanted and every field re-echoes that of her husband Palladius.The pleasant sound reached the goddess’ ears; aroused by the noise she sat up and with her fair hands rubbed from her eyes the residue of sleep; then, just as she was, her hair disordered, her breasts uncovered, she leapt from her soft couch and summoned Hymen from among the unnumbered Loves that formed her bodyguard. (Him, son of the Muse, Cytherea chose out and made the patron god of marriage. Without his sanction is no entry into wedlock nor is it lawful but with his leave to uplift the first wedding-torches.) At last he is found. There he lay stretched beneath a tall plane-tree joining with wax pipes of unequal length, seeking to repeat with his lips Maenalian measures and pastoral tunes, while, as his mouth ran over them, he varied his breathing upon the slender reed.Seeing Venus he stopped; noiseless to the ground from out the nerveless grasp of his fingers fell the

[206]

pars vigiles ludunt aut per virgulta vagantesscrutantur nidos avium vel roscida laetimala legunt donum Veneri flexusque sequuntur15palmitis et summas pennis librantur in ulmos;defendunt alii lucum Dryadasque procacesspectandi cupidas et rustica numina pelluntsilvestresque deos longeque tuentibus antrumflammea lascivis intendunt spicula Faunis:20cum subito varius vicina clamor ab urbeet fausti iuvenum plausus mixtaeque choreisauditae per rura lyrae. Celerina per omnesItaliae canitur montes omnisque maritumPalladium resonabat ager.Pervenit ad aures25vox iucunda deae strepituque excita reseditet reliquum nitido detersit pollice somnumutque fuit, turbata comas, intecta papillas,mollibus exurgit stratis interque suorumagmen et innumeros Hymenaeum quaerit Amores30(hunc Musa genitum legit Cytherea ducemquepraefecit thalamis; nullum iunxisse cubilehoc sine nec primas fas est attollere taedas).conspicitur tandem. platano namque ille sub altafusus inaequales cera texebat avenas35Maenaliosque modos et pastoralia labrismurmura temptabat relegens orisque recursudissimilem tenui variabat harundine ventum.Restitit ut vidit Venerem, digitisque remissisad terram tacito defluxit fistula flatu.40

pars vigiles ludunt aut per virgulta vagantes

scrutantur nidos avium vel roscida laeti

mala legunt donum Veneri flexusque sequuntur15

palmitis et summas pennis librantur in ulmos;

defendunt alii lucum Dryadasque procaces

spectandi cupidas et rustica numina pellunt

silvestresque deos longeque tuentibus antrum

flammea lascivis intendunt spicula Faunis:20

cum subito varius vicina clamor ab urbe

et fausti iuvenum plausus mixtaeque choreis

auditae per rura lyrae. Celerina per omnes

Italiae canitur montes omnisque maritum

Palladium resonabat ager.

Pervenit ad aures25

vox iucunda deae strepituque excita resedit

et reliquum nitido detersit pollice somnum

utque fuit, turbata comas, intecta papillas,

mollibus exurgit stratis interque suorum

agmen et innumeros Hymenaeum quaerit Amores30

(hunc Musa genitum legit Cytherea ducemque

praefecit thalamis; nullum iunxisse cubile

hoc sine nec primas fas est attollere taedas).

conspicitur tandem. platano namque ille sub alta

fusus inaequales cera texebat avenas35

Maenaliosque modos et pastoralia labris

murmura temptabat relegens orisque recursu

dissimilem tenui variabat harundine ventum.

Restitit ut vidit Venerem, digitisque remissis

ad terram tacito defluxit fistula flatu.40

[207]wake and play or wander through the thickets in search of birds’ nests or take delight in plucking dewy apples as a gift for Venus or hunt the gadding vine for grapes, and, poised on their wings, climb its branches to the very tops of the elm-trees. Others keep guard over the wood and drive off the wanton, curious Dryads, the country gods and the woodland deities, discharging flaming darts at the amorous Fauns who try from a distance to catch a glimpse of Venus’ bower. Suddenly there arose cries and shoutings from the neighbouring city; joyous acclamations of youth and the strains of the lyre accompanying dancing in the streets. Through all the hills of Italy the name of Celerina is chanted and every field re-echoes that of her husband Palladius.The pleasant sound reached the goddess’ ears; aroused by the noise she sat up and with her fair hands rubbed from her eyes the residue of sleep; then, just as she was, her hair disordered, her breasts uncovered, she leapt from her soft couch and summoned Hymen from among the unnumbered Loves that formed her bodyguard. (Him, son of the Muse, Cytherea chose out and made the patron god of marriage. Without his sanction is no entry into wedlock nor is it lawful but with his leave to uplift the first wedding-torches.) At last he is found. There he lay stretched beneath a tall plane-tree joining with wax pipes of unequal length, seeking to repeat with his lips Maenalian measures and pastoral tunes, while, as his mouth ran over them, he varied his breathing upon the slender reed.Seeing Venus he stopped; noiseless to the ground from out the nerveless grasp of his fingers fell the

[207]

wake and play or wander through the thickets in search of birds’ nests or take delight in plucking dewy apples as a gift for Venus or hunt the gadding vine for grapes, and, poised on their wings, climb its branches to the very tops of the elm-trees. Others keep guard over the wood and drive off the wanton, curious Dryads, the country gods and the woodland deities, discharging flaming darts at the amorous Fauns who try from a distance to catch a glimpse of Venus’ bower. Suddenly there arose cries and shoutings from the neighbouring city; joyous acclamations of youth and the strains of the lyre accompanying dancing in the streets. Through all the hills of Italy the name of Celerina is chanted and every field re-echoes that of her husband Palladius.

The pleasant sound reached the goddess’ ears; aroused by the noise she sat up and with her fair hands rubbed from her eyes the residue of sleep; then, just as she was, her hair disordered, her breasts uncovered, she leapt from her soft couch and summoned Hymen from among the unnumbered Loves that formed her bodyguard. (Him, son of the Muse, Cytherea chose out and made the patron god of marriage. Without his sanction is no entry into wedlock nor is it lawful but with his leave to uplift the first wedding-torches.) At last he is found. There he lay stretched beneath a tall plane-tree joining with wax pipes of unequal length, seeking to repeat with his lips Maenalian measures and pastoral tunes, while, as his mouth ran over them, he varied his breathing upon the slender reed.

Seeing Venus he stopped; noiseless to the ground from out the nerveless grasp of his fingers fell the

[208]dulce micant oculi; niveas infecerat ignisolque pudorque genas; dubiam lanuginis umbramcaesaries intonsa tegit. prior ipsa silentemcompellat:“Numquamne, puer, dilecta relinquescarmina? maternis numquam satiabere donis45dedite Musarum studio nimiumque parentisaemule? quid medio tecum modularis in aestu?iamne tibi sordent citharae? iam lustra Lycaeiatque pecus cordi redituraque rupibus Echo?huc ades et tantae nobis edissere causas50laetitiae, cui pompa toro tam clara resultet,quae nova dotetur virgo: patriamque genusquepande, quibus terris orti, quo semine ducti.haud ignarus enim, nec te conubia falluntulla; tuo primae libantur[81]foedere noctes.”55Ille refert: “equidem dudum te, diva, morantemmirabar, quod adhuc tanti secura maneresconiugii. non parva tibi mandatur origo.fascibus insignes et legum culmine fultaeconvenere domus et qui lectissimus orbi60sanguis erat. rubris quae fluctibus insula latrat,qui locus Aethiopum, quae sic impervia famaesecessit regio, quo non rumore secundoPalladii penetravit amor mentisque benignatemperies doctique sales et grata senectus?65[81]Birtlibrantur(MSS.); Delphin ed.libantur.[209]pipe. Affection lights up his eyes; a modest blush suffuses those sun-browned cheeks so snowy-white by nature, clothed, too, with the scarce seen down of youth where ceased the ne’er cut hair. Silent he stood and the goddess first addressed him. “Wilt thou, boy, never leave thy beloved song? Wilt thou never have enough of thy mother’s gifts, ever devoted to the Muses’ task and too eager to rival thy parent[82]? What is it thou dost practise all alone in the midday heat? Dost thou now despise the lyre and seekest thou rather the woods of Lycaeus and the herds and Echo resounding from the rocks? Come hither and tell me the reason for this general rejoicing. What marriage is this that is attended with such ceremony and such demonstrations of joy? Who is the newly dowered bride? Of what country, what race are they that are wed? Tell me from what land they spring and what their parentage. Needs must thou know, for no marriage can take place without thee and by covenant with thee are wedlock’s joys first tasted.”He replied: “Long have I been wondering, goddess, at thy delay, and marvelled that thou didst take no notice of so world-famed an union. They are no common folk that now submit them to thy laws. Two families are united illustrious with consulships, upheld by the highest offices, in whose veins flows the noblest blood of all the world. What island on whose coasts thunder the waves of the Red Sea, what tract of Ethiopia, what land so far withdrawn from human intercourse but has heard the blessings that the affection of his country calls down on the head of Palladius’ sire for his clemency, his learning, his wit, his genial age? He has trodden[82]i.e.Calliope. Venus is in effect saying to him: attend to your own business, play your own instrument (thecithara)and do not seek the haunts, and imitate the pipes, of Pan.

[208]

dulce micant oculi; niveas infecerat ignisolque pudorque genas; dubiam lanuginis umbramcaesaries intonsa tegit. prior ipsa silentemcompellat:“Numquamne, puer, dilecta relinquescarmina? maternis numquam satiabere donis45dedite Musarum studio nimiumque parentisaemule? quid medio tecum modularis in aestu?iamne tibi sordent citharae? iam lustra Lycaeiatque pecus cordi redituraque rupibus Echo?huc ades et tantae nobis edissere causas50laetitiae, cui pompa toro tam clara resultet,quae nova dotetur virgo: patriamque genusquepande, quibus terris orti, quo semine ducti.haud ignarus enim, nec te conubia falluntulla; tuo primae libantur[81]foedere noctes.”55Ille refert: “equidem dudum te, diva, morantemmirabar, quod adhuc tanti secura maneresconiugii. non parva tibi mandatur origo.fascibus insignes et legum culmine fultaeconvenere domus et qui lectissimus orbi60sanguis erat. rubris quae fluctibus insula latrat,qui locus Aethiopum, quae sic impervia famaesecessit regio, quo non rumore secundoPalladii penetravit amor mentisque benignatemperies doctique sales et grata senectus?65

dulce micant oculi; niveas infecerat igni

solque pudorque genas; dubiam lanuginis umbram

caesaries intonsa tegit. prior ipsa silentem

compellat:

“Numquamne, puer, dilecta relinques

carmina? maternis numquam satiabere donis45

dedite Musarum studio nimiumque parentis

aemule? quid medio tecum modularis in aestu?

iamne tibi sordent citharae? iam lustra Lycaei

atque pecus cordi redituraque rupibus Echo?

huc ades et tantae nobis edissere causas50

laetitiae, cui pompa toro tam clara resultet,

quae nova dotetur virgo: patriamque genusque

pande, quibus terris orti, quo semine ducti.

haud ignarus enim, nec te conubia fallunt

ulla; tuo primae libantur[81]foedere noctes.”55

Ille refert: “equidem dudum te, diva, morantem

mirabar, quod adhuc tanti secura maneres

coniugii. non parva tibi mandatur origo.

fascibus insignes et legum culmine fultae

convenere domus et qui lectissimus orbi60

sanguis erat. rubris quae fluctibus insula latrat,

qui locus Aethiopum, quae sic impervia famae

secessit regio, quo non rumore secundo

Palladii penetravit amor mentisque benigna

temperies doctique sales et grata senectus?65

[81]Birtlibrantur(MSS.); Delphin ed.libantur.

