But as with pliant shoots the vineRound nearest tree-trunk winds her way,He shall be ever twined in thine105Embraces:—yet, lo! wanes the day:Prithee, come forth new Bride!
But as with pliant shoots the vineRound nearest tree-trunk winds her way,He shall be ever twined in thine105Embraces:—yet, lo! wanes the day:Prithee, come forth new Bride!
But as with pliant shoots the vine
Round nearest tree-trunk winds her way,
He shall be ever twined in thine
105
Embraces:—yet, lo! wanes the day:
Prithee, come forth new Bride!
23.
Couchlet which to me and all* * * ** * * *110* * * *With bright white bedstead foot.
Couchlet which to me and all* * * ** * * *110* * * *With bright white bedstead foot.
Couchlet which to me and all
* * * *
* * * *
110
* * * *
With bright white bedstead foot.
24.
What joys the lord of thee betide!What love-liesse on vaguing wayO' nights! What sweets in morning tide115For thee be stored! Yet wanes the day:Prithee, come forth fresh Bride!
What joys the lord of thee betide!What love-liesse on vaguing wayO' nights! What sweets in morning tide115For thee be stored! Yet wanes the day:Prithee, come forth fresh Bride!
What joys the lord of thee betide!
What love-liesse on vaguing way
O' nights! What sweets in morning tide
115
For thee be stored! Yet wanes the day:
Prithee, come forth fresh Bride!
25.
Your lighted links, O boys, wave high:I see the flamey veil draw nigh:Hie, sing in merry mode and cry120"O Hymen Hymenæus io,O Hymen Hymenæus!"
Your lighted links, O boys, wave high:I see the flamey veil draw nigh:Hie, sing in merry mode and cry120"O Hymen Hymenæus io,O Hymen Hymenæus!"
Your lighted links, O boys, wave high:
I see the flamey veil draw nigh:
Hie, sing in merry mode and cry
120
"O Hymen Hymenæus io,
O Hymen Hymenæus!"
26.
Lest longer mute tongue stays that joysIn festal jest, from Fescennine,Nor yet denay their nuts to boys,125He-Concubine! who learns in fineHis lordling's love is fled.
Lest longer mute tongue stays that joysIn festal jest, from Fescennine,Nor yet denay their nuts to boys,125He-Concubine! who learns in fineHis lordling's love is fled.
Lest longer mute tongue stays that joys
In festal jest, from Fescennine,
Nor yet denay their nuts to boys,
125
He-Concubine! who learns in fine
His lordling's love is fled.
27.
Throw nuts to boys thou idle allHe-Concubine! wast fain full longWith nuts to play: now pleased as thrall130Be thou to swell Talasios' throng:He-Concubine throw nuts.
Throw nuts to boys thou idle allHe-Concubine! wast fain full longWith nuts to play: now pleased as thrall130Be thou to swell Talasios' throng:He-Concubine throw nuts.
Throw nuts to boys thou idle all
He-Concubine! wast fain full long
With nuts to play: now pleased as thrall
130
Be thou to swell Talasios' throng:
He-Concubine throw nuts.
28.
Wont thou at peasant-girls to japeHe-whore! Thy Lord's delight the while:Now shall hair-curling chattel scrape135Thy cheeks: poor wretch, ah! poor and vile:—He-Concubine, throw nuts.
Wont thou at peasant-girls to japeHe-whore! Thy Lord's delight the while:Now shall hair-curling chattel scrape135Thy cheeks: poor wretch, ah! poor and vile:—He-Concubine, throw nuts.
Wont thou at peasant-girls to jape
He-whore! Thy Lord's delight the while:
Now shall hair-curling chattel scrape
135
Thy cheeks: poor wretch, ah! poor and vile:—
He-Concubine, throw nuts.
29.
'Tis said from smooth-faced ingle train(Anointed bridegroom!) hardly fainHast e'er refrained; now do refrain!140O Hymen Hymenæus io,O Hymen Hymenæus!
'Tis said from smooth-faced ingle train(Anointed bridegroom!) hardly fainHast e'er refrained; now do refrain!140O Hymen Hymenæus io,O Hymen Hymenæus!
'Tis said from smooth-faced ingle train
(Anointed bridegroom!) hardly fain
Hast e'er refrained; now do refrain!
140
O Hymen Hymenæus io,
O Hymen Hymenæus!
30.
We know that naught save licit ritesBe known to thee, but wedded wightsNo more deem lawful such delights.145O Hymen Hymenæus io,O Hymen Hymenæus.
We know that naught save licit ritesBe known to thee, but wedded wightsNo more deem lawful such delights.145O Hymen Hymenæus io,O Hymen Hymenæus.
We know that naught save licit rites
Be known to thee, but wedded wights
No more deem lawful such delights.
145
O Hymen Hymenæus io,
O Hymen Hymenæus.
31.
Thou too, O Bride, whatever dareThy groom, of coy rebuff beware,Lest he to find elsewhither fare.150O Hymen Hymenæus io,O Hymen Hymenæus.
Thou too, O Bride, whatever dareThy groom, of coy rebuff beware,Lest he to find elsewhither fare.150O Hymen Hymenæus io,O Hymen Hymenæus.
Thou too, O Bride, whatever dare
Thy groom, of coy rebuff beware,
Lest he to find elsewhither fare.
150
O Hymen Hymenæus io,
O Hymen Hymenæus.
32.
Lo! here the house of high degreeThy husband's puissant home to be,Which ever shall obey thy gree.155O Hymen Hymenæus io,O Hymen Hymenæus!
Lo! here the house of high degreeThy husband's puissant home to be,Which ever shall obey thy gree.155O Hymen Hymenæus io,O Hymen Hymenæus!
Lo! here the house of high degree
Thy husband's puissant home to be,
Which ever shall obey thy gree.
155
O Hymen Hymenæus io,
O Hymen Hymenæus!
33.
Till Time betide when eld the hoarThy head and temples trembling o'erMake nod to all things evermore.160O Hymen Hymenæus io,O Hymen Hymenæus.
Till Time betide when eld the hoarThy head and temples trembling o'erMake nod to all things evermore.160O Hymen Hymenæus io,O Hymen Hymenæus.
Till Time betide when eld the hoar
Thy head and temples trembling o'er
Make nod to all things evermore.
160
O Hymen Hymenæus io,
O Hymen Hymenæus.
34.
O'erstep with omen meetest meetThe threshold-stone thy golden feetUp, past the polisht panels fleet.165O Hymen Hymenæus io,O Hymen Hymenæus.
O'erstep with omen meetest meetThe threshold-stone thy golden feetUp, past the polisht panels fleet.165O Hymen Hymenæus io,O Hymen Hymenæus.
O'erstep with omen meetest meet
The threshold-stone thy golden feet
Up, past the polisht panels fleet.
165
O Hymen Hymenæus io,
O Hymen Hymenæus.
35.
Within bestrewn thy bridegroom seeOn couch of Tyrian cramoisyAll imminent awaiting thee.170O Hymen Hymenæus io,O Hymen Hymenæus.
Within bestrewn thy bridegroom seeOn couch of Tyrian cramoisyAll imminent awaiting thee.170O Hymen Hymenæus io,O Hymen Hymenæus.
Within bestrewn thy bridegroom see
On couch of Tyrian cramoisy
All imminent awaiting thee.
170
O Hymen Hymenæus io,
O Hymen Hymenæus.
36.
For in his breast not less than thineBurn high the flames that deepest shrine,Yet his the lowe far deeper lien.175O Hymen Hymenæus io,O Hymen Hymenæus.
For in his breast not less than thineBurn high the flames that deepest shrine,Yet his the lowe far deeper lien.175O Hymen Hymenæus io,O Hymen Hymenæus.
For in his breast not less than thine
Burn high the flames that deepest shrine,
Yet his the lowe far deeper lien.
175
O Hymen Hymenæus io,
O Hymen Hymenæus.
37.
Let fall the maid's soft arms, thou fairBoy purple-hem'd: now be thy careHer bridegroom's couch she seek and share.180O Hymen Hymenæus io,O Hymen Hymenæus.
Let fall the maid's soft arms, thou fairBoy purple-hem'd: now be thy careHer bridegroom's couch she seek and share.180O Hymen Hymenæus io,O Hymen Hymenæus.
Let fall the maid's soft arms, thou fair
Boy purple-hem'd: now be thy care
Her bridegroom's couch she seek and share.
180
O Hymen Hymenæus io,
O Hymen Hymenæus.
38.
Ye wives time-tried to husbands wed,Well-known for chastity inbred,Dispose the virginette a-bed.185O Hymen Hymenæus io,O Hymen Hymenæus.
Ye wives time-tried to husbands wed,Well-known for chastity inbred,Dispose the virginette a-bed.185O Hymen Hymenæus io,O Hymen Hymenæus.
Ye wives time-tried to husbands wed,
Well-known for chastity inbred,
Dispose the virginette a-bed.
185
O Hymen Hymenæus io,
O Hymen Hymenæus.
39.
Groom, now 'tis meet thou hither pace,With bride in genial bed to blend,For sheenly shines her flowery face190Where the white chamomiles contendWith poppies blushing red.
Groom, now 'tis meet thou hither pace,With bride in genial bed to blend,For sheenly shines her flowery face190Where the white chamomiles contendWith poppies blushing red.
Groom, now 'tis meet thou hither pace,
With bride in genial bed to blend,
For sheenly shines her flowery face
190
Where the white chamomiles contend
With poppies blushing red.
40.
Yet bridegroom (So may Godhead deignHelp me!) nowise in humbler wayArt fair, nor Venus shall disdain195Thy charms, but look! how wanes the day:Forward, nor loiter more!
Yet bridegroom (So may Godhead deignHelp me!) nowise in humbler wayArt fair, nor Venus shall disdain195Thy charms, but look! how wanes the day:Forward, nor loiter more!
Yet bridegroom (So may Godhead deign
Help me!) nowise in humbler way
Art fair, nor Venus shall disdain
195
Thy charms, but look! how wanes the day:
Forward, nor loiter more!
41.
No longer loitering makest thou,Now comest thou. May Venus goodAid thee when frankly takest thou200Thy wishes won, nor true Love woo'dThou carest to conceal.
