Chapter VIII: Part 8

Theseus meantime, the toil confederate done,
Homeward to Pallas' towers his journey bent;
But Acheloues, swol'n by showery floods,
Delay'd his progress. "Fam'd Cecropia's chief,"--
He cry'd,--"here shelter, enter 'neath my roof,
"Nor through the furious torrents trust thy steps.
"Whole forests oft they root, and whirl along
"Vast rocks with thundering sound. High stalls I've seen,
"Near to the banks erected, swept away:
"Nor aught avail'd the lusty bull's strong limbs,
"Nor aught the courser's speed: the torrents oft
"Of melted snows, which from the mountains rush,
"Whelm the strong youths beneath the whirling pool.
"To rest is safer, till their wonted banks
"Again the streams confine; the lessen'd waves
"Within their channels pent."--Theseus complies,
And answers:--"Acheloues, we approve
"Thy prudent counsel, and thy cave will use,"
The grot they enter; hollow pumice, mixt
With rugged tophus, form'd it; tender moss
The moist floor cover'd; fretwork on the roof
The purple murex and the scallop white
Alternate form'd. Now Phoebus' steeds had run
Two thirds their race, when Theseus on his couch
Reclin'd, the comrades of his toil close by;
Pirithous here, Troezenian Lelex there,
Whose temples now some silvery hairs display'd.
With these were such as Acheloues, joy'd
At such a noble guest, the honor deem'd
Worthy to share. The barefoot Naiaed nymphs
Heap'd on the board the banquet: food remov'd,
They brought the wine, in cups with jewels deck'd.

The mighty hero then, the distant main
Surveying, asks:--"What land is that I see?--"
And shews the spot,--"tell me what name denotes
"That isle? and yet methinks not one it seems."
The river-god replies:--"What we behold
"A single isle is not, but five; the eye
"Is mock'd by distance. That Diana's wrath
"May less your wonder move, these once were nymphs.
"Ten bullocks had they sacrific'd, and call'd
"Each rural god to taste the sacred feast,
"And join the festal chorus, me alone,
"Forgetful, they invited not. Sore vext,
"I swell'd with rage, and as my anger rose,
"My flood increas'd; till at my greatest height,
"Woods I divorc'd from woods; from meadows tore
"The neighbouring meadows; and the Naiaeds roll'd,
"Now well-remembering what my godhead claim'd,
"Down with their habitations to the main.
"My waves then, with the ocean's waters join'd,
"The land divided, and those isles you view,
"Echinades, amid the sea were form'd.

"More distant may your vision reach;--behold
"An isle beyond them to my soul most dear;
"By sailors nam'd Perimele. I snatch'd
"Her virgin-treasure from the much-lov'd maid.
"Hippodamas her sire in fury rav'd;
"And, from a precipice, the pregnant nymph
"Plung'd in the deep. My waves receiv'd the load;
"And whilst I bore her floating, thus I said;--
"O, trident-bearer, thou whom lot decreed
"Lord, next to heaven, o'er all the wandering waves,
"Where all the sacred rivers end their course;
"To which all rivers tend, O, Neptune, aid!
"Propitious, hear my prayer! Much have I wrong'd
"The nymph I now support: if lenient he,
"And equitable, sure Hippodamas,
"Her sire, had pity granted, and myself
"Had pardon'd. Gracious Neptune, grant thy help
"To her a parent's fury from the earth
"Wide banishes. O, I beseech thee! grant
"A place to her, paternal rage would drown:
"Or to a place transform her, where my waves
"May clasp her still. The ocean-god consents,
"And all his waters shake as nods his head.
"Still floats th' affrighted nymph; and as she swims,
"I feel her heart with trepid motion beat:
"While pressing fond her bosom, all her form
"Rigidly firm becomes, and round her chest
"Rough earth heaps high; and, whilst I wondring speak,
"A new-form'd land her floating limbs enclasps:
"Her shape transform'd, a solid isle becomes."