[209]pipe. Affection lights up his eyes; a modest blush suffuses those sun-browned cheeks so snowy-white by nature, clothed, too, with the scarce seen down of youth where ceased the ne’er cut hair. Silent he stood and the goddess first addressed him. “Wilt thou, boy, never leave thy beloved song? Wilt thou never have enough of thy mother’s gifts, ever devoted to the Muses’ task and too eager to rival thy parent[82]? What is it thou dost practise all alone in the midday heat? Dost thou now despise the lyre and seekest thou rather the woods of Lycaeus and the herds and Echo resounding from the rocks? Come hither and tell me the reason for this general rejoicing. What marriage is this that is attended with such ceremony and such demonstrations of joy? Who is the newly dowered bride? Of what country, what race are they that are wed? Tell me from what land they spring and what their parentage. Needs must thou know, for no marriage can take place without thee and by covenant with thee are wedlock’s joys first tasted.”He replied: “Long have I been wondering, goddess, at thy delay, and marvelled that thou didst take no notice of so world-famed an union. They are no common folk that now submit them to thy laws. Two families are united illustrious with consulships, upheld by the highest offices, in whose veins flows the noblest blood of all the world. What island on whose coasts thunder the waves of the Red Sea, what tract of Ethiopia, what land so far withdrawn from human intercourse but has heard the blessings that the affection of his country calls down on the head of Palladius’ sire for his clemency, his learning, his wit, his genial age? He has trodden[82]i.e.Calliope. Venus is in effect saying to him: attend to your own business, play your own instrument (thecithara)and do not seek the haunts, and imitate the pipes, of Pan.

[209]

pipe. Affection lights up his eyes; a modest blush suffuses those sun-browned cheeks so snowy-white by nature, clothed, too, with the scarce seen down of youth where ceased the ne’er cut hair. Silent he stood and the goddess first addressed him. “Wilt thou, boy, never leave thy beloved song? Wilt thou never have enough of thy mother’s gifts, ever devoted to the Muses’ task and too eager to rival thy parent[82]? What is it thou dost practise all alone in the midday heat? Dost thou now despise the lyre and seekest thou rather the woods of Lycaeus and the herds and Echo resounding from the rocks? Come hither and tell me the reason for this general rejoicing. What marriage is this that is attended with such ceremony and such demonstrations of joy? Who is the newly dowered bride? Of what country, what race are they that are wed? Tell me from what land they spring and what their parentage. Needs must thou know, for no marriage can take place without thee and by covenant with thee are wedlock’s joys first tasted.”

He replied: “Long have I been wondering, goddess, at thy delay, and marvelled that thou didst take no notice of so world-famed an union. They are no common folk that now submit them to thy laws. Two families are united illustrious with consulships, upheld by the highest offices, in whose veins flows the noblest blood of all the world. What island on whose coasts thunder the waves of the Red Sea, what tract of Ethiopia, what land so far withdrawn from human intercourse but has heard the blessings that the affection of his country calls down on the head of Palladius’ sire for his clemency, his learning, his wit, his genial age? He has trodden

[82]i.e.Calliope. Venus is in effect saying to him: attend to your own business, play your own instrument (thecithara)and do not seek the haunts, and imitate the pipes, of Pan.

[210]per cunctos iit ille gradus aulaeque laboresemensus tenuit summae fastigia sedisEoum stabili moderatus iure senatum.hic splendor iuveni. cunabula prima puellaeDanuvius veteresque Tomi. Mavortia matris70nobilitas spoliis armisque exultat avitisinmensamque trahit Celerini robore lucem,qui quondam Meroën iussus Nilumque tueri,cum sibi post obitus et Parthica fulmina Cari[83]sceptra daret miles rebusque imponere vellet,75despexit fremitus et praetulit otia regno;respuit ingestum, quod vi, quod poscere ferroposthabita pietate solent. tum purpura primuminferior virtute fuit meruitque repulsamobvia maiestas. doluit Fortuna minorem80se confessa viro. magnum delata potestas,maiorem contempta probat.“Cognomina sumpsitplena ducum genitor. paulatim vectus ad altumprinceps militiae, qua non inlustrior extataltera, cunctorum tabulas adsignat honorum,85regnorum tractat numeros, constringit in unumsparsas imperii vires cuneosque recensetdispositos: quae Sarmaticis custodia ripis,quae saevis obiecta Getis, quae Saxona frenatvel Scottum legio, quantae cinxere cohortes90Oceanum, quanto pacatur milite Rhenus.[83]Birtcaro(the reading of E and V);CariHeinsius.[211]every rung of the ladder of honours, has held every place at court, and reached the highest of all offices, directing the deliberations of the senate of the East with a sure authority. Such is the bridegroom’s brilliance. The bride first saw the light in the old city of Tomi by the mouth of the Danube. She is descended on her mother’s side from noble ancestors famed in war and enriched by war’s spoils and derives especial glory from the renown of that stalwart Celerinus who, when appointed to the defence of Meroë and the Nile, and, after the death by lightning of Carus[84]in Parthia, offered the throne and dominion of the world by his soldiers, paid no heed to their clamour and preferred repose to an empire. Of his own will he refused when it was offered that which men will use every sort of violence and outrage every sort of right to acquire. For the first time virtue was reckoned above a throne and sovereignty, making offer of herself, met with a refusal. Sadly did Fortune confess herself beaten by a mortal. Great it is to deserve high office, still greater to have despised it.“Celerina’s father has won every title that a warrior may. Step by step he has reached the highest of all ranks, that of commander-in-chief; it is he who dispenses titles of honour, settles the garrisons of the provinces, unites the scattered forces of the empire, and checks the disposition of its troops. He decides the defences of Sarmatia and the legions that are to face the wild Getae or keep Saxon and Scot in subjection. He knows how many cohorts fringe the shore of Ocean, how great an army maintains peace along the banks of the Rhine. In the family of Celerina is to be found unspotted[84]Carus was struck by lightning (or murdered) during his Persian campaign,A.D.283; (cf.Sidon. Apol. c. 23. 91).

[210]

per cunctos iit ille gradus aulaeque laboresemensus tenuit summae fastigia sedisEoum stabili moderatus iure senatum.hic splendor iuveni. cunabula prima puellaeDanuvius veteresque Tomi. Mavortia matris70nobilitas spoliis armisque exultat avitisinmensamque trahit Celerini robore lucem,qui quondam Meroën iussus Nilumque tueri,cum sibi post obitus et Parthica fulmina Cari[83]sceptra daret miles rebusque imponere vellet,75despexit fremitus et praetulit otia regno;respuit ingestum, quod vi, quod poscere ferroposthabita pietate solent. tum purpura primuminferior virtute fuit meruitque repulsamobvia maiestas. doluit Fortuna minorem80se confessa viro. magnum delata potestas,maiorem contempta probat.“Cognomina sumpsitplena ducum genitor. paulatim vectus ad altumprinceps militiae, qua non inlustrior extataltera, cunctorum tabulas adsignat honorum,85regnorum tractat numeros, constringit in unumsparsas imperii vires cuneosque recensetdispositos: quae Sarmaticis custodia ripis,quae saevis obiecta Getis, quae Saxona frenatvel Scottum legio, quantae cinxere cohortes90Oceanum, quanto pacatur milite Rhenus.

per cunctos iit ille gradus aulaeque labores

emensus tenuit summae fastigia sedis

Eoum stabili moderatus iure senatum.

hic splendor iuveni. cunabula prima puellae

Danuvius veteresque Tomi. Mavortia matris70

nobilitas spoliis armisque exultat avitis

inmensamque trahit Celerini robore lucem,

qui quondam Meroën iussus Nilumque tueri,

cum sibi post obitus et Parthica fulmina Cari[83]

sceptra daret miles rebusque imponere vellet,75

despexit fremitus et praetulit otia regno;

respuit ingestum, quod vi, quod poscere ferro

posthabita pietate solent. tum purpura primum

inferior virtute fuit meruitque repulsam

obvia maiestas. doluit Fortuna minorem80

se confessa viro. magnum delata potestas,

maiorem contempta probat.

“Cognomina sumpsit

plena ducum genitor. paulatim vectus ad altum

princeps militiae, qua non inlustrior extat

altera, cunctorum tabulas adsignat honorum,85

regnorum tractat numeros, constringit in unum

sparsas imperii vires cuneosque recenset

dispositos: quae Sarmaticis custodia ripis,

quae saevis obiecta Getis, quae Saxona frenat

vel Scottum legio, quantae cinxere cohortes90

Oceanum, quanto pacatur milite Rhenus.

[83]Birtcaro(the reading of E and V);CariHeinsius.

[211]every rung of the ladder of honours, has held every place at court, and reached the highest of all offices, directing the deliberations of the senate of the East with a sure authority. Such is the bridegroom’s brilliance. The bride first saw the light in the old city of Tomi by the mouth of the Danube. She is descended on her mother’s side from noble ancestors famed in war and enriched by war’s spoils and derives especial glory from the renown of that stalwart Celerinus who, when appointed to the defence of Meroë and the Nile, and, after the death by lightning of Carus[84]in Parthia, offered the throne and dominion of the world by his soldiers, paid no heed to their clamour and preferred repose to an empire. Of his own will he refused when it was offered that which men will use every sort of violence and outrage every sort of right to acquire. For the first time virtue was reckoned above a throne and sovereignty, making offer of herself, met with a refusal. Sadly did Fortune confess herself beaten by a mortal. Great it is to deserve high office, still greater to have despised it.“Celerina’s father has won every title that a warrior may. Step by step he has reached the highest of all ranks, that of commander-in-chief; it is he who dispenses titles of honour, settles the garrisons of the provinces, unites the scattered forces of the empire, and checks the disposition of its troops. He decides the defences of Sarmatia and the legions that are to face the wild Getae or keep Saxon and Scot in subjection. He knows how many cohorts fringe the shore of Ocean, how great an army maintains peace along the banks of the Rhine. In the family of Celerina is to be found unspotted[84]Carus was struck by lightning (or murdered) during his Persian campaign,A.D.283; (cf.Sidon. Apol. c. 23. 91).