No longer loitering makest thou,Now comest thou. May Venus goodAid thee when frankly takest thou200Thy wishes won, nor true Love woo'dThou carest to conceal.
No longer loitering makest thou,
Now comest thou. May Venus good
Aid thee when frankly takest thou
200
Thy wishes won, nor true Love woo'd
Thou carest to conceal.
42.
Of Afric's wolds and wilds each grain,Or constellations glistening,First reckon he that of the twain205To count alone were fain to bringThe many thousand joys.
Of Afric's wolds and wilds each grain,Or constellations glistening,First reckon he that of the twain205To count alone were fain to bringThe many thousand joys.
Of Afric's wolds and wilds each grain,
Or constellations glistening,
First reckon he that of the twain
205
To count alone were fain to bring
The many thousand joys.
43.
Play as ye please: soon prove ye deftAt babying babes,—'twere ill design'dA name thus ancient should be left210Heirless, but issue like of kindEngendered aye should be.
Play as ye please: soon prove ye deftAt babying babes,—'twere ill design'dA name thus ancient should be left210Heirless, but issue like of kindEngendered aye should be.
Play as ye please: soon prove ye deft
At babying babes,—'twere ill design'd
A name thus ancient should be left
210
Heirless, but issue like of kind
Engendered aye should be.
44.
A wee Torquátus fain I'd seeEncradled on his mother's breastPut forth his tender puds while he215Smiles to his sire with sweetest gestAnd liplets half apart.
A wee Torquátus fain I'd seeEncradled on his mother's breastPut forth his tender puds while he215Smiles to his sire with sweetest gestAnd liplets half apart.
A wee Torquátus fain I'd see
Encradled on his mother's breast
Put forth his tender puds while he
215
Smiles to his sire with sweetest gest
And liplets half apart.
45.
Let son like father's semblance show(Manlius!) so with easy guessAll know him where his sire they know,220And still his face and form expressHis mother's honest love.
Let son like father's semblance show(Manlius!) so with easy guessAll know him where his sire they know,220And still his face and form expressHis mother's honest love.
Let son like father's semblance show
(Manlius!) so with easy guess
All know him where his sire they know,
220
And still his face and form express
His mother's honest love.
46.
Approve shall fair approof his birthFrom mother's seed-stock generous,As rarest fame of mother's worth225Unique exalts TelemachusPenelope's own son.
Approve shall fair approof his birthFrom mother's seed-stock generous,As rarest fame of mother's worth225Unique exalts TelemachusPenelope's own son.
Approve shall fair approof his birth
From mother's seed-stock generous,
As rarest fame of mother's worth
225
Unique exalts Telemachus
Penelope's own son.
47.
Fast close the door-leaves, virgin band:Enow we've played. But ye the fairNew-wedded twain live happy, and230Functions of lusty married pairExercise sans surcease.
Fast close the door-leaves, virgin band:Enow we've played. But ye the fairNew-wedded twain live happy, and230Functions of lusty married pairExercise sans surcease.
Fast close the door-leaves, virgin band:
Enow we've played. But ye the fair
New-wedded twain live happy, and
230
Functions of lusty married pair
Exercise sans surcease.
O Fosterer of the Helicon Hill, sprung from Urania, who beareth the gentle virgin to her mate, O Hymenaeus Hymen, O Hymen Hymenaeus!
Twine round thy temples sweet-smelling flowerets of marjoram; put on thy gold-tinted veil; light-hearted, hither, hither haste, bearing on snowy foot the golden-yellow sandal:
And a-fire with the joyous day, chanting wedding melodies with ringing voice, strike the ground with thy feet, with thine hand swing aloft the pine-link.
For Vinia—fair as Idalian Venus, when stood before the Phrygian judge—a virgin fair, weds Manlius 'midst happy auspices.
She, bright-shining as the Asian myrtle florid in branchlets, which the Hamadryads nurture for their pleasure with besprinkled dew.
Wherefore, hither! leaving the Aonian grot in the Thespian Rock, o'er which flows the chilling stream of Aganippe.
And summon homewards the mistress, eager for her new yoke, firm-prisoning her soul in love; as tight-clasping ivy, wandering hither, thither, enwraps the tree around.
And also ye, upright virgins, for whom a like day is nearing, chant ye in cadence, singing "O Hymenaeus Hymen, O Hymen Hymenaeus!"
That more freely, hearing himself to his duty called, will he bear hither his presence, Lord of true Venus, uniter of true lovers.
What god is worthier of solicitation by anxious amourists? Whom of the celestials do men worship more greatly? O Hymenaeus Hymen, O Hymen Hymenaeus!
Thee for his young the trembling father beseeches, for thee virgins unclasp the zone from their breasts, for thee the fear-full bridegroom harkeneth with eager ear.
Thou bearest to the youngster's arms that flower-like damsel, taken from her mother's bosom, O Hymenaeus Hymen, O Hymen Hymenaeus!
Nor lacking thee may Venus take her will with fair Fame's approbation; but she may, with thy sanction. With such a God who dares compare?
Lacking thee, no house can yield heirs, nor parent be surrounded by offspring; but they may, with thy sanction. With such a God who dares compare?
Nor lacking thy rites may our land be protected e'en to its boundaries; but it may, with thy sanction. With such a God who dares compare?
Gates open wide: the virgin is here. See how the torch-flakes shake their gleaming locks? Let shame retard the modest:
* * * *
* * * *
* * * *
Yet hearing, greater does she weep, that she must onwards go.
Cease thy tears. For thee there is no peril, Aurunculeia, that any woman more beauteous from Ocean springing shall ever see the light of day.
Thou art like the hyacinthine flower, wont to stand aloft 'midst varied riches of its lordling's garden. But thou delayest, day slips by: advance, new mated one.
Advance, new mated, now in sight, and listen to our speech. Note how the torch-flakes shake their glittering tresses: advance, new mated one.
Nor given to ill adulteries, nor seeking lawless shames, shall thy husband ever wish to lie away from thy soft breasts,
But as the lithe vine amongst neighbouring trees doth cling, so shall he be enclasped in thine encircled arms. But day slips by: advance, new mated one.
O nuptial couch * * * * with feet of ivory white.
What joys are coming to thy lord, in gloom o' night, in noon of day. Let him rejoice! but day slips by: advance, new mated one.
High raise, O boys, the torches: I see the gleaming veil approach. Come, chant in cadence, "O Hymen Hymenaeus io, O Hymen Hymenaeus."
Nor longer silent is lewd Fescinnine jest, nor to the boys the nuts deny, ingle, hearing thy master's love has flown.
Give nuts to the boys, O listless ingle; enough of days thou hast played with nuts: now 'tis meet to serve Talassius. O ingle, give the nuts!
The country lasses slighted were by thee, O ingle, till to-day: now the bride's tiresman shaves thy face. Wretched, wretched ingle, give the nuts.
They say that from thy hairless ingles, O sweet-scented bridegroom, thou canst scarce abstain: but abstain thou! O Hymen Hymenaeus io, O Hymen Hymenaeus.
We know that these delights were known to thee only when lawful: but to the wedded these same no more are lawful. O Hymen Hymenaeus io, O Hymen Hymenaeus!
Thou also, bride, what thy husband seekest beware of denying, lest he go elsewhere in its search. O Hymen Hymenaeus io, O Hymen Hymenaeus!
Look, thy husband's home is thine, potent and goodly, and shall be thine for ever more. O Hymen Hymenaeus io, O Hymen Hymenaeus!
Until with trembling movement thine hoary brow nods ever to everything. O Hymen Hymenaeus io, O Hymen Hymenaeus!
Lift o'er the threshold with good omen thy glistening feet, and go through the polished gates. O Hymen Hymenaeus io, O Hymen Hymenaeus!
Look! thy lord within, lying on Tyrian couch, all-expectant waits for thee. O Hymen Hymenaeus io, O Hymen Hymenaeus!
Not less than in thine, in his breast burns an inmost flame, but more deeply inward. O Hymen Hymenaeus io, O Hymen Hymenaeus!
Unloose the damsel's slender arm, O purple-bordered youth: now let her approach her husband's couch. O Hymen Hymenaeus io, O Hymen Hymenaeus.
Ye good dames of fair renown to aged spouses, put ye the damsel a-bed. O Hymen Hymenaeus io, O Hymen Hymenaeus.
Now thou mayst come, O bridegroom: thy wife is in the bridal-bed, with face brightly blushing as white parthenice 'midst ruddy poppies.
But, O bridegroom (so help me the heaven-dwellers) in no way less beautiful art thou, nor dothVenus slight thee. But the day slips by: on! nor more delay.
Nor long hast thou delayed, thou comest now. May kindly Venus help thee, since what thou dost desire thou takest publicly, and dost not conceal true love.
Of Afric's sands and glittering stars the number first let him tell, who wishes to keep count of your many-thousand sports.
Sport as ye like, and speedily give heirs. It does not become so old a name to be sans heirs, but for similar stock always to be generated.
A little Torquatus I wish, from his mother's bosom reaching out his dainty hands, and smiling sweetly at his father with lips apart.
May he be like his sire Manlius, and easily acknowledged by every stranger, and by his face point out his mother's faithfulness.
May such praise confirm his birth from true mother, such fame unique as rests with Telemachus from best of mothers, Penelope.
Close ye the doors, virgins: enough we've sported. But, fair bride and groom, live ye well, and diligently fulfil the office of vigorous youth.
LXII.