Thus far the watery deity, and ceas'd.
The wondrous tale all mov'd, save one, the son
Of bold Ixion; fierce of soul, he laugh'd
To scorn their minds so credulous, the gods
Impious contemning, as he thus exclaim'd;--
"What tales, O, Acheloues, you relate!
"Too much of potence to the gods you grant,
"To give and change our figures."--All struck dumb,
Discourage this bold speech, and Lelex first,
Mature in age, and in experience old
Beyond the rest, thus spoke:--"Celestial power,
"In range is infinite, in sway immense;
"What the gods will, completion instant finds.
"To clear your doubts, upon the Phrygian hills
"An ancient oak, and neighbouring linden stand,
"Girt by a low inclosure; I the spot
"Survey'd, when into Phrygia's realms dispatch'd
"By Pittheus, when those realms his father rul'd.
"Not far a lake extends, a space once fill'd
"With human 'habitants, whose waves now swarm
"With fenny coots, and cormorants alone.
"Here Jove in human shape, and with his sire,
"The son of Maiae, came; the last his rod
"Shorn of its wings, still bore. A thousand doors,
"Seeking repose, they knock'd at; every door
"Firm barr'd repuls'd them: one at length flew wide;
"A lowly cot, whose humble roof long reeds,
"And straw firm-matted, cover'd. Baucis there,
"A pious dame, and old Philemon match'd
"In age, had dwelt, since join'd in springtide youth;
"And there grew old together: Full content,
"Their poverty they hid not, and more light
"Their poverty on souls unmurmuring weigh'd.
"Here nor for lord, nor servant, was there need
"To seek; beneath the roof these only dwelt;
"Each order'd, each obey'd. The heaven-born guests
"The humble threshold crossing, lowly stoop'd,
"And entrance gain'd: the ancient host bade sit
"And rest their weary'd limbs: the bench was plac'd,
"Which Baucis anxious for their comfort, spread
"With home-made coverings: then with careful hand
"The scarce warm embers on the hearth upturn'd;
"And rous'd the sleeping fires of yestern's eve,
"With food of leaves and bark dry-parch'd, and fann'd
"To flame the fuel with her aged breath:
"Then threw the small-slit faggots, and the boughs
"Long-wither'd, on the top, divided small:
"And plac'd her brazen vase of scanty size,
"O'er all. Last stripp'd the coleworts' outer leaves,
"Cull'd by her husband from the water'd ground,
"Which serv'd as garden. He meantime reach'd down,
"With two-fork'd prong, where high on blacken'd beam
"It hung, a paltry portion of an hog,
"Long harden'd there; and from the back he slic'd
"A morsel thin, which soon he soften'd down
"In boiling steam. The intermediate hours
"With pleasing chat they cheat; the short delay
"To feel avoiding. On a nail high hung
"A beechen pail for bathing, by its hand
"Deep-curv'd: with tepid water this he fill'd,
"And plac'd before his guests their feet to lave.
"A couch there stood, whose feet and frame were form'd
"Of willow; tender reeds the centre fill'd,
"With coverings this they spread, coverings which saw
"The light not, but when festal days them claim'd:
"Yet coarse and old were these, and such as well
"With willow couch agreed. The gods laid down.
"The dame close-girt, with tremulous hand prepar'd
"The board; two feet were perfect, 'neath the third
"She thrust a broken sherd, and all stood firm.
"This sloping mended, all the surface clean
"With fragrant mint she rubb'd: and plac'd in heaps
"The double-teinted fruit of Pallas, maid
"Of unsoil'd purity; autumnal fruits,
"Cornels, in liquid lees of wine preserv'd;
"Endive, and radish, and the milky curd;
"With eggs turn'd lightly o'er a gentle heat:
"All serv'd in earthen dishes. After these
"A clay-carv'd jug was set, and beechen cups,
"Varnish'd all bright with yellow wax within.
"Short the delay, when from the ready fire
"The steaming dish is brought; and wine not long
"Press'd from the grape, again went round, again
"Gave place to see the third remove produc'd.
"Now comes the nut, the fig, the wrinkled date,
"The plumb, the fragrant apple, and the grape
"Pluck'd from the purple vine; all plac'd around
"In spreading baskets: snow-white honey fill'd
"The central space. The prime of all the feast,
"Was looks that hearty welcome gave, and prov'd
"No indigence nor poverty of soul.
"Meantime the empty'd bowls full oft they see
"Spontaneously replenish'd; still the wine
"Springs to the brim. Astonish'd, struck with dread,
"To view the novel scene, the timid pair
"Their hands upraise devoutly, and with prayers
"Excuses utter for their homely treat,
"At unawares requir'd. A lonely goose
"They own'd, the watchman of their puny farm;
"Him would the hosts, to their celestial guests
"A sacred offering make, but swift of wing,
"Their toiling chace with age retarded, long
"He mock'd; at length the gods themselves he seeks
"For sheltering care. The gods his death forbid,
"And speak:--Celestials are we both; a fate
"Well-earn'd, your impious neighbouring roofs shall feel.
"To you, and unto you alone is given
"Exemption from their lot. Your cottage leave
"And tread our footsteps, while of yonder mount
"We seek the loftiest summit. Each obeys;
"The gods precede them, while their tottering limbs
"A trusty staff supports; tardy from years,
"Slowly they labor up the long ascent.
"Now from the summit wanted they not more
"Than what an arrow, shot with strenuous arm,
"At once could gain; when back their view they bent:
"Their house alone they saw,--that singly stood:
"All else were buried in a wide-spread lake.
"Wondring at this, and weeping at the doom
"Their hapless neighbours suffer'd; lo! they see
"Their mouldering cot, e'en for the pair too small,
"Change to a temple; pillars rear on high,
"In place of crotchets; yellow turns the straw,
"The roof seems gilded; sculptur'd shine the gates;
"And marble pavement covers all the floor.
"Then Saturn's son, in these benignant words
"The pair address'd;--O, ancient man, most just!
"And thou, O woman! worthy of thy spouse,
"Declare your wishes.--Baucis spoke awhile
"With old Philemon; then their joint desire
"The latter to the deities declar'd.--
"To be your ministers, your sacred fane
"To keep we ask: and as our equal years
"In concord we have pass'd, let the same hour
"Remove us hence: may I her tomb not see,
"Nor be by her interr'd.--The gods comply;
"These guard the temple through succeeding life.
"Fill'd now with years, as on the temple's steps
"They stood, conversing on the wondrous change,
"Baucis beheld Philemon shoot in leaves,
"And leaves Philemon saw from Baucis sprout;
"And from their heads o'er either's face they grew.
"Still while they could with mutual words they spoke;
"At once exclaim'd,--O, dearest spouse, farewell!--
"At once the bark, their lips thus speaking, clos'd.
"Ev'n yet a Tyanaean shews two trees
"Of neighbouring growth, form'd from the alter'd pair.
"Nor dotard credulous, nor lying tongue
"The fact to me related. On the boughs
"Myself have seen the votive garlands hung;
"And whilst I offered fresher, have I said--
"Heaven guards the good with care; and those who give
"The gods due honors, honors claim themselves."