[211]

every rung of the ladder of honours, has held every place at court, and reached the highest of all offices, directing the deliberations of the senate of the East with a sure authority. Such is the bridegroom’s brilliance. The bride first saw the light in the old city of Tomi by the mouth of the Danube. She is descended on her mother’s side from noble ancestors famed in war and enriched by war’s spoils and derives especial glory from the renown of that stalwart Celerinus who, when appointed to the defence of Meroë and the Nile, and, after the death by lightning of Carus[84]in Parthia, offered the throne and dominion of the world by his soldiers, paid no heed to their clamour and preferred repose to an empire. Of his own will he refused when it was offered that which men will use every sort of violence and outrage every sort of right to acquire. For the first time virtue was reckoned above a throne and sovereignty, making offer of herself, met with a refusal. Sadly did Fortune confess herself beaten by a mortal. Great it is to deserve high office, still greater to have despised it.

“Celerina’s father has won every title that a warrior may. Step by step he has reached the highest of all ranks, that of commander-in-chief; it is he who dispenses titles of honour, settles the garrisons of the provinces, unites the scattered forces of the empire, and checks the disposition of its troops. He decides the defences of Sarmatia and the legions that are to face the wild Getae or keep Saxon and Scot in subjection. He knows how many cohorts fringe the shore of Ocean, how great an army maintains peace along the banks of the Rhine. In the family of Celerina is to be found unspotted

[84]Carus was struck by lightning (or murdered) during his Persian campaign,A.D.283; (cf.Sidon. Apol. c. 23. 91).

[212]casta domus, sincera fides, industria sollers.elegit Stilicho; nihil ultra laudibus addiiudiciove potest. tali nubente puellanonne tibi cessare nefas? duc protinus omnes,95duc age. marcentes cupio quassare coronaset vibrare faces et noctem ducere ludo.haec quoque non vilem iam fistula commodat usumresponsura choris.”Vix haec Hymenaeus; at illafontibus abluitur gelidis legemque capillo100reddit et ornatum formae prelisque solutaemira Dioneae sumit velamina telae.floribus extruitur currus; iuga floribus halant;florea purpureas adnectunt frena columbas.undique concurrunt volucres, quaecumque frementempermulcent Athesin cantu, quas Larius audit,106quas Benacus alit, quas excipit amne quietoMincius: ereptis obmutuit unda querellis.Eridani ripas et raucae stagna Padusaediffugiens nudavit olor. laetantur Amores110frenatisque truces avibus per nubila vectiostentant se quisque deae magnoque tumultuconfligunt pronique manus in verbera tenduntatque impune cadunt: lapsus meliore volatuconsequitur vincitque suos auriga iugales.115Ut thalami tetigere fores, tum vere rubentesdesuper invertunt calathos largosque rosarumimbres et violas plenis sparsere pharetriscollectas Veneris prato, quibus ipse pepercit[213]virtue, unfeigned loyalty, and diligence guided by knowledge. She is Stilicho’s choice; to such choice and judgement no praise can be added. It were a shame, Venus, shouldst thou not be present at the marriage of such a maid. Come, bring all thy train. Fain would I shake the withering wreaths, brandish the torches, and devote the night to pleasure. Now even this my pipe gives no dishonoured service answering the choirs’ songs.”Scarce had Hymen spoken and she bathes her in the cool stream, gathers her flowing hair, and renews her charms, taking from out the press the wondrous garments spun by her mother Dione. Her chariot is heaped with flowers and the yoke thereof is fragrant with blossoms. Flowers entwine the reins that fetter her bright doves. From all sides the birds flock together, those that soothe with their song the roar of Athesis, those whom Larius hears, Benacus feeds, or Mincius welcomes with his quiet flood. Quiet are those waters now that the birds’ plaintive notes resound there no more. The swans have flown away and left the banks of Eridanus and the sounding marshes of Padusa. Right glad are the wanton Loves; they catch and harness the birds and ride them through the clouds before the eyes of Venus. There they join in noisy battle, lean forward to strike one another, and fall but suffer no hurt. Fallen they overtake their steeds with flight swifter than theirs, for the charioteer is fleeter than the chariot.Soon as they reached the doors of the marriage-chamber they empty baskets full of red spring flowers, pouring forth showers of roses and scattering from their laden quivers violets gathered in Venus’ meadow, violets untouched e’en by the heat of the

[212]

casta domus, sincera fides, industria sollers.elegit Stilicho; nihil ultra laudibus addiiudiciove potest. tali nubente puellanonne tibi cessare nefas? duc protinus omnes,95duc age. marcentes cupio quassare coronaset vibrare faces et noctem ducere ludo.haec quoque non vilem iam fistula commodat usumresponsura choris.”Vix haec Hymenaeus; at illafontibus abluitur gelidis legemque capillo100reddit et ornatum formae prelisque solutaemira Dioneae sumit velamina telae.floribus extruitur currus; iuga floribus halant;florea purpureas adnectunt frena columbas.undique concurrunt volucres, quaecumque frementempermulcent Athesin cantu, quas Larius audit,106quas Benacus alit, quas excipit amne quietoMincius: ereptis obmutuit unda querellis.Eridani ripas et raucae stagna Padusaediffugiens nudavit olor. laetantur Amores110frenatisque truces avibus per nubila vectiostentant se quisque deae magnoque tumultuconfligunt pronique manus in verbera tenduntatque impune cadunt: lapsus meliore volatuconsequitur vincitque suos auriga iugales.115Ut thalami tetigere fores, tum vere rubentesdesuper invertunt calathos largosque rosarumimbres et violas plenis sparsere pharetriscollectas Veneris prato, quibus ipse pepercit

casta domus, sincera fides, industria sollers.

elegit Stilicho; nihil ultra laudibus addi

iudiciove potest. tali nubente puella

nonne tibi cessare nefas? duc protinus omnes,95

duc age. marcentes cupio quassare coronas

et vibrare faces et noctem ducere ludo.

haec quoque non vilem iam fistula commodat usum

responsura choris.”

Vix haec Hymenaeus; at illa

fontibus abluitur gelidis legemque capillo100

reddit et ornatum formae prelisque solutae

mira Dioneae sumit velamina telae.

floribus extruitur currus; iuga floribus halant;

florea purpureas adnectunt frena columbas.

undique concurrunt volucres, quaecumque frementem

permulcent Athesin cantu, quas Larius audit,106

quas Benacus alit, quas excipit amne quieto

Mincius: ereptis obmutuit unda querellis.

Eridani ripas et raucae stagna Padusae

diffugiens nudavit olor. laetantur Amores110

frenatisque truces avibus per nubila vecti

ostentant se quisque deae magnoque tumultu

confligunt pronique manus in verbera tendunt

atque impune cadunt: lapsus meliore volatu

consequitur vincitque suos auriga iugales.115

Ut thalami tetigere fores, tum vere rubentes

desuper invertunt calathos largosque rosarum

imbres et violas plenis sparsere pharetris

collectas Veneris prato, quibus ipse pepercit

[213]virtue, unfeigned loyalty, and diligence guided by knowledge. She is Stilicho’s choice; to such choice and judgement no praise can be added. It were a shame, Venus, shouldst thou not be present at the marriage of such a maid. Come, bring all thy train. Fain would I shake the withering wreaths, brandish the torches, and devote the night to pleasure. Now even this my pipe gives no dishonoured service answering the choirs’ songs.”Scarce had Hymen spoken and she bathes her in the cool stream, gathers her flowing hair, and renews her charms, taking from out the press the wondrous garments spun by her mother Dione. Her chariot is heaped with flowers and the yoke thereof is fragrant with blossoms. Flowers entwine the reins that fetter her bright doves. From all sides the birds flock together, those that soothe with their song the roar of Athesis, those whom Larius hears, Benacus feeds, or Mincius welcomes with his quiet flood. Quiet are those waters now that the birds’ plaintive notes resound there no more. The swans have flown away and left the banks of Eridanus and the sounding marshes of Padusa. Right glad are the wanton Loves; they catch and harness the birds and ride them through the clouds before the eyes of Venus. There they join in noisy battle, lean forward to strike one another, and fall but suffer no hurt. Fallen they overtake their steeds with flight swifter than theirs, for the charioteer is fleeter than the chariot.Soon as they reached the doors of the marriage-chamber they empty baskets full of red spring flowers, pouring forth showers of roses and scattering from their laden quivers violets gathered in Venus’ meadow, violets untouched e’en by the heat of the

[213]

virtue, unfeigned loyalty, and diligence guided by knowledge. She is Stilicho’s choice; to such choice and judgement no praise can be added. It were a shame, Venus, shouldst thou not be present at the marriage of such a maid. Come, bring all thy train. Fain would I shake the withering wreaths, brandish the torches, and devote the night to pleasure. Now even this my pipe gives no dishonoured service answering the choirs’ songs.”

Scarce had Hymen spoken and she bathes her in the cool stream, gathers her flowing hair, and renews her charms, taking from out the press the wondrous garments spun by her mother Dione. Her chariot is heaped with flowers and the yoke thereof is fragrant with blossoms. Flowers entwine the reins that fetter her bright doves. From all sides the birds flock together, those that soothe with their song the roar of Athesis, those whom Larius hears, Benacus feeds, or Mincius welcomes with his quiet flood. Quiet are those waters now that the birds’ plaintive notes resound there no more. The swans have flown away and left the banks of Eridanus and the sounding marshes of Padusa. Right glad are the wanton Loves; they catch and harness the birds and ride them through the clouds before the eyes of Venus. There they join in noisy battle, lean forward to strike one another, and fall but suffer no hurt. Fallen they overtake their steeds with flight swifter than theirs, for the charioteer is fleeter than the chariot.

Soon as they reached the doors of the marriage-chamber they empty baskets full of red spring flowers, pouring forth showers of roses and scattering from their laden quivers violets gathered in Venus’ meadow, violets untouched e’en by the heat of the

[214]Sirius et teneras clementi sidere fovit.120gemmatis alii per totum balsama tectumeffudere cadis, duro quae saucius ungueNiliacus pingui desudat vulnere cortex.adgreditur Cytherea nurum flentemque pudicodetraxit matris gremio. matura tumescit125virginitas superatque nives ac lilia candoret patrium flavis testatur crinibus Histrum.tum dextram complexa viri dextramque puellaetradit et his ultro sancit conubia dictis:“Vivite concordes et nostrum discite munus.130oscula mille sonent; livescant brachia nexu;labra ligent animas. neu tu virtute protervaconfidas, iuvenis; non est terrore domanda,sed precibus placanda tibi. concede maritotu quoque neu Scythicas infensis unguibus iras135exercere velis: vinci patiare, rogamus.sic uxor, sic mater eris. quid lumina tinguis,virgo? crede mihi: quem nunc horrescis, amabis.”Dixit et aligera geminos arcuque manuquepraestantes e plebe vocat. puer ilicet Aethon140et Pyrois rutilas respersi murice plumasprosiliunt puroque imbutis melle sagittishic nuptam petit, ille virum. sonuere reductacornua; certa notos pariter sulcavit harundoet pariter fixis haeserunt tela medullis.145[215]Dog-star who had tempered for their frail beauty his accustomed fires. Others throughout the palace poured forth from jewelled caskets unguents gathered by the banks of the Nile from trees whose bark, when wounded by the cruel finger-nail, oozed with rich gum. Cytherea approaches the bride, and, despite her tears, drew her from her mother’s arms. Her swelling breast betokens maidenhood ripe for marriage, her skin is whiter than lilies or than snow, and her golden hair points to the Danube as her birthplace. Then, taking the hand of the bridegroom, Venus joins to it that of the bride and with these words blesses their union: “Live as one and fulfil all my rites. Give a thousand kisses, let arm be bruised with enfolding arm, and lips so join that soul may meet soul. And thou, husband, put not thy confidence in rude love-making; thy wife’s love cannot be won by threats, but must be gained by entreaty. And do thou yield to thy husband nor seek to show anger; use not thy nails as weapons like the women of Scythia. I beg thee submit to conquest; so shalt thou be indeed a wife, so a mother. Why are there tears in thine eyes? Believe me, thou shalt love him whom now thou fearest.”So spake she, and chose from out her winged attendants the two whose bows were strongest and their aim most sure. At once Aethon and Pyrois leaped forward, their bright wings tinged with purple. Dipping their shafts in pure honey the one aims his at the bride, the other his at the bridegroom. They draw their bows; the strings twang and the sure arrows cleave the air with equal speed and implant themselves at equal depths in the hearts of the twain.

