Chapter VII: Part 7

"A dreadful plague, the angry Juno shed
"Unjust, upon the natives of the land,
"Detested, that her rival's name it bore.
"While human seem'd the scourge, the noxious cause
"Of slaughter yet conceal'd, with physic's skill
"We strove; in vain! death mock'd the power of art.
"At first thick darkness heavy press'd the earth;
"Pregnant with heat roll'd on the lazy clouds.
"Four times the full-orb'd moon had join'd her horns,
"Four times diminish'd, had she disappear'd;
"Still the hot south-wind blew his deadly blasts.
"Our lakes and fountains, from th' infected air
"Contagion suck'd; millions of vipers swarm'd
"In our uncultur'd fields, our running streams
"Tainting with poison. First the sudden plague
"Its power display'd, on sheep, on dogs, on fowls,
"Cattle, and forest beasts with deadly power.
"The hapless ploughman, wondering, at his work
"Sees his strong oxen in the furrow sink.
"The woolly flocks with sickly bleatings waste
"In body, while their wool spontaneous falls.
"The steed so fiery, on the dusty plain
"So fam'd, the palm contemns; and all despis'd
"His ancient honors, at his manger groans,
"Prey to disease inglorious. His fierce rage
"The boar forgets. The stag neglects his speed.
"Not rush the bears upon the stronger herds.
"A general languor reigns. In woods, in fields,
"In ways, the filthy carcases are seen;
"The stench pollutes the air: and, wonderous! dogs,
"Nor birds rapacious, nor the grizzly wolves,
"Touch the dead spoil. Rotting they melt away,
"Poisoning the gale; and spreading wide the pest.
"Now the disease, a heavier scourge, attacks
"The hapless swains, and in the lofty walls
"Of cities rules. First the scorch'd vitals burn;
"The hidden fire the blushing skin betrays,
"And breath laborious drawn; the furr'd tongue swells;
"The parch'd mouth widely gapes, th' infectious air
"Inhaling copious. On the couch none lie;
"None bear their covering robes; their bodies swol'n,
"On the bare earth they fling; nor coolness find
"Their bodies from the ground;--the ground from them
"Burns hot. Nor aids them now physicians' skill;
"E'en them the dire pest seizes, and their art
"Fails to assist themselves. Who boldly comes,
"With kindly hand his dying friend to aid,
"Sinks straight in death beside him. Fled all hope
"Of health, and in the grave alone an end
"Beheld of their disease,--some wild indulge
"Their fondest passions, void of every care;
"For every care is vain. Of modest shame
"Regardless, in promiscuous throngs they crowd
"To rivers, fountains, and capacious wells,
"Their hot thirst unextinguish'd, but with life.
"To rise unable, many in the stream
"Sink, and there perish: still their followers drink.
"So irksome to the wretched sufferers seem
"Their couches, thence they spring;--and some too weak
"To lift their limbs, roll desperate to the ground.
"Each quits his home,--to each his home appears,
"The fatal spot; and while obscure the cause,
"Each deems the house contagious. Oft were seen
"Beings half-dead, slow crawling o'er the ways,
"Till power to crawl was lost. Others with moans
"Stretch'd on the ground, rolling their half-clos'd eyes,
"In final motion: raising high their arms
"To heaven's o'erhanging stars, breathe out their last,
"Caught here by death, and there. Ah! me, what then
"My mind employ'd? What but to loathe my life,
"And pray with my dear countrymen to die?
"Whatever side mine eyes were bent, I saw
"My people strewn;--thick as the mellow fruit,
"Shook from the branches, or the acorns lie.
"Observe that temple, lofty where it towers;
"To Jove 'tis sacred. Who to that high fane
"Their useless incense brought not? There how oft
"Wife for her husband, parent for her child,
"Before th' inexorable altar, breath'd
"Their dying gasp, 'mid deprecating prayers;
"And half their incense unconsum'd remain'd.
"How oft the oxen to the temple dragg'd,
"While now the priest his voice address'd, and pour'd
"The goblet o'er their foreheads, have they dropp'd
"By stroke unlook'd for. When myself, to Jove
"Wish'd sacrifice to offer up; for me,
"My country, and my sons,--the victim loud
"Dire lowings utter'd, and without a blow
"Fell sudden,--scarce with blood the wounding knife
"Was stain'd. The morbid inwards mock'd our wish,
"To learn the truth, and pleasure of the gods:
"The deep-fixt plague had to the bowels pierc'd.
"Before the sacred portals have I seen,
"The corses spread; before the altars too,
"As death would come in his most hideous form.
"Some with the cord life's passage choke, and seek
"Death, lest they death should meet. Madly they rush
"And voluntary meet approaching fate.
"The bodies plung'd in death, funereal rites
"Custom'd, receiv'd not; nor the numerous dead
"Could all the gates receive: or un-inhum'd
"Above the earth they lie, or on the pyre
"Unhonor'd by due rites, the bodies flame.
"All sense of reverence lost, for piles they fight;
"And burn their dead in fires which others own.
"To mourn are none; unwept the shadows roam,
"Of young and old alike, of sons and sires.
"The ground for graves too small, for fires the woods.
"Aghast this whirlwind of distress to view,
"O, Jove!--I cry'd--if false they not report,
"That once you in AEgina's arms were clasp'd;--
"If not, O, mighty sire! asham'd to own
"Yourself my parent, give my people back,
"Or give me death with them. A rattling sign
"He gave, and prosperous thunders roll'd. I spoke;--
"These omens I accept; and pray these signs
"May indicate your happy will:--as pledge
"I take them.--Nigh by chance an oak there stood,
"Thick-set with spreading boughs, Jove's sacred tree,
"Sprung from Dodona's stock: here I beheld
"Grain-gathering ants, each burthen'd with his load,
"In his small mouth, as o'er the rugged bark
"In lengthen'd file they march'd. The numerous crowds
"Admiring;--Best of fathers, I exclaim'd,
"So many subjects grant me, to refill
"My desert walls.--Trembled the lofty oak,
"Of wind no breath, yet mov'd the sounding boughs;
"With terror shook my limbs, and upright rear'd
"My hair; then kisses to the ground I gave,
"And kiss'd the oak; scarce hope I dar'd to feel:
"Yet still I nourish'd hope within my soul.
"Night comes; my body worn with cares, to sleep
"Obedience yielded. Still before mine eyes
"The oak appear'd; branches the same it bore,
"And on its branches seem'd the swarms the same;
"So mov'd the boughs, and on the grass below,
"Shook the corn-carrying crowd. Sudden they grew;
"Large, and more large they seem'd, as from the ground
"Themselves they rais'd, and stood in form erect.
"Their slender make, their numerous feet, their hue
"Of sable, disappear'd, and all their limbs
"An human shape confess'd. Sleep fled mine eyes;
"And fled my vision:--As by heaven not mark'd,
"Complaining;--far without the hall I heard
"A murmuring loud, and human seem'd the sounds,--
"Though stranger to mine ears: musing if still
"I slept not,--Lo! quick, Telamon approach'd,
"Wide threw the doors; and cry'd,--O, sire! behold;
"What hope, what faith surpasses!--Forth I come;
"Such men as in my dream my fancy saw,
"I see;--I know them, man by man, again:
"They come, and king salute me: unto Jove
"My votive thanks I pay; my city share
"Amongst my subjects new; and all my lands,
"(Of those who till'd them, empty.) Myrmidons,
"From whence they sprung, I call them. You have seen
"Their bodies,--still their habits are the same:
"A frugal race as wont, patient of toil;
"On gain still bent; tenacious of that gain.
"These equal all, in courage and in years,
"Shall follow you to battle; when the east
"Which blew you here so prosperous, (for the east
"Had brought him) to the southern gales shall yield."
With these and such like speeches, all the day
They sit conversing; evening they devote
To banquets; and the night to soft repose.
Sol rais'd his golden head, but Eurus still
Prevail'd, and bound their sails. Now Pallas' sons
To Cephalus, their chief in years, repair,
And to the king with Pallas' sons he goes;
But still deep-wrapt in sleep the king was laid.
Phocus receiv'd them at the gates; employ'd
Were Telamon and Peleus, troops to chuse
For the new war. Th' Athenian chief he leads
Within the palace, to the fairest rooms.
When all were seated, Phocus mark'd the dart
The hero bore, shap'd from a wood unknown,
Pointed with gold; and said, with prefac'd words:
"To range the forests, and fierce beasts to slay
"Is all my joy; yet long in doubt I've stood
"What tree this dart has form'd; for ash too pale,
"Too smooth for cornel; though from whence it comes
"So ignorant, ne'er before mine eyes beheld
"A fairer weapon."--Pallas' son address'd
The youth:--"The javelin's use you'll more admire
"Than beauty;--thrown where'er, its mark it gains,
"Unrul'd by erring chance, and bloody, back
"Instant returns."--Then Phocus curious asks
More full its story, how, and whence it came,
And who the author of so priz'd a gift.
Him Cephalus informs, but shame denies
To tell the whole, and what the present's price.
Full to his mind his consort's loss recall'd,
Tears sudden gush'd:--"O, goddess-born!--he cries,
"This dart (improbable howe'er) my tears
"Has often caus'd,--and long will make them flow;--
"If fate long life should grant. My dear-lov'd spouse
"This dart destroy'd:--O, that this fatal gift
"Had still been unpossess'd! Procris, ally'd
"To stol'n Orithyiae (if Orithyiae's fame
"Your ears has reach'd) was as her sister fair:
"Nay, match'd in form and manners, she might more
"The robber tempt. Her sire Erechthens join'd
"To me the maid; us love more firmly bound:
"Blest was I call'd, and blest I was indeed,
"And still were blest, but heaven else will'd my fate.
"Now had the second month connubial joys
"Beheld; when chasing dusky darkness far,
"Aurora ruddy, saw me on the heights
"Hymettus flowery rears, as there my toils
"For antler'd stags I spread: and there by force
"She clasp'd me. Truth I wish to guide my tongue
"Nor yet displease the goddess, when I swear
"Though bright her roseate cheeks; though wide she sways
"Of night and day the confines; though she quaffs
"Nectarean liquid, still I Procris lov'd:
"Still in my bosom Procris reign'd, and still
"Procris, my tongue repeated. Oft I urg'd
"The sacred couch, the new-felt joys, the rites
"So recent, and the plighted faith just given,
"To her deserted: when the goddess flam'd,
"Exclaiming;--Ingrate! cease thy doleful plaints,
"Enjoy thy Procris,--if I right foresee
"Thou'lt rue that wish'd enjoyment:--Angry thus
"She fled me. Slow returning, much I mus'd,
"The goddess' words recalling: fear me thrill'd,
"Lest Procris had her nuptial oaths profaned.
"Her age, her beauty, much suspicion mov'd;
"Her virtue bade me chase my fears as vain.
"Yet was I absent, and from whence I came,
"Prov'd how adulterous females might indulge,
"Suspicious love fears all. Studious I seek,
"What found would rack with torture; and I burn
"To bribe with gifts, and try her modest faith.
"Aurora aids my fears, my shape transforms:
"(Conscious I felt it.) To Minerva's town,
"To all unknown, I hastened, and my house
"Enter'd: the house in faultless guise I found;
"Chaste all appear'd, and anxious all were seen
"For their lost master. By a thousand arts
"Erechtheus' daughter I at length beheld,
"And seen was stagger'd: near my purpos'd proof
"Relinquish'd of fidelity; most hard
"The cheat to tell not; to refrain most hard
"From conjugal salutes. Sad she appear'd.
"But nought more lovely could in sadness seem:
"Burning in wishes for her absent spouse.
"Image, O, Phocus! what her beauteous face
"Could boast; a face that woe itself became.
"Why should I tell how oft her virtuous soul,
"Repuls'd my tempting offers? Why repeat
"How oft she cry'd;--For one myself I keep,
"For one, where'er he stays, my joys preserve.
"Whose mad suspicion would not this allay?
"This proof of faith? But I, not so content,
"Strive for my own confusion. Lavish gifts
"I proffer for the joys of one short night:
"More and more rich I heap them, till her breast
"Wavers, then loud exclaim,--Lo! here behold,
"Adulteress! one unluckily disguis'd,
"Unluckily betroth'd, thy lawful spouse!
"Perfidious! by those eyes convinc'd I stand.
"Nought she:--with silent shame o'ercome, she fled
"The house deceitful, and her hated spouse.
"With me offended, all the race of men
"Detesting, on the mountain tops she rov'd;
"Diana's sports close following. Fiercer love
"Flam'd in my bosom, thus deserted left.
"I su'd for pardon, and my fault I own'd;
"Swore that myself so tempted, so had err'd,
"By such high offers brib'd. Confessing thus,
"Her wounded modest pride grew more compos'd;
"And shortly I regain'd her. Long in peace
"We liv'd, and cordial spent the smiling years.
"Herself a gift she priz'd not: more she gave,
"An hound, she from Diana's hand receiv'd,
"Who said,--accept the fleetest of his race--
"And gave this javelin which you see me bear.
"If of the first the fate you seek to know,
"Attend, th' adventure will your wonder move.