He ceas'd: the deed and author all admire,
But Theseus most; whom anxious still to hear
More wondrous actions of the mighty gods,
The stream of Calydon, as on his arm
Reclin'd, he rested, in these words address'd:--
"There are, O, valiant youth! of those once chang'd,
"Still in the new-form'd figures who remain:
"Others there are whose power more wide extends
"To many shapes to alter.--Proteus, thou
"Art one; thou 'habitant of those wide waves
"Which earth begird: now thou a youth appear'st;
"And now a lion; then a furious boar;
"A serpent next we tremble to approach;
"And then with threatening horns thou seem'st a bull.
"Oft as a stone thou ly'st; oft stand'st a tree:
"Sometimes thy countenance veil'd in fluid streams,
"Thou flow'st a river; sometimes mount'st in flames.
"Nor less of power had Erisichthon's maid,
"Spouse of Autolycus. Her impious sire
"All the divinities of heaven despis'd,
"Nor on their slighted altars offerings burn'd.
"He too, 'tis said, the Cerealean grove
"With axe prophan'd: his violating steel
"The ancient trees attacking. 'Mid the rest,
"A huge-grown oak, in yearly strength robust,
"Itself a wood, uprose: garlands hung round,
"And wreaths, and grateful tablets, proofs of vows
"For prospering favors paid. The Dryad nymphs
"Oft in its shade their festal dances held;
"Oft would they, clasping hand in hand, surround
"The mighty trunk: its girth around to mete,
"Full thrice five cubits ask'd. To every tree
"Lofty it seem'd; as every tree appear'd
"Lofty, when measur'd with the plants below.
"Yet not for that, did Erisichthon hold
"The biting steel; but bade his servants fell
"The sacred oak; lingering he saw them stand,
"His orders unobey'd; impious he snatch'd
"From one his weapon, and in rage, exclaim'd;--
"What though it be the goddess' favorite care!
"Were it the goddess' self, down should it fall,
"And bow its leafy summit to the ground.
"He said;--and pois'd his axe, and aim'd oblique.
"Deep shudderings shook the Cerealian tree,
"And groans were utter'd; all the leaves grew pale,
"And pale the acorns; while the wide-spread boughs
"Cold sweats bedew'd. When in the solid trunk
"His blow ungodly pierc'd, blood flow'd in streams
"From out the shatter'd bark: not flows more full,
"From the deep wound in the divided throat,
"The gore, when at the sacred altar's foot
"A mighty bull, an offer'd victim drops.
"Dread seizes all; and one most bold attempts
"To check his horrid wickedness, and check
"The murderous weapon: him the villain saw,
"And,--take,--he cries,--the boon thy pious soul
"Merits so well.--And from the trunk the steel
"Turns on the man, and strikes his head away:
"Then with redoubled blows the tree assails.
"Deep from the oak, these words were heard to sound:--
"A nymph am I, within this trunk enclos'd,
"Most dear to Ceres; in my dying hours,
"Prophetic I foresee the keen revenge
"Which will thy deed pursue; and this solace
"Grants comfort ev'n in death.--He, undismay'd,
"His fierce design still follows: now the tree,
"Tottering with numerous blows, by straining cords,
"He drags to earth; and half the wood below,
"Crush'd by its weight, lies prostrate. All astound,
"Of her depriv'd, and at their own sad loss,
"The sister Dryads, clad in sable robes,
"To Ceres hasten; and for vengeance call,
"On Erisichthon. To their urgent prayers
"The beauteous goddess gave assent, and shook
"Her locks; the motion shook the yellow ears,
"Which fill'd the loaded fields; and straight conceiv'd
"A torture piteous, if for pity he
"For acts like these might look:--to tear his form
"By Famine's power pestiferous. There, herself
"Approach forbidden (fate long since had doom'd
"Ceres and Famine far remov'd should dwell)
"A mountain-nymph she calls, and thus directs;--
"A region stretches on th' extremest bounds
"Of icy Scythia; dreary seems the place;
"Sterile the soil; nor trees, nor fruits are seen;
"But sluggish cold, and pale affright, and fear:
"Still-craving Famine, there her dwelling holds.
"Bid her within the inmost vitals hide
"Of this most daring, and most impious wretch.
"The proudest plenty shall not make her yield:
"For in the contest, all the power I boast
"To her shall stoop: nor let the lengthen'd way
"Appal thy mind; my car receive; receive
"My dragons; through the air their course direct
"By these long reins.--Speaking, the reins she gave.
"She, borne through ether in the granted car,
"To Scythia's realm is carried: on the ridge
"A rugged mountain offer'd, first she eas'd
"The dragons' necks; as Caucasus 'twas known.
"There she the sought-for Famine soon espy'd,
"Eagerly searching on the stony fields,
"At once with teeth and fangs, for thin-sown herbs.
"Rough matted were her locks; deep sunk her eyes;
"Pale bleach'd her face; her lips with whiten'd slime
"O'erspread; with furry crust her mouth was rough:
"Hard was her skin; and through it might be seen
"Her inwards: 'bove her hollow loins, upstood
"The arid bones: a belly's place supply'd
"A belly's form: her breasts to hang appear'd
"Held only by the chine: her fleshless shape
"Each joint in bulk increas'd: rigidly large
"The knees were swol'n, and each protruding part
"Immod'rately was big. Then as the nymph
"From far beheld her,--for a nigh approach
"She dreaded, what the goddess bade she told.
"Though brief her stay; though distant far she stood;
"Though instant there arriv'd; she felt the power
"Of Famine at the sight, and turning quick
"Her reins, she urg'd her dragons to their speed
"In retrogade direction; still on high,
"Till Thessaly they gain'd. Famine performs
"The wish of Ceres (though her anxious aim
"Is still to thwart her power) and borne on winds
"Swift through the air, the fated house she finds
"And instant enters, where the inmost walls
"The sacrilegious wretch inclose; in sleep
"Deep bury'd, for night reign'd; and with her wings
"Him clasping close, in all the man she breath'd
"Her inspiration: in his throat, his mouth,
"His chest, and in his unreplenish'd veins,
"Her hunger she infus'd. The bidden deed
"Complete, she vanish'd from those verdant fields,
"And turn'd her to the needy roofs again,
"And well-accustom'd caverns. Gentle sleep
"Fann'd Erisichthon still with soothing wings.
"Ev'n in his sleep imagin'd food he craves,
"And vainly moves his mouth; tires jaw on jaw
"With grinding; his deluded throat with stores
"Impalpable he crams; the empty air
"Greedy devouring, for more solid food.
"But soon his slumbers vanish'd, then fierce rag'd
"Insatiate hunger; ruling through his throat,
"And ever-craving stomach. Instant he
"Demands what produce, ocean, earth, and air
"Can furnish: still of hunger he complains,
"Before the full-spread tables: still he seeks
"Victuals to heap on victuals. What might serve
"A city's population, seems for him
"Too scant; whose stomach when it loads had gorg'd,
"For loads still crav'd. The ocean thus receives
"From all earth's regions every stream; all streams
"United, still requiring; greedy fire
"On every offer'd aliment thus feeds,
"Countless supplies of wood consuming;--more
"Nutrition craving, still the more it gains;
"More greedy growing from its large increase.
"So Erisichthon's jaws prophane, rich feasts
"At once devour, at once still more demand.
"All food but stimulates his gust for food
"In added heaps; and eating only seems
"To leave his maw more empty. Lessen'd now,
"In the deep abyss of his stomach huge,
"Were all the riches which his sire's bequest
"Had given: the direful torment still remain'd
"In undiminish'd strength; his belly's fire
"Implacable still rag'd. Exhausted now
"On the curst craving all his wealth was spent.
"One daughter sole remaining; of a sire
"Less impious, worthy: her the pauper sold.
"Her free-born soul, a master's sway disclaim'd.
"Her hands extending, to the neighbouring main,
"O thou!--she cry'd--who gain'd my virgin spoil
"Snatch me from bondage.--Neptune had the maid
"Previous enjoy'd: nor spurn'd her earnest prayer.
"She whom her master following close, had seen
"In her own shape but now, in manly guise
"Appears,--in garments such as fishers clothe.
"The master sees, and speaks:--O, thou! who rul'st
"The trembling reed; whose bending wire thy baits
"Conceal; so may thy wiles the water aid;
"So may the fish deceiv'd, beneath the waves,
"Thy hooks detect not, till too firmly fixt.
"Say thou but where she is, who stood but now
"Upon this beach, in humble robes array'd,
"With locks disorder'd; on this shore she stood;
"I saw her,--but no further mark her feet.--
"The aid of Neptune well the maid perceiv'd,
"And joys that of herself herself is sought,
"Thus his enquiries answering;--Whom thou art
"I know not; studious bent, the deep alone,
"And care to drag my prey, my eyes employ.
"More to remove thy doubts, so may the god
"Who rules the ocean, aid my toiling art,
"As here I swear, no man upon this shore,
"Nor female, I excepted, has appear'd.
"These words the owner credits, and the sand
"Treads with returning steps; deluded goes,
"And as he goes, her former shape returns.
"Soon as this changing power the sire perceiv'd,
"The damsel oft he sold. Now she escapes
"Beneath a mare's resemblance: now a bird,
"An heifer now, and now a deer she seem'd.
"Her greedy parent's maw with food ill-gain'd
"Supplying. When at last his forceful plague
"Had every aid consum'd, and every aid
"Fresh food afforded to his fierce disease,
"Then he commenc'd with furious fangs to tear
"For nurture his own limbs; life to support,
"By what his body and his life destroy'd.

