Part 14

He tells how Æölus his kingdom holds On the deep Tuscan main, who curbs the winds In cavern'd prisons; which, a noble boon! Close pent within an ox's stubborn hide, Dulichium's chief, from Æölus receiv'd. How for nine days with prosperous breeze they sail'd; And saw the long-sought land. How on the tenth, Aurora rising bright, his comrades, urg'd By envy, and by thirst of glittering spoil, Gold deeming there inclos'd, the winds unloos'd. How, driven by them, the ship was backward sped Through the same waves she had so lately plough'd; And reach'd the port of Æölus again. "Thence,"--he continued--"to the ancient town "Of Lestrygonian Lamus we arrive, "Where rules Antiphates; to him dispatch'd "I go, by two attended. I with one "Scarce find in flight our safety: with his gore "The hapless third, the Lestrigonians' jaws "Besmears: our flying footsteps they pursue, "While fierce Antiphates speeds on the crowd. "Around they press, and unremitting hurl "Huge rocks, and trunks of trees; our men o'erwhelm, "And sink our fleet; one ship alone escapes, "Which great Ulysses and myself contains. "Most of our band thus lost, and angry much, "Lamenting more, we floated to these isles, "Which hence, though distant far, you may descry. "Those isles, by me too near beheld, do thou "At distance only view! O, goddess-born! "Most righteous of all Troy, (for now no more, "Æneäs, must thou enemy be stil'd "To us, war ended) fly, I warn thee, fly "The shore of Circé. We, our vessel moor'd "Fast to that beach, not mindless of the deeds "Antiphates perform'd, nor Cyclops, wretch "Inhuman, now to tempt this unknown land "Refuse. The choice by lot is fix'd. The lot "Me sends, and with me sends Polites true; "Eurylochus; and poor Elphenor, fond "Too much of wine; with twice nine comrades mote, "To seek the dome Circéan. Thither come; "We at the entrance stand: a thousand wolves, "And bears, and lionesses, with wolves mixt, "Meet us, and terror in our bosoms strike. "But ground for terror none: of all the crew "None try our limbs to wound, but friendly wave "Their arching tails, and fawningly attend "Our steps; till by the menial train receiv'd, "Through marbled halls to where their mistress sate, "Our troop is led. She, in a bright recess, "Upon a lofty throne of state, was plac'd, "Cloth'd in a splendid robe; a golden veil "Around her head, and o'er her shoulders thrown. "Nereïds, and nymphs around (whose fingers quick "The wool ne'er drew, nor form'd the following thread) "Were plants arranging, and selecting flowers, "And various teinted herbs, confus'dly mixt "In baskets. She compleats the work they do; "And well she knows the latent power each leaf "Possesses; well their force combin'd she knows: "And all the nice-weigh'd herbs inspects with care. "When us she spy'd, and salutations pass'd "Mutual; her forehead brighten'd, and she gave "Our every wish. Nor waited more, but bade "The beverage of the roasted grain be mix'd; "And added honey, all the strength of wine, "And curdy milk, and juices, which beneath "Such powerful sweetness undetected lay. "The cup from her accursed hand, I take, "And, soon as thirsty I, with parch'd mouth drink, "And the dire goddess with her wand had strok'd "My head (I blush while I the rest relate) "Roughen'd with bristles, I begin to grow; "Nor now can speak; hoarse grunting comes for words; "And all my face bends downwards to the ground; "Callous I feel my mouth become, in form "A crooked snout; and feel my brawny neck "Swell o'er my chest; and what but now the cup "Had grasp'd, that part does marks of feet imprint; "With all my fellows treated thus, so great "The medicine's potency, close was I shut "Within a sty: there I, Eurylochus "Alone unalter'd to a hog, beheld! "He only had the offer'd cup refus'd. "Which had he not avoided, he as one "The bristly herd had join'd; nor had our chief, "The great Ulysses, by his tale inform'd "To Circé come, avenger of our woe. "To him Cyllenius, messenger of peace "A milk-white flower presented; by the gods "Call'd Moly: from a sable root it-springs. "Safe in the gift, and in th' advice of heaven, "He enters Circé's dome; and her repels, "Coaxing to taste th' invidious cup; his head "To stroke attempting with her potent wand; "And awes her trembling with his unsheath'd steel. "Then, faith exchang'd, hands join'd, he to her bed "Receiv'd, he makes the dowry of himself "That all his comrades' bodies be restor'd.

"Now are we sprinkled with innocuous juice "Of better herbs; with the inverted wand "Our heads are touch'd; the charms, already spoke, "Strong charms of import opposite destroy. "The more she sings her incantations, we "Rise more from earth erect; the bristles fall; "And the wide fissure leaves our cloven feet; "Our shoulders form again; and arms beneath "Are shap'd. Him, weeping too, weeping we clasp, "And round our leader's neck embracing hang. "No words at first to utter have we power, "But such as testify our grateful joy.

"A year's delay there kept us. There, mine eyes "In that long period much beheld; mine ears "Much heard. This with the rest, in private told "To me, by one of four most-favor'd nymphs "Who aided in her spells: while Circé toy'd "In private with our leader, she me shew'd "A youthful statue carv'd in whitest stone, "Bearing a feather'd pecker upon his head; "Plac'd in a sacred shrine, with numerous wreaths "Encircled. Unto my enquiring words, "And wish to know who this could be, and why "There worshipp'd in the shrine, and why that bird "He bore,--then, Macareus,--she said--receive "Thy wish; and also learn what mighty power "My mistress boasts; attentive hear my words.