"The son of Laius had the words explain'd,
"Before his time to every mind obscure;
"And the dark prophetess, down headlong flung,
"Laid lifeless, all her riddling tales forgot.
"Her, fostering Themis saw, and unreveng'd
"To lie not suffer'd. Straight another plague
"On Thebes was loos'd; and all the country swains
"Fear'd by the savage beast their flocks to lose,
"And fear'd their own destruction. With the youths
"Adjacent, I assembled; round the fields
"Our toils we fix; the toils the rapid beast
"O'erleaps high-bounding; 'bove the loftiest ropes,
"Stretch'd o'er the nets, with active spring he flies.
"The hounds uncoupled, in the chace he mocks,
"And like an agile bird before them plays;
"With outcries loud, for Laelaps' aid they call.
"(My Procris' gift, so nam'd.) Long had he tugg'd,
"To extricate him from the chain; to free
"His captive neck: scarce was he loos'd, so swift
"He shot, in vain our eyes his progress mark'd:
"In the light dust his feet were printed, he,
"Rapt from the view, was vanish'd. Swifter flies
"The darted spear not: nor the leaden ball
"Hurl'd from the whirling sling;--nor reedy dart
"Shot from the Cretan bow. A central hill
"High-towering, all the subject plains o'erlooks;
"Thither I climb, and there behold the chase;
"A novel scene. Now seems the beast safe caught;
"Now from the grasp light-springing. Flight right on
"Crafty he shuns, and doubles round the field,
"Cheating his chaser's mouth; and circling turns
"His foe's quick speed eluding. Swift he flies,--
"With equal swiftness follow'd. Now to grasp
"His prey seems Laelaps,--in his grasp deceiv'd,
"His empty jaws seize air. Now to my aid
"I call my javelin,--poize it for the blow,
"And bend mine eyes the thongs to fix secure:
"Again I lift them to behold the chase,
"And see astonish'd in the spacious plain
"Two marble statues! this to fly appears,--
"That barking seems to follow. So decreed
"Doubtless the gods, that in the arduous course
"Unconquer'd, each his glory might retain."