"But why on others' transformations dwell?
"Myself, O youths! enjoy a power, my form
"To alter; not unlimited my range.
"Now in the shape at present I assume;
"Anon I writhe beneath a serpent's form;
"Or take the figure of a lordly bull,
"And wear my strength in horns, while horns I had:
"Disfigur'd now, my forehead's side laments
"One weapon ravish'd, as you well may see."--
He spoke, and heavy sighs his words pursu'd.

*The Ninth Book.*

Combat of Acheloues and Hercules for Dejanira. Death of Nessus.
Torments and death of Hercules. His deification. Story of the
change of Galanthis to a weasel. Of Dryope to a Lotus-tree.
Ioelaues restored to youth. Murmuring of the Gods. The incestuous
love of Byblis. Her transformation to a fountain. Story of Iphis
and Iaenthe.

THE *Ninth Book* OF THE METAMORPHOSES OF OVID.

The son of AEgeus begs the cause to know
Whence spring those groans, and whence that wounded front?
And thus the stream of Calydon replies;--
(His uncomb'd locks with marshy reeds entwin'd).
"A mournful task, O, warrior! you impose;--
"For who, when vanquish'd, joys to tell the fight
"Where he was worsted? yet will I relate
"In order all: vanquish'd, the shame was small;
"The honor great, for such a prize to strive:
"And such a conqueror more the mind relieves.
"Has e'er the beauteous Dejanira's name
"Reach'd to your ears? her charms the envy'd hope
"Of numerous wooers form'd; mine with the rest.
"As o'er the threshold of my wish'd-for sire
"I stepp'd, I hail'd him.--O, Parthaoen's son,
"For thine accept me.--So Alcides spoke,
"And all the rest to our pretensions bow'd.
"Of Jove, his sire, he boasts; and all the fame
"His acts deserv'd; and stepdame's cruel laws
"Final completed. I (who shameful thought
"That gods should yield to mortals; then a god
"Alcides was not) thus his claim oppos'd:--
"A king of floods behold me; floods which roll
"With winding current through the land you sway;
"A son in me accept, no stranger sent
"From distant regions; of your country one,
"Part of your rule. Let it not hurt my claim,
"That Juno hates me not; that all the toil
"Of slavish orders I have ne'er perform'd.
"Alcmena was his mother, let him boast!
"Jove is a sire but feign'd, or if one true,
"Is criminally so. He claims a sire
"To prove his mother's infamy: then chuse--
"Say feign'd thy origin from Jove, or fruit
"Of intercourse adulterous, own thou art.--
"Me, speaking thus, with furious eyes he view'd,
"Nor rul'd his swelling rage, replying fierce;--
"More than my tongue I on my arm depend:
"Whilst I in fighting gain the palm, be thou
"Victor in talking.--Furious on he rush'd.
"So proudly boasting, to submit I scorn'd;
"But stript my sea-green robe, my arms oppos'd,
"And held my firm-clench'd hands before my breast;
"For stout resistance every limb prepar'd,
"To meet the fight. He in his hollow palms
"The dust collecting, sprinkled me all o'er,
"And then the yellow sand upon me threw.
"Now on my neck he seizes; now he grasps
"My slippery thighs: but only thinks to hold,
"In every part assailing. Still secure
"In bulk I stand, and he assails in vain.
"Thus stands a rock, which waves with thundering roar
"Surround; it stands unhurt in all its strength.
"A little we recede, then rush again
"To join the war: stoutly our ground we hold,
"Steady resolv'd to yield not. Foot to foot
"Fixt firm: I prone press with my ample breast,
"And hand with hand, with forehead forehead joins.
"So have I seen two mighty bulls contend,
"When each the fairest heifer of the grove
"Expects the arduous struggle to reward:
"The herds behold and tremble, witless which
"The powerful contest shall successful gain.
"Thrice while I clasp'd him close, Alcides strove
"To throw me from his breast, in vain,--the fourth
"He shook me from him, and my clasping arms
"Unloosing, instant turn'd me with his hand;
"(Truth must I speak,) and heavy on my back
"He hung. If credence may my words demand,
"Nor seek I fame through tales of false deceit,
"A mighty mountain on me seem'd to weigh:
"Scarce were my arms, with trickling sweat bedew'd,
"Loos'd from his grasp; scarce was my body freed
"From his hard gripe, when panting hard for breath,
"Ere I could strength regain, my throat he seiz'd.
"Then on the earth my knee was press'd; my mouth
"Then bit the sand. Inferior prov'd in strength,
"To arts I next betook me. Slipp'd his hands
"In form a long round serpent; while I roll'd
"In winding spires my body; while I shook
"My forked tongue with hisses dire, he laugh'd,
"And mock'd my arts; exclaiming,--snakes to kill
"I in my cradle knew; grant thou excel'st,
"O, Acheloues! others far in size,
"What art thou mated with the Hydra's bulk?
"He fertile from his wounds, his hundred heads
"Ne'er felt diminish'd, for straightway his neck,
"With two successors, brav'd the stroke again:
"Yet him I vanquish'd with his branching heads
"From blood produc'd: from every loss more stout,
"Him prostrate I o'erthrew. What hope hast thou,
"In form fallacious, who with borrow'd arms
"Now threaten'st? whom a form precarious hides?
"He said, and fast about my throat he squeez'd
"His nervous fingers; choaking, hard I strove,
"As pincer-like he press'd me, to unloose
"From his tight grasp my neck. Conquer'd in this,
"Still a third shape, the furious bull remain'd:
"Chang'd to a bull, again I wag'd the war.
"Around my brawny neck his arms he threw
"To left, and spite of every effort try'd
"To 'scape, he dragg'd me down; the solid earth
"Deep with my horn he pierc'd, and stretch'd me prone
"On the wide sand. Unsated yet his rage,
"His fierce hand seiz'd my stubborn horn, and broke
"From my maim'd front the weapon. Naiaed nymphs
"This consecrated, fill'd with fruits, and flowers
"Of odorous fragrance, and the horn is priz'd
"By Plenty's goddess as her favorite care."

He spoke, a nymph close-girt like Dian's train,
Her ample tresses o'er each shoulder spread,
Enter'd, supporting all of Autumn's fruit
In the rich horn, and mellowest apples came
The second course to grace. Now day appear'd:
The youths when light the loftiest summits touch'd
Of the high hills, departed; waiting not
Till the rough floods in peaceful channels flow'd;
The troubled currents smooth'd. Profound his head
Of rustic semblance, Acheloues hides
'Reft of his horn, beneath his deepest waves.
His forehead's honor lost sore gall'd him: all
Save that was perfect. Ev'n his forehead's loss
With willow boughs and marshy reeds was hid.