"Saturnian Picus in Ausonia's climes "Was king; delighted still was he to train "Steeds for the fight. The beauty you behold "As man was his. So strong the 'semblance strikes, "His real form in the feign'd stone appears. "His mind his beauty equall'd. Nor as yet, "The games quinquennial Grecian Elis gives, "Four times could he have seen. He, by his face "The Dryad nymphs who on the Latian hills "Were born, attracted. Naiäds, river-nymphs, "Him sought, whom Albula, and Anio bear; "Almo's short course; the rapid stream of Nar; "And Numicus; and Farfar's lovely shades; "With all that Scythian Dian's woody realm "Traverse; and all who haunt the sedgy lakes. "But he, all these despis'd, lov'd one fair nymph, "Whom erst Venilia, fame reports, brought forth "To Janus on Palatiura's mount. When reach'd "The nuptial age, preferr'd before the rest, "Laurentian Picus gain'd the lovely maid. "Wond'rous was she for beauty, wond'rous more "Her art in song, and hence was Canens nam'd. "Wont was her voice forests and rocks to move; "Soothe savage beasts; arrest the course of streams; "And stay the flying birds. While warbling thus "With voice mature her song, Picus went forth "To pierce amid Laurentium's fields the boars, "Their native dwelling; on a fiery steed "He rode; two quivering spears his left hand bore; "His purple vestment golden clasps confin'd. "In the same woods Apollo's daughter came, "And from the fertile hills as herbs she cull'd, "She left the fields, from her Circæan nam'd. "When, veil'd by twigs herself, the youth she saw, "Amaz'd she stood. Down from her bosom dropp'd "The gather'd plants, and quickly through her frame "The fire was felt to shoot. Soon as her mind "Collected strength to curb the furious flame, "She would have told him instant what she wish'd, "But his impetuous steed, and circling crowd "Of followers, kept her far.--Yet shalt thou not, "If I but know my power, me fly; not should "The winds thee bear away; else is the force "Of plants all vanished, and my spells deceive. "She said; and form'd an incorporeal shape "Like to a boar; and bade it glance across "The monarch's sight; and seem itself to hide "In the dense thicket, where the trees grew thick: "A spot impervious to the courser's foot. "'Tis done; unwitting Picus eager seeks "His shadowy prey; leaps from his smoking steed; "And, vain-hop'd spoil pursuing, wanders deep "In the thick woods. She baneful words repeats, "And cursing charms collects. With new-fram'd verse "Invokes strange deities: verse which erst while "Has dull'd the splendid circle of the moon; "And hid with rain-charg'd clouds her father's face. "This verse repeated, instant heaven grew dark, "And mists from earth arose: his comrades roam "Through the dark paths; the king without a guard "Is left. This spot, and time so suiting gain'd, "Thus Circé cry'd--O fairest thou of forms! "By those bright eyes which me enslav'd, by all "Thy beauteous charms which make a goddess sue, "Indulge my flame; accept th' all-seeing sun, "My sire, for thine; nor, rigidly austere, "Titanian Circé spurn.--She ceas'd; he stern "Repuls'd the goddess, and her praying suit; "Exclaiming,--be thou whom thou may'st, yet thine "I am not; captive me another holds; "And fervently, I pray, to lengthen'd years "She still may hold me. Never will I wrong "The nuptial bond with stranger's lawless love, "While Janus' daughter, my lov'd Canens lives.-- "Sol's daughter then (re-iterated prayers "In vain oft try'd) exclaim'd:--Nor shalt thou boast "Impunity; nor e'er returning see "Thy Canens; but learn well what may be done "By slighted, loving woman: Circé loves, "Is woman, and is slighted.--To the west "She turn'd her twice, and turn'd her twice to east; "Thrice with her wand she struck the youth, and thrice "Her charm-fraught song repeated. Swift he fled, "And wondering that more swift he ran than wont, "Plumes on his limbs beheld. Constrain'd to add "A new-form'd 'habitant to Latium's groves, "Angry he wounds the spreading boughs, and digs "The stubborn oak-tree with his rigid beak. "A purple tinge his feathers take, the hue "His garment shew'd; the gold, a buckle once, "Which clasp'd his robe, to feathers too is chang'd; "The shining gold circles his neck around: "Nor aught remains of Picus save the name.

"Meantime his comrades vainly Picus call, "Through all the groves; but Picus no where find. "Circé they meet, for now the air was clear'd, "The clouds dispers'd, or by the winds or sun; "Charge her with crimes committed, and demand "Their king; force threaten, and prepare to lift "Their savage spears. The goddess sprinkles round "Her noxious poisons and envenom'd juice; "Invokes old night, and the nocturnal gods, "Chaos, and Erebus; and Hecat's help, "With magic howlings, prays. Woods (wond'rous sight!) "Leap from their seats; earth groans; the neighbouring trees "Grow pale; the grass with sprinkled blood is wet; "Stones hoarsely seem to roar, and dogs to howl; "Earth with black serpents swarms; unmatter'd forms "Of bodies long defunct, flit through the air. "Tremble the crowd, struck with th' appalling scene: "Appall'd, and trembling, on their heads she strikes "Th' envenom'd rod. From the rod's potent touch, "For men a various crowd of furious beasts "Appear'd: his form no single youth retain'd.