[214]

Sirius et teneras clementi sidere fovit.120gemmatis alii per totum balsama tectumeffudere cadis, duro quae saucius ungueNiliacus pingui desudat vulnere cortex.adgreditur Cytherea nurum flentemque pudicodetraxit matris gremio. matura tumescit125virginitas superatque nives ac lilia candoret patrium flavis testatur crinibus Histrum.tum dextram complexa viri dextramque puellaetradit et his ultro sancit conubia dictis:“Vivite concordes et nostrum discite munus.130oscula mille sonent; livescant brachia nexu;labra ligent animas. neu tu virtute protervaconfidas, iuvenis; non est terrore domanda,sed precibus placanda tibi. concede maritotu quoque neu Scythicas infensis unguibus iras135exercere velis: vinci patiare, rogamus.sic uxor, sic mater eris. quid lumina tinguis,virgo? crede mihi: quem nunc horrescis, amabis.”Dixit et aligera geminos arcuque manuquepraestantes e plebe vocat. puer ilicet Aethon140et Pyrois rutilas respersi murice plumasprosiliunt puroque imbutis melle sagittishic nuptam petit, ille virum. sonuere reductacornua; certa notos pariter sulcavit harundoet pariter fixis haeserunt tela medullis.145

Sirius et teneras clementi sidere fovit.120

gemmatis alii per totum balsama tectum

effudere cadis, duro quae saucius ungue

Niliacus pingui desudat vulnere cortex.

adgreditur Cytherea nurum flentemque pudico

detraxit matris gremio. matura tumescit125

virginitas superatque nives ac lilia candor

et patrium flavis testatur crinibus Histrum.

tum dextram complexa viri dextramque puellae

tradit et his ultro sancit conubia dictis:

“Vivite concordes et nostrum discite munus.130

oscula mille sonent; livescant brachia nexu;

labra ligent animas. neu tu virtute proterva

confidas, iuvenis; non est terrore domanda,

sed precibus placanda tibi. concede marito

tu quoque neu Scythicas infensis unguibus iras135

exercere velis: vinci patiare, rogamus.

sic uxor, sic mater eris. quid lumina tinguis,

virgo? crede mihi: quem nunc horrescis, amabis.”

Dixit et aligera geminos arcuque manuque

praestantes e plebe vocat. puer ilicet Aethon140

et Pyrois rutilas respersi murice plumas

prosiliunt puroque imbutis melle sagittis

hic nuptam petit, ille virum. sonuere reducta

cornua; certa notos pariter sulcavit harundo

et pariter fixis haeserunt tela medullis.145

[215]Dog-star who had tempered for their frail beauty his accustomed fires. Others throughout the palace poured forth from jewelled caskets unguents gathered by the banks of the Nile from trees whose bark, when wounded by the cruel finger-nail, oozed with rich gum. Cytherea approaches the bride, and, despite her tears, drew her from her mother’s arms. Her swelling breast betokens maidenhood ripe for marriage, her skin is whiter than lilies or than snow, and her golden hair points to the Danube as her birthplace. Then, taking the hand of the bridegroom, Venus joins to it that of the bride and with these words blesses their union: “Live as one and fulfil all my rites. Give a thousand kisses, let arm be bruised with enfolding arm, and lips so join that soul may meet soul. And thou, husband, put not thy confidence in rude love-making; thy wife’s love cannot be won by threats, but must be gained by entreaty. And do thou yield to thy husband nor seek to show anger; use not thy nails as weapons like the women of Scythia. I beg thee submit to conquest; so shalt thou be indeed a wife, so a mother. Why are there tears in thine eyes? Believe me, thou shalt love him whom now thou fearest.”So spake she, and chose from out her winged attendants the two whose bows were strongest and their aim most sure. At once Aethon and Pyrois leaped forward, their bright wings tinged with purple. Dipping their shafts in pure honey the one aims his at the bride, the other his at the bridegroom. They draw their bows; the strings twang and the sure arrows cleave the air with equal speed and implant themselves at equal depths in the hearts of the twain.

[215]

Dog-star who had tempered for their frail beauty his accustomed fires. Others throughout the palace poured forth from jewelled caskets unguents gathered by the banks of the Nile from trees whose bark, when wounded by the cruel finger-nail, oozed with rich gum. Cytherea approaches the bride, and, despite her tears, drew her from her mother’s arms. Her swelling breast betokens maidenhood ripe for marriage, her skin is whiter than lilies or than snow, and her golden hair points to the Danube as her birthplace. Then, taking the hand of the bridegroom, Venus joins to it that of the bride and with these words blesses their union: “Live as one and fulfil all my rites. Give a thousand kisses, let arm be bruised with enfolding arm, and lips so join that soul may meet soul. And thou, husband, put not thy confidence in rude love-making; thy wife’s love cannot be won by threats, but must be gained by entreaty. And do thou yield to thy husband nor seek to show anger; use not thy nails as weapons like the women of Scythia. I beg thee submit to conquest; so shalt thou be indeed a wife, so a mother. Why are there tears in thine eyes? Believe me, thou shalt love him whom now thou fearest.”

So spake she, and chose from out her winged attendants the two whose bows were strongest and their aim most sure. At once Aethon and Pyrois leaped forward, their bright wings tinged with purple. Dipping their shafts in pure honey the one aims his at the bride, the other his at the bridegroom. They draw their bows; the strings twang and the sure arrows cleave the air with equal speed and implant themselves at equal depths in the hearts of the twain.

[216]XXVI. (XLIX.)Aponus.Fons, Antenoreae vitam qui porrigis urbifataque vicinis noxia pellis aquis,cum tua vel mutis tribuant miracula vocem,cum tibi plebeius carmina dictet honoset sit nulla manus, cuius non pollice ductae5testentur memores prospera vota notae:nonne reus Musis pariter Nymphisque tenebor,si tacitus soli praetereare mihi?ludibrium quid enim fas est a vate relinquihunc qui tot populis pervolat ora locum?10Alto colle minor, planis erectior arvisconspicuo clivus molliter orbe tumetardentis fecundus aquae; quacumque cavernasperforat, offenso truditur igne latex.spirat putre solum, conclusaque subter anhelo15pumice rimosas perfodit[85]unda vias.umida flammarum regio: Vulcania terraeubera, sulphureae fervida regna plagae.quis sterilem non credat humum? fumantia vernantpascua; luxuriat gramine cocta silex20et, cum sic rigidae cautes fervore liquescant,contemptis audax ignibus herba viret.Praeterea grandes effosso marmore sulcisaucia longinquo limite saxa secant.25[85]perfoditKoch; codd. (Birt)perforat.[217]XXVI. (XLIX.)Aponus.[86]Fount that prolongest life for the dwellers in Antenor’s city, banishing by thy neighbouring waters all harmful fates, seeing that thy marvels stir utterance even in the dumb, that a people’s love bids poets to honour thee in song, and that there is no hand whose fingers have not traced for thee some lines in thankful witness of prayers granted, shall I not be held guilty alike by the Muses and the Nymphs if I alone sing not thy praises? How can a spot whose fame is on so many lips rightly be passed over by me in slighting silence?Lower than a lofty hill yet higher than the level plain rises a gentle eminence, clear to see from all around. Prolific is it in hot springs, for wherever water penetrates its recesses encountering fires drive it forth. The crumbling ground exhales vapours, and the water, closed down in its prison of burning rock, forces its way out by many a fissured channel. ’Tis a region of liquid fire where Vulcan’s flames spring forth from earth’s breast, a land of burning and of sulphur. Who would not think it barren? Yet are those fiery fields green with verdure; grass grows o’er the burning marl and, though the very rocks melt at the heat, plants, mocking at the flames, boldly flourish.Beyond this are vast furrows cut in the rock, scarring and cleaving it in long lines. Traces are[86]Aponus (mod. Abano) near Padua, famous for its hot mineral springs (cf.Mart. vi. 42. 4; Lucan, vii. 193; Sil. Ital. xii. 218, etc.). Padua (Patavinum) is said to have been founded by Antenor.

[216]

XXVI. (XLIX.)

Aponus.

Fons, Antenoreae vitam qui porrigis urbifataque vicinis noxia pellis aquis,cum tua vel mutis tribuant miracula vocem,cum tibi plebeius carmina dictet honoset sit nulla manus, cuius non pollice ductae5testentur memores prospera vota notae:nonne reus Musis pariter Nymphisque tenebor,si tacitus soli praetereare mihi?ludibrium quid enim fas est a vate relinquihunc qui tot populis pervolat ora locum?10Alto colle minor, planis erectior arvisconspicuo clivus molliter orbe tumetardentis fecundus aquae; quacumque cavernasperforat, offenso truditur igne latex.spirat putre solum, conclusaque subter anhelo15pumice rimosas perfodit[85]unda vias.umida flammarum regio: Vulcania terraeubera, sulphureae fervida regna plagae.quis sterilem non credat humum? fumantia vernantpascua; luxuriat gramine cocta silex20et, cum sic rigidae cautes fervore liquescant,contemptis audax ignibus herba viret.Praeterea grandes effosso marmore sulcisaucia longinquo limite saxa secant.25

Fons, Antenoreae vitam qui porrigis urbi

fataque vicinis noxia pellis aquis,

cum tua vel mutis tribuant miracula vocem,

cum tibi plebeius carmina dictet honos

et sit nulla manus, cuius non pollice ductae5

testentur memores prospera vota notae:

nonne reus Musis pariter Nymphisque tenebor,

si tacitus soli praetereare mihi?

ludibrium quid enim fas est a vate relinqui

hunc qui tot populis pervolat ora locum?10

Alto colle minor, planis erectior arvis

conspicuo clivus molliter orbe tumet

ardentis fecundus aquae; quacumque cavernas

perforat, offenso truditur igne latex.

spirat putre solum, conclusaque subter anhelo15

pumice rimosas perfodit[85]unda vias.

umida flammarum regio: Vulcania terrae

ubera, sulphureae fervida regna plagae.

quis sterilem non credat humum? fumantia vernant

pascua; luxuriat gramine cocta silex20

et, cum sic rigidae cautes fervore liquescant,

contemptis audax ignibus herba viret.