Thus far he spoke, then silent sate.--"What crime,"
Said Phocus--"has the javelin then perform'd?"--
And thus the javelin's fault the hero tells,
"Since joys supreme my sorrows first forewent,
"Let me, O, Phocus! first those joys recount.
"O, youth! how it delights me to retrace
"Those happy moments, when supremely blest
"In her, the primal years were joyous spent.
"She, equal happy in her darling spouse;
"Each mind of mutual care a portion bore;
"And love's connubial joys each equal shar'd.
"Jove's proffer'd couch, with my embrace compar'd,
"Procris had spurn'd; nor could the loveliest nymph
"Me tempt, though Venus' self had deign'd to sue:
"In either breast an equal ardor flam'd.
"In youthful guise I wont the woods to scour,
"For sport betimes, ere yet the sun had ting'd
"With early beams the lofty mountains' tops:
"Nor took I servants, nor the courser fleet,
"Nor hounds sharp-scented, nor the knotted snares;
"This dart my sole dependence: when my arm
"With slaughtered spoil was satiate, tir'd I sought
"The cooling shade, and sought where Aura breath'd
"In frigid vales her breezes. 'Midst the heat
"Refreshing air I sought, and Aura call'd,
"My labour's recreation; thus I sung,
"I well the words remember;--Aura, come!
"Come, my delight,--within my bosom creep,
"Most grateful friend; come, and as wont remove
"My inward flames.--By chance more tender words
"(So sway'd my destiny) to these I join'd:
"And thus I spoke--O, thou! my greatest joy
"Refreshing, cherishing my strength and power!
"For thee, these woods and lonely spots I love:
"Here does my wishing mouth thy breath inhale.--
"These words ambiguous, busy ears receiv'd,
"And Aura! Aura! oft invok'd, they deem
"A favor'd nymph,--a nymph by me belov'd.
"The rash informer with the imag'd wrong,
"My Procris seeks his whispering tongue relates,
"The words o'erheard. Love credulous believes.
"O'erpress'd with grief, she sudden sunk, when heard
"The tale,--and long she unrecover'd laid.
"Then--hapless wife!--O, wayward fate! she cries:--
"My broken faith bewails, and with my crime
"Imagin'd, troubled, fears what not exists,--
"A name without a being: much she grieves,
"As real were her rival: yet full oft
"Stagger'd, she doubts, and hopes herself deceiv'd:
"Trusts not th' informer; and her husband's fault,
"Unless beheld, refuses to believe.
"When next Aurora bade the darkness fly
"I sally'd forth, and sought th' accustomed wood:
"Then tir'd with conquest, on the grass I stretch'd,
"And,--come, dear Aura, ease my pain,--I cry'd
"Sudden a mournful sigh betwixt my words
"I heard, but still proceeded,--dearest, come!--
"Again the falling leaves a rustling sound
"Causing, a savage beast I thought lay hid,
"And hurl'd my faithful dart. Procris was there!
"And as her tender breast the blow receiv'd
"Alas! she cry'd.--My faithful spouse's voice
"I knew, and with distracted speed I ran;
"Half-dead I found her, all her robes distain'd
"With flowing blood,--and dragging from the wound,
"Ah, me!--her fatal gift. My guilty arms,
"Her body, dearer far than mine, support;
"My vest I rend, the cruel gash to bind,
"And check the gushing blood; I fearful pray,
"She will not leave me guilty of her fate.
"She now, her strength fast wasting, dying fast,
"These words to utter try'd:--Suppliant I beg,
"By all the oaths that form'd our nuptial ties;
"By all the gods and goddesses above;
"By all my actions which have given you joy;
"By that strong love which thus my fate has caus'd,
"Which now in death my bosom still retains,
"Let not this Aura to my bed succeed.--
"She said,--too late I learn'd, too late I told
"The error of the name; for what avail'd!
"She sinks, her small remaining strength is fled,
"Her last blood flows. While ought she seems to view,
"On me she bends her eyes; her hapless soul
"My lips inhale, yet pleas'd her brow appears
"In death, more calm from what I just explain'd."
Thus grieving, Cephalus concludes, and all
His audience with him weep. When, lo! appear
King AEaecus, his sons, and troops new-rais'd;
Whom Cephalus, in warlike strength, receives.

END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.

_Macdonald & Bailey, Printers, Harris's Place,
Oxford-Street._

THE
METAMORPHOSES
OF
PUBLIUS OVIDIUS NASO
IN
*English Blank Verse*

Translated by
J. J. HOWARD

VOL. II.