Vesper adest, iuvenes, consurgite: Vesper OlympoExpectata diu vix tandem lumina tollit.Surgere iam tempus, iam pingues linquere mensas,Iam veniet virgo, iam dicetur Hymenaeus.5Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!Cernitis, innuptae, iuvenes? consurgite contra:Nimirum Oetaeos ostendit noctifer ignes.Sic certest; viden ut perniciter exiluere?Non temere exiluere, canent quod vincere par est.10Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!Non facilis nobis, aequales, palma paratast,Adspicite, innuptae secum ut meditata requirunt.Non frustra meditantur, habent memorabile quod sit.Nec mirum, penitus quae tota mente laborent.15Nos alio mentes, alio divisimus aures:Iure igitur vincemur, amat victoria curam.Quare nunc animos saltem convertite vestros,Dicere iam incipient, iam respondere decebit.Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!20Hespere, qui caelo fertur crudelior ignis?Qui natam possis conplexu avellere matris,Conplexu matris retinentem avellere natamEt iuveni ardenti castam donare puellam.Quid faciunt hostes capta crudelius urbe?25Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!Hespere, qui caelo lucet iocundior ignis?Qui desponsa tua firmes conubia flamma,Quae pepigere viri, pepigerunt ante parentesNec iunxere prius quam se tuus extulit ardor.30Quid datur a divis felici optatius hora?Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!* * * *Hesperus e nobis, aequales, abstulit unam* * * *Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!* * * *Namque tuo adventu vigilat custodia semper.Nocte latent fures, quos idem saepe revertens,35Hespere, mutato conprendis nomine Eous.At libet innuptis ficto te carpere questu.Quid tum, si carpunt, tacita quem mente requirunt?Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!Vt flos in saeptis secretus nascitur hortis,40Ignotus pecori, nullo convolsus aratro,Quem mulcent aurae, firmat sol, educat imber* * * *Multi illum pueri, multae optavere puellae:Idem cum tenui carptus defloruit ungui,Nulli illum pueri, nullae optavere puellae:45Sic virgo, dum intacta manet, dum cara suis est;Cum castum amisit polluto corpore florem,Nec pueris iocunda manet, nec cara puellis.Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!Vt vidua in nudo vitis quae nascitur arvo50Numquam se extollit, numquam mitem educat uvam,Sed tenerum prono deflectens pondere corpusIam iam contingit summum radice flagellum;Hanc nulli agricolae, nulli coluere bubulci:At si forte eademst ulmo coniuncta marito,55Multi illam agricolae, multi coluere bubulci:Sic virgo dum intacta manet, dum inculta senescit;Cum par conubium maturo tempore adeptast,Cara viro magis et minus est invisa parenti.58bHymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!At tu ne pugna cum tali coniuge virgo.60Non aequomst pugnare, pater cui tradidit ipse,Ipse pater cum matre, quibus parere necessest.Virginitas non tota tuast, ex parte parentumst,Tertia pars patrist, pars est data tertia matri,Tertia sola tuast: noli pugnare duobus,65Qui genero sua iura simul cum dote dederunt.Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!
Vesper adest, iuvenes, consurgite: Vesper OlympoExpectata diu vix tandem lumina tollit.Surgere iam tempus, iam pingues linquere mensas,Iam veniet virgo, iam dicetur Hymenaeus.5Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!
Vesper adest, iuvenes, consurgite: Vesper Olympo
Expectata diu vix tandem lumina tollit.
Surgere iam tempus, iam pingues linquere mensas,
Iam veniet virgo, iam dicetur Hymenaeus.
5
Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!
Cernitis, innuptae, iuvenes? consurgite contra:Nimirum Oetaeos ostendit noctifer ignes.Sic certest; viden ut perniciter exiluere?Non temere exiluere, canent quod vincere par est.10Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!
Cernitis, innuptae, iuvenes? consurgite contra:
Nimirum Oetaeos ostendit noctifer ignes.
Sic certest; viden ut perniciter exiluere?
Non temere exiluere, canent quod vincere par est.
10
Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!
Non facilis nobis, aequales, palma paratast,Adspicite, innuptae secum ut meditata requirunt.Non frustra meditantur, habent memorabile quod sit.Nec mirum, penitus quae tota mente laborent.15Nos alio mentes, alio divisimus aures:Iure igitur vincemur, amat victoria curam.Quare nunc animos saltem convertite vestros,Dicere iam incipient, iam respondere decebit.Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!
Non facilis nobis, aequales, palma paratast,
Adspicite, innuptae secum ut meditata requirunt.
Non frustra meditantur, habent memorabile quod sit.
Nec mirum, penitus quae tota mente laborent.
15
Nos alio mentes, alio divisimus aures:
Iure igitur vincemur, amat victoria curam.
Quare nunc animos saltem convertite vestros,
Dicere iam incipient, iam respondere decebit.
Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!
20Hespere, qui caelo fertur crudelior ignis?Qui natam possis conplexu avellere matris,Conplexu matris retinentem avellere natamEt iuveni ardenti castam donare puellam.Quid faciunt hostes capta crudelius urbe?25Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!
20
Hespere, qui caelo fertur crudelior ignis?
Qui natam possis conplexu avellere matris,
Conplexu matris retinentem avellere natam
Et iuveni ardenti castam donare puellam.
Quid faciunt hostes capta crudelius urbe?
25
Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!
Hespere, qui caelo lucet iocundior ignis?Qui desponsa tua firmes conubia flamma,Quae pepigere viri, pepigerunt ante parentesNec iunxere prius quam se tuus extulit ardor.30Quid datur a divis felici optatius hora?Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!
Hespere, qui caelo lucet iocundior ignis?
Qui desponsa tua firmes conubia flamma,
Quae pepigere viri, pepigerunt ante parentes
Nec iunxere prius quam se tuus extulit ardor.
30
Quid datur a divis felici optatius hora?
Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!
* * * *Hesperus e nobis, aequales, abstulit unam* * * *Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!
* * * *
Hesperus e nobis, aequales, abstulit unam
* * * *
Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!
* * * *Namque tuo adventu vigilat custodia semper.Nocte latent fures, quos idem saepe revertens,35Hespere, mutato conprendis nomine Eous.At libet innuptis ficto te carpere questu.Quid tum, si carpunt, tacita quem mente requirunt?Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!
* * * *
Namque tuo adventu vigilat custodia semper.
Nocte latent fures, quos idem saepe revertens,
35
Hespere, mutato conprendis nomine Eous.
At libet innuptis ficto te carpere questu.
Quid tum, si carpunt, tacita quem mente requirunt?
Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!
Vt flos in saeptis secretus nascitur hortis,40Ignotus pecori, nullo convolsus aratro,Quem mulcent aurae, firmat sol, educat imber* * * *Multi illum pueri, multae optavere puellae:Idem cum tenui carptus defloruit ungui,Nulli illum pueri, nullae optavere puellae:45Sic virgo, dum intacta manet, dum cara suis est;Cum castum amisit polluto corpore florem,Nec pueris iocunda manet, nec cara puellis.Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!
Vt flos in saeptis secretus nascitur hortis,
40
Ignotus pecori, nullo convolsus aratro,
Quem mulcent aurae, firmat sol, educat imber
* * * *
Multi illum pueri, multae optavere puellae:
Idem cum tenui carptus defloruit ungui,
Nulli illum pueri, nullae optavere puellae:
45
Sic virgo, dum intacta manet, dum cara suis est;
Cum castum amisit polluto corpore florem,
Nec pueris iocunda manet, nec cara puellis.
Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!
Vt vidua in nudo vitis quae nascitur arvo50Numquam se extollit, numquam mitem educat uvam,Sed tenerum prono deflectens pondere corpusIam iam contingit summum radice flagellum;Hanc nulli agricolae, nulli coluere bubulci:At si forte eademst ulmo coniuncta marito,55Multi illam agricolae, multi coluere bubulci:Sic virgo dum intacta manet, dum inculta senescit;Cum par conubium maturo tempore adeptast,Cara viro magis et minus est invisa parenti.58bHymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!
Vt vidua in nudo vitis quae nascitur arvo
50
Numquam se extollit, numquam mitem educat uvam,
Sed tenerum prono deflectens pondere corpus
Iam iam contingit summum radice flagellum;
Hanc nulli agricolae, nulli coluere bubulci:
At si forte eademst ulmo coniuncta marito,
55
Multi illam agricolae, multi coluere bubulci:
Sic virgo dum intacta manet, dum inculta senescit;
Cum par conubium maturo tempore adeptast,
Cara viro magis et minus est invisa parenti.
58b
Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!
At tu ne pugna cum tali coniuge virgo.60Non aequomst pugnare, pater cui tradidit ipse,Ipse pater cum matre, quibus parere necessest.Virginitas non tota tuast, ex parte parentumst,Tertia pars patrist, pars est data tertia matri,Tertia sola tuast: noli pugnare duobus,65Qui genero sua iura simul cum dote dederunt.Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!
At tu ne pugna cum tali coniuge virgo.
60
Non aequomst pugnare, pater cui tradidit ipse,
Ipse pater cum matre, quibus parere necessest.
Virginitas non tota tuast, ex parte parentumst,
Tertia pars patrist, pars est data tertia matri,
Tertia sola tuast: noli pugnare duobus,
65
Qui genero sua iura simul cum dote dederunt.
Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!
LXII.
Nuptial Song by Youth And Damsels.
(Epithalamium.)
Youths.
Vesper is here, O youths, rise all; for Vesper OlympusScales and in fine enfires what lights so long were expected!Time 'tis now to arise, now leave we tables rich laden,Now shall the Virgin come; now chaunt we the Hymenæus.5Hymen O Hymenæus: Hymen here, O Hymenæus!
Vesper is here, O youths, rise all; for Vesper OlympusScales and in fine enfires what lights so long were expected!Time 'tis now to arise, now leave we tables rich laden,Now shall the Virgin come; now chaunt we the Hymenæus.5Hymen O Hymenæus: Hymen here, O Hymenæus!
Vesper is here, O youths, rise all; for Vesper Olympus
Scales and in fine enfires what lights so long were expected!
Time 'tis now to arise, now leave we tables rich laden,
Now shall the Virgin come; now chaunt we the Hymenæus.
5
Hymen O Hymenæus: Hymen here, O Hymenæus!
Damsels.
View ye the Youths, O Maids unwed? Then rise to withstand them:Doubtless the night-fraught Star displays his splendour Œtéän.Sooth 'tis so; d'ye sight how speedily sprang they to warfare?Nor for a naught up-sprang: they'll sing what need we to conquer.10Hymen O Hymenæus: Hymen here, O Hymenæus!
View ye the Youths, O Maids unwed? Then rise to withstand them:Doubtless the night-fraught Star displays his splendour Œtéän.Sooth 'tis so; d'ye sight how speedily sprang they to warfare?Nor for a naught up-sprang: they'll sing what need we to conquer.10Hymen O Hymenæus: Hymen here, O Hymenæus!