Praeterea grandes effosso marmore sulci

saucia longinquo limite saxa secant.25

[85]perfoditKoch; codd. (Birt)perforat.

[217]XXVI. (XLIX.)Aponus.[86]Fount that prolongest life for the dwellers in Antenor’s city, banishing by thy neighbouring waters all harmful fates, seeing that thy marvels stir utterance even in the dumb, that a people’s love bids poets to honour thee in song, and that there is no hand whose fingers have not traced for thee some lines in thankful witness of prayers granted, shall I not be held guilty alike by the Muses and the Nymphs if I alone sing not thy praises? How can a spot whose fame is on so many lips rightly be passed over by me in slighting silence?Lower than a lofty hill yet higher than the level plain rises a gentle eminence, clear to see from all around. Prolific is it in hot springs, for wherever water penetrates its recesses encountering fires drive it forth. The crumbling ground exhales vapours, and the water, closed down in its prison of burning rock, forces its way out by many a fissured channel. ’Tis a region of liquid fire where Vulcan’s flames spring forth from earth’s breast, a land of burning and of sulphur. Who would not think it barren? Yet are those fiery fields green with verdure; grass grows o’er the burning marl and, though the very rocks melt at the heat, plants, mocking at the flames, boldly flourish.Beyond this are vast furrows cut in the rock, scarring and cleaving it in long lines. Traces are[86]Aponus (mod. Abano) near Padua, famous for its hot mineral springs (cf.Mart. vi. 42. 4; Lucan, vii. 193; Sil. Ital. xii. 218, etc.). Padua (Patavinum) is said to have been founded by Antenor.

[217]

XXVI. (XLIX.)

Aponus.[86]

Fount that prolongest life for the dwellers in Antenor’s city, banishing by thy neighbouring waters all harmful fates, seeing that thy marvels stir utterance even in the dumb, that a people’s love bids poets to honour thee in song, and that there is no hand whose fingers have not traced for thee some lines in thankful witness of prayers granted, shall I not be held guilty alike by the Muses and the Nymphs if I alone sing not thy praises? How can a spot whose fame is on so many lips rightly be passed over by me in slighting silence?

Lower than a lofty hill yet higher than the level plain rises a gentle eminence, clear to see from all around. Prolific is it in hot springs, for wherever water penetrates its recesses encountering fires drive it forth. The crumbling ground exhales vapours, and the water, closed down in its prison of burning rock, forces its way out by many a fissured channel. ’Tis a region of liquid fire where Vulcan’s flames spring forth from earth’s breast, a land of burning and of sulphur. Who would not think it barren? Yet are those fiery fields green with verdure; grass grows o’er the burning marl and, though the very rocks melt at the heat, plants, mocking at the flames, boldly flourish.

Beyond this are vast furrows cut in the rock, scarring and cleaving it in long lines. Traces are

[86]Aponus (mod. Abano) near Padua, famous for its hot mineral springs (cf.Mart. vi. 42. 4; Lucan, vii. 193; Sil. Ital. xii. 218, etc.). Padua (Patavinum) is said to have been founded by Antenor.

[218]Herculei (sic fama refert) monstratur aratrisemita, vel casus vomeris egit opus,in medio pelagi late flagrantis imagocaerulus inmenso panditur ore lacusingenti fusus spatio; sed maior in altumintrat et arcanae rupis inane subit:30densus nube sua tactuque inmitis et haustu,sed vitreis idem lucidus usque vadis.consuluit natura sibi, ne tota lateret,admisitque oculos, quo vetat ire calor:turbidus impulsu venti cum spargitur aër35glaucaque fumiferae terga serenat aquae,tunc omnem liquidi vallem mirabere fundi,tunc veteres hastae, regia dona, micant(quas inter, nigrae tenebris obscurus harenae,discolor abruptum flumen hiatus agit;40adparent infra latebrae, quas gurges opacusimplet et abstrusos ducit in antra sinus);tunc montis secreta patent, qui flexus in arcumaequora pendenti margine summa ligat.Viva coronatos adstringit scaena vapores,45et levis exili cortice terra natatcalcantumque oneri numquam cessura virorumsustentat trepidum, fida ruina, pedem.facta manu credas, sic levis circuit orasambitus et tenuis perpetuusque riget.50[219]they—so tradition tells—of Hercules’ plough, or else chance did the ploughshare’s work. In the middle of the hill is what seems a broad, steaming sea, an azure lake of vast extent. Great is the space it covers, still greater its depth where it plunges down and loses itself beneath the rocky caverns. A thick pall of steam hangs over it; its waters cannot be touched nor drunk though they are transparent as crystal to the very bottom. Nature took counsel for herself and lest that lake should be entirely beyond our ken she let our eyes penetrate what, because of its heat, our bodies could not enter. When a breeze scatters the thick clouds of steam and clears the grey surface of the erstwhile vaporous water you can gaze with wonder on the valley floor below that glassy flood where glint old weapons, king’s gifts[87]of bygone days (between these a gulf of other hue, dark with the eddyings of black sand, swallows the hastening waters; below there opens a cavern into which the darkling flood pours, filling every nook and cranny with its swirling eddies); then are revealed the hidden places of the hill which, bent round in a bow, encircles the surface of the water with an overhanging rim.[88]A verdant amphitheatre surrounds this steaming cauldron, and the ground floats lightly with slender film[89]; never will it give way beneath the visitor’s weight, upholding his timorous feet, trusty though seeming so unsure. One would think it the work of man’s hand, so smoothly does its circuit enfold the shore, slight and yet firm all the way. The water[87]Doubtlessex votoofferings.[88]The “hidden places” (i.e.the sides of the mountain below the water-level) are “revealed” because of the translucency of the water.[89]Claudian describes a film or crust which encircles the lake and forms a path.

[218]

Herculei (sic fama refert) monstratur aratrisemita, vel casus vomeris egit opus,in medio pelagi late flagrantis imagocaerulus inmenso panditur ore lacusingenti fusus spatio; sed maior in altumintrat et arcanae rupis inane subit:30densus nube sua tactuque inmitis et haustu,sed vitreis idem lucidus usque vadis.consuluit natura sibi, ne tota lateret,admisitque oculos, quo vetat ire calor:turbidus impulsu venti cum spargitur aër35glaucaque fumiferae terga serenat aquae,tunc omnem liquidi vallem mirabere fundi,tunc veteres hastae, regia dona, micant(quas inter, nigrae tenebris obscurus harenae,discolor abruptum flumen hiatus agit;40adparent infra latebrae, quas gurges opacusimplet et abstrusos ducit in antra sinus);tunc montis secreta patent, qui flexus in arcumaequora pendenti margine summa ligat.Viva coronatos adstringit scaena vapores,45et levis exili cortice terra natatcalcantumque oneri numquam cessura virorumsustentat trepidum, fida ruina, pedem.facta manu credas, sic levis circuit orasambitus et tenuis perpetuusque riget.50

Herculei (sic fama refert) monstratur aratri

semita, vel casus vomeris egit opus,

in medio pelagi late flagrantis imago

caerulus inmenso panditur ore lacus

ingenti fusus spatio; sed maior in altum

intrat et arcanae rupis inane subit:30

densus nube sua tactuque inmitis et haustu,

sed vitreis idem lucidus usque vadis.

consuluit natura sibi, ne tota lateret,

admisitque oculos, quo vetat ire calor:

turbidus impulsu venti cum spargitur aër35

glaucaque fumiferae terga serenat aquae,

tunc omnem liquidi vallem mirabere fundi,

tunc veteres hastae, regia dona, micant

(quas inter, nigrae tenebris obscurus harenae,

discolor abruptum flumen hiatus agit;40

adparent infra latebrae, quas gurges opacus

implet et abstrusos ducit in antra sinus);

tunc montis secreta patent, qui flexus in arcum

aequora pendenti margine summa ligat.

Viva coronatos adstringit scaena vapores,45

et levis exili cortice terra natat

calcantumque oneri numquam cessura virorum

sustentat trepidum, fida ruina, pedem.

facta manu credas, sic levis circuit oras

ambitus et tenuis perpetuusque riget.50

[219]they—so tradition tells—of Hercules’ plough, or else chance did the ploughshare’s work. In the middle of the hill is what seems a broad, steaming sea, an azure lake of vast extent. Great is the space it covers, still greater its depth where it plunges down and loses itself beneath the rocky caverns. A thick pall of steam hangs over it; its waters cannot be touched nor drunk though they are transparent as crystal to the very bottom. Nature took counsel for herself and lest that lake should be entirely beyond our ken she let our eyes penetrate what, because of its heat, our bodies could not enter. When a breeze scatters the thick clouds of steam and clears the grey surface of the erstwhile vaporous water you can gaze with wonder on the valley floor below that glassy flood where glint old weapons, king’s gifts[87]of bygone days (between these a gulf of other hue, dark with the eddyings of black sand, swallows the hastening waters; below there opens a cavern into which the darkling flood pours, filling every nook and cranny with its swirling eddies); then are revealed the hidden places of the hill which, bent round in a bow, encircles the surface of the water with an overhanging rim.[88]A verdant amphitheatre surrounds this steaming cauldron, and the ground floats lightly with slender film[89]; never will it give way beneath the visitor’s weight, upholding his timorous feet, trusty though seeming so unsure. One would think it the work of man’s hand, so smoothly does its circuit enfold the shore, slight and yet firm all the way. The water[87]Doubtlessex votoofferings.[88]The “hidden places” (i.e.the sides of the mountain below the water-level) are “revealed” because of the translucency of the water.[89]Claudian describes a film or crust which encircles the lake and forms a path.

[219]

they—so tradition tells—of Hercules’ plough, or else chance did the ploughshare’s work. In the middle of the hill is what seems a broad, steaming sea, an azure lake of vast extent. Great is the space it covers, still greater its depth where it plunges down and loses itself beneath the rocky caverns. A thick pall of steam hangs over it; its waters cannot be touched nor drunk though they are transparent as crystal to the very bottom. Nature took counsel for herself and lest that lake should be entirely beyond our ken she let our eyes penetrate what, because of its heat, our bodies could not enter. When a breeze scatters the thick clouds of steam and clears the grey surface of the erstwhile vaporous water you can gaze with wonder on the valley floor below that glassy flood where glint old weapons, king’s gifts[87]of bygone days (between these a gulf of other hue, dark with the eddyings of black sand, swallows the hastening waters; below there opens a cavern into which the darkling flood pours, filling every nook and cranny with its swirling eddies); then are revealed the hidden places of the hill which, bent round in a bow, encircles the surface of the water with an overhanging rim.[88]

A verdant amphitheatre surrounds this steaming cauldron, and the ground floats lightly with slender film[89]; never will it give way beneath the visitor’s weight, upholding his timorous feet, trusty though seeming so unsure. One would think it the work of man’s hand, so smoothly does its circuit enfold the shore, slight and yet firm all the way. The water

[87]Doubtlessex votoofferings.