*The Eighth Book.*

Nisus betrayed to Minos by his daughter Scylla; changed to a
falcon, and Scylla to a lark. Return of Minos to Crete. The
Minotaur and labyrinth. Flight of Daedalus and Icarus. Change of
Perdix to a partridge. Chase and death of the Calydonian boar, by
Meleager and Atalanta. Murder of Meleager's uncles. Vengeance of
his mother. Death of Meleager, and transformation of his sisters
to birds. Acheloues. Nymphs transformed into the isles Echinades.
Perimele into an island. Story of Baucis and Philemon. Changes of
Proteus. Story of Erisichthon, and transformations of his
daughter.

*Printed by G. HAYDEN,
Brydges Street, Covent Garden.*

THE *Eighth Book* OF THE METAMORPHOSES OF OVID.

Now leading Phosphor' shining day disclos'd,
The darkness flying; and the eastern gales
Lull'd into calm, the vapoury clouds arose:
The placid south befriending, rapid borne,
The hero Cephalus, and aiding troops,
Ride unexpected in their wish'd-for port.

Minos, meanwhile, the Lelegeian coast
Lays waste, and on Alcathoe's town his power
Essays. Here Nisus rul'd, whose reverend locks
Of silvery brightness, in the midst contain'd
One with rich purple splendid, sacred pledge
Of fortune to his kingdom. Six times seen
Were Luna's horns arising fresh renew'd;
Still hover'd conquest doubtful o'er the war,
On wavering pinions, 'twixt opposing hosts.
A regal tower its vocal walls high-rear'd,
Where once Latona's son his golden lyre
Rested; the music still the stones retain'd.
Oft here the beauteous daughter of the king
Ascended, and the latent music drew
Forth to the ear, by smallest pebbles struck.
Thus she in peaceful times, and here she oft
When war was raging, ventur'd: hence she saw
The rough encounters of the furious field.
So long the tedious warfare, well she knew
The leaders' names, their arms, their prancing steeds:
And knew their garments, and their Cretan bows.
Far beyond all Europa's son she knew,
More than became her state: this Minos well
Could prove; whose head in crested helmet hid,
Most beauteous helm'd appear'd: whose arm, adorn'd
With brazen shield refulgent, well became
The brazen shield: whose hand the tough lance whirl'd,
And back withdrawn, the virgin wondering prais'd
Such strength and skill combin'd: to fit the dart
When to the spreading bow his strength he bent,
She vow'd that Phoebus in such posture stood
His arrows fitting: when, his brazen casque
Relinquish'd, all his features shone display'd,
As purple-rob'd his snow-white steed he press'd,
In painted housings gay, and curb'd his jaws
White foaming,--then the lost Nisean maid,
Scarcely herself, in frantic rapture spoke:--
Blest call'd the javelin, that his hands it touch'd;
Blest call'd the reins he curb'd. Arduous she burns,
(Could she) through hostile ranks her virgin steps
To bend: arduous she burns, from loftiest towers
To fling her body in the Cretan camp.
The brazen portals of the city's walls
Wide to the foe she'd ope: what could she not?
That Minos will'd? As resting here she view'd,
The white pavilion of the Gnossian king
Dubious, she cry'd;--"Or should I grieve or joy,
"This mournful war to witness? Grieve I must
"That Minos so belov'd should be my foe.
"But had the war not been, his lovely face
"Had ne'er to me been known. Now war may cease
"Should I become the hostage:--I retain'd,
"As Minos' comrade, and the pledge of peace.
"Fairest of forms! if she who brought thee forth
"Resembled thee, well might an amorous god
"Burn for her beauty. O! thrice blest were I,
"If borne through air on lightly-waving wings,
"The Cretan monarch's camp I might explore,
"And there, my rank and love disclos'd, demand
"What dowry he would ask to be my spouse.
"My country's towers alone, he should not seek.
"Perish the joys of his expected bed,
"Ere I through treason gain them! Yet full oft
"A moderate victor's clemency affords
"Great blessings to the vanquish'd. Doubtless, he
"Just warfare wages for his murder'd son.
"Strong in his cause, and in his armies strong,
"Which aid that cause, he must the conquest gain.
"Why, if this fate my country waits, should war,
"And not my love unbar to him the gates?
"So may he conquer; slaughter, toil, and blood,--
"His own dear blood, avoided. How I dread,
"Lest some rash hand might that lov'd bosom wound!
"None but the ignorant sure, the savage spear
"At him would hurl. The scheme delights my soul:
"Fixt my resolve; my country as my dower
"Will I deliver, finish so the war!
"But what are resolutions? Watchful guards
"The passes keep; of every gate, the keys
"My father careful holds. Hapless! I dread
"My father only; he alone withstands
"My wishes; would that so the gods had doom'd,
"I had no parent! But to each himself
"A god may surely be; and fortune spurns
"Lazy beseechers. With such love inflam'd,
"Another maid had long ere now destroy'd
"All barriers to her bliss; and why than I,
"Should any dare more boldly? Fearless, I
"Thro' swords and flames would pass, but swords and flames
"Oppose me not in this: my sole desire
"Compris'd in one small lock of Nisus' hair:
"Than gold that prize more dear. That purple lock
"Most blest would make me, and my sole desires
"Encompass."--Speaking thus, the gloomy night,
Imperial nurse of cares, approach'd; more bold
Her daring project with the darkness grew.

Now primal slumbers rul'd o'er weary breasts,
Tir'd with their toil diurnal. Silent, she
Her father's chamber enters, and (O, dire!)
The daughter from her parent's head divides
The fateful lock! Her wicked prize possess'd,
Forth from the gate she issues; and the spoil,
So cursed, with her bears; as through the hosts,
(Such boldness gave the deed,) she seeks the king,
Whom thus, astonish'd and aghast, she hails:--
"To wicked deeds love sways; behold me here,
"Scylla, from royal Nisus sprung; to thee
"My household gods and country I betray:
"Thee, sole reward I seek. Pledge of my faith,
"This purple lock receive, and with this lock
"Receive my parent's head."--Then in her hand
The impious gift presented. Minos spurn'd
The parricidal present; deeply shock'd
A deed so base to witness, and exclaim'd;--
"May all the gods, from every part of earth
"Thee banish, scandal of our age! may land
"And sea alike reject thee; such a soul
"So monstrous! ne'er with me shall touch the shores
"Of Crete, my land, and cradle of high Jove."
He said, and on his captive foes impos'd
Most just his equal laws; his men bade loose
Their cables from the beach, and with their oars
His vessels bright with brass, urge on the deep.