View ye the Youths, O Maids unwed? Then rise to withstand them:
Doubtless the night-fraught Star displays his splendour Œtéän.
Sooth 'tis so; d'ye sight how speedily sprang they to warfare?
Nor for a naught up-sprang: they'll sing what need we to conquer.
10
Hymen O Hymenæus: Hymen here, O Hymenæus!
Youths.
Nowise easy the palm for us (Companions!) be proffer'd,Lo! now the maidens muse and meditate matter of forethoughtNor meditate they in vain; they muse a humorous something.Yet naught wonder it is, their sprites be wholly in labour.15We bear divided thought one way and hearing in other:Vanquish't by right we must be, since Victory loveth the heedful.Therefore at least d'ye turn your minds the task to consider,Soon shall begin their say whose countersay shall befit you.Hymen O Hymenæus: Hymen here, O Hymenæus!
Nowise easy the palm for us (Companions!) be proffer'd,Lo! now the maidens muse and meditate matter of forethoughtNor meditate they in vain; they muse a humorous something.Yet naught wonder it is, their sprites be wholly in labour.15We bear divided thought one way and hearing in other:Vanquish't by right we must be, since Victory loveth the heedful.Therefore at least d'ye turn your minds the task to consider,Soon shall begin their say whose countersay shall befit you.Hymen O Hymenæus: Hymen here, O Hymenæus!
Nowise easy the palm for us (Companions!) be proffer'd,
Lo! now the maidens muse and meditate matter of forethought
Nor meditate they in vain; they muse a humorous something.
Yet naught wonder it is, their sprites be wholly in labour.
15
We bear divided thought one way and hearing in other:
Vanquish't by right we must be, since Victory loveth the heedful.
Therefore at least d'ye turn your minds the task to consider,
Soon shall begin their say whose countersay shall befit you.
Hymen O Hymenæus: Hymen here, O Hymenæus!
Damsels.
20Hesperus! say what flame more cruel in Heaven be fanned?Thou who the girl perforce canst tear from a mother's embraces,Tear from a parent's clasp her child despite of her clingingAnd upon love-hot youth bestowest her chastest of maidenhoods!What shall the foeman deal more cruel to city becaptured?25Hymen O Hymenæus, Hymen here, O Hymenæus!
20Hesperus! say what flame more cruel in Heaven be fanned?Thou who the girl perforce canst tear from a mother's embraces,Tear from a parent's clasp her child despite of her clingingAnd upon love-hot youth bestowest her chastest of maidenhoods!What shall the foeman deal more cruel to city becaptured?25Hymen O Hymenæus, Hymen here, O Hymenæus!
20
Hesperus! say what flame more cruel in Heaven be fanned?
Thou who the girl perforce canst tear from a mother's embraces,
Tear from a parent's clasp her child despite of her clinging
And upon love-hot youth bestowest her chastest of maidenhoods!
What shall the foeman deal more cruel to city becaptured?
25
Hymen O Hymenæus, Hymen here, O Hymenæus!
Youths.
Hesperus! say what flame more gladsome in Heavens be shining?Thou whose light makes sure long-pledged connubial promisePlighted erewhile by men and erstwhile plighted by parents.Yet to be ne'er fulfilled before thy fire's ardours have risen!30What better boon can the gods bestow than hour so desirèd?Hymen O Hymenæus, Hymen here, O Hymenæus!
Hesperus! say what flame more gladsome in Heavens be shining?Thou whose light makes sure long-pledged connubial promisePlighted erewhile by men and erstwhile plighted by parents.Yet to be ne'er fulfilled before thy fire's ardours have risen!30What better boon can the gods bestow than hour so desirèd?Hymen O Hymenæus, Hymen here, O Hymenæus!
Hesperus! say what flame more gladsome in Heavens be shining?
Thou whose light makes sure long-pledged connubial promise
Plighted erewhile by men and erstwhile plighted by parents.
Yet to be ne'er fulfilled before thy fire's ardours have risen!
30
What better boon can the gods bestow than hour so desirèd?
Hymen O Hymenæus, Hymen here, O Hymenæus!
Damsels.
* * * *Hesperus! one of ourselves (Companions!) carried elsewhither* * * *Hymen O Hymenæus, Hymen here, O Hymenæus!
* * * *Hesperus! one of ourselves (Companions!) carried elsewhither* * * *Hymen O Hymenæus, Hymen here, O Hymenæus!
* * * *
Hesperus! one of ourselves (Companions!) carried elsewhither
* * * *
Hymen O Hymenæus, Hymen here, O Hymenæus!
Youths.
* * * *For at thy coming in sight a guard is constantly watching.Hidden o'nights lurk thieves and these as oft as returnest,35Hesper! thou seizest them with title changed to Eöus.Pleases the bevy unwed with feigned complaints to accuse thee.What if assail they whom their souls in secrecy cherish?Hymen O Hymenæus, Hymen here, O Hymenæus!
* * * *For at thy coming in sight a guard is constantly watching.Hidden o'nights lurk thieves and these as oft as returnest,35Hesper! thou seizest them with title changed to Eöus.Pleases the bevy unwed with feigned complaints to accuse thee.What if assail they whom their souls in secrecy cherish?Hymen O Hymenæus, Hymen here, O Hymenæus!
* * * *
For at thy coming in sight a guard is constantly watching.
Hidden o'nights lurk thieves and these as oft as returnest,
35
Hesper! thou seizest them with title changed to Eöus.
Pleases the bevy unwed with feigned complaints to accuse thee.
What if assail they whom their souls in secrecy cherish?
Hymen O Hymenæus, Hymen here, O Hymenæus!
Damsels.
E'en as a flow'ret born secluded in garden enclosèd,40Unto the flock unknown and ne'er uptorn by the ploughshare,Soothed by the zephyrs and strengthened by suns and nourish't by showers* * * *Loves her many a youth and longs for her many a maiden:Yet from her lissome stalk when cropt that flower deflowered,Loves her never a youth nor longs for her ever a maiden:45Thus while the virgin be whole, such while she's the dearling of kinsfolk;Yet no sooner is lost her bloom from body polluted,Neither to youths she is joy, nor a dearling she to the maidens.Hymen O Hymenæus, Hymen here, O Hymenæus!
E'en as a flow'ret born secluded in garden enclosèd,40Unto the flock unknown and ne'er uptorn by the ploughshare,Soothed by the zephyrs and strengthened by suns and nourish't by showers* * * *Loves her many a youth and longs for her many a maiden:Yet from her lissome stalk when cropt that flower deflowered,Loves her never a youth nor longs for her ever a maiden:45Thus while the virgin be whole, such while she's the dearling of kinsfolk;Yet no sooner is lost her bloom from body polluted,Neither to youths she is joy, nor a dearling she to the maidens.Hymen O Hymenæus, Hymen here, O Hymenæus!
E'en as a flow'ret born secluded in garden enclosèd,
40
Unto the flock unknown and ne'er uptorn by the ploughshare,
Soothed by the zephyrs and strengthened by suns and nourish't by showers
* * * *
Loves her many a youth and longs for her many a maiden:
Yet from her lissome stalk when cropt that flower deflowered,
Loves her never a youth nor longs for her ever a maiden:
45
Thus while the virgin be whole, such while she's the dearling of kinsfolk;
Yet no sooner is lost her bloom from body polluted,
Neither to youths she is joy, nor a dearling she to the maidens.
Hymen O Hymenæus, Hymen here, O Hymenæus!
Youths.
E'en as an unmated vine which born in field of the barest50Never upraises head nor breeds the mellowy grape-bunch,But under weight prone-bowed that tender body a-bendingMakes she her root anon to touch her topmost of tendrils;Tends her never a hind nor tends her ever a herdsman:Yet if haply conjoinèd the same with elm as a husband,55Tends her many a hind and tends her many a herdsman:Thus is the maid when whole, uncultured waxes she aged;But whenas union meet she wins her at ripest of seasons,More to her spouse she is dear and less she's irk to her parents.Hymen O Hymenæus, Hymen here, O Hymenæus!
E'en as an unmated vine which born in field of the barest50Never upraises head nor breeds the mellowy grape-bunch,But under weight prone-bowed that tender body a-bendingMakes she her root anon to touch her topmost of tendrils;Tends her never a hind nor tends her ever a herdsman:Yet if haply conjoinèd the same with elm as a husband,55Tends her many a hind and tends her many a herdsman:Thus is the maid when whole, uncultured waxes she aged;But whenas union meet she wins her at ripest of seasons,More to her spouse she is dear and less she's irk to her parents.Hymen O Hymenæus, Hymen here, O Hymenæus!
E'en as an unmated vine which born in field of the barest
50
Never upraises head nor breeds the mellowy grape-bunch,
But under weight prone-bowed that tender body a-bending
Makes she her root anon to touch her topmost of tendrils;
Tends her never a hind nor tends her ever a herdsman:
Yet if haply conjoinèd the same with elm as a husband,
55
Tends her many a hind and tends her many a herdsman:
Thus is the maid when whole, uncultured waxes she aged;
But whenas union meet she wins her at ripest of seasons,
More to her spouse she is dear and less she's irk to her parents.
Hymen O Hymenæus, Hymen here, O Hymenæus!
Youths and Damsels.
But do thou cease to resist (O Maid!) such bridegroom opposing,Right it is not to resist whereto consigned thee a father,Father and mother of thee unto whom obedience is owing.Not is that maidenhood all thine own, but partly thy parents!Owneth thy sire one third, one third is right of thy mother,Only the third is thine: stint thee to strive with the others,65Who to the stranger son have yielded their dues with a dower!Hymen O Hymenæus: Hymen here, O Hymenæus!
But do thou cease to resist (O Maid!) such bridegroom opposing,Right it is not to resist whereto consigned thee a father,Father and mother of thee unto whom obedience is owing.Not is that maidenhood all thine own, but partly thy parents!Owneth thy sire one third, one third is right of thy mother,Only the third is thine: stint thee to strive with the others,65Who to the stranger son have yielded their dues with a dower!Hymen O Hymenæus: Hymen here, O Hymenæus!
But do thou cease to resist (O Maid!) such bridegroom opposing,
Right it is not to resist whereto consigned thee a father,
Father and mother of thee unto whom obedience is owing.