"Descending Phoebus had Hesperia's shores "Now touch'd; and Canens with her heart and looks "Sought for her spouse in vain: her servants all, "And all the people roam through every wood, "Bearing bright torches. Not content the nymph "To weep, to tear her tresses, and to beat "Her bosom, though not one of these was spar'd, "She sally'd forth herself; and frantic stray'd "Through Latium's plains. Six times the night beheld, "And six returning suns, her, wandering o'er "The mountain tops, or through the vallies deep, "As chance directed: foodless, sleepless, still. "Tiber at length beheld her; with her toil, "And woe, worn out, upon his chilling banks "Her limbs extending. There her very griefs, "Pour'd with her tears, still musically sound. "Mourning, her words in a soft dying tone "Are heard, as when of old th' expiring swan "Sung his own elegy. Wasted at length "Her finest marrow, fast she pin'd away; "And vanish'd quite to unsubstantial air. "Yet still tradition marks the spot, the muse "Of ancient days, still Canens call'd the place, "In honor of the nymph, and justly too.

"Many the tales like these I heard; and much "Like this I saw in that long tedious year. "Sluggish and indolent for lack of toil, "Thence are we bid to plough the deep again; "Again to hoist the sail. But Circé told "So much of doubtful ways, of voyage vast, "And all the perils of the raging deep "We must encounter; that my soul I own "Trembled. I gain'd this shore, and here remain'd."

Here Macareus finish'd; to Æneäs' nurse Inurn'd in marble, this short verse was given: "Cajeta here, sav'd from the flames of Greece, "Her foster-son, for piety renown'd, "With fires more fitting burn'd." Loos'd are the ropes That bound them to the grassy beach, and far They leave the dwelling of the guileful power; And seek the groves, beneath whose cloudy shade The yellow-sanded Tiber in the main Fierce rushes. Here Æneäs gains the realm, And daughter of Latinus, Faunus' son: But not without a war. Battles ensue With the fierce people. For his promis'd bride Turnus loud rages. All the Tuscans join With Latium, and with doubtful warfare long Is sought the conquest. Either side augment With foreign aid their strength. Rutilians crowds Defend, and crowds the Trojan trenches guard.

Not bootless, suppliant to Evander's roof Æneäs went; though Venulus in vain, To exil'd Diomed's great town was sent. A mighty city Diomed' had rear'd Beneath Apulian Daunus, and possess'd His lands by marriage dower. But when made known By Venulus, the message Turnus sent, Beseeching aid, th' Etolian hero aid Deny'd. For neither was his wish to send His father's troops to fight, nor of his own Had he, which might the strenuous warfare wage.-- "Lest this but feign'd you think," he said, "though grief "The sad relation will once more renew, "Yet will I now th'afflicting tale repeat.

"When lofty Ilium was consum'd,--the towers "Of Pergamus a prey to Grecian flames, "The Locrian Ajax, for the ravish'd maid, "Drew vengeance on us all; which he alone "Deserv'd from angry Pallas. Scatter'd wide, "And swept by tempests through the foaming deep, "The Grecians, thunders, rains, and darkness bore, "All heaven's and ocean's rage; and all to crown, "On the Capharean rocks the fleet was dash'd. "But not to tire you with each mournful scene "In order; Greece might then the tears have drawn "Ev'n from old Priam. Yet Minerva's care "Snatch'd me in safety from the surge. Again "From Argos, my paternal land, I'm driven; "Bright Venus bearing still in mind the wound "Of former days. Upon th'expanded deep "Such toils I bore excessive; on the land "So in stern combat strove, that oft those seem'd "To me most blest, who in the common wreck, "Caphareus sunk beneath the boisterous waves; "A fate I anxious wish'd I'd with them shar'd. "Now all my comrades, of the toilsome main, "And constant warfare weary; respite crav'd "From their long wanderings. Not was Agmon so, "Fierce still his bosom burn'd; and now he rag'd "From his misfortunes fiercer, as he cry'd-- "What, fellows! can remain which now to bear "Your patience should refuse? What, though she would, "Possesses Cythereä to inflict? "When worse is to be dreaded, is the time "For prayers: but when our state the worst has seen "Fear should be spurn'd at; in our depth of woe "Secure. Let she herself hear all my words; "And let her hate, as hate she does, each man "Who follows Diomed'! Yet will we all "Her hatred mock, and stand against her power "So mighty, with a no less mighty breast.-- "With words like these Etolian Agmon goads "Th' already raging goddess, and revives "Her ancient hate. Few with his boldness pleas'd; "Far most my friends his daring speech condemn. "Aiming at words respondent, straight his voice "And throat are narrow'd; into plumes his hair "Is alter'd; plumes o'er his new neck are spread; "And o'er his chest, and back; his arms receive "Long pinions, bending into light-form'd wings; "Most of his feet is cleft in claws; his mouth "Hardens to horn, and in a sharp beak ends. "Lycus, Rhetenor, Nycteus, Abas, stare With wonder, and while wondering there they stand "The same appearance take; and far the most "Of all my troop on wings up fly: and round "The ship the air resounds with clapping wings. "If what new shape those birds so sudden form'd "Distinguish'd, you would know: swans not to be, "Nought could the snowy swan resemble more. "Son now to Daunus, my diminish'd host "Scarce guards this kingdom, and those barren fields."