Launch'd on the main, when Scylla sees the fleet,
Nor from its leader gain'd the hop'd reward,
Her wicked deed had sought, tir'd of her prayers,
In desperate rage she storms; wild throws her hair;
Stretches her hands, exclaiming;--"Where! O, where!
"Fly'st thou, the author of thy fortune left?
"O, priz'd above my country! 'bove my sire!
"O cruel, whither fly'st thou, whose success
"At once my merit, and my fault displays?
"Will not the gifted conquest move thy soul?
"Will not my love thee move? Will not the thought
"That all my hopes centre in thee alone?
"By thee deserted, whither shall I fly?
"Back to my natal town? Ruin'd it lies;
"Or if still standing, fast the gates are barr'd
"Against my treason. To my father's arms,
"Whom I betray'd? Each citizen me hates
"Deserv'dly; neighbours my example dread.
"Banish'd, an exile from each spot of earth,--
"Crete only open lies. Thence dost thou drive
"Me also? Ingrate! dost thou fly me so?
"Europa never bore thee, but some Syrt'
"Inhospitable; or some tigress fell
"Bred in Armenia; or Charybdis vext
"With tempests: Jove was ne'er thy sire, nor feign'd
"A bull's resemblance to delude her, false
"That fable of thy origin. A bull,
"Real and savage thee begot, whose love
"No heifer mov'd. O father Nisus! now
"Exact thy vengeance. Joy, O town! betray'd
"By my transgression; for the woes I feel
"Most merited I grant; guilty I die:
"Yet should the deadly blow be given by one
"My impious fault has injur'd; not by thee,
"Victor through crimes thou with avenging hate
"Now persecutest. This flagitious deed
"Against my country, and against my sire,
"Was all for thee. Th' adultress who beguil'd
"In wooden cavity the furious bull;
"Whose womb an ill-assorted birth produc'd;
"Well for a spouse befits thee. Do my words
"Reach to thine ears, or no? Do the brisk winds,
"Thou ingrate! waft my bootless plainings on,
"And waft thy vessels? Wondrous now no more,
"Pasiphae, to thy embrace a bull
"Preferr'd; for more unpitying is thy soul.
"Joyful, ah! hapless me,--away thou fly'st;
"Thy cleaving oars dash on the sounding waves:
"Me, and my country far from thee recede.
"O wretch! forgetful of my favoring aid,
"Thou striv'st in vain to fly me. 'Gainst thy wish
"Thee will I follow; on thy crooked ship
"Hanging, embracing, dragg'd through drenching seas.'
Scarce ending, in the waves she furious leaped,
Vigorous by love, and gain'd the flying fleet;
And clasp'd, unwelcome guest, the Gnossian poop.
Here soon her father spy'd her (in the air
He wing'd his way, now cloth'd with yellow plumes
A falcon) and down darted; with his beak
So curv'd, to wound her as she clung. In dread
Her grasp she loos'd, and as she seem'd to fall,
The light air bore her from the waves below:
Plum'd she became, and form'd a feather'd bird,
Ciris they call'd her from the ravish'd lock.

To Jove now Minos all his vows performs,
An hecatomb of bulls; as from the fleet
He lands on Gnossus' shores: his royal hall
With all his spoils, on high uphung, adorn'd.

Meantime th' opprobrium of his bed increas'd:
The two-formed monster in a novel birth,
At length the mother's beastly crime proclaim'd.
Minos, the shameful witness from his couch,
Far to remove determines; in a dome
Intricate winding, he resolves to lodge,
From every eye conceal'd, the birth. Intrusts
The work to Daedalus, in cunning arts
Most fam'd, to build. He all the various marks,
Confuses, puzzles; bent on either side,
The various paths confound the searching eye.
So in the fields the soft Maeander plays,
Here refluent, flowing there with dubious course;
Meeting himself, his wandering stream he sees:
And urges now to whence he first arose;
Now to the open outlet of the main.
Thus Daedalus the numerous paths perplex'd
With puzzlings intricate, so much entwin'd,
Himself could scarce the outer threshold gain.
Here was the double monster, man and bull
Inclos'd; till by the third allotted tribe,
The ninth year, vanquish'd; with Athenian blood
Twice gorg'd before. Then was the secret gate,
So often sought in vain, found by the aid
A virgin lent to trace the winding clue.
Instant for Dias, Theseus loos'd his sails,
With Minos' ravish'd daughter: on that shore
Cruel! he left her. The deserted nymph
Wildly lamenting, Bacchus soon embrac'd,
And gave her needful aid; her fame to fix
Immortal in the skies, her sparkling crown,
Mov'd from her forehead, 'mid the stars he plac'd:
Through the thin air it flies, and as it mounts
To blazing stars, the glittering jewels change.
Still as a crown it shines, its station 'midst
Where stout Alcides Ophiuchus grasps.

Meantime long exile, and the land of Crete
Detesting; burning with a patriot's wish
His native soil to visit, Daedalus,
By sea escape prevented, thus exclaim'd;--
"Let earth and ocean both my flight obstruct,
"Still open lies the air; through air we'll go.
"Minos controlling all, controls not air."--
He speaks, and bends to unknown arts his skill,
Improving Nature's gift. Quills fixt in rows
He places; small at first in length and size,
Gradual enlarg'd, as if a hill's steep side
Growing, produc'd them: So time past the pipe,
Of rustic origin, by small degrees
Increasing reeds compos'd. Firm fixt with thread
Their middle part he binds, and close with wax
Cements their bottom. All complete he bends
The composition in a gentle curve,
Resembling real wings. Young Icarus
Alone was present; ignorant that the work
Would his destruction cause; with playful tricks
He fingers now the feathers, now his hands
Soften the yellow wax. His sportive wiles
His father's wond'rous essay oft delay.

Now was the last completing stroke impos'd
Upon his undertaking: First the sire
On artificial wings his body pois'd,
And in the beaten air suspended hung:
Then his young offspring, Icarus, he taught.--
"This I my son advise, a middle course,
"To keep be cautious; low if thou should'st skim,
"Heavy with ocean's spray thy wings would droop:
"If high, the sun would scorch them. Steer thy course
"'Twixt each extreme. Nor would I wish thine eyes
"To view Booetes, or the northern bear;
"Nor yet Orion's naked sword. My track
"Cautious pursue."--With anxious care he gives
Rules thus for flight; and to his shoulders fits
The new-form'd pinions. Tears his ancient cheeks
Bedew'd, as thus his admonitions flow'd:
And his paternal hands as thus employ'd,
Beneath the office trembled. Warm salutes
He gave the boy, nor knew he gave the last;
Then on his feathers borne, explores the way,
Timid for him who follows. So the bird,
Tempts from her lofty nest her new-fledg'd brood,
In the thin air. He bids him close pursue,
Tries in each shape to teach the fatal skill;
Shakes his own pinions, bending back to view
His son's. The angler as with quivering reed,
He drew his prey to land; the shepherd-swain,
As o'er his staff he lean'd; the ploughman-clown,
Their flight astonish'd saw, and deem'd them gods,
That so at will could cleave the liquid sky.