Not is that maidenhood all thine own, but partly thy parents!
Owneth thy sire one third, one third is right of thy mother,
Only the third is thine: stint thee to strive with the others,
65
Who to the stranger son have yielded their dues with a dower!
Hymen O Hymenæus: Hymen here, O Hymenæus!
Youths.
Vesper is here, arise ye youths: Vesper at last has just borne aloft in the heavens his long-looked-for light. Now 'tis time to arise, now to leave the fattened tables, now comes the virgin, now is said the Hymenaeus. Hymen O Hymenaeus, Hymen hither O Hymenaeus!
Maidens.
Discern ye, O unwedded girls, the youths? Arise in response: forsooth the Star of Eve displays its Oetaean fires. Thus 'tis; see how fleetly have they leapt forth? Nor without intent have they leapt forth, they will sing what 'tis meet we surpass. Hymen O Hymenaeus, Hymen hither O Hymenaeus!
Youths.
Nor easily is for us, O comrades, the palm prepared; see ye how they talk together in deep thought. Nor in vain do they muse, they have what may be worthy of memory. Nor be wonder: for inwardly toil they with whole of their minds. Ourminds one way, our ears another, we have divided: wherefore by right are we conquered, for victory loveth solicitude. So now your minds at the least turn ye hither, now their chant they begin, anon ye will have to respond. Hymen O Hymenaeus, Hymen hither O Hymenaeus!
Maidens.
Hesperus! what crueler light is borne aloft in the heavens? Thou who canst pluck the maid from her mother's enfolding, pluck from her mother's enfolding the firm-clinging maid, and canst give the chaste girl to the burning youngster. What more cruel could victors in vanquished city contrive? Hymen O Hymenaeus, Hymen hither O Hymenaeus!
Youths.
Hesperus! what more jocund light is borne aloft in the heavens? Thou who dost confirm with thy flame the marriage betrothals which the men had pledged, the parents had pledged of aforetime, nor may they be joined in completion before thy flame is borne aloft. What can the gods give more gladsome than that happy hour? Hymen O Hymenaeus, Hymen hither O Hymenaeus!
Maidens.
* * * * Hesperus from us, O comrades, has stolen one away * * * *Hymen O Hymenaeus, Hymen hither O Hymenaeus!
Youths.
* * * * For at thy advent a guardalways keeps watch. Thieves lie in wait by night, whom often on thy return, O Hesperus, thou hap'st upon, when with thy changed name Eous. Yet it doth please the unwedded girls to carp at thee with plaints fictitious. But what if they carp at that which in close-shut mind they long for? Hymen O Hymenaeus, Hymen hither O Hymenaeus!
Maidens.
As grows the hidden flower in garden closed, to kine unknown, uprooted by no ploughshare, whilst the winds caress it, the sun makes it sturdy, and the shower gives it growth * * * * many a boy and many a girl longs for it: this same when pluckt, deflowered from slender stalklet, never a boy and never a girl doth long for it: so the virgin, while she stays untouched, so long is she dear to her folk; when she hath lost her chaste flower from her body profaned, nor to the boys stays she beauteous, nor is she dear to the girls. Hymen O Hymenaeus, Hymen hither O Hymenaeus!
Youths.
As the widowed vine which grows in naked field ne'er uplifts itself, ne'er ripens a mellow grape, but bending prone 'neath the weight of its tender body now and again its highmost bough touches with its root; this no husbandmen, no herdsmen will foster: but if this same chance to be joined with marital elm, it many husbandmen, many herdsmen will foster: so the virgin, whilst she stays untouched, so long does she age, unfostered; but when fittingunion she obtain in meet time, dearer is she to her lord and less of a trouble to parent.Hymen O Hymenaeus, Hymen hither O Hymenaeus!
Youths and Maidens.
But struggle not 'gainst such a mate, O virgin. 'Tis improper to struggle, thou whose father hath handed thee o'er, that father together with thy mother to whom obedience is needed. Thy maidenhead is not wholly thine, in part 'tis thy parents': a third part is thy father's, a third part is given to thy mother, a third alone is thine: be unwilling to struggle against two, who to their son-in-law their rights together with dowry have given. Hymen O Hymenaeus, Hymen hither O Hymenaeus!
LXIII.
Super alta vectus Attis celeri rate mariaPhrygium ut nemus citato cupide pede tetigitAdiitque opaca, silvis redimita loca deae,Stimulatus ibi furenti rabie, vagus animis,5Devolsit ilei acuto sibi pondera silice.Itaque ut relicta sensit sibi membra sine viro,Etiam recente terrae sola sanguine maculansNiveis citata cepit manibus leve typanum,Typanum, tuom Cybebe, tua, mater, initia,10Quatiensque terga taurei teneris cava digitisCanere haec suis adortast tremebunda comitibus.'Agite ite ad alta, Gallae, Cybeles nemora simul,Simul ite, Dindymenae dominae vaga pecora,Aliena quae petentes velut exules loca15Sectam meam executae duce me mihi comitesRabidum salum tulistis truculentaque pelageEt corpus evirastis Veneris nimio odio,Hilarate erae citatis erroribus animum.Mora tarda mente cedat: simul ite, sequimini20Phrygiam ad domum Cybebes, Phrygia ad nemora deae,Vbi cymbalum sonat vox, ubi tympana reboant,Tibicen ubi canit Phryx curvo grave calamo,Vbi capita Maenades vi iaciunt ederigerae,Vbi sacra sancta acutis ululatibus agitant,25Vbi suevit illa divae volitare vaga cohors:Quo nos decet citatis celerare tripudiis.'Simul haec comitibus Attis cecinit notha mulier,Thiasus repente linguis trepidantibus ululat,Leve tympanum remugit, cava cymbala recrepant,30Viridem citus adit Idam properante pede chorus.Furibunda simul anhelans vaga vadit, animam agens,Comitata tympano Attis per opaca nemora dux,Veluti iuvenca vitans onus indomita iugi:Rapidae ducem sequuntur Gallae properipedem.35Itaque ut domum Cybebes tetigere lassulae,Nimio e labore somnum capiunt sine Cerere.Piger his labante langore oculos sopor operit:Abit in quiete molli rabidus furor animi.Sed ubi oris aurei Sol radiantibus oculis40Lustravit aethera album, sola dura, mare ferum,Pepulitque noctis umbras vegetis sonipedibus,Ibi Somnus excitam Attin fugiens citus abiit:Trepidante eum recepit dea Pasithea sinu.Ita de quiete molli rapida sine rabie45Simul ipsa pectore Attis sua facta recoluit,Liquidaque mente vidit sine queis ubique foret,Animo aestuante rusum reditum ad vada tetulit.Ibi maria vasta visens lacrimantibus oculis,Patriam allocuta maestast ita voce miseriter.50'Patria o mei creatrix, patria o mea genetrix,Ego quam miser relinquens, dominos ut erifugaeFamuli solent, ad Idae tetuli nemora pedem,Vt aput nivem et ferarum gelida stabula foremEt earum operta adirem furibunda latibula?55Vbinam aut quibus locis te positam, patria, reor?Cupit ipsa pupula ad te sibi dirigere aciem,Rabie fera carens dum breve tempus animus est.Egone a mea remota haec ferar in nemora domo?Patria, bonis, amicis, genitoribus abero?60Abero foro, palaestra, stadio et guminasiis?Miser a miser, querendumst etiam atque etiam, anime.Quod enim genus figuraest, ego non quod habuerim?Ego mulier, ego adolescens, ego ephebus, ego puer,Ego guminasi fui flos, ego eram decus olei:65Mihi ianuae frequentes, mihi limina tepida,Mihi floridis corollis redimita domus erat,Linquendum ubi esset orto mihi sole cubiculum.Ego nunc deum ministra et Cybeles famula ferar?Ego Maenas, ego mei pars, ego vir sterilis ero?70Ego viridis algida Idae nive amicta loca colam?Ego vitam agam sub altis Phrygiae columinibus,Vbi cerva silvicultrix, ubi aper nemorivagus?Iam iam dolet quod egi, iam iamque paenitet.'Roseis ut huic labellis sonitus celer abiit,75Geminas deorum ad aures nova nuntia referens,Ibi iuncta iuga resolvens Cybele leonibusLaevumque pecoris hostem stimulans ita loquitur.'Agedum' inquit 'age ferox i, fac ut hunc furoragitet,Fac uti furoris ictu reditum in nemora ferat,80Mea libere nimis qui fugere imperia cupit.Age caede terga cauda, tua verbera patere,Fac cuncta mugienti fremitu loca retonent,Rutilam ferox torosa cervice quate iubam.'Ait haec minax Cybebe religatque iuga manu.85Ferus ipse sese adhortans rapidum incitat animo,Vadit, fremit, refringit virgulta pede vago.At ubi umida albicantis loca litoris adiit,Teneramque vidit Attin prope marmora pelagi,Facit impetum: illa demens fugit in nemora fera:90Ibi semper omne vitae spatium famula fuit.Dea magna, dea Cybebe, Didymei dea domina,Procul a mea tuos sit furor omnis, era, domo:Alios age incitatos, alios age rabidos.