Thus far Diomedes; and Venulus Th' Apulian kingdom left, Calabria's gulf Pass'd, and Messapia's plains, where he beheld Caverns with woods deep shaded, with light rills Cool water'd: here the goatish Pan now dwelt; Once tenanted by wood-nymphs. From the spot Them, Appulus, a shepherd drove to flight; Alarm'd at first by sudden dread, but soon, Resum'd their courage, his pursuit despis'd, They to the measur'd notes their agile feet Mov'd in the dance. The clown insults them more, Mimics their motions in his boorish steps, To coarse abusing adding speech obscene: Nor ceas'd his tongue 'till bury'd in a tree. Well may his manner from the fruit be known; For the wild olive marks his tongue's reproach, In berries most austere: to them transferr'd The rough ungrateful sharpness of his words.

Return'd the legates, and the message told, Th' Etolians' aid deny'd; without their help Wage the Rutilians now the ready war: And streams of blood from either army flow. Lo! Turnus comes, and greedy torches brings To fire the cover'd ships; the flames they fear Whom tempests spar'd. And now the fire consum'd The pitch, the wax, with all that flame could feed; Then, mounting up the lofty mast, assail'd The canvas; and the rowers' benches smok'd. This saw the sacred mother of the gods, And mindful that from Ida's lofty top The pines were hew'd, with clash of tinkling brass, And sounds of hollow box, fill'd all the air. Then borne through ether by her lions tam'd, She said; "Those flames with sacrilegious hand "Thou hurl'st in vain: I will them snatch away. "Ne'er will I calmly view the greedy fire "Aught of the forests, which are mine consume." Loud thunders rattled as the goddess spoke; And showery floods with hard rebounding hail, The thunder follow'd. In the troubled air The blustering brethren rag'd, and swell'd the main: The billows furious clash'd. The mother us'd One blast's exerted force; the cables burst, Which bound the Phrygian vessels to the shore; Them swiftly swept along, and in the deep Low plung'd them. Straight the rigid wood grows soft The timber turns to flesh; the crooked prows To heads are chang'd: the oars to floating legs, And toes; while what were ribs, as ribs remain; The keels, deep in the vessels sunk, become The spinal bones; in soft long tresses flows The cordage; into arms the sailyards change: The hue of all cerulean as before. And now the Naiäds of the ocean sport With girlish play, amid those very waves Ere while so dreaded: sprung from rugged hills They love the gentle main; nor aught their birth Their bosoms irks. Yet mindful still what risks Themselves encounter'd on the raging main, Oft with assisting hand the high-tost bark They aid; save Greeks the hapless bark contains. Mindful of Iliüm's fall, they still detest The Argives; and with joyful looks behold The shatter'd fragments of Ulysses' ship: With joy behold the bark Alcinous gave Harden to rock, stone growing from the wood.

'Twas hop'd, the fleet transform'd to nymphs marine, The fierce Rutilians, struck with awe, might cease The war; but stubborn either side persists. Each have their gods, and each have godlike souls. Nor seek they now, so much the kingdom dower, Latinus' sceptre, or Lavinia! thee, As conquest: waging war through shame to cease. Venus at last beholds, brave Turnus slain, Her son's victorious arms; and Ardea falls, A mighty town when Turnus yet was safe: It cruel flames destroy'd; and every roof The smoking embers hid; up from the heap Of ruins, sprung a bird unknown before, And beat the ashes with its sounding wings: Its voice, its leanness, pallid hue, and all, Suit well a captur'd city; and the name Retaining still, with beating wings it wails.

Now had Æneäs' virtues, all the gods, Ev'n Juno, forc'd to cease their ancient hate. The young Iülus' growing empire fixt On firm foundations, ripe was then for heaven The Cytheréan prince. Venus besought That favor of the gods; round her sire's neck Her arms she clasp'd--"O, father!"--she exclaim'd-- "Indulgent still, be more than ever kind: "Grant that a deity, though e'er so low, "Æneäs may become! who through my blood "Claims thee as grandsire; something let him gain. "Let it suffice, that he has once beheld "The dreary realm; and once already past "The Stygian stream."--The deities consent: Nor does the heavenly queen, her forehead stern Retain, consenting with a cheerful mien. Then spoke the sire. "Both, daughter, merit well "The boon celestial: what thou ask'st receive, "Since thou desir'st it, and since he deserves." He ceas'd. O'erjoy'd, she grateful thanks returns; And by yok'd turtles borne through yielding air, She seeks Laurentum's shore, where gently creep Numicius' waters 'midst a reedy shade Into the neighbouring main. She bids him cleanse All of Æneäs that to death was given; And bear him silent floating to the sea. The horned god, what Venus bade perform'd: All that Æneäs had of mortal mould He purg'd away, and wash'd him with his waves. His better part remain'd. Odours divine, O'er his lustrated limbs, the mother pour'd; And with ambrosia and sweet nectar touch'd His lips, and perfect is the new-made god: Whom Indiges, the Roman people call, Worship with altars, and in temples place.