Now Samos, Juno's favor'd isle they pass'd,
Delos, and Paros, all to left;--to right
Labyrithos lay, and rich in honey'd sweets
Calymne: when the heedless boy o'erjoy'd
In his bold flight, the precepts of his guide
Contemning, soar'd to heaven a loftier range.
The neighbouring sun's fierce heat the fragrant wax
Which bound, his pinions, soften'd. Soon the wax
Dissolves; and now his naked arms he waves;
But destitute of power his course to steer,
No air his arms can gather; loud he calls
His father's name, as in the azure deep
He drops,--the deep which still his name retains.

The hapless parent, not a parent now,
Loud calls on Icarus;--"Where art thou, son?
"Where shall I seek thee, Icarus?"--He said,
And spy'd his feathers floating on the waves:
Then curs'd his hapless art, as in the earth,
He deep intomb'd him; all the land around
Bears from the youth intomb'd its present name.

The whirring partridge, from a branchy holm
Beheld him, as beneath the turf he plac'd
His son's lamented body, and with joy
Flutter'd his feathers; while his chirping song
Proclaim'd his gladness: then the only bird
Known of his kind, in elder days unseen;
But lately cloth'd with feathers, through the crime
Flagitious, Daedalus, of thee! To thee,
Thy sister, witless how his fate was doom'd,
Her son committed for instructing art,
When twice six annual suns the youth had seen;
His docile mind best fitted then to learn.
He well th' indented bones remark'd, which form
The fish's spiny back, and in like mode,
Sharp steel indenting, first the saw produc'd
For public service. Two steel arms he join'd
Fixt to one orb above; each widely stretch'd,
One steady rests, the other circling turns.
Him Daedalus with envy viewing, forc'd
Headlong, from sacred Pallas' lofty tower,
His death feign'd accidental: but the maid
Divine, to all ingenious minds a friend,
Receiv'd him in his fall; chang'd to a bird,
On pinions bore him through the middle air.
His vigorous powers in force remain the same,
But change their seat; rapid he flies, and quick
He races on the ground; his name remains
Unalter'd: still the cautious bird declines
To trust his weight aloft, nor forms his nest
On lofty boughs, or summits of high trees:
Nigh to the earth he skims; beneath the hedge
His shelly brood deposits; of his fall
Still mindful, towering heights he always shuns.

Now Daedalus, with lengthen'd flight fatigu'd,
Sicilia's realm receiv'd; whose king humane,
Great Cocalus, mov'd with his suppliant pray'r,
Arm'd to assist him. Now by Theseus freed,
Athens no more the mournful tribute paid.
With garlands every temple gay they hang,
Invoke the warlike maid, the mighty Jove,
And every deity: their altars all
With promis'd blood they honor; with rich gifts,
And fragrant incense. Now had wandering fame
Through all the Grecian towns, spread the renown
Of Theseus: and the rich Achaia's tribes
His aid implor'd, when mighty perils press'd.
Ev'n Calydon, though Meleager brave
Possessing, sought his help with suppliant words.
The cause, a furious boar by Dian' sent,
Avenging instrument of slighted power.

OEneus, from plenteous harvests' full success
Rejoicing, primal fruits to Ceres gave;
To Bacchus pour'd libations of his wine;
To yellow-hair'd Minerva offer'd oil:
The rites invidious, from the rural gods
Commencing, all the bright celestials shar'd.
Latona's daughter only, in her fane,
Nor flames nor offerings on her altar saw.
Rage fires ev'n heavenly breasts.--"Not unreveng'd,"--
She cry'd,--shall this be suffer'd; honor'd not!
"Not unappeas'd by vengeance will I rest."--
Then through th' OEneian fields the maid, despis'd,
Sends the fierce boar to ravage. Such his size,
The bulls that in Epirus' pastures graze
More huge appear not: in Sicilia's meads
Far less are seen. Red are his sparkling eyes,
Fire mixt with blood; high rears his fearful neck,
Thick clustering spears the threatening bristles seem:
Hoarse as he grunts, down his wide shoulders spreads
The boiling foam: his tusks the tusks outvie
Of India's hugest beast: the lightening's blast,
Driven from his mouth, burns all the verdant leaves.
Now o'er the corn, but yet in budding ears,
He tramples, immature he reaps the crop;
The loud-lamenting tiller's hopes destroy'd:
The harvest intercepting in the shoot.
In vain the barns, the granaries in vain,
Their promis'd loads expect. Prostrate alike
Are thrown the fruitful clusters of the vine,
With shooting tendrils; and the olive's fruit
With branches ever-blooming. On the flocks
He rages: these not shepherds, not their dogs
Could save; nor could the furious bull his herd.
Wide fled the people; safety none durst hope
Save in their cities' walls; till thirst of fame
Fir'd Meleager, with his chosen band
Of valiant youths. And first were seen the twins
Of Tyndarus, for wond'rous skill renown'd,
This at the caestus, that to curb the steed:
Jason, whose art the primal ship design'd:
Theseus, in happy concord with his friend
Pirithous, join'd: Thestius' two valiant sons:
Lynceus, Aphareus' offspring: Idas swift:
Leucippus fierce: Acastus unexcell'd
To dart the javelin: Caeneus, now no more
Cloth'd in a female figure: Phoenix, sprung
From old Amyntor: Actor's equal sons:
Hippothooes: Dryas: and from Elis' town
Dispatch'd, came Phileus. Nor was absent there,
Brave Telamon, nor great Achilles' sire:
Nor stout Eurytion; with Pheretus' son:
Nor Hyantean Ioelaues brave:
Echion in speed unconquer'd: Nestor then
In primal youth: Lelex, Narycian born:
Panopeus: Hyleus: Hippasus the fierce:
Nor those whom Hippocooen sent in aid,
From old Amyclae: nor Ulysses' sire:
Ancaeus of Parrhasia: Mopsus sage:
Amphiareus, then by his false spouse's guile
Betray'd not. With them Atalanta came,
The grace and glory of Arcadia's woods.
A shining buckle from the ground confin'd
Her garment's border: simply bound, her hair
One knot confin'd: her ivory quiver, slung
O'er her left shoulder, sounded as she stepp'd:
Her hand sustain'd a bow: and thus array'd
Appear'd her form. Her lineaments disclos'd,
What scarce might feminine in boys appear;
Or hardly boyish in a virgin's face.
The chief of Calydon the maid beheld,--
Beheld, and lov'd: while heaven his love oppos'd.
The secret flames inhaling deep, he cry'd,--
"O, blessed youth! if youth to gain thy hand
"Worthy were deem'd!"--Nor bashful shame, nor time
Would more allow; a mightier deed now claim'd
Their utmost efforts for the furious war.