Super alta vectus Attis celeri rate mariaPhrygium ut nemus citato cupide pede tetigitAdiitque opaca, silvis redimita loca deae,Stimulatus ibi furenti rabie, vagus animis,5Devolsit ilei acuto sibi pondera silice.Itaque ut relicta sensit sibi membra sine viro,Etiam recente terrae sola sanguine maculansNiveis citata cepit manibus leve typanum,Typanum, tuom Cybebe, tua, mater, initia,10Quatiensque terga taurei teneris cava digitisCanere haec suis adortast tremebunda comitibus.'Agite ite ad alta, Gallae, Cybeles nemora simul,Simul ite, Dindymenae dominae vaga pecora,Aliena quae petentes velut exules loca15Sectam meam executae duce me mihi comitesRabidum salum tulistis truculentaque pelageEt corpus evirastis Veneris nimio odio,Hilarate erae citatis erroribus animum.Mora tarda mente cedat: simul ite, sequimini20Phrygiam ad domum Cybebes, Phrygia ad nemora deae,Vbi cymbalum sonat vox, ubi tympana reboant,Tibicen ubi canit Phryx curvo grave calamo,Vbi capita Maenades vi iaciunt ederigerae,Vbi sacra sancta acutis ululatibus agitant,25Vbi suevit illa divae volitare vaga cohors:Quo nos decet citatis celerare tripudiis.'Simul haec comitibus Attis cecinit notha mulier,Thiasus repente linguis trepidantibus ululat,Leve tympanum remugit, cava cymbala recrepant,30Viridem citus adit Idam properante pede chorus.Furibunda simul anhelans vaga vadit, animam agens,Comitata tympano Attis per opaca nemora dux,Veluti iuvenca vitans onus indomita iugi:Rapidae ducem sequuntur Gallae properipedem.35Itaque ut domum Cybebes tetigere lassulae,Nimio e labore somnum capiunt sine Cerere.Piger his labante langore oculos sopor operit:Abit in quiete molli rabidus furor animi.Sed ubi oris aurei Sol radiantibus oculis40Lustravit aethera album, sola dura, mare ferum,Pepulitque noctis umbras vegetis sonipedibus,Ibi Somnus excitam Attin fugiens citus abiit:Trepidante eum recepit dea Pasithea sinu.Ita de quiete molli rapida sine rabie45Simul ipsa pectore Attis sua facta recoluit,Liquidaque mente vidit sine queis ubique foret,Animo aestuante rusum reditum ad vada tetulit.Ibi maria vasta visens lacrimantibus oculis,Patriam allocuta maestast ita voce miseriter.50'Patria o mei creatrix, patria o mea genetrix,Ego quam miser relinquens, dominos ut erifugaeFamuli solent, ad Idae tetuli nemora pedem,Vt aput nivem et ferarum gelida stabula foremEt earum operta adirem furibunda latibula?55Vbinam aut quibus locis te positam, patria, reor?Cupit ipsa pupula ad te sibi dirigere aciem,Rabie fera carens dum breve tempus animus est.Egone a mea remota haec ferar in nemora domo?Patria, bonis, amicis, genitoribus abero?60Abero foro, palaestra, stadio et guminasiis?Miser a miser, querendumst etiam atque etiam, anime.Quod enim genus figuraest, ego non quod habuerim?Ego mulier, ego adolescens, ego ephebus, ego puer,Ego guminasi fui flos, ego eram decus olei:65Mihi ianuae frequentes, mihi limina tepida,Mihi floridis corollis redimita domus erat,Linquendum ubi esset orto mihi sole cubiculum.Ego nunc deum ministra et Cybeles famula ferar?Ego Maenas, ego mei pars, ego vir sterilis ero?70Ego viridis algida Idae nive amicta loca colam?Ego vitam agam sub altis Phrygiae columinibus,Vbi cerva silvicultrix, ubi aper nemorivagus?Iam iam dolet quod egi, iam iamque paenitet.'Roseis ut huic labellis sonitus celer abiit,75Geminas deorum ad aures nova nuntia referens,Ibi iuncta iuga resolvens Cybele leonibusLaevumque pecoris hostem stimulans ita loquitur.'Agedum' inquit 'age ferox i, fac ut hunc furoragitet,Fac uti furoris ictu reditum in nemora ferat,80Mea libere nimis qui fugere imperia cupit.Age caede terga cauda, tua verbera patere,Fac cuncta mugienti fremitu loca retonent,Rutilam ferox torosa cervice quate iubam.'Ait haec minax Cybebe religatque iuga manu.85Ferus ipse sese adhortans rapidum incitat animo,Vadit, fremit, refringit virgulta pede vago.At ubi umida albicantis loca litoris adiit,Teneramque vidit Attin prope marmora pelagi,Facit impetum: illa demens fugit in nemora fera:90Ibi semper omne vitae spatium famula fuit.Dea magna, dea Cybebe, Didymei dea domina,Procul a mea tuos sit furor omnis, era, domo:Alios age incitatos, alios age rabidos.
Super alta vectus Attis celeri rate maria
Phrygium ut nemus citato cupide pede tetigit
Adiitque opaca, silvis redimita loca deae,
Stimulatus ibi furenti rabie, vagus animis,
5
Devolsit ilei acuto sibi pondera silice.
Itaque ut relicta sensit sibi membra sine viro,
Etiam recente terrae sola sanguine maculans
Niveis citata cepit manibus leve typanum,
Typanum, tuom Cybebe, tua, mater, initia,
10
Quatiensque terga taurei teneris cava digitis
Canere haec suis adortast tremebunda comitibus.
'Agite ite ad alta, Gallae, Cybeles nemora simul,
Simul ite, Dindymenae dominae vaga pecora,
Aliena quae petentes velut exules loca
15
Sectam meam executae duce me mihi comites
Rabidum salum tulistis truculentaque pelage
Et corpus evirastis Veneris nimio odio,
Hilarate erae citatis erroribus animum.
Mora tarda mente cedat: simul ite, sequimini
20
Phrygiam ad domum Cybebes, Phrygia ad nemora deae,
Vbi cymbalum sonat vox, ubi tympana reboant,
Tibicen ubi canit Phryx curvo grave calamo,
Vbi capita Maenades vi iaciunt ederigerae,
Vbi sacra sancta acutis ululatibus agitant,
25
Vbi suevit illa divae volitare vaga cohors:
Quo nos decet citatis celerare tripudiis.'
Simul haec comitibus Attis cecinit notha mulier,
Thiasus repente linguis trepidantibus ululat,
Leve tympanum remugit, cava cymbala recrepant,
30
Viridem citus adit Idam properante pede chorus.
Furibunda simul anhelans vaga vadit, animam agens,
Comitata tympano Attis per opaca nemora dux,
Veluti iuvenca vitans onus indomita iugi:
Rapidae ducem sequuntur Gallae properipedem.
35
Itaque ut domum Cybebes tetigere lassulae,
Nimio e labore somnum capiunt sine Cerere.
Piger his labante langore oculos sopor operit:
Abit in quiete molli rabidus furor animi.
Sed ubi oris aurei Sol radiantibus oculis
40
Lustravit aethera album, sola dura, mare ferum,
Pepulitque noctis umbras vegetis sonipedibus,
Ibi Somnus excitam Attin fugiens citus abiit:
Trepidante eum recepit dea Pasithea sinu.
Ita de quiete molli rapida sine rabie
45
Simul ipsa pectore Attis sua facta recoluit,
Liquidaque mente vidit sine queis ubique foret,
Animo aestuante rusum reditum ad vada tetulit.
Ibi maria vasta visens lacrimantibus oculis,
Patriam allocuta maestast ita voce miseriter.
50
'Patria o mei creatrix, patria o mea genetrix,
Ego quam miser relinquens, dominos ut erifugae
Famuli solent, ad Idae tetuli nemora pedem,
Vt aput nivem et ferarum gelida stabula forem
Et earum operta adirem furibunda latibula?
55
Vbinam aut quibus locis te positam, patria, reor?
Cupit ipsa pupula ad te sibi dirigere aciem,
Rabie fera carens dum breve tempus animus est.
Egone a mea remota haec ferar in nemora domo?
Patria, bonis, amicis, genitoribus abero?
60
Abero foro, palaestra, stadio et guminasiis?
Miser a miser, querendumst etiam atque etiam, anime.
Quod enim genus figuraest, ego non quod habuerim?
Ego mulier, ego adolescens, ego ephebus, ego puer,
Ego guminasi fui flos, ego eram decus olei:
65
Mihi ianuae frequentes, mihi limina tepida,
Mihi floridis corollis redimita domus erat,
Linquendum ubi esset orto mihi sole cubiculum.
Ego nunc deum ministra et Cybeles famula ferar?
Ego Maenas, ego mei pars, ego vir sterilis ero?
70
Ego viridis algida Idae nive amicta loca colam?
Ego vitam agam sub altis Phrygiae columinibus,
Vbi cerva silvicultrix, ubi aper nemorivagus?
Iam iam dolet quod egi, iam iamque paenitet.'
Roseis ut huic labellis sonitus celer abiit,
75
Geminas deorum ad aures nova nuntia referens,
Ibi iuncta iuga resolvens Cybele leonibus
Laevumque pecoris hostem stimulans ita loquitur.
'Agedum' inquit 'age ferox i, fac ut hunc furoragitet,
Fac uti furoris ictu reditum in nemora ferat,
80
Mea libere nimis qui fugere imperia cupit.
Age caede terga cauda, tua verbera patere,
Fac cuncta mugienti fremitu loca retonent,
Rutilam ferox torosa cervice quate iubam.'
Ait haec minax Cybebe religatque iuga manu.
85
Ferus ipse sese adhortans rapidum incitat animo,
Vadit, fremit, refringit virgulta pede vago.
At ubi umida albicantis loca litoris adiit,
Teneramque vidit Attin prope marmora pelagi,
Facit impetum: illa demens fugit in nemora fera:
90
Ibi semper omne vitae spatium famula fuit.
Dea magna, dea Cybebe, Didymei dea domina,
Procul a mea tuos sit furor omnis, era, domo:
Alios age incitatos, alios age rabidos.
LXIII.
The Adventures of Atys.