Thou too, rash Nessus, through thy furious love,
Of the same virgin, thy destruction met;
Pierc'd through thy body with the feather'd dart!
Jove's son returning to his natal soil,
Companion'd by his new-made bride, approach'd
Evenus' rapid flood. Swol'n was the stream
With wintry showers as wont, and raging whirls
Unfordable proclaim'd it; him, himself
Fearless, yet anxious for his spouse's care,
Nessus approach'd, in strength of limbs secure,
And knowledge of the fords, and thus he spoke;
"Her, O Alcides! will I safely bear
"To yonder bank; thou all thy efforts use
"In swimming." Straight the Theban hero gives
The pallid Calydonian to his care,
Shivering with dread; no less the centaur frights
Than the rough flood. The mighty warrior, prest
With his large quiver, and the lion's hide,
For on the bank opposing had he flung
His club and curved bow, exclaim'd--"the stream
"My arms will vanquish, soon as I essay."--
Nor dubious waits, but in the torrent leaps,
Not heeding where most tranquil flows the stream,
But stemming furious all its utmost rage.
Now had he reach'd the bank, now held again
The bow flung o'er, when loud his spouse's shrieks
Assail'd his ear. To Nessus, whom he saw
His trust about betraying, loud he cry'd;--
"What vain reliance on thy rapid speed
"Tempts thee to violence? O, double-shap'd!
"I speak, regard me,--to respect my rights,
"Should deference to me not move thee, think
"How whirls thy sire, and that thy rage may check
"For wishes unallow'd. Yet hope thou not
"With courser's speed to 'scape me: with my dart,
"Not feet, will I pursue thee."--His last words
With deeds he guarantees, and through and through
The flying culprit felt the javelin driv'n;
Out through his breast the forked weapon stood:
Withdrawn, from either wound gush'd forth the gore,
Mixt with the venom of Lernaea's pest.
This be preserv'd.--"Nor will I unreveng'd
"Expire,"--he murmur'd faintly to himself;
And gave his raiment, in the warm blood dipt,
A present to the nymph whose spoil he sought;
To wake again her husband's dormant love.

Long was the intermediate time, the deeds,
Of great Alcides, and his step-dame's hate,
Fill'd all the world meanwhile. Victor return'd
From out OEchalia, when the promis'd rites,
To Jove Caenean, he prepar'd to pay,
Tattling report, who joys in falshood mixt
With circumstantial truth, and still the least
Swells with her lies, had in thine ears instill'd,
O Dejanira! that Alcmena's son,
With Ioele was smitten. Ardent love
Sway'd her belief, and terror-struck to hear
Of this new flame, she melted into tears;
With them her weeping grief first flow'd away:
But soon she bursted forth.--"Why weep I so?
"The harlot will but gladden in my tears!
"But ere she here arrives, it me behoves
"Each effort to employ, while time now serves,
"To hinder what he seeks; whilst yet my couch
"Another presses not. Shall I complain,
"Or rest in silence? Shall I Calydon
"Re-seek, or here remain? Shall I abscond
"His habitation, or, if nought else serves,
"Strenuous oppose him? Or if truly bent,
"O, Meleager! with a sister's pride,
"Thy wicked deeds t' outvie, a witness leave,
"The harlot's throat divided, what the rage
"Of woman may accomplish, when so wrong'd."--
In whirls her agitated mind is toss'd;
Determining last to send to him the robe,
In Nessus' blood imbu'd, and so restore
His waning love. Witless of what she sends,
Herself to Lychas' unsuspecting hands
The cause of future grief delivers. Wretch
Most pitiable! she, with warm-coaxing words,
Instructs the boy to bear her spouse the gift.
Th' unwitting warrior takes it, and straight clothes
His shoulders with Echidna's poisonous gore.
Incense he sprinkles in the primal flames
He kindles,--with the flames his prayers ascend.
As from the goblet he the vintage pours
On marble altars; hapless by the heat
The poison more was quicken'd; by the flame
Melted, it grew more potent; wide diffus'd,
Through all the limbs of Hercules it spread.
Still while he could, his fortitude, as wont
His groans suppress'd; at last his patience spent,
Fierce from the altar flinging, OEte's mount
So woody, with his plaintive shrieks he fills,
And instant from his limbs the deadly robe
Essays to tear: that, where he strips, the skin,
Stript also, follows; dreadful to describe!
Or to his limbs, his utmost struggling vain,
It clings: or bare his lacerated joints
And huge bones stand. With hissing noise his blood
Burns, as when glowing iron in a pool
Is dipp'd, so boils it with the venom fierce.
Nor hope of help remain'd, the greedy fires,
His utmost vitals waste; and purple sweat
Bedews his every limb; his scorch'd nerves crack;
And whilst his marrow, with the latent pest,
Runs fluid, high tow'rd heaven his arms he holds,
Exclaiming;--"now Saturnia, feast thy soul
"With my destruction; joy, O savage!--view
"From lofty heaven my tortures; satiate now
"Thy rancorous soul:--but if a foe may move
"Commiseration, (for thy foe I am)
"Take hence this life, grievous, through direful pains:
"Hateful to thee, and destin'd first for toils.
"Death now would be a boon; and such a boon
"A step-dame might confer. Have I for this,
"Busiris slain, who drench'd the temples deep
"With travellers' blood? For this Antaeus robb'd
"Of nutriment parental? Did thy bulk,
"Of triple-form, swain of Iberia, fright?
"Or thou, three-headed Cerberus, me move?
"Wrought I for this in Elis? at the lake
"Of Stymphalis? and in Parthenian woods?
"Did not my valor seize the golden belt
"Of Thermodon's brave queen? the apples gain,
"Ill-guarded by th' unsleeping dragon's care?
"Could the fierce Centaur me resist? or could
"The mighty boar that laid Arcadia waste?
"And what avail'd the Hydra, that he grew
"From every loss, in double strength reviv'd?
"How? Saw I not the Thracian coursers gorg'd
"With human gore! whose stalls with mangled limbs
"Crowded, I overthrew, and slew their lord
"On his slain coursers? Strangled by these hands
"Nemaea's monster lies. Heaven I upbore
"Upon these shoulders. The fierce wife of Jove
"Weary'd at length with bidding, I untir'd
"Still was of acting. But at length behold
"A new-found plague, which not the bravest soul,
"Nor arms, nor darts can aught resist. Fierce fire,
"Darts through my deepest inwards; all my limbs
"Greedy devouring. Yet Eurystheus lives!
"Still are there who the deities believe?"--
He said, and o'er high OEte tortur'd rov'd
Like a mad tiger, when the hunter's dart
Stands in his body, and the wounder flies.
Oft would you see him groaning; storming oft;
Oft straining from his limbs again to fling
The vest; trees rooting up; against the hills
Fierce railing; next up to his father's skies
His arms extending. Lo! he Lychas spies,
Where trembling in a hollow rock he hides!
Then, all his fury in its utmost strength,
Raging, he cry'd;--"Thou, Lychas, thou supply'd
"This deadly gift. Thou art the author then
"Of my destruction."--Shuddering he, and pale,
In timid accents strove excuse to plead:
Speaking, and round his knees prepar'd to cling,
Alcides seiz'd him, with an engine's force
Whirl'd round and round, and hurl'd him in the waves,
Which by Eubaea roll. He, as he shot
Through air, was harden'd. As the falling showers
Concrete by freezing winds, whence snow is form'd:
As snows by rolling, their soft bodies join,
Conglomerating into solid hail:
So ancient times believ'd, the boy thus flung,
Through empty air, by strong Alcides' arm,
Bloodless through fear, and all his moisture drain'd,
Chang'd to a flinty rock. A rock e'en now
High in Eubaea's gulph exalts its head,
Which still of human form the marks retains.
Which, as though still of consciousness possess'd,
The sailors fear to tread, and Lychas call.