Darken'd with trees thick-growing, rose a wood;
From earliest ages there the biting axe
Had never sounded; in the plain it rear'd
Facing the sloping fields. The youths arriv'd;
Some spread the knotted toils; some loose the hounds;
Some strive the foot-prints of the boar to trace,
Their danger anxious seeking. Low beneath
A hollow vale extended, where the floods
Fresh showery torrents gather'd, lazy laid.
The flexile willow, and the waving reed;
The fenny bulrush, osier, and the cane
Diminutive, the stagnant depth conceal'd.
Arous'd from hence, the boar impetuous rush'd
Amidst his host of foes; so lightenings dart
When clouds concussive clash. His rapid force
Levels the grove, the crackling trees resound
Where'er he pushes: loud the joyful youth
Exclaim, each grasping with a nervous hand
His weapon brandish'd, while its broad head shakes.
Forward he darts, the dogs he scatters wide,
And each opposing power; his strokes oblique
Their baying drives to distance. Echion's arm
Hurl'd the first dart, but hurl'd the dart in vain;
Lightly a maple's trunk the weapon graz'd.
The next, but over-urg'd the force that sent,
Had pierc'd the rough back of the wish'd-for prey;
Jason's the steel,--it whizz'd beyond him far.
Then Mopsus pray'd,--"O Phoebus! if thy rites
"I e'er perform'd, if still I thee adore,
"Grant my sure weapon what I wish to touch."
The god consented, what he could he gave,--
The boar was struck, but struck without a wound:
Diana from the flying weapon snatch'd
The steely head, and pointless fell the wood.
More chafes the beast, like lightening fierce he burns,
Fire from his eyeballs flashes, from his chest
Clouds of hot smoke through his wide nostrils roll.
Forc'd from the close-drawn string as flies a stone,
Hurl'd at embattl'd walls, or hostile towers
With foes thick crowded: so the deadly beast
Rush'd on the heroes with unerring shock.
Eupalamus and Pelagon, who stood
The right wing guarding, on the earth he threw:
Their fellows snatch'd them from impending fate.
Not so Onesimus, of Hippocooen
The offspring, 'scap'd the death-inflicting blow;
Torn through the ham, just as for flight he turn'd;
His slacken'd nerves could bear his weight no more.
Then Nestor too, long e'er the Trojan times,
Perchance had perish'd, but beside him stood
A tree, whose branches nimbly he attain'd;
A mighty effort, aided by his spear:
Safe in his seat, he view'd the foe he fled,
Beneath him. Fiercely threatening death below,
He whets his tushes on a stumpy oak,
And bold in sharpen'd arms, ranches the thigh,
With crooked fangs, of Othrys' mighty son.
Now the twin-brothers, ere in heaven display'd
Bright constellations, both fair dazzling shone,
Mounted on steeds, whose lily'd hue surpass'd
Th' unsully'd snow; both shook their brandish'd spears,
The trembling motion sounded high in air;
Deep both had pierc'd, but 'mid the darkening trees,
Their bristly foe sought refuge, where nor steed,
Nor dart could reach him. Telamon pursues;
Ardent, and heedless of his steps, a root
Checks his quick feet, and prone the hero falls.
While Peleus aids his brother chief to rise,
The beauteous Atalanta to the string
Fits the swift dart, and from the bended bow
Speeds it; the arrow, fixt beneath his ear,
Razes the monster's skin, and drops of blood
His bristly neck ensanguine. Joys the maid
To see the blow;--but Meleager far
In joy surpass'd her. He the first beheld
The trickling blood; he to his comrades first
The wound display'd, exclaiming,--"Yon fair nymph
"The honors so deserv'dly won shall bear."--
The warriors blush with shame, and each exhorts
His fellow; shouts their souls more valiant swell;
In heaps confus'd their numerous javelins fly;
Clashing in crowds, each javelin fails to wound.
Lo! now Ancaeus furious, to his fate
Blind rushing, rears his double axe, and cries,--
"Behold, O youths! how much a manly arm
"Outstrikes a female's, to my prowess yield
"The palm of conquest. Let Latona's maid
"With all her power protect him, yet my force,
"Spite of Diana, shall the monster slay."--
Proud his big-boasting tongue thus speaks, then grasps
His two-edg'd weapon firmly in his hands,
And rais'd on tiptoe meditates the blow.
The watchful beast prevents him, through his groin,
To death sure passage, drives his double tusks:
Ancaeus drops; his bowels gushing fall,
Roll on the earth, and soak the ground in gore.
Ixion's son, Pirithous, on the foe
Rush'd, in his nervous hand a powerful spear
Brandishing; Theseus loudly to his friend
Exclaim'd,--"O, dearer far than is myself,--
"Half of my soul, at distance wait; the brave
"At distance may engage; valor too rash
"Destroy'd Ancaeus."--As he spoke he hurl'd
His massive cornel spear; its brazen head
Well pois'd, its sender's anxious wish appear'd
Fair to accomplish, when a leafy arm
Branch'd from a beech, oppos'd it in its flight.
Next AEson's son, his javelin threw, but chance
Glanc'd from its mark the weapon, and transpierc'd
An undeserving hound; the dart was drove
Through all his belly, and deep fixt in earth.
But different fortune on the arms awaits
Of Meleager, javelins two he sent;
Deep in the ground the foremost pierc'd, the next
Firm in the monster's back quivering stood fixt.
Nor stays he, whilst he raging furious whirl'd
In giddy circles round, and pour'd his foam,
Mad with the new-felt torture, close at hand
The hero plies his work, provokes his foe
To fiercer ire, and in his furious breast
Buries the glittering spear. A second shout
Loudly proclaims his thronging comrades' joy;
Each to the victor crowding, hand in hand
Congratulating grasps him; each amaz'd
Views the dire savage, as his mighty bulk
O'erspreads a space of land. Scarce think they yet
Their safety sure, him touching; each his spear
Extends, and dips it in the flowing gore.
His foot upon the head destructive fixt,
The conquering youth thus speaks:--"Nonacria fair!
"Receive the spoil my fortune well might claim:
"Fresh glory shall I gain, with thee to share
"The honors of the day."--Then gives the spoils;--
The chine with horrid bristles rising stiff,
And head, fierce threatening still with mighty tusks.
She takes the welcome gift, for much she joys
From him to take it. Envy seiz'd the rest,
And sullen murmurs through the comrades ran:
Above the rest, were Thestius' sons,--their arms
Out-stretching, clamor'd thus with a mighty noise;--
"Let not thy beauteous form thy mind deceive,
"When from thy eyes the donor of the spoil,
"Besotted with thy love, shall far be mov'd.
"Woman! restore the prize, nor hope to hold
"Our intercepted claims."--Speaking they rob
Her of the gift, him of the right to give.
Nor passive stood the warlike youth, his teeth
He gnash'd with swelling rage, as fierce he cry'd;--
"Learn, ye base robbers of another's rights,
"What difference threats and valiant actions shew.--"
Then in Plexippus' unsuspecting breast
He plung'd his impious sword: nor suffer'd long
Toxeus to doubt, who hesitating stood,
Now vengeance brooding for his brother's fate,
Now dreading for himself a like swift blow;
Again he warms the weapon, reeking still
Hot from Plexippus' bosom, in his blood.