[88]The “hidden places” (i.e.the sides of the mountain below the water-level) are “revealed” because of the translucency of the water.

[89]Claudian describes a film or crust which encircles the lake and forms a path.

[220]haerent stagna lacu plenas aequantia ripaspraescriptumque timent transiluisse modum;quod superat, fluvius devexa rupe volutusegerit et campi dorsa recurva petit,devehit exceptum nativo spira[90]meatu;55in patulas plumbi labitur inde vias;nullo cum strepitu madidis infecta favillisdespumat niveum fistula cana salem.multifidas dispergit opes artemque secutus,qua iussere manus, mobile torquet iter60et iunctos rapido pontes subtermeat aestuadflatasque vago temperat igne tholos.acrior interius, rauci cum murmure saxi,spumeus eliso pellitur amne vapor.—hinc pigras repetunt fessi sudore lacunas,65frigora quis longae blanda dedere morae.Salve Paeoniae largitor nobilis undae,Dardanii salve gloria magna soli,publica morborum requies, commune medentumauxilium, praesens numen, inempta salus.70seu ruptis inferna ruunt incendia ripiset nostro Phlegethon devius orbe calet,sulphuris in venas gelidus seu decidit amnisaccensusque fluit (quod manifestat odor),sive pares[91]flammas undarum lance rependens75arbiter in foedus mons elementa vocat,ne cedant superata sibi, sed legibus aequisalterius vires possit utrumque pati:[90]spiraHeinsius; Birt followsMSS.spina.[91]paresEVJ; Birt readspari(A). Ifpari, probably a juristic formula (=aequa lance); cf. Symm. Epp. ii. 56. 1.[221]in the lake stands motionless, filling it to the brim and fearing to o’erstep its appointed limit. The overflow runs in a stream down a sloping rock and seeks the undulating plain below. A natural but tortuous channel carries the water away and thence it flows into an open conduit of lead. These pipes, noiselessly impregnated with some powderous mineral that the water carries down, produce a snow-white distillation of salt. The streams branch off in all directions carrying with them this natural wealth whithersoever art has directed their going, flexing this way and that their errant courses, flowing in swift torrent below aqueducts and warming the arches with the heat of their rushing waters. Within the arches, amid the roarings of the echoing rock, issues forth fiercer steam and vapour as the water rushes out. Then the sick, weak with sweating, seek next the stagnant pools that long time has made pleasantly cool.Hail to thee, stream, generous giver of the waters of healing, chief glory of the land of Italy, doctor of all that come to thee, common helper of all Aesculapius’ sons; a very present deity for whose aid there is nought to pay. Whether it be that hell’s fiery streams have burst their banks and that Phlegethon gone astray bestows his heat upon the upper world, or that a river, originally of cold water, sinks down into veins of sulphur and rises thence afire (as one would think from the smell), or that the mountain in arbitration summons the two elements to a treaty, balancing a certain quantity of fire against a similar amount of water that neither yield to the other but under a just law of equipoise each may withstand the other’s might—whatsoever

[220]

haerent stagna lacu plenas aequantia ripaspraescriptumque timent transiluisse modum;quod superat, fluvius devexa rupe volutusegerit et campi dorsa recurva petit,devehit exceptum nativo spira[90]meatu;55in patulas plumbi labitur inde vias;nullo cum strepitu madidis infecta favillisdespumat niveum fistula cana salem.multifidas dispergit opes artemque secutus,qua iussere manus, mobile torquet iter60et iunctos rapido pontes subtermeat aestuadflatasque vago temperat igne tholos.acrior interius, rauci cum murmure saxi,spumeus eliso pellitur amne vapor.—hinc pigras repetunt fessi sudore lacunas,65frigora quis longae blanda dedere morae.Salve Paeoniae largitor nobilis undae,Dardanii salve gloria magna soli,publica morborum requies, commune medentumauxilium, praesens numen, inempta salus.70seu ruptis inferna ruunt incendia ripiset nostro Phlegethon devius orbe calet,sulphuris in venas gelidus seu decidit amnisaccensusque fluit (quod manifestat odor),sive pares[91]flammas undarum lance rependens75arbiter in foedus mons elementa vocat,ne cedant superata sibi, sed legibus aequisalterius vires possit utrumque pati:

haerent stagna lacu plenas aequantia ripas

praescriptumque timent transiluisse modum;

quod superat, fluvius devexa rupe volutus

egerit et campi dorsa recurva petit,

devehit exceptum nativo spira[90]meatu;55

in patulas plumbi labitur inde vias;

nullo cum strepitu madidis infecta favillis

despumat niveum fistula cana salem.

multifidas dispergit opes artemque secutus,

qua iussere manus, mobile torquet iter60

et iunctos rapido pontes subtermeat aestu

adflatasque vago temperat igne tholos.

acrior interius, rauci cum murmure saxi,

spumeus eliso pellitur amne vapor.—

hinc pigras repetunt fessi sudore lacunas,65

frigora quis longae blanda dedere morae.

Salve Paeoniae largitor nobilis undae,

Dardanii salve gloria magna soli,

publica morborum requies, commune medentum

auxilium, praesens numen, inempta salus.70

seu ruptis inferna ruunt incendia ripis

et nostro Phlegethon devius orbe calet,

sulphuris in venas gelidus seu decidit amnis

accensusque fluit (quod manifestat odor),

sive pares[91]flammas undarum lance rependens75

arbiter in foedus mons elementa vocat,

ne cedant superata sibi, sed legibus aequis

alterius vires possit utrumque pati:

[90]spiraHeinsius; Birt followsMSS.spina.

[91]paresEVJ; Birt readspari(A). Ifpari, probably a juristic formula (=aequa lance); cf. Symm. Epp. ii. 56. 1.

[221]in the lake stands motionless, filling it to the brim and fearing to o’erstep its appointed limit. The overflow runs in a stream down a sloping rock and seeks the undulating plain below. A natural but tortuous channel carries the water away and thence it flows into an open conduit of lead. These pipes, noiselessly impregnated with some powderous mineral that the water carries down, produce a snow-white distillation of salt. The streams branch off in all directions carrying with them this natural wealth whithersoever art has directed their going, flexing this way and that their errant courses, flowing in swift torrent below aqueducts and warming the arches with the heat of their rushing waters. Within the arches, amid the roarings of the echoing rock, issues forth fiercer steam and vapour as the water rushes out. Then the sick, weak with sweating, seek next the stagnant pools that long time has made pleasantly cool.Hail to thee, stream, generous giver of the waters of healing, chief glory of the land of Italy, doctor of all that come to thee, common helper of all Aesculapius’ sons; a very present deity for whose aid there is nought to pay. Whether it be that hell’s fiery streams have burst their banks and that Phlegethon gone astray bestows his heat upon the upper world, or that a river, originally of cold water, sinks down into veins of sulphur and rises thence afire (as one would think from the smell), or that the mountain in arbitration summons the two elements to a treaty, balancing a certain quantity of fire against a similar amount of water that neither yield to the other but under a just law of equipoise each may withstand the other’s might—whatsoever

[221]

in the lake stands motionless, filling it to the brim and fearing to o’erstep its appointed limit. The overflow runs in a stream down a sloping rock and seeks the undulating plain below. A natural but tortuous channel carries the water away and thence it flows into an open conduit of lead. These pipes, noiselessly impregnated with some powderous mineral that the water carries down, produce a snow-white distillation of salt. The streams branch off in all directions carrying with them this natural wealth whithersoever art has directed their going, flexing this way and that their errant courses, flowing in swift torrent below aqueducts and warming the arches with the heat of their rushing waters. Within the arches, amid the roarings of the echoing rock, issues forth fiercer steam and vapour as the water rushes out. Then the sick, weak with sweating, seek next the stagnant pools that long time has made pleasantly cool.

Hail to thee, stream, generous giver of the waters of healing, chief glory of the land of Italy, doctor of all that come to thee, common helper of all Aesculapius’ sons; a very present deity for whose aid there is nought to pay. Whether it be that hell’s fiery streams have burst their banks and that Phlegethon gone astray bestows his heat upon the upper world, or that a river, originally of cold water, sinks down into veins of sulphur and rises thence afire (as one would think from the smell), or that the mountain in arbitration summons the two elements to a treaty, balancing a certain quantity of fire against a similar amount of water that neither yield to the other but under a just law of equipoise each may withstand the other’s might—whatsoever

[222]quidquid erit causae, quocumque emitteris ortu,non sine consilio currere certa fides.80quis casum meritis adscribere talibus audet?quis negat auctores haec statuisse deos?ille pater rerum, qui saecula dividit astris,inter prima poli te quoque sacra deditet fragilem nostri miseratus corporis usum85telluri medicas fundere iussit aquas,Parcarumque colos exoratura severasflumina laxatis emicuere iugis.Felices, proprium qui te meruere, coloni,fas quibus est Aponon iuris habere sui.90non illis terrena lues corrupta nec Austriflamina nec saevo Sirius igne nocet,sed quamvis Lachesis letali stamine damnet,in te fata sibi prosperiora petunt.quodsi forte malus membris exuberat umor95languida vel nimio viscera felle rubent,non venas reserant nec vulnere vulnera sanantpocula nec tristi gramine mixta bibunt:amissum lymphis reparant impune vigorem,pacaturque aegro luxuriante dolor.100XXVII. (XLIV.)Phoenix.Oceani summo circumfluus aequore lucustrans Indos Eurumque viret, qui primus anhelissollicitatur equis vicinaque verbera sentit,umida roranti resonant cum limina curru,[223]shall prove to be the cause, whatever the origin, of this we may be sure—that thou flowest not without design. Who would dare to ascribe such a miracle to chance? Who could deny that the overruling gods have so ordained? Nature’s lord, who measures the centuries by the stars, has given thee a place of honour among the works of his divinity, and, pitying the feebleness of our human bodies, has bidden pour forth healing waters for the earth, and from the riven hills burst forth streams that should win pardon from the Fates’ relentless distaffs.Happy ye whose lot it is to dwell by those banks and to possess Aponus for your own; you no plague of earth, no pestilence-fraught winds of the south, nor Sirius with his cruel fires can harm. Should Lachesis’ fatal thread threaten death men find in thee a more propitious fate. If it chance that noxious humours swell their limbs or that excess of bile inflames their ailing bowels they need not to open their veins nor to cure one wound with another nor yet to drink medicine of bitter herbs. By thy water’s aid they renew their lost strength without suffering; ’mid luxury the sick find relief from pain.XXVII. (XLIV.)The Phoenix.[92]There is a leafy wood fringed by Ocean’s farthest marge beyond the Indes and the East where Dawn’s panting coursers first seek entrance; it hears the lash close by, what time the watery threshold echoes to the dewy car; and hence comes forth the rosy[92]C. follows Herodotus (ii. 73) fairly closely.