Alba, and Latium then beneath the rule Of young Iülus, call'd Ascanius, came. Him Sylvius follow'd. Then Latinus held The ancient sceptre, with his grandsire's name. Alba to fam'd Latinus was the next. Then Epitus; Capetus; Capys reign'd: Capys before Capetus. After these The realm was sway'd by Tiberinus; sunk Beneath the billows of the Tuscan stream, The waters took his name. His sons were two, Fierce Remulus, and Acrota; the first Pre-eminent in years, the thunder mock'd; And by the thunder dy'd. Of meeker mind His brother, to brave Aventinus left The throne; who bury'd 'neath the self-same hill Where once he reign'd, gave to the hill a name; And Procas now the Latian people rul'd.

Beneath this monarch fair Pomona liv'd, Than whom amongst the Hamadryad train None tended closer to her garden's care; None o'er the trees' young fruit more anxious watch'd; And thence her name. In rivers, she, and woods, Delighted not, for fields were all her joy; And branches bending with delicious loads. Nor grasps her hand a javelin, but a hook, With which she now luxurious boughs restrains, And prunes the stragglers, when too wide they spread: Now she divides the rind, and in the cleft Inserts a scion, and supporting juice Affords th' adopted stranger. Ne'er she bears That drought they feel, but oft with flowing streams Waters the crooked fibres of their roots: This all her love, this all her care, for man She heeded not. Yet of the lawless force Of rustics fearful, she her orchard round Well fenc'd, and every part from access barr'd, And fled from all mankind. What was there left Untry'd, by satyrs, by the wanton fawns, Or pine-crown'd Pan; Sylvanus, ever youth; Or him whose sickle frights nocturnal thieves To gain her? These Vertumnus all excell'd In passion; but not happier he than they. How oft a basket of ripe grain he bore, Clad like a hardy reaper, and in form A real reaper seem'd! Oft with new hay His temples bound, who turns the fresh cut grass He might be thought. Oft in his horny hand He bears a goad; then might you swear, that now The weary oxen he had just unyok'd. Arm'd with a pruning hook, he one appears Who lops the vines. When he the ladder lifts, Apples about to pluck he seems. His sword Shews him a soldier; and his trembling reed An angler. Thus a thousand shapes he tries, T' enjoy the pleasure of her beauteous sight. Now leaning on a staff, his temples clad In painted bonnet, he an ancient dame, With silver locks thin scatter'd o'er her head, Would seem; and in the well-trimm'd orchard walks; Admires the fruit--"But, O! how far beyond "Are these;"--he said, and kiss'd the lips he prais'd: No ancient dame such kisses e'er bestow'd. Then rested on the swelling turf, and view'd The branches bending with th' autumnal load.

An elm there stood right opposite, full spread With swelling grapes, which, with its social vine, He prais'd;--"Yet should that trunk there single stand"-- Said he,--"without its vine, nought but the leaves "Desirable would seem. As well the vine "Which rests now safe upon its wedded elm, "If not so join'd, were prostrate on the ground. "Yet does the tree's example move not thee. "Thou fly'st from marriage; fly'st from nuptial joys; "Would they could charm thy soul. Not Helen e'er "Such crowds of wooers sought; not her who mov'd "The Lapithæan war; nor the bright queen "Of Ithacus, still 'gainst the coward brave, "As would pursue thee. Now, though all thou fly'st, "Thy suitors scorning, thousands seek thy hand, "Both demi-gods and gods, whoever dwell "Of deities on Alba's lofty hills. "Yet wisely would'st thou act, and happy wed, "Attend my aged counsel (thee I love "More than all these, and more than thou'dst believe) "Reject such vulgar offers, and select "Vertumnus for the consort of thy bed: "And for his worth accept of me as pledge. "For to himself not better is he known "Than me. No truant through the earth he roves; "These spots he dwells in, and in these alone, "Nor loves he, like thy wooer's greatest share, "Instant whate'er he sees. Thou his first flame "Shalt be, and be his last. He will devote "His every year to thee, and thee alone. "Add too his youth, and nature's bounteous gifts "Which decorate him; and that changed with ease, "He every form can take, and those the best "That thou may'st like, for all thou may'st command. "Are not your pleasures both the same? the fruits "Thou gatherest first, are they not given to him? "Who takes thy offerings with a grateful hand. "But now he seeks not fruits pluck'd from thy trees, "Nor herbs thy garden feeds with mellow juice, "Nor aught, save thee. Have pity on his flame: "Think 'tis himself that sues; think that he prays "Through me. O fear the vengeance of the gods! "Affronted Venus' unrelenting rage; "And fear Rhamnusia's still vindictive mind. "That these you more may dread, I will relate "(For age has much to me made known) a fact "Notorious through all Cyprus which may urge "Your soul more quickly to relent and love.