O'er high deep seas in speedy ship his voyage Atys spedUntil he trod the Phrygian grove with hurried eager treadAnd as the gloomy tree-shorn stead, the she-god's home, he soughtThere sorely stung with fiery ire and madman's vaguing thought,5Share he with sharpened flint the freight wherewith his form was fraught.Then as the she-he sensèd limbs were void of manly strainAnd sighted freshly shed a-ground spot of ensanguined stain,Snatched she the timbrel's legier load with hands as snowdrops white,Thy timbrel, Mother Cybebé, the firstings of thy rite,10And as her tender finger-tips on bull-back hollow rangShe rose a-grieving and her song to listening comrades sang."Up Gallæ, hie together, haste for Cybebe's deep grove,Hie to the Dindyménean dame, ye flocks that love to rove;The which affecting stranger steads as bound in exile's brunt15My sect pursuing led by me have nerved you to confrontThe raging surge of salty sea and ocean's tyrant handAs your hate of Venus' hest your manly forms unmann'd,Gladden your souls, ye mistresses, with sense of error bann'd.Drive from your spirits dull delay, together follow ye20To hold of Phrygian goddess, home of Phrygian Cybebe,Where loud the cymbal's voice resounds with timbrel-echoes blending,And where the Phrygian piper drones grave bass from reed a-bending,Where toss their ivy-circled heads with might the MænadesWhere ply mid shrilly lullilooes the holiest mysteries,25Where to fly here and there be wont the she-god's vaguing train,Thither behoves us lead the dance in quick-step hasty strain."Soon as had Atys (bastard-she) this lay to comrades sungThe Chorus sudden lulliloos with quivering, quavering tongue,Again the nimble timbrel groans, the scooped-out cymbals clash,30And up green Ida flits the Choir, with footsteps hurrying rash.Then Atys frantic, panting, raves, a-wandering, lost, insane,And leads with timbrel hent and treads the shades where shadows rain,Like heifer spurning load of yoke in yet unbroken pride;And the swift Gallæ follow fain their first and fleetfoot guide.35But when the home of Cybebe they make with toil out-wornO'er much, they lay them down to sleep and gifts of Ceres scorn;Till heavy slumbers seal their eyelids langourous, drooping lowly,And raving phrenzy flies each brain departing softly, slowly.But when Dan Sol with radiant eyes that fire his face of gold40Surveyed white aether and solid soil and waters uncontrol'd,And chased with steeds sonorous-hooved the shades of lingering night,Then sleep from waking Atys fled fleeting with sudden flight,By Nymph Pásithae welcomèd to palpitating breast.Thus when his phrenzy raging rash was soothed to gentlest rest,45Atys revolved deeds lately done, as thought from breast unfolding,And what he'd lost and what he was with lucid sprite beholding,To shallows led by surging soul again the way 'gan take.There casting glance of weeping eyes where vasty billows brake,Sad-voiced in pitifullest lay his native land bespake.50"Country of me, Creatress mine, O born to thee and bred,By hapless me abandoned as by thrall from lordling fled,When me to Ida's groves and glades these vaguing footsteps boreTo tarry 'mid the snows and where lurk beasts in antres froreAnd seek the deeply hidden lairs where furious ferals meet!55Where, Country! whither placed must I now hold thy site and seat?Lief would these balls of eyes direct to thee their line of sight,Which for a while, a little while, would free me from despite.Must I for ever roam these groves from house and home afar?Of country, parents, kith and kin (life's boon) myself debar?60Fly Forum, fly Palestra, fly the Stadium, the Gymnase?Wretch, ah poor wretch, I'm doomed (my soul!) to mourn throughout my days,For what of form or figure is, which I failed to enjoy?I full-grown man, I blooming youth, I stripling, I a boy,I of Gymnasium erst the bloom, I too of oil the pride:65Warm was my threshold, ever stood my gateways opening wide,My house was ever garlanded and hung with flowery freight,And couch to quit with rising sun, has ever been my fate:Now must I Cybebe's she-slave, priestess of gods, be hight?I Mænad I, mere bit of self, I neutral barren wight?70I spend my life-tide couch't beneath high-towering Phrygian peaks?I dwell on Ida's verdant slopes mottled with snowy streaks,Where homes the forest-haunting doe, where roams the wildling boar?Now, now I rue my deed foredone, now, now it irks me sore!"Whenas from out those roseate lips these accents rapid flew,75Bore them to ears divine consigned a Nuncio true and new;Then Cybebe her lions twain disjoining from their yokeThe left-hand enemy of the herds a-goading thus bespoke:—"Up feral fell! up, hie with him, see rage his footsteps urge,See that his fury smite him till he seek the forest verge,80He who with over-freedom fain would fly mine empery.Go, slash thy flank with lashing tail and sense the strokes of thee,Make the whole mountain to thy roar sound and resound again,And fiercely toss thy brawny neck that bears the tawny mane!"So quoth an-angered Cybebe, and yoke with hand untied:85The feral rose in fiery wrath and self-inciting hied,A-charging, roaring through the brake with breaking paws he tore.But when he reached the humid sands where surges cream the shore,Spying soft Atys lingering near the marbled pave of seaHe springs: the terror-madded wretch back to the wood doth flee,90Where for the remnant of her days a bondmaid's life led she.Great Goddess, Goddess Cybebe, Dindymus dame divine,Far from my house and home thy wrath and wrack, dread mistress mine:Goad others on with Fury's goad, others to Ire consign!
O'er high deep seas in speedy ship his voyage Atys spedUntil he trod the Phrygian grove with hurried eager treadAnd as the gloomy tree-shorn stead, the she-god's home, he soughtThere sorely stung with fiery ire and madman's vaguing thought,5Share he with sharpened flint the freight wherewith his form was fraught.Then as the she-he sensèd limbs were void of manly strainAnd sighted freshly shed a-ground spot of ensanguined stain,Snatched she the timbrel's legier load with hands as snowdrops white,Thy timbrel, Mother Cybebé, the firstings of thy rite,10And as her tender finger-tips on bull-back hollow rangShe rose a-grieving and her song to listening comrades sang."Up Gallæ, hie together, haste for Cybebe's deep grove,Hie to the Dindyménean dame, ye flocks that love to rove;The which affecting stranger steads as bound in exile's brunt15My sect pursuing led by me have nerved you to confrontThe raging surge of salty sea and ocean's tyrant handAs your hate of Venus' hest your manly forms unmann'd,Gladden your souls, ye mistresses, with sense of error bann'd.Drive from your spirits dull delay, together follow ye20To hold of Phrygian goddess, home of Phrygian Cybebe,Where loud the cymbal's voice resounds with timbrel-echoes blending,And where the Phrygian piper drones grave bass from reed a-bending,Where toss their ivy-circled heads with might the MænadesWhere ply mid shrilly lullilooes the holiest mysteries,25Where to fly here and there be wont the she-god's vaguing train,Thither behoves us lead the dance in quick-step hasty strain."Soon as had Atys (bastard-she) this lay to comrades sungThe Chorus sudden lulliloos with quivering, quavering tongue,Again the nimble timbrel groans, the scooped-out cymbals clash,30And up green Ida flits the Choir, with footsteps hurrying rash.Then Atys frantic, panting, raves, a-wandering, lost, insane,And leads with timbrel hent and treads the shades where shadows rain,Like heifer spurning load of yoke in yet unbroken pride;And the swift Gallæ follow fain their first and fleetfoot guide.35But when the home of Cybebe they make with toil out-wornO'er much, they lay them down to sleep and gifts of Ceres scorn;Till heavy slumbers seal their eyelids langourous, drooping lowly,And raving phrenzy flies each brain departing softly, slowly.But when Dan Sol with radiant eyes that fire his face of gold40Surveyed white aether and solid soil and waters uncontrol'd,And chased with steeds sonorous-hooved the shades of lingering night,Then sleep from waking Atys fled fleeting with sudden flight,By Nymph Pásithae welcomèd to palpitating breast.Thus when his phrenzy raging rash was soothed to gentlest rest,45Atys revolved deeds lately done, as thought from breast unfolding,And what he'd lost and what he was with lucid sprite beholding,To shallows led by surging soul again the way 'gan take.There casting glance of weeping eyes where vasty billows brake,Sad-voiced in pitifullest lay his native land bespake.50"Country of me, Creatress mine, O born to thee and bred,By hapless me abandoned as by thrall from lordling fled,When me to Ida's groves and glades these vaguing footsteps boreTo tarry 'mid the snows and where lurk beasts in antres froreAnd seek the deeply hidden lairs where furious ferals meet!55Where, Country! whither placed must I now hold thy site and seat?Lief would these balls of eyes direct to thee their line of sight,Which for a while, a little while, would free me from despite.Must I for ever roam these groves from house and home afar?Of country, parents, kith and kin (life's boon) myself debar?60Fly Forum, fly Palestra, fly the Stadium, the Gymnase?Wretch, ah poor wretch, I'm doomed (my soul!) to mourn throughout my days,For what of form or figure is, which I failed to enjoy?I full-grown man, I blooming youth, I stripling, I a boy,I of Gymnasium erst the bloom, I too of oil the pride:65Warm was my threshold, ever stood my gateways opening wide,My house was ever garlanded and hung with flowery freight,And couch to quit with rising sun, has ever been my fate:Now must I Cybebe's she-slave, priestess of gods, be hight?I Mænad I, mere bit of self, I neutral barren wight?70I spend my life-tide couch't beneath high-towering Phrygian peaks?I dwell on Ida's verdant slopes mottled with snowy streaks,Where homes the forest-haunting doe, where roams the wildling boar?Now, now I rue my deed foredone, now, now it irks me sore!"Whenas from out those roseate lips these accents rapid flew,75Bore them to ears divine consigned a Nuncio true and new;Then Cybebe her lions twain disjoining from their yokeThe left-hand enemy of the herds a-goading thus bespoke:—"Up feral fell! up, hie with him, see rage his footsteps urge,See that his fury smite him till he seek the forest verge,80He who with over-freedom fain would fly mine empery.Go, slash thy flank with lashing tail and sense the strokes of thee,Make the whole mountain to thy roar sound and resound again,And fiercely toss thy brawny neck that bears the tawny mane!"So quoth an-angered Cybebe, and yoke with hand untied:85The feral rose in fiery wrath and self-inciting hied,A-charging, roaring through the brake with breaking paws he tore.But when he reached the humid sands where surges cream the shore,Spying soft Atys lingering near the marbled pave of seaHe springs: the terror-madded wretch back to the wood doth flee,90Where for the remnant of her days a bondmaid's life led she.Great Goddess, Goddess Cybebe, Dindymus dame divine,Far from my house and home thy wrath and wrack, dread mistress mine:Goad others on with Fury's goad, others to Ire consign!
O'er high deep seas in speedy ship his voyage Atys sped
Until he trod the Phrygian grove with hurried eager tread
And as the gloomy tree-shorn stead, the she-god's home, he sought
There sorely stung with fiery ire and madman's vaguing thought,
5
Share he with sharpened flint the freight wherewith his form was fraught.