[222]

quidquid erit causae, quocumque emitteris ortu,non sine consilio currere certa fides.80quis casum meritis adscribere talibus audet?quis negat auctores haec statuisse deos?ille pater rerum, qui saecula dividit astris,inter prima poli te quoque sacra deditet fragilem nostri miseratus corporis usum85telluri medicas fundere iussit aquas,Parcarumque colos exoratura severasflumina laxatis emicuere iugis.Felices, proprium qui te meruere, coloni,fas quibus est Aponon iuris habere sui.90non illis terrena lues corrupta nec Austriflamina nec saevo Sirius igne nocet,sed quamvis Lachesis letali stamine damnet,in te fata sibi prosperiora petunt.quodsi forte malus membris exuberat umor95languida vel nimio viscera felle rubent,non venas reserant nec vulnere vulnera sanantpocula nec tristi gramine mixta bibunt:amissum lymphis reparant impune vigorem,pacaturque aegro luxuriante dolor.100

quidquid erit causae, quocumque emitteris ortu,

non sine consilio currere certa fides.80

quis casum meritis adscribere talibus audet?

quis negat auctores haec statuisse deos?

ille pater rerum, qui saecula dividit astris,

inter prima poli te quoque sacra dedit

et fragilem nostri miseratus corporis usum85

telluri medicas fundere iussit aquas,

Parcarumque colos exoratura severas

flumina laxatis emicuere iugis.

Felices, proprium qui te meruere, coloni,

fas quibus est Aponon iuris habere sui.90

non illis terrena lues corrupta nec Austri

flamina nec saevo Sirius igne nocet,

sed quamvis Lachesis letali stamine damnet,

in te fata sibi prosperiora petunt.

quodsi forte malus membris exuberat umor95

languida vel nimio viscera felle rubent,

non venas reserant nec vulnere vulnera sanant

pocula nec tristi gramine mixta bibunt:

amissum lymphis reparant impune vigorem,

pacaturque aegro luxuriante dolor.100

XXVII. (XLIV.)

Phoenix.

Oceani summo circumfluus aequore lucustrans Indos Eurumque viret, qui primus anhelissollicitatur equis vicinaque verbera sentit,umida roranti resonant cum limina curru,

Oceani summo circumfluus aequore lucus

trans Indos Eurumque viret, qui primus anhelis

sollicitatur equis vicinaque verbera sentit,

umida roranti resonant cum limina curru,

[223]shall prove to be the cause, whatever the origin, of this we may be sure—that thou flowest not without design. Who would dare to ascribe such a miracle to chance? Who could deny that the overruling gods have so ordained? Nature’s lord, who measures the centuries by the stars, has given thee a place of honour among the works of his divinity, and, pitying the feebleness of our human bodies, has bidden pour forth healing waters for the earth, and from the riven hills burst forth streams that should win pardon from the Fates’ relentless distaffs.Happy ye whose lot it is to dwell by those banks and to possess Aponus for your own; you no plague of earth, no pestilence-fraught winds of the south, nor Sirius with his cruel fires can harm. Should Lachesis’ fatal thread threaten death men find in thee a more propitious fate. If it chance that noxious humours swell their limbs or that excess of bile inflames their ailing bowels they need not to open their veins nor to cure one wound with another nor yet to drink medicine of bitter herbs. By thy water’s aid they renew their lost strength without suffering; ’mid luxury the sick find relief from pain.XXVII. (XLIV.)The Phoenix.[92]There is a leafy wood fringed by Ocean’s farthest marge beyond the Indes and the East where Dawn’s panting coursers first seek entrance; it hears the lash close by, what time the watery threshold echoes to the dewy car; and hence comes forth the rosy[92]C. follows Herodotus (ii. 73) fairly closely.

[223]

shall prove to be the cause, whatever the origin, of this we may be sure—that thou flowest not without design. Who would dare to ascribe such a miracle to chance? Who could deny that the overruling gods have so ordained? Nature’s lord, who measures the centuries by the stars, has given thee a place of honour among the works of his divinity, and, pitying the feebleness of our human bodies, has bidden pour forth healing waters for the earth, and from the riven hills burst forth streams that should win pardon from the Fates’ relentless distaffs.

Happy ye whose lot it is to dwell by those banks and to possess Aponus for your own; you no plague of earth, no pestilence-fraught winds of the south, nor Sirius with his cruel fires can harm. Should Lachesis’ fatal thread threaten death men find in thee a more propitious fate. If it chance that noxious humours swell their limbs or that excess of bile inflames their ailing bowels they need not to open their veins nor to cure one wound with another nor yet to drink medicine of bitter herbs. By thy water’s aid they renew their lost strength without suffering; ’mid luxury the sick find relief from pain.

XXVII. (XLIV.)

The Phoenix.[92]

There is a leafy wood fringed by Ocean’s farthest marge beyond the Indes and the East where Dawn’s panting coursers first seek entrance; it hears the lash close by, what time the watery threshold echoes to the dewy car; and hence comes forth the rosy

[92]C. follows Herodotus (ii. 73) fairly closely.

[224]unde rubet ventura dies longeque coruscis5nox adflata rotis refugo pallescit amictu:haec fortunatus nimium Titanius alesregna colit solusque plaga defensus iniquapossidet intactas aegris animalibus orassaeva nec humani patitur contagia mundi.10par volucer superis, stellas qui vividus aequatdurando membrisque terit redeuntibus aevum,non epulis saturare famem, non fontibus ullisadsuetus prohibere sitim; sed purior illumsolis fervor alit ventosaque pabula potat15Tethyos, innocui carpens alimenta vaporis.arcanum radiant oculi iubar. igneus oracingit honos. rutilo cognatum vertice sidusattollit cristatus apex tenebrasque serenaluce secat. Tyrio pinguntur crura veneno.20antevolant Zephyros pinnae, quas caerulus ambitflore color sparsoque super ditescit in auro.Hic neque concepto fetu nec semine surgit,sed pater est prolesque sui nulloque creanteemeritos artus fecunda morte reformat25et petit alternam totidem per funera vitam.namque ubi mille vias longinqua retorserit aestas,tot ruerint hiemes, totiens ver cursibus actum,quas tulit autumnus, dederit cultoribus umbras:tum multis gravior tandem subiungitur annis30lustrorum numero victus: ceu lassa procellisardua Caucasio nutat de culmine pinusseram ponderibus pronis tractura ruinam;pars cadit adsiduo flatu, pars imbre peresarumpitur, abripuit partem vitiosa vetustas.35[225]morn while night, illumined by those far-shining wheels of fire, casts off her sable cloak and broods less darkly. This is the kingdom of the blessèd bird of the sun where it dwells in solitude defended by the inhospitable nature of the land and immune from the ills that befall other living creatures; nor does it suffer infection from the world of men. Equal to the gods is that bird whose life rivals the stars and whose renascent limbs weary the passing centuries. It needs no food to satisfy hunger nor any drink to quench thirst; the sun’s clear beam is its food, the sea’s rare spray its drink—exhalations such as these form its simple nourishment. A mysterious fire flashes from its eye, and a flaming aureole enriches its head. Its crest shines with the sun’s own light and shatters the darkness with its calm brilliance. Its legs are of Tyrian purple; swifter than those of the Zephyrs are its wings of flower-like blue dappled with rich gold.Never was this bird conceived nor springs it from any mortal seed, itself is alike its own father and son, and with none to recreate it, it renews its outworn limbs with a rejuvenation of death, and at each decease wins a fresh lease of life. For when a thousand summers have passed far away, a thousand winters gone by, a thousand springs in their course given to the husbandmen that shade[93]of which autumn robbed them, then at last, fordone by the number of its years, it falls a victim to the burden of age; as a tall pine on the summit of Caucasus, wearied with storms, heels over with its weight and threatens at last to crash in ruin; one portion falls by reason of the unceasing winds, another breaks away rotted by the rain, another consumed by the decay of years.[93]i.e.given leaves which in turn supply shade.

[224]

unde rubet ventura dies longeque coruscis5nox adflata rotis refugo pallescit amictu:haec fortunatus nimium Titanius alesregna colit solusque plaga defensus iniquapossidet intactas aegris animalibus orassaeva nec humani patitur contagia mundi.10par volucer superis, stellas qui vividus aequatdurando membrisque terit redeuntibus aevum,non epulis saturare famem, non fontibus ullisadsuetus prohibere sitim; sed purior illumsolis fervor alit ventosaque pabula potat15Tethyos, innocui carpens alimenta vaporis.arcanum radiant oculi iubar. igneus oracingit honos. rutilo cognatum vertice sidusattollit cristatus apex tenebrasque serenaluce secat. Tyrio pinguntur crura veneno.20antevolant Zephyros pinnae, quas caerulus ambitflore color sparsoque super ditescit in auro.Hic neque concepto fetu nec semine surgit,sed pater est prolesque sui nulloque creanteemeritos artus fecunda morte reformat25et petit alternam totidem per funera vitam.namque ubi mille vias longinqua retorserit aestas,tot ruerint hiemes, totiens ver cursibus actum,quas tulit autumnus, dederit cultoribus umbras:tum multis gravior tandem subiungitur annis30lustrorum numero victus: ceu lassa procellisardua Caucasio nutat de culmine pinusseram ponderibus pronis tractura ruinam;pars cadit adsiduo flatu, pars imbre peresarumpitur, abripuit partem vitiosa vetustas.35

unde rubet ventura dies longeque coruscis5

nox adflata rotis refugo pallescit amictu:

haec fortunatus nimium Titanius ales

regna colit solusque plaga defensus iniqua

possidet intactas aegris animalibus oras

saeva nec humani patitur contagia mundi.10

par volucer superis, stellas qui vividus aequat

durando membrisque terit redeuntibus aevum,

non epulis saturare famem, non fontibus ullis

adsuetus prohibere sitim; sed purior illum

solis fervor alit ventosaque pabula potat15

Tethyos, innocui carpens alimenta vaporis.

arcanum radiant oculi iubar. igneus ora

cingit honos. rutilo cognatum vertice sidus

attollit cristatus apex tenebrasque serena

luce secat. Tyrio pinguntur crura veneno.20

antevolant Zephyros pinnae, quas caerulus ambit

flore color sparsoque super ditescit in auro.