"Iphis of humble origin beheld "The noble Anaxareté--the blood "Of ancient Teucer: he beheld, and felt "Love burn through all his frame; he struggled long "By reason to o'ercome the flame, in vain. "He came a humble suppliant to her gate. "To her old nurse, he now his hapless love "Confess'd, and pray'd her by her nurseling's hopes, "She would not be severe. Now he assails "All her attendants with his flattering speech, "And anxious begs of each to intercede. "Oft, grav'n on tablets, were his amorous words "Borne to her. Oft against her door he hung "Garlands, wet dropping with the dew of tears. "Plac'd on the threshold hard his tender side, "Venting reproaches on the cruel bar. "But she more deaf than surges which arise "With setting stars; and harder than the steel "Numician fires have temper'd; or the rock "Still living in its bed, spurn'd him, and laugh'd: "And cruel, added lofty words to deeds "Unmerciful, and robb'd him ev'n of hope. "Impatient Iphis, now no longer bore "The pangs of endless grief, but at her gate "Thus utter'd his last 'plaints--Thou hast o'ercome "O Anaxareté! for never more "Will I molest thy quiet. Now prepare "Glad triumphs; Pæan call; and bind thy brows "With laurel bright, for thou victorious art, "And joyfully I die. O heart of steel! "Enjoy thy bliss. Now will I force thy praise "In something;--somehow find a way to please, "And thee constrain to grant I have desert. "Yet still remember, that my love for thee "Leaves me not but with life! at once I lose "A double light. But fame shall not announce "To thee my death, for I myself will come. "Lest thou should'st doubt, thou shalt thyself behold "My death, and on my lifeless body glut "Thy cruel eyes. But, O ye gods above! "If mortal deeds ye view, remember me: "No more my tongue can dare to ask, than this, "That distant ages may my fortune know; "Grant fame to him, whom ye of life deprive.-- "He spoke, and to the porch so oft adorn'd "With flowing chaplets, rais'd his humid eyes, "And stretch'd his pallid arms; then to the post, "The cord with noose well-fitted, fastening, cry'd:-- "Nymph, pitiless and cruel! pleas'd the best "With garlands such as these!--Then in the cord, "His head inserted; tow'rd the maid still turn'd, "As, hapless load! with strangled throat he hung. "Struck by his dangling feet, the portals seem'd "A sound to give, which mighty seem'd to mourn; "And open thrown, the horrid deed display'd: "Loudly the servants shriek, and vainly bear "His breathless body to his mother's dome. "(Defunct his sire) She clasp'd him to her breast, "Embrac'd his clay-cold limbs; and all she said "That wretched parents say; and all she did "That hapless mothers do: then through the town "The melancholy funeral pomp she led, "The lurid members following, on a bier "For burning. In the road the dwelling stood "Through which the sad procession took its way, "And sound of lamentation struck the ears "Of Anaxareté, whom now the power "Of vengeance follow'd. Mov'd, she now exclaim'd-- "I will this melancholy prospect view.-- "And to the open casement mounted high. "Scarce had she Iphis on the bier beheld, "When harden'd grew her eyes; a pallid hue "O'erspread her body as the warm blood fled. "Her feet to move for flight she try'd, her feet "Stuck fast; her face she try'd to turn away; "She could not turn it; and by small degrees "The stony hardness of her breast was spread "O'er all her limbs. Believe not that I feign, "For Salamis the figure of the nymph "Still keeps; and there a temple is high rear'd "Where Venus, the beholder, they adore. "Mindful of this, O dearest nymph! lay by "That cold disdain, and join thee to a spouse. "So may no vernal frosts thy budding fruits "Destroy, nor sweeping storms despoil thy flowers." When this the god, to various shapes in vain Transform'd, had utter'd; he assum'd again The youth, and flung the garb of age aside: And so appear'd, as seems the radiant sun, Freed from opposing clouds, and darting bright His glory round. Force he prepar'd, but force He needed not. The nymph his beauty mov'd, And straight her bosom felt a mutual flame.

Th' Ausonian realm Amulius' force unjust Commanded next; and ancient Numitor By his young grandsons the lost realm regain'd. The city's walls on Pales' feast were laid. Now Tatius and the Sabine sires wage war Against it; and the fortress' gate unclos'd, Tarpeïa, well-deserving of her fate, Breathes out her soul beneath a pile of shields. Thence Cures' sons, each sound of voice repress'd, Silent as wolves, steal on them drown'd in sleep, And gain the gates, which Ilia's son had clos'd With massive bars. But Juno one threw ope, Nor creak'd the portal on its turning hinge. Venus alone the fastening of the gate Withdrawn, perceiv'd, and had it clos'd again, Save that the acts a deity performs, No deity can e'er undo. A spot Near Janus' temple, cool with flowing streams, Ausonia's Naiäds own'd; and aid from these She sought. Nor could the nymphs deny a boon So just; and instant all their rills and floods Burst forth. But still to Janus' open gate The way was passable, nor could the waves Oppose their way. They to the fruitful springs Apply blue sulphur, and the hollow caves Fire with bitumen; to the lowest depth They forceful penetrate, both this, and that. And streams that late might vie with Alpine cold, To flames themselves, not now in heat would yield. The porches of the deity two-fac'd Smok'd with the fiery sprinkling; and the gate, Op'd to the hardy Sabine troops in vain, Was by the new-sprung fountain guarded, 'till The sons of Mars had girt them in their arms. Soon Romulus attack'd them, and Rome's soil Was strew'd with Sabine bodies and her own: And impious weapons mingled blood of sires With blood of sons-in-law; yet so it pleas'd, War settled into peace, nor rag'd the steel To ultimate destruction; in the realm Tatius as equal sovereign was receiv'd.