Thou, Jove's renowned offspring, fell'd the trees
Which lofty OEte bore, and built a pile:
Then bade the son of Paean bear thy bow,
Thy mighty quiver, and thy darts, to view
Once more the realm of Troy; and through his aid
The flames were plac'd below, whose greedy spires
Seiz'd on the structure. On the woody top
Thou laid'st the hide Nemaean, and thy head,
Supported with thy club, with brow serene
As though with garlands circled, at a feast
Thou laid'st, 'mid goblets fill'd with sparkling wine.

Now the strong fires spread wide o'er every part,
Crackling, and seizing his regardless limbs,
Who them despis'd. The gods beheld with fear
The earth's avenger. Jove, who saw their care
With joyous countenance, thus the powers address'd:
"This fear, O deities! makes glad my heart;
"And lively pleasure swells in all my breast,
"That sire and sovereign o'er such grateful minds
"I hold my sway; since to my offspring too
"Your favoring care extends. No less, 'tis true,
"His deeds stupendous claim. Still I'm oblig'd.
"But from your anxious breasts banish vain fear;
"Despise those flames of OEte; he who all
"O'ercame, shall conquer even the flames you see:
"Nor shall the power of Vulcan ought consume,
"Save his maternal part: what he deriv'd
"From me, is ever-during; safe from death;
"And never vanquish'd by the force of fire.
"That we'll receive, his earthly race compleat,
"Amidst the heavenly host; and all I trust
"My actions gladly will approve. Should one
"Haply, with grief see Hercules a god,
"And grudge the high reward; ev'n he shall grant
"His great deserts demand it; and allow
"Unwilling approbation." All assent;
Not even his royal spouse's forehead wore,
A frown at ought he said; his final words
Irk'd her at length, to be so plainly mark'd.
Vulcan meantime each corruptible part
Bore off in flames, nor could Alcides' form
Remaining, now be known; nought he retain'd
Of what his mother gave; Jove's share alone.
A serpent revels thus in glittering scales,
His age and former skin thrown off at once.
So when Tirynthius from his mortal limbs
Departed, in his better part he shone,
Increas'd in stature; and majestic grace
Augustly deck'd his venerable brow.
Veil'd in a hollow cloud, and borne along
By four swift steeds, in a high car, the sire
Him plac'd in glory 'mid the radiant stars.
Atlas perceiv'd his load increas'd. Nor yet
Eurystheus 'bated in his rancorous hate,
But cruel exercis'd his savage rage,
Against the offspring of the sire abhorr'd.

But now Alcmena, worn with constant cares,
In Argolis, to Ioele confides
Her aged plaints, to her the labors tells
Her son atchiev'd, o'er all the wide world known;
And her own griefs beside. Alcides' words
Caus'd Hyllus to his couch to take, and take
Ioele, cordial to his inmost heart:
And now with generous fruit, the nymph was large.
Alcmena, thus to her commenc'd her tale.--

"May thee, at least, the favoring gods indulge;
"And all delay diminish, when matur'd,
"Thou to Ilithyiae shalt have need to call,
"Who o'er travailing mothers bears the rule;
"Whom Juno's influence made so hard to me.
"Of Hercules toil-bearing, now the birth,
"Approach'd, and in the tenth sign rul'd the sun.
"A mighty bulk swell'd out my womb, so huge,
"Well might you know that Jove the load had caus'd:
"Nor could I longer bear my throes (my limbs
"Cold rigors seize, while now I speak; my pains
"Part ev'n in memory now I seem to feel)
"Through seven long nights, and seven long days with pangs
"Incessant was I rack'd: my arms to heaven
"Stretching, I call'd Lucina, and the powers,
"With outcries mighty. True Lucina came,
"But came by Juno prepossest, and bent
"My life to sacrifice to Juno's rage.
"Soon as my groans she hearken'd, down she sate
"Upon the altar, plac'd without the gates:
"'Neath her right ham, her left knee pressing; join'd
"Fingers with fingers cross'd upon her breast
"My labor stay'd; and spellful words she spoke
"In whispering tone; the spellful words delay'd
"Th' approaching birth. I strain, and madly rave
"With vain upbraidings to ungrateful Jove,
"And crave for death; in such expressions 'plain
"As hardest flints might move. The Theban dames
"Around me throng; assist me with their prayers;
"And me my trying pains exhort to bear.
"Galanthis, one who tended me, of race
"Plebeian; yellow-hair'd; and sedulous
"What order'd to perform; and much esteem'd
"For courteous deeds;--she first suspected, (what,
"I know not) somewhat, form'd by Juno's pique:
"And while she constant pass'd; now to, now fro,
"She saw the goddess on the altar sit,
"Girding her arms, with close-knit fingers o'er
"Her knees, and said;--O dame, whoe'er thou art,
"Our mistress gratulate. Alcmena now
"Argolican, is lighten'd. Now the prayers
"Of the child-bearer meet her hopes.--The dame
"Who rules the womb, straight from her station leap'd,
"And all astounded, her clench'd fingers loos'd:
"I in that moment felt my bonds undone.
"Galanthis, they report, the goddess mock'd
"Thus cheated, by her laughter. Savage, she
"Dragg'd her so laughing, by the tresses seiz'd,
"And forc'd her down to earth, as up she strove
"Erect to rise; and to forefeet her arms
"Transform'd. The same agility remains;
"Her back its colour keeps; her form alone
"Is diverse. She, 'cause then her lying mouth
"My birth assisted, by her mouth still bears:
"And round my house she harbors as before."--

She said, and by the memory mov'd, she mourn'd
For her lost servant, whom, lamenting, thus
Her child-in-law address'd.--"If then the form
"Alter'd, of one an alien to your blood,
"O mother! thus affects you, let me tell
"The wond'rous fortune which my sister met:
"Though grief and tears will frequent choke my words.