Hic neque concepto fetu nec semine surgit,

sed pater est prolesque sui nulloque creante

emeritos artus fecunda morte reformat25

et petit alternam totidem per funera vitam.

namque ubi mille vias longinqua retorserit aestas,

tot ruerint hiemes, totiens ver cursibus actum,

quas tulit autumnus, dederit cultoribus umbras:

tum multis gravior tandem subiungitur annis30

lustrorum numero victus: ceu lassa procellis

ardua Caucasio nutat de culmine pinus

seram ponderibus pronis tractura ruinam;

pars cadit adsiduo flatu, pars imbre peresa

rumpitur, abripuit partem vitiosa vetustas.35

[225]morn while night, illumined by those far-shining wheels of fire, casts off her sable cloak and broods less darkly. This is the kingdom of the blessèd bird of the sun where it dwells in solitude defended by the inhospitable nature of the land and immune from the ills that befall other living creatures; nor does it suffer infection from the world of men. Equal to the gods is that bird whose life rivals the stars and whose renascent limbs weary the passing centuries. It needs no food to satisfy hunger nor any drink to quench thirst; the sun’s clear beam is its food, the sea’s rare spray its drink—exhalations such as these form its simple nourishment. A mysterious fire flashes from its eye, and a flaming aureole enriches its head. Its crest shines with the sun’s own light and shatters the darkness with its calm brilliance. Its legs are of Tyrian purple; swifter than those of the Zephyrs are its wings of flower-like blue dappled with rich gold.Never was this bird conceived nor springs it from any mortal seed, itself is alike its own father and son, and with none to recreate it, it renews its outworn limbs with a rejuvenation of death, and at each decease wins a fresh lease of life. For when a thousand summers have passed far away, a thousand winters gone by, a thousand springs in their course given to the husbandmen that shade[93]of which autumn robbed them, then at last, fordone by the number of its years, it falls a victim to the burden of age; as a tall pine on the summit of Caucasus, wearied with storms, heels over with its weight and threatens at last to crash in ruin; one portion falls by reason of the unceasing winds, another breaks away rotted by the rain, another consumed by the decay of years.[93]i.e.given leaves which in turn supply shade.

[225]

morn while night, illumined by those far-shining wheels of fire, casts off her sable cloak and broods less darkly. This is the kingdom of the blessèd bird of the sun where it dwells in solitude defended by the inhospitable nature of the land and immune from the ills that befall other living creatures; nor does it suffer infection from the world of men. Equal to the gods is that bird whose life rivals the stars and whose renascent limbs weary the passing centuries. It needs no food to satisfy hunger nor any drink to quench thirst; the sun’s clear beam is its food, the sea’s rare spray its drink—exhalations such as these form its simple nourishment. A mysterious fire flashes from its eye, and a flaming aureole enriches its head. Its crest shines with the sun’s own light and shatters the darkness with its calm brilliance. Its legs are of Tyrian purple; swifter than those of the Zephyrs are its wings of flower-like blue dappled with rich gold.

Never was this bird conceived nor springs it from any mortal seed, itself is alike its own father and son, and with none to recreate it, it renews its outworn limbs with a rejuvenation of death, and at each decease wins a fresh lease of life. For when a thousand summers have passed far away, a thousand winters gone by, a thousand springs in their course given to the husbandmen that shade[93]of which autumn robbed them, then at last, fordone by the number of its years, it falls a victim to the burden of age; as a tall pine on the summit of Caucasus, wearied with storms, heels over with its weight and threatens at last to crash in ruin; one portion falls by reason of the unceasing winds, another breaks away rotted by the rain, another consumed by the decay of years.

[93]i.e.given leaves which in turn supply shade.

[226]Iam breve decrescit lumen languetque senilisegnis stella gelu, qualis cum forte teneturnubibus et dubio vanescit Cynthia cornu.iam solitae medios alae transcurrere nimbosvix ima tolluntur humo. tum conscius aevi40defuncti reducisque parans exordia formaearentes tepidis de collibus eligit herbaset tumulum texens pretiosa fronde Sabaeumcomponit, bustumque sibi partumque futurum.Hic sedet et Solem blando clangore salutat45debilior miscetque preces ac supplice cantupraestatura novas vires incendia poscit.quem procul adductis vidit cum Phoebus habenis,stat subito dictisque pium solatur alumnum:“o senium positure rogo falsisque sepulcris50natales habiture vices, qui saepe renasciexitio proprioque soles pubescere leto,accipe principium rursus corpusque coactumdesere. mutata melior procede figura.”Haec fatus propere flavis e crinibus unum55concussa cervice iacit missoque volentemvitali fulgore ferit. iam sponte crematurut redeat gaudetque mori festinus in ortum.fervet odoratus telis caelestibus aggerconsumitque senem. nitidos stupefacta iuvencos60luna premit pigrosque polus non concitat axesparturiente rogo: curis Natura laborat,[227]Now the Phoenix’s bright eye grows dim and the pupil becomes palsied by the frost of years, like the moon when she is shrouded in clouds and her horn begins to vanish in the mist. Now his wings, wont to cleave the clouds of heaven, can scarce raise them from the earth. Then, realizing that his span of life is at an end and in preparation for a renewal of his splendour, he gathers dry herbs from the sun-warmed hills, and making an interwoven heap of the branches of the precious tree of Saba he builds that pyre which shall be at once his tomb and his cradle.On this he takes his seat and as he grows weaker greets the Sun with his sweet voice; offering up prayers and supplications he begs that those fires will give him renewal of strength. Phoebus, on seeing him afar, checks his reins and staying his course consoles his loving child with these words: “Thou who art about to leave thy years behind upon yon pyre, who, by this pretence of death, art destined to rediscover life; thou whose decease means but the renewal of existence and who by self-destruction regainest thy lost youth, receive back thy life, quit the body that must die, and by a change of form come forth more beauteous than ever.”So speaks he, and shaking his head casts one of his golden hairs and smites willing Phoenix with its life-giving effulgence. Now, to ensure his rebirth, he suffers himself to be burned and in his eagerness to be born again meets death with joy. Stricken with the heavenly flame the fragrant pile catches fire and burns the aged body. The moon in amaze checks her milk-white heifers and heaven halts his revolving spheres, while the pyre conceives the new life; Nature takes care that the deathless bird

[226]

Iam breve decrescit lumen languetque senilisegnis stella gelu, qualis cum forte teneturnubibus et dubio vanescit Cynthia cornu.iam solitae medios alae transcurrere nimbosvix ima tolluntur humo. tum conscius aevi40defuncti reducisque parans exordia formaearentes tepidis de collibus eligit herbaset tumulum texens pretiosa fronde Sabaeumcomponit, bustumque sibi partumque futurum.Hic sedet et Solem blando clangore salutat45debilior miscetque preces ac supplice cantupraestatura novas vires incendia poscit.quem procul adductis vidit cum Phoebus habenis,stat subito dictisque pium solatur alumnum:“o senium positure rogo falsisque sepulcris50natales habiture vices, qui saepe renasciexitio proprioque soles pubescere leto,accipe principium rursus corpusque coactumdesere. mutata melior procede figura.”Haec fatus propere flavis e crinibus unum55concussa cervice iacit missoque volentemvitali fulgore ferit. iam sponte crematurut redeat gaudetque mori festinus in ortum.fervet odoratus telis caelestibus aggerconsumitque senem. nitidos stupefacta iuvencos60luna premit pigrosque polus non concitat axesparturiente rogo: curis Natura laborat,

Iam breve decrescit lumen languetque senili

segnis stella gelu, qualis cum forte tenetur

nubibus et dubio vanescit Cynthia cornu.

iam solitae medios alae transcurrere nimbos

vix ima tolluntur humo. tum conscius aevi40

defuncti reducisque parans exordia formae

arentes tepidis de collibus eligit herbas

et tumulum texens pretiosa fronde Sabaeum

componit, bustumque sibi partumque futurum.

Hic sedet et Solem blando clangore salutat45

debilior miscetque preces ac supplice cantu

praestatura novas vires incendia poscit.

quem procul adductis vidit cum Phoebus habenis,

stat subito dictisque pium solatur alumnum:

“o senium positure rogo falsisque sepulcris50

natales habiture vices, qui saepe renasci

exitio proprioque soles pubescere leto,

accipe principium rursus corpusque coactum

desere. mutata melior procede figura.”

Haec fatus propere flavis e crinibus unum55

concussa cervice iacit missoque volentem

vitali fulgore ferit. iam sponte crematur

ut redeat gaudetque mori festinus in ortum.

fervet odoratus telis caelestibus agger

consumitque senem. nitidos stupefacta iuvencos60

luna premit pigrosque polus non concitat axes

parturiente rogo: curis Natura laborat,

[227]Now the Phoenix’s bright eye grows dim and the pupil becomes palsied by the frost of years, like the moon when she is shrouded in clouds and her horn begins to vanish in the mist. Now his wings, wont to cleave the clouds of heaven, can scarce raise them from the earth. Then, realizing that his span of life is at an end and in preparation for a renewal of his splendour, he gathers dry herbs from the sun-warmed hills, and making an interwoven heap of the branches of the precious tree of Saba he builds that pyre which shall be at once his tomb and his cradle.On this he takes his seat and as he grows weaker greets the Sun with his sweet voice; offering up prayers and supplications he begs that those fires will give him renewal of strength. Phoebus, on seeing him afar, checks his reins and staying his course consoles his loving child with these words: “Thou who art about to leave thy years behind upon yon pyre, who, by this pretence of death, art destined to rediscover life; thou whose decease means but the renewal of existence and who by self-destruction regainest thy lost youth, receive back thy life, quit the body that must die, and by a change of form come forth more beauteous than ever.”So speaks he, and shaking his head casts one of his golden hairs and smites willing Phoenix with its life-giving effulgence. Now, to ensure his rebirth, he suffers himself to be burned and in his eagerness to be born again meets death with joy. Stricken with the heavenly flame the fragrant pile catches fire and burns the aged body. The moon in amaze checks her milk-white heifers and heaven halts his revolving spheres, while the pyre conceives the new life; Nature takes care that the deathless bird

[227]

Now the Phoenix’s bright eye grows dim and the pupil becomes palsied by the frost of years, like the moon when she is shrouded in clouds and her horn begins to vanish in the mist. Now his wings, wont to cleave the clouds of heaven, can scarce raise them from the earth. Then, realizing that his span of life is at an end and in preparation for a renewal of his splendour, he gathers dry herbs from the sun-warmed hills, and making an interwoven heap of the branches of the precious tree of Saba he builds that pyre which shall be at once his tomb and his cradle.

On this he takes his seat and as he grows weaker greets the Sun with his sweet voice; offering up prayers and supplications he begs that those fires will give him renewal of strength. Phoebus, on seeing him afar, checks his reins and staying his course consoles his loving child with these words: “Thou who art about to leave thy years behind upon yon pyre, who, by this pretence of death, art destined to rediscover life; thou whose decease means but the renewal of existence and who by self-destruction regainest thy lost youth, receive back thy life, quit the body that must die, and by a change of form come forth more beauteous than ever.”

So speaks he, and shaking his head casts one of his golden hairs and smites willing Phoenix with its life-giving effulgence. Now, to ensure his rebirth, he suffers himself to be burned and in his eagerness to be born again meets death with joy. Stricken with the heavenly flame the fragrant pile catches fire and burns the aged body. The moon in amaze checks her milk-white heifers and heaven halts his revolving spheres, while the pyre conceives the new life; Nature takes care that the deathless bird

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