Then as the she-he sensèd limbs were void of manly strain
And sighted freshly shed a-ground spot of ensanguined stain,
Snatched she the timbrel's legier load with hands as snowdrops white,
Thy timbrel, Mother Cybebé, the firstings of thy rite,
10
And as her tender finger-tips on bull-back hollow rang
She rose a-grieving and her song to listening comrades sang.
"Up Gallæ, hie together, haste for Cybebe's deep grove,
Hie to the Dindyménean dame, ye flocks that love to rove;
The which affecting stranger steads as bound in exile's brunt
15
My sect pursuing led by me have nerved you to confront
The raging surge of salty sea and ocean's tyrant hand
As your hate of Venus' hest your manly forms unmann'd,
Gladden your souls, ye mistresses, with sense of error bann'd.
Drive from your spirits dull delay, together follow ye
20
To hold of Phrygian goddess, home of Phrygian Cybebe,
Where loud the cymbal's voice resounds with timbrel-echoes blending,
And where the Phrygian piper drones grave bass from reed a-bending,
Where toss their ivy-circled heads with might the Mænades
Where ply mid shrilly lullilooes the holiest mysteries,
25
Where to fly here and there be wont the she-god's vaguing train,
Thither behoves us lead the dance in quick-step hasty strain."
Soon as had Atys (bastard-she) this lay to comrades sung
The Chorus sudden lulliloos with quivering, quavering tongue,
Again the nimble timbrel groans, the scooped-out cymbals clash,
30
And up green Ida flits the Choir, with footsteps hurrying rash.
Then Atys frantic, panting, raves, a-wandering, lost, insane,
And leads with timbrel hent and treads the shades where shadows rain,
Like heifer spurning load of yoke in yet unbroken pride;
And the swift Gallæ follow fain their first and fleetfoot guide.
35
But when the home of Cybebe they make with toil out-worn
O'er much, they lay them down to sleep and gifts of Ceres scorn;
Till heavy slumbers seal their eyelids langourous, drooping lowly,
And raving phrenzy flies each brain departing softly, slowly.
But when Dan Sol with radiant eyes that fire his face of gold
40
Surveyed white aether and solid soil and waters uncontrol'd,
And chased with steeds sonorous-hooved the shades of lingering night,
Then sleep from waking Atys fled fleeting with sudden flight,
By Nymph Pásithae welcomèd to palpitating breast.
Thus when his phrenzy raging rash was soothed to gentlest rest,
45
Atys revolved deeds lately done, as thought from breast unfolding,
And what he'd lost and what he was with lucid sprite beholding,
To shallows led by surging soul again the way 'gan take.
There casting glance of weeping eyes where vasty billows brake,
Sad-voiced in pitifullest lay his native land bespake.
50
"Country of me, Creatress mine, O born to thee and bred,
By hapless me abandoned as by thrall from lordling fled,
When me to Ida's groves and glades these vaguing footsteps bore
To tarry 'mid the snows and where lurk beasts in antres frore
And seek the deeply hidden lairs where furious ferals meet!
55
Where, Country! whither placed must I now hold thy site and seat?
Lief would these balls of eyes direct to thee their line of sight,
Which for a while, a little while, would free me from despite.
Must I for ever roam these groves from house and home afar?
Of country, parents, kith and kin (life's boon) myself debar?
60
Fly Forum, fly Palestra, fly the Stadium, the Gymnase?
Wretch, ah poor wretch, I'm doomed (my soul!) to mourn throughout my days,
For what of form or figure is, which I failed to enjoy?
I full-grown man, I blooming youth, I stripling, I a boy,
I of Gymnasium erst the bloom, I too of oil the pride:
65
Warm was my threshold, ever stood my gateways opening wide,
My house was ever garlanded and hung with flowery freight,
And couch to quit with rising sun, has ever been my fate:
Now must I Cybebe's she-slave, priestess of gods, be hight?
I Mænad I, mere bit of self, I neutral barren wight?
70
I spend my life-tide couch't beneath high-towering Phrygian peaks?
I dwell on Ida's verdant slopes mottled with snowy streaks,
Where homes the forest-haunting doe, where roams the wildling boar?
Now, now I rue my deed foredone, now, now it irks me sore!"
Whenas from out those roseate lips these accents rapid flew,
75
Bore them to ears divine consigned a Nuncio true and new;
Then Cybebe her lions twain disjoining from their yoke
The left-hand enemy of the herds a-goading thus bespoke:—
"Up feral fell! up, hie with him, see rage his footsteps urge,
See that his fury smite him till he seek the forest verge,
80
He who with over-freedom fain would fly mine empery.
Go, slash thy flank with lashing tail and sense the strokes of thee,
Make the whole mountain to thy roar sound and resound again,
And fiercely toss thy brawny neck that bears the tawny mane!"
So quoth an-angered Cybebe, and yoke with hand untied:
85
The feral rose in fiery wrath and self-inciting hied,
A-charging, roaring through the brake with breaking paws he tore.
But when he reached the humid sands where surges cream the shore,
Spying soft Atys lingering near the marbled pave of sea
He springs: the terror-madded wretch back to the wood doth flee,
90
Where for the remnant of her days a bondmaid's life led she.
Great Goddess, Goddess Cybebe, Dindymus dame divine,
Far from my house and home thy wrath and wrack, dread mistress mine:
Goad others on with Fury's goad, others to Ire consign!
Over the vast main borne by swift-sailing ship, Attis, as with hasty hurried foot he reached the Phrygian wood and gained the tree-girt gloomy sanctuary of the Goddess, there roused by rabid rage and mind astray, with sharp-edged flint downwards wards dashed his burden of virility. Then as he felt his limbs were left without their manhood, andthe fresh-spilt blood staining the soil, with bloodless hand she hastily hent a tambour light to hold, taborine thine, O Cybebe, thine initiate rite, and with feeble fingers beating the hollowed bullock's back, she rose up quivering thus to chant to her companions.
"Haste ye together, she-priests, to Cybebe's dense woods, together haste, ye vagrant herd of the dame Dindymene, ye who inclining towards strange places as exiles, following in my footsteps, led by me, comrades, ye who have faced the ravening sea and truculent main, and have castrated your bodies in your utmost hate of Venus, make glad our mistress speedily with your minds' mad wanderings. Let dull delay depart from your thoughts, together haste ye, follow to the Phrygian home of Cybebe, to the Phrygian woods of the Goddess, where sounds the cymbal's voice, where the tambour resounds, where the Phrygian flautist pipes deep notes on the curved reed, where the ivy-clad Maenades furiously toss their heads, where they enact their sacred orgies with shrill-sounding ululations, where that wandering band of the Goddess is wont to flit about: thither 'tis meet to hasten with hurried mystic dance."
When Attis, spurious woman, had thus chanted to her comity, the chorus straightway shrills with trembling tongues, the light tambour booms, the concave cymbals clang, and the troop swiftly hastes with rapid feet to verdurous Ida. Then raging wildly, breathless, wandering, with brain distraught,hurrieth Attis with her tambour, their leader through dense woods, like an untamed heifer shunning the burden of the yoke: and the swift Gallae press behind their speedy-footed leader. So when the home of Cybebe they reach, wearied out with excess of toil and lack of food they fall in slumber. Sluggish sleep shrouds their eyes drooping with faintness, and raging fury leaves their minds to quiet ease.
But when the sun with radiant eyes from face of gold glanced o'er the white heavens, the firm soil, and the savage sea, and drave away the glooms of night with his brisk and clamorous team, then sleep fast-flying quickly sped away from wakening Attis, and goddess Pasithea received Somnus in her panting bosom. Then when from quiet rest torn, her delirium over, Attis at once recalled to mind her deed, and with lucid thought saw what she had lost, and where she stood, with heaving heart she backwards traced her steps to the landing-place. There, gazing o'er the vast main with tear-filled eyes, with saddened voice in tristful soliloquy thus did she lament her land:
"Mother-land, O my creatress, mother-land, O my begetter, which full sadly I'm forsaking, as runaway serfs are wont from their lords, to the woods of Ida I have hasted on foot, to stay 'mongst snow and icy dens of ferals, and to wander through the hidden lurking-places of ferocious beasts. Where, or in what part, O mother-land, may I imagine that thou art? My very eyeball craves to fix its glance towardsthee, whilst for a brief space my mind is freed from wild ravings. And must I wander o'er these woods far from mine home? From country, goods, friends, and parents, must I be parted? Leave the forum, the palaestra, the race-course, and gymnasium? Wretched, wretched soul, 'tis thine to grieve for ever and for aye. For whatso shape is there, whose kind I have not worn? I (now a woman), I a man, a stripling, and a lad; I was the gymnasium's flower, I was the pride of the oiled wrestlers: my gates, my friendly threshold, were crowded, my home was decked with floral coronals, when I was wont to leave my couch at sunrise. Now shall I live a ministrant of gods and slave to Cybebe? I a Maenad, I a part of me, I a sterile trunk! Must I range o'er the snow-clad spots of verdurous Ida, and wear out my life 'neath lofty Phrygian peaks, where stay the sylvan-seeking stag and woodland-wandering boar? Now, now, I grieve the deed I've done; now, now, do I repent!"
As the swift sound left those rosy lips, borne by new messenger to gods' twinned ears, Cybebe, unloosing her lions from their joined yoke, and goading the left-hand foe of the herd, thus doth speak: "Come," she says, "to work, thou fierce one, cause a madness urge him on, let a fury prick him onwards till he return through our woods, he who over-rashly seeks to fly from my empire. On! thrash thy flanks with thy tail, endure thy strokes; make the whole place re-echo with roar of thybellowings; wildly toss thy tawny mane about thy nervous neck." Thus ireful Cybebe spoke and loosed the yoke with her hand. The monster, self-exciting, to rapid wrath his heart doth spur, he rushes, he roars, he bursts through the brake with heedless tread. But when he gained the humid verge of the foam-flecked shore, and spied the womanish Attis near the opal sea, he made a bound: the witless wretch fled into the wild wold: there throughout the space of her whole life a bondsmaid did she stay. Great Goddess, Goddess Cybebe, Goddess Dame of Dindymus, far from my home may all thine anger be, O mistress: urge others to such actions, to madness others hound.
LXIIII.