"Her mother, Dryope alone could boast,
"(Me to my sire another bore) her charms
"OEthalia all confess'd; whom (rifled first
"Of virgin charms, when passively she felt
"His force, who Delphos, and who Delos rules)
"Andraemon took, and held a happy spouse.
"A lake expands with steep and shelving shores
"Encompass'd; myrtles crown the rising bank.
"Here Dryope, of fate unconscious came,
"And what must more commiseration move,
"Came to weave chaplets for the Naiad nymphs;
"Her arms sustain'd her boy, a pleasing load,
"His first year scarce complete, as with warm milk
"She nourish'd him. The watery Lotus there,
"For promis'd fruit in Tyrian splendor bright,
"Grew flowering near. The flowers my sister cropp'd,
"And held them to delight her boy; and I,
"(For there I stood,) the same prepar'd to do;
"But from the flowers red flowing drops I saw,
"And all the boughs with tremulous shuddering shook.
"Doubtless it is, (but far too late we learn'd
"By the rough swains,) nymph Lotis, when she fled
"From Priapus obscene, her shape transform'd
"Into this tree which still retains her name.
"My sister witless of this change, in fright
"Would back retreat, and leave the nymphs ador'd,
"But roots her feet retain: these from the ground
"She strains to rend; but save her upper limbs
"Nought can she move; a tender bark grows o'er
"The lower parts, and her mid limbs invades.
"This seeing, and her locks to rend away
"Attempting; her rais'd hand with leaves was fill'd.
"Leaves cover'd all her head. Amphyssus found,
"(His grandsire had the child Amphyssus nam'd)
"His mother's breasts grow hard; nor when he suck'd
"Lacteal fluid gain'd he. I there stood,
"Of her sad fate spectator: loud I cry'd--
"But, O my sister! aid I could not bring;
"Yet what I could I urg'd; the growing trunk,
"And growing boughs, my close embraces staid:
"In the same bark I glad had been enclos'd.
"Lo! come her spouse Andraemon, and her sire
"So wretched; and for Dryope they seek:
"A Lotus, as for Dryope they ask,
"I shew them; to the yet warm wood salutes
"Ardent they give; and prostrate spread, the roots
"They clasp of their own tree. Now, sister dear!
"Nought save thy face but what a tree becomes.
"Thy tears, the leaves thy body form'd, bedew.
"And now, whilst able, while her mouth yet gives
"To words a passage, such like plaints as these
"She breathes;--If faith th' unhappy e'er can claim,
"I swear by all the deities, this deed
"I never merited: without a crime
"My punishment I suffer. Innocent
"My life has been. If I deceive, may drought
"Parch those new leaves; and, by the hatchet fell'd,
"May fire consume me. Yet this infant bear
"From those maternal branches; to a nurse
"Transfer him; but contrive that oft he comes
"And 'neath my boughs let him his milk imbibe;
"And 'neath my boughs sport playful. When with words
"Able to hail me, let him me salute,
"And sorrowing say;--Within that trunk lies hid
"My mother--But the lakes, O! let him dread,
"Nor dare from any tree to snatch a flower;
"But think each shrub he sees a god contains.
"Adieu! dear husband; sister dear, adieu!
"Father, farewel! if pious cares you feel,
"From the sharp axe defend my boughs, and from
"The browsing flocks. And now, as fate denies
"To lean my arms to yours,--your arms advance;
"Approach my lips, whilst you my lips may touch:
"And to them lift my infant boy. More words
"I may not;--now the tender bark my neck,
"So white, invades; my utmost summit hid.
"Move from my lids your fingers, for the bark,
"So rapid growing, will my dying eyes
"Without assistance close.--Her lips to speak
"Cease, and existence ceases: the fresh boughs
"Long in the alter'd body warm were felt."

While Ioele the mournful fact relates;
And while Alcmena, from Eurytus' maid,
With ready fingers dry'd the tears; herself
Still weeping, lo! a novel deed assuag'd
Their grief--for Ioelaues, scarcely youth,
His cheeks with tender down just cover'd, stands
Within the porch; to early years restor'd.

Junonian Hebe, by her husband's prayers
O'ercome, to Ioelaues gave the boon.
Who, when to vow she went, that future times
Should none such gift enjoying, e'er perceive,
Was check'd by Themis. "Now all Thebes,"--she said,
"Discordant warfare moves. Through Jove alone
"Capaneus can be conquer'd. Mutual wounds
"Shall slay the brothers. In the yawning earth
"A living prophet his own tomb shall see.
"A son avenger of his parent's death
"Upon his parent: impious for the deed,
"At once, and pious: at the action stunn'd,
"Exil'd from home, and from his senses driv'n,
"The furies' faces, and his mother's shade
"Shall haunt him; till his wife the fatal gold
"Shall ask: and till the Phegian sword shall pierce
"Their kinsman's side. Callirhoe then, the nymph
"From Acheloues sprung, suppliant shall seek
"From Jove, her infants years mature may gain.
"Mov'd by her prayers, Jove will from thee demand,
"Son's spouse, and daughter of his wife, the boon
"And unripe men thou'lt make the youths become."

While Themis thus, with fate-foretelling lips,
This spoke; the gods in murmuring grudgings mourn'd,
Angry why others might not grant the gift.
Aurora mourn'd her husband's aged years:
Mild Ceres 'plain'd that Jason's hairs were white:
Vulcan, for Erichthonius pray'd an age
Renew'd. E'en Venus future cares employ'd,
Anxious for promise that Anchises' years
Replenishment might find: And every god
Had whom he lov'd; and dark sedition grew
From special favor; till the mighty sire
The silence broke.--"If reverence I may claim,
"Where rashly rush ye? Which of you the power,
"Fate to control, possesses? Fate it was
"Gave Ioelaues youth restor'd again:
"By Fate Callirhoe's sons ere long shall spring
"To manhood, prematurely; nor can arms
"Nor yet ambition gain this gift. With souls
"More tranquil bear this; since you see the fates
"Me also rule. Could I the fates once change,
"Old age should never bend AEaecus down;
"And Rhadamanthus had perpetual spring
"Of youth enjoy'd, with Minos, now despis'd
"Through load of bitter years, nor reigns as wont."