Tatius deceas'd, thou, Romulus, dispens'd, To the joint nations, equitable laws. When Mars, his helmet thrown aside, the sire Of gods and men, in words like these, address'd.-- "O parent! (since the Roman realm has gain'd "A strong and wide foundation, nor should look "To one protector only) lo! the time "To grant the favor, promis'd me so long, "To thy deserving grandson. Snatch'd from earth "Let him in heaven he plac'd. Time was, long since, "In a full council of the gods thou said'st, "Well I remember, well my mindful breast "The tender words remark'd; a son of mine "By thee should in the azure sky be plac'd: "Now be the fulness of thy words complete." Th' Omnipotent consented; with black clouds Darken'd the air; and frighten'd all the town With flaming thunders. When the martial god Perceiv'd this fiat of the promis'd change, Propp'd on his spear he fearless mounts the steeds, Press'd by the bloody yoke; loud sounds the lash, And prone the air he cleaves, lights on the top Of shady Palatine. There Ilia's son Delivering regal laws to Romans round, He saw, and swept him thence: his mortal limbs Waste in the empty air, as balls of lead Hurl'd from a sling, melt in the midmost sky: More fair his face appears, and worthy more Of the high shrines: such now appears the form Of great Quirinus, clad in purple robe.

His spouse him wept as lost, when heaven's high queen Bade Iris on her sweeping bow descend, And thus her orders to Hersilia speak:-- "O matron! glory of the Latian land; "Pride of the Sabine race; most worthy spouse "Of such an hero once; spouse worthy now "Of god Quirinus, cease thy tears: if wish "To see thy husband warms thee, led by me, "To yonder grove upon Quirinus' hill "Which flourishes, and overshades the fane "Of Rome's great monarch, haste."--Iris obeys; Upon her painted bow to earth slides down, And hails Hersilia in the bidden words. Her eyes scarce lifting, she with blushing face Replies--"O goddess! whom thou art, to me "Unknown; that thou a goddess art is plain. "Lead me, O lead! shew me my spouse's face: "Which if fate grant I may once more behold, "Heaven I'll allow I've seen." Nor waits she more, But with Thaumantian Iris, to the hill Of Romulus proceeds. There, shot from heaven, A star tow'rd earth descended; from its rays Bright flam'd Hersilia's hair, and with the star Mounted aloft. Rome's founder's well-known arms Receive her. Now her former name is chang'd, As chang'd her body: known as Ora, now, A goddess, with her great Quirinus join'd.

*The Fifteenth Book.*

Numa's journey to Crotona. The Pythagorean philosophy of transmigration of the soul, and relation of various transformations. Death of Numa, and grief of Egeria. Story of Hippolytus. Change of Egeria to a fountain. Cippus. Visit of Esculapius to Rome, in the form of a snake. Assassination and apotheösis of Julius Cæsar. Praise of Augustus. Prophetic conclusion.

THE *Fifteenth Book* OF THE METAMORPHOSES OF OVID.

Meantime they seek who may the mighty load Sustain; who may succeed so great a king. Fame, harbinger of truth, the realm decreed To noble Numa. Not content to know The laws and customs of the Sabine race, His mind capacious grasp'd a larger field. He sought for nature's laws. Fir'd by this wish, His country left, he journey'd to the town Of him, who erst was great Alcides' host: And as he sought to learn what founder first These Grecian walls rear'd on Italia's shore, Thus an old 'habitant, well vers'd in tales Of yore, reply'd.--"Jove's son, rich in the herds "Iberia bred, his prosperous journey bent "By ocean unto fair Lacinia's shores: "Enter'd himself the hospitable roof "Of mighty Croto, while his cattle' stray'd "Amid the tender grass; and his long toil "Reliev'd by rest. Departing, thus he spoke-- "Here in thy grandson's age a town shall rise.-- "And true the promis'd words; for Myscelos, "Argive Alemon's son, dear to the gods, "Beyond all mortals of that time, now liv'd. "The club-arm'd god, as press'd with heavy sleep, "He lay, hung o'er him, and directed thus.-- "Haste leave thy native land;--where distant flows "The rocky stream of Æsaris, go seek.-- "And threaten'd much if disobedient found: "Then disappear'd the god and sleep at once. "Alemon's son arose; with silent care "Revolv'd the new-seen vision in his soul, "And undetermin'd waver'd long his mind. "The god commands,--the laws forbid to go: "Death is the punishment to him decreed "Who would his country quit. Now glorious Sol "Had in the ocean hid his glittering face, "And densest night shew'd her star-studded head; "Again the god was seen to come; again "Admonish, and with threats more stern demand "Obedience. Terror-struck he now prepar'd "His property and household gods to move "To this new seat. Quick through the city flies "The rumor; as a slighter of the laws "Is he denounc'd. The trial ends at once; "Th' acknowledg'd crime without a witness prov'd. "The wretched culprit lifts his eyes and hands "To heaven, exclaiming;--Thou whose toils twice six "Have given thee claim to glory, lend thy aid; "Thou art the cause that I offence have given.-- "Sentence in old, by stones of white and black "Was shewn: by these th' accus'd was clear'd, by those "Condemn'd. Thus is the heavy doom now pass'd, "And in the fatal urn each flings a stone "Of sable hue. Inverted then to count "The pebbles, lo! their color all is chang'd "From black to white; and thus, the doom revers'd, "Alemon's son by Hercules is freed. "Thanks to Alcmena's son, his kinsman, given, "He o'er th' Ionian sea with favoring winds "Sail'd, and Tarentum, Sparta's city, pass'd, "And Sybaris, Neæthus Salentine, "The gulph of Thurium, and Japygia's fields, "With Temeses; which shores at distance seen "By him, were scarcely pass'd, when he beheld "The mouth of Æsaris, the destin'd flood: "And thence not far a lofty heap of earth, "Where Croto's hallow'd bones were safe inhum'd. "There he as bidden rais'd the walls, which took "From the high sepulchre their lasting name. "Plain then the city's origin appears "By fame, thus built upon Italia's shores."