To every temple of the favoring gods
Althaea bore donations for her son,
Victorious: When the breathless bodies came
Of both her brethren, loud the sounding blows
Of grief were heard, and all the city rung
With lamentable cries: her golden robes
Were straight to sable chang'd. But when the hand
Which struck the blow was known, her every tear
Was dry'd, and vengeance only fill'd her soul.
A log there lay when Thestius' daughter groan'd
In child-bed pangs; which on the greedy flames
The triple sisters flung; and while their thumbs
Twirl'd round the fatal thread, this was their song;--
"O newly born! to thee and to this bough
"Like date of life we give."--Then ceas'd their words,
And from her presence vanish'd: sudden snatch'd
The mother from the fire the burning brand,
And quench'd it instant in unsparing streams.
Long in most secret darkness had she hid
This fatal wood; and, thus preserv'd, her son
Had safely years mature attain'd; but now
Forth she produc'd it from its close recess.
Fragments of torches on the hearth she heap'd,
And blew the sparklings into deadly flames;
And thrice she rais'd her hands the branch to heave
On the fierce fire; and thrice her hands withdrew.
Sister and mother in one bosom fought,
To adverse acts impelling. Oft her face,
Dread of her meditated crime, bleach'd pale;
Oft to her eyes her furious rage supply'd
A fiery redness; now her countenance glow'd
With threatenings cruel; now her softening looks
To pity seemed to melt; and when fierce ire
Had fill'd her soul, and parch'd up every tear,
Fresh tears would gush. Thus rocks a vessel, driven
By winds and adverse currents, both their force
At once obeys, and can to neither yield.
Thus waver'd Thestius' daughter, dubious thus
Affection sway'd her; now her rage is calm,
Now her calm'd rage with fourfold fury burns.
At length the sister's o'er the parent's tie
The prevalence obtains; impiously good,
With blood her own, she soothes the brethren's shades.
Now, when the fires destructive fiercely glar'd,
She cry'd:--"Here, funeral pile, my bowels burn!--"
And as the fatal wood her direful hand
Held forth, the hapless mother, at the pyre
Sepulchral, stood, exclaiming;--"Furies three!
"Avenging sisters! hither turn your eyes;
"Behold the furious sacred rites I pay:
"For retribution I commit this crime.
"By death their death must be aveng'd; his fault
"By mine be punish'd; on their funeral biers
"His must be laid; one sinning house must fall,
"In woes accumulated. Blest shall still
"OEneus enjoy his proud victorious son,
"And Thestius childless mourn? Better that both
"Should weep in concert. Dear fraternal ghosts,
"Recent from upper air, my work behold!
"Take to th' infernal realms my offering bought
"So dear! the hapless pledge my womb produc'd.

"Ah! whither am I swept? Brothers forgive
"The parent. Lo! my faltering hands refuse
"To second my intents. Well he deserves
"To perish; yet by other hands than mine.
"Unpunish'd shall he 'scape then? Victor live,
"Proud of his high success, and rule the realm
"Of Calydon, while ye are prostrate thrown
"A trivial heap of ashes, and cold shades?
"Patience no more will bear. Perish the wretch!
"Perish his father's hopes! perish the realm!
"And all the country perish! Where? O, where?
"Is then the mother's soul, the pious prayers
"A parent should prefer? Where the strong pains
"Which twice five moons I bore? O, that the flames
"First kindled, had thy infant limbs consum'd!
"Would I had not then snatch'd thee from thy fate!
"Thy gift of life is mine; now that thou dy'st
"Thy own demerits ask: take the reward
"Thy deeds deserve: yield up thy twice-given life,
"First in thy birth, then by the brand I sav'd;
"Or lay me with my brethren in their tomb.
"I wish, yet what I would my hands refuse.
"What will my soul determine? Now mine eyes
"The mangled corses of my brethren fill:
"Now filial fondness, and a mother's name
"Distract my soul. O, wretched, wretched me!
"Brothers you gain the conquest, yet you gain
"Dearly for me; but on your shades I'll wait,
"Blest in what gives you once to me again."
She said; with face averse and trembling hand,
The fateful brand amid the fires was dropt.
The brand a groan deep utter'd, or a groan
To utter seem'd: the flames half backward caught
At length their prey, which gradually consum'd.

Witless of this sad deed, and absent far,
Fierce Meleager, with the self-same fire
Burn'd inward; all his vitals felt the flame
Scorching conceal'd: th' excruciating pangs
Magnanimous he bore. Yet deep he mourn'd
By such a slothful bloodless fate to fall;
And happy call'd Ancaeus in his wounds.
With deep-drawn groans he calls his aged sire,
His brother, sisters, and the nymph belov'd,
Who shar'd his nuptial couch; with final breath,
His mother too perchance. Now glows the fire,
And now the pains increase; now both are faint;
Now both together die. The soul flies forth,
And gently dissipates in empty air.

Low now lies lofty Calydon,--the youths,
And aged seniors weep; the vulgar crowd
And nobles mourn alike; the matrons rend
Their garments, beat their breasts, and tear their hair.
Stretch'd on the earth the wretched sire defiles
His hoary locks, and aged face with dust,
Cursing his lengthen'd years: the conscious hand
Which caus'd the direful end, the mother's fate
Accomplish'd; through her vitals pierc'd the steel.

Had heaven on me an hundred tongues bestow'd,
With sounding voice, and such capacious wit
As all might fill; and all the Muses' power,
Still should I fail the grieving sisters' woe
Justly to paint. Heedless of beauteous forms
They beat their bosoms livid; while the corse
Remains, they clasp and cherish in their arms
The senseless mass; the corse they kiss, and kiss
The couch on which it rests: to ashes burn'd,
Careful collected in the urn, they hug
Those ashes to their breasts; and prostrate thrown
His tomb they cover; on the graven stone
Embrace his name; and on the letters pour
Their tears in torrents. Dian' satiate now
The house of OEneus levell'd with the dust,
Rais'd them by wings in air, which sudden shot
From each their bodies. Gorge sole, and she
The spouse of valiant Hercules, unchang'd
Were left. Long pinions for their arms were seen;
Their mouths to horny bills were turn'd; through air
Thus alter'd, ample range the goddess gives.