Jove's words the deities all mov'd; not one
Longer complain'd, when heavy press'd with years
They AEaecus, and Rhadamanthus saw;
And Minos: who, when in his prime of age,
Made mightiest nations tremble at his name.
He, feeble then, at Deione's son
Miletus, trembled, who with youthful strength,
And Phoebus' origin proud swol'n, and known
About to rise against his rule:--yet him
He dar'd not from his household roof to drive.
But thou, Miletus, fled'st spontaneous, thou
Th' AEgean waves in thy swift ship didst pass,
And on the Asian land the walls didst found
Which bear the builder's name. Cyance here,
Maeander's daughter, whose recurving banks
She often trode: (whose stream itself reseeks
So oft) in beauteous form, by thee was known,
And, claspt by thee, a double offspring came,
Byblis and Caunus, from the warm embrace.

Let Byblis warn, that nymphs should ne'er indulge
Illicit warmth. Her brother Byblis lov'd;
Not as she ought; not with a sister's soul.
No fires at first the maid suspected; nought
Of sin: the thought that oft her lips to his
She wish'd to join, and clasp her arms around
His neck fraternal, long herself deceiv'd,
Beneath the semblance of a duteous love.
Love gradual bends to him her soul; she comes
Fully adorn'd to see him, anxious pants
Beauteous to seem; if one more beauteous there
She sees, invidious she that face beholds.
Still to herself unconscious was her love:
No wish she form'd beneath that burning flame,
Yet all within was fire. She call'd him lord,
Now kindred's name detesting; anxious more,
Byblis, than sister he should call her still.
Yet waking, ne'er her soul durst entertain
Lascivious wishes. When relax'd in sleep,
Then the lov'd object oft her fancy saw;
Oft seem'd her bosom to his bosom join'd:
Yet blush'd she, tranc'd in sleep. Her slumbers fly,
She lies awhile in silence, and revolves
Her dream: and thus in doubting accents speaks;
"Ah, wretch! what means this dream of silent night,
"Which yet I oft would wish? Why have I known
"This vision? Envy's eyes must own him fair,
"And but his sister am I, all my love
"He might possess; worthy of all my love.
"A sister's claim then hurts me! O! at least
"(While tempted thus I wakeful nought commit)
"Let sleep oft visit with such luscious dreams:
"No witness sees my sleeping joys; my joys,
"Though sleeping, yet are sweet. O, Venus! O,
"Thou feather'd Cupid, with thy tender dame!
"What transports I enjoy'd! what true delight
"Me thrill'd! how lay I, all my soul dissolv'd!
"How joys it me to trace in mind again
"The pleasure though so brief: for flying night
"Invidious check'd enjoyment in the bud.
"O Caunus! that an alter'd name might join
"Us closely; that thy sire a sire-in-law
"To me might be: O, Caunus, how I'd joy
"Wert thou not son, but son-in-law to mine.
"Would that the gods had all in common given,
"Save parents only. Thou in lofty birth
"I would should me excel. O beauteous youth!
"A mother whom thou'lt make I know not; I
"Ne'er can thee know but with a sister's love:
"Parents the same as thine my hapless lot.
"All that I have, me only pains the more.
"What are to me my visions? Weight have dreams?
"How much more happy are th' immortal gods!
"The gods embrace their sisters. Saturn clasps
"Ops, join'd to him by blood; Ocean enjoys
"His sister Tethys; and Olympus' king
"His Juno. Gods peculiar laws possess.
"Why seek I then celestial rites to bring
"Diverse, with human ord'nance to compare?
"Forbidden love shall from my breast be driv'n,
"Or that impossible, may death me seize
"Instant, and cold upon my couch outstretch'd,
"My brother then may kiss me as I lie.
"Yet still my wish double consent requires.
"Grant I should yield, still might the deed to him
"Seem execrable. Yet th' AEolian youth
"A sister's nuptial couch ne'er dreaded. Why,
"O, why! on this so dwell? Why thus recal
"Examples to my view? Where am I borne?
"Hence, flames obscene! hence far! a sister's love,
"And that alone my brother shall enjoy.
"But had his soul first burn'd for me, perchance
"I had indulg'd his passion. Surely then
"I may demand, who would not, ask'd, refuse.
"What couldst thou speak? Couldst thou confess thy flame?
"Love forces, and I can. If shame my lips
"Close binds; yet secret letters may disclose
"The hidden flame."--With this idea pleas'd,
These words her hesitating mind resolv'd,
Rais'd on her side, supported by her arm.--
"He shall"--she said--"now know it; all my love
"Preposterous confess'd. Alas! what depth
"Now rush I to? What fire has seiz'd my soul?"--
And then with tremulous hand the words compos'd.
Her right hand grasps the style, the left sustains
The waxen tablet smooth; and then begins.
She doubts; she writes; condemns what now she wrote;
Corrects; erases; alters; now dislikes;
And now approves. Now throws the tablet by,
Then seizes it again. Irres'lute what
She would; whate'er is done displeases, all.
Shame and audacious boldness in her face
Are mingled. Sister, once her hand had wrote,
But sister, soon as seen, her hand eras'd;
And her fair tablet bore such words as these.--
"To thee, a lover salutation sends,
"And health, which only thou to her canst give:
"Asham'd, she blushes to disclose her name.
"For should I press to gain my wish'd desire,
"Without my name, my cause I trust would find
"Successful aid. Let Byblis not be known
"Till certain hopes of bliss her mind shall cheer.
"Yet faded color, leanness, and pale face,
"With constant dripping eye, and rising sobs
"Shew my unhidden grief. Well might these prove
"To thee an index of a wounded heart.
"My constant clasping, numerous fond salutes,
"If e'er thou'st mark'd, thou well might have perceiv'd
"Not sister-like embracings. In my soul
"Though this deep wound I bear; though in my breast
"This fire consuming burns, yet strive I all,
"(Witness, ye gods! my truth) all to suppress,
"And act with wiser conduct: hapless war
"Long have I wag'd 'gainst Cupid's furious rule
"More pressure have I borne, than what a maid
"Could e'er be thought to bear. At length o'ercome,
"And forc'd to yield, thy help I must implore
"With trembling voice: thou only canst preserve,
"Thou only canst the loving nymph destroy.
"With thee the choice remains. No foe thus sues,
"But one by nearest ties to thee conjoin'd,
"Pants to be join'd more nearly; link'd to thee
"With closest bands. Let aged seniors learn
"Our laws, and seek what moral codes permit.
"What is permitted, and what is deny'd,
"Let them enquire, and closely search the laws:
"A bolder love more suits our growing years.
"As yet we know not what the laws allow;
"And judge for all things we free leave enjoy;
"Th' example following of the mighty gods.
"Nor parent stern, nor strict regard for fame,
"Nor timid thoughts should check us; absent all
"Should be each cause of fear. The dear sweet theft
"Beneath fraternal love may be conceal'd;
"With thee in secret converse I may speak,
"Embrace thee, kiss thee in the open crowd;
"How little then remains! Pity, forgive,
"The declaration of this love, ne'er told
"Had raging fire not urg'd it, nor allow
"Upon my tomb this cause of death to stand.--"