Here dwelt a sage whom Samos claim'd by birth, But Samos and its masters he had fled; A willing exile from tyrannic rule. Though from celestial regions far remov'd His mind to heaven could soar; with mental eyes He things explor'd which to the human ken Nature deny'd. When all with watchful care Was learnt in secret, to the listening crowd He public spoke. Told to their wondering ears The primal origin of this great world; The cause of things; what nature is; what god; Whence snow; and whence tremendous thunder springs,-- From Jove, or from the rattling of rent clouds; What shakes earth's pillars; by what law the stars Wander; and what besides lies hid from man. And first that animals should heap the board For food, he strict forbade; and first in words Thus eloquent, but unbeliev'd he spoke.

"Cease, mortals, cease your bodies to pollute "With food unhallow'd: plentiful is grain; "The apples bend the branches with their load; "The vines bear swelling heaps of clustering grapes; "Bland herbs you have; and such as heat require "To mollify for use. Nor do you lack "The milky fluid, or the honey sweet, "Fragrant of thyme. The lavish earth supplies "Mild aliments, her riches and affords "Dainties, with nought of slaughter or of blood. "Their hunger beasts alone with flesh allay, "And beasts not all; the generous steed, the flock, "The herd, on grass subsist. But lions grim, "Armenian tigers, bears, and wolves, delight "In bloody feasts. How impious to behold "Bowels in bowels bury'd! greedy limbs "Fatten on limbs digested, and prolong'd "One's animation by another's death. "In vain the earth, benignant mother, gives "Her copious stores, if nought can thee delight, "Save with a savage tooth this living food "To chew, and Cyclopéan feasts renew. "Can'st thou not cloy the appetite's keen rage, "Deprav'd desire! unless another die? "That early age, to which we give the name "Of golden, happy was in mellow fruits, "And plants, by earth produc'd; nor e'er did gore "The mouth defile. In safety through the air "Fowls way'd their feathers: fearless through the fields "Wander'd the hare: nor, on the barb'd hook hung "By his credulity, was snar'd the fish. "Fraud was not, none suspicious of deceit; "And all was fill'd with harmony and peace. "But soon some wretch (whatever wretch was he) "Such food disliking, in his greedy maw "Bury'd what animation once possess'd. "He led the way to wickedness. And first "The weapon smok'd with blood of ravenous beasts: "And there it should have stay'd. Just is the plea "To take their lives that follow us for prey; "But not devour them when destroy'd. From thence "Wide spread the horrid practice, and the sow, "Doom'd the first victim, is decreed to die, "For digging up with crooked snout the seed; "And blasting all the prospect of the year. "The goat had gnaw'd the vine;--the culprit bled "On Bacchus' altars to appease his ire. "These two their fate deserv'd. But how, O sheep! "Ye harmless flocks, have ye this merited, "Form'd to receive protection from mankind? "Who in your swelling dugs bland liquors bear, "Who give your fleecy coverings, garments soft "For us to form; and more in life than death "Assist our wants. What has the ox deserved? "A simple harmless beast, and born for toil, "Of guile and fraud devoid? Forgetful man! "And undeserving of the harvest's boon, "Who could, the crooked joke just from his neck "Remov'd, his faithful tiller sacrifice; "Smite with the axe that neck with labor worn, "With which so oft he had the soil renew'd; "Which had so many crops on him bestow'd. "Nor is this all, the savage deed perform'd, "They implicate the heavenly gods themselves, "Pretend th' almighty deities delight "To see the slaughter of laborious steers. "Spotless must be the victim; in his form "Perfection: (fatal thus too much to please!) "With gold and fillets gay, the beast is led "Before the altar, hears the unknown prayers, "And sees the meal, the product of his toil, "Betwixt his horns full in his forehead flung: "Then struck, he stains the weapon with his blood, "The weapon in reflecting waves beneath "Haply beheld before. Next they inspect "His torn-out living entrails, and from thence "Learn what the bosoms of the gods intend. "Whence, man, such passion for forbidden food? "How dar'st thou, mortal man! in flesh indulge? "O! I conjure you, do it not; my words "Deep in your minds revolve, when to your mouth "The mangled members of the ox you raise, "Know, and reflect, your laborer you devour.

"And now the god inspires my tongue, my tongue "Shall follow what th' inspiring god directs, "My truths I will disclose, display all heaven, "And oracles of mind divine reveal. "I sing of mighty things, by none before "Investigated; what has long lain hid. "It glads me through the lofty heavens to go; "To sail amid the clouds, the sluggish earth "Left far below; and on the shoulders mount "Of mighty Atlas; thence from far look down, "On wandering souls of reasoning aid depriv'd, "Shivering and trembling at the thoughts of death. "I thus exhort, and scenes of fate unfold.