The Metamorphoses of Publius Ovidus Naso in English blank verse Part 29

"Meantime his comrades vainly Picus call, "Through all the groves; but Picus no where find.

"Circe they meet, for now the air was clear'd, "The clouds dispers'd, or by the winds or sun; "Charge her with crimes committed, and demand "Their king; force threaten, and prepare to lift "Their savage spears. The G.o.ddess sprinkles round "Her noxious poisons and envenom'd juice; "Invokes old night, and the nocturnal G.o.ds, "Chaos, and Erebus; and Hecat's help, "With magic howlings, prays. Woods (wond'rous sight!) "Leap from their seats; earth groans; the neighbouring trees "Grow pale; the gra.s.s with sprinkled blood is wet; "Stones hoa.r.s.ely seem to roar, and dogs to howl; "Earth with black serpents swarms; unmatter'd forms "Of bodies long defunct, flit through the air.

"Tremble the crowd, struck with th' appalling scene: "Appall'd, and trembling, on their heads she strikes "Th' envenom'd rod. From the rod's potent touch, "For men a various crowd of furious beasts "Appear'd: his form no single youth retain'd.

"Descending Phbus had Hesperia's sh.o.r.es "Now touch'd; and Canens with her heart and looks "Sought for her spouse in vain: her servants all, "And all the people roam through every wood, "Bearing bright torches. Not content the nymph "To weep, to tear her tresses, and to beat "Her bosom, though not one of these was spar'd, "She sally'd forth herself; and frantic stray'd "Through Latium's plains. Six times the night beheld, "And six returning suns, her, wandering o'er "The mountain tops, or through the vallies deep, "As chance directed: foodless, sleepless, still.

"Tiber at length beheld her; with her toil, "And woe, worn out, upon his chilling banks "Her limbs extending. There her very griefs, "Pour'd with her tears, still musically sound.

"Mourning, her words in a soft dying tone "Are heard, as when of old th' expiring swan "Sung his own elegy. Wasted at length "Her finest marrow, fast she pin'd away; "And vanish'd quite to unsubstantial air.

"Yet still tradition marks the spot, the muse "Of ancient days, still Canens call'd the place, "In honor of the nymph, and justly too.

"Many the tales like these I heard; and much "Like this I saw in that long tedious year.

"Sluggish and indolent for lack of toil, "Thence are we bid to plough the deep again; "Again to hoist the sail. But Circe told "So much of doubtful ways, of voyage vast, "And all the perils of the raging deep "We must encounter; that my soul I own "Trembled. I gain'd this sh.o.r.e, and here remain'd."

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

Not bootless, suppliant to Evander's roof aeneas went; though Venulus in vain, To exil'd Diomed's great town was sent.

A mighty city Diomed' had rear'd Beneath Apulian Daunus, and possess'd His lands by marriage dower. But when made known By Venulus, the message Turnus sent, Beseeching aid, th' Etolian hero aid Deny'd. For neither was his wish to send His father's troops to fight, nor of his own Had he, which might the strenuous warfare wage.-- "Lest this but feign'd you think," he said, "though grief "The sad relation will once more renew, "Yet will I now th'afflicting tale repeat.

"When lofty Ilium was consum'd,--the towers "Of Pergamus a prey to Grecian flames, "The Locrian Ajax, for the ravish'd maid, "Drew vengeance on us all; which he alone "Deserv'd from angry Pallas. Scatter'd wide, "And swept by tempests through the foaming deep, "The Grecians, thunders, rains, and darkness bore, "All heaven's and ocean's rage; and all to crown, "On the Capharean rocks the fleet was dash'd.

"But not to tire you with each mournful scene "In order; Greece might then the tears have drawn "Ev'n from old Priam. Yet Minerva's care "s.n.a.t.c.h'd me in safety from the surge. Again "From Argos, my paternal land, I'm driven; "Bright Venus bearing still in mind the wound "Of former days. Upon th'expanded deep "Such toils I bore excessive; on the land "So in stern combat strove, that oft those seem'd "To me most blest, who in the common wreck, "Caphareus sunk beneath the boisterous waves; "A fate I anxious wish'd I'd with them shar'd.

"Now all my comrades, of the toilsome main, "And constant warfare weary; respite crav'd "From their long wanderings. Not was Agmon so, "Fierce still his bosom burn'd; and now he rag'd "From his misfortunes fiercer, as he cry'd-- "What, fellows! can remain which now to bear "Your patience should refuse? What, though she would, "Possesses Cytherea to inflict?

"When worse is to be dreaded, is the time "For prayers: but when our state the worst has seen "Fear should be spurn'd at; in our depth of woe "Secure. Let she herself hear all my words; "And let her hate, as hate she does, each man "Who follows Diomed'! Yet will we all "Her hatred mock, and stand against her power "So mighty, with a no less mighty breast.-- "With words like these Etolian Agmon goads "Th' already raging G.o.ddess, and revives "Her ancient hate. Few with his boldness pleas'd; "Far most my friends his daring speech condemn.

"Aiming at words respondent, straight his voice "And throat are narrow'd; into plumes his hair "Is alter'd; plumes o'er his new neck are spread; "And o'er his chest, and back; his arms receive "Long pinions, bending into light-form'd wings; "Most of his feet is cleft in claws; his mouth "Hardens to horn, and in a sharp beak ends.

"Lycus, Rhetenor, Nycteus, Abas, stare With wonder, and while wondering there they stand "The same appearance take; and far the most "Of all my troop on wings up fly: and round "The ship the air resounds with clapping wings.

"If what new shape those birds so sudden form'd "Distinguish'd, you would know: swans not to be, "Nought could the snowy swan resemble more.

"Son now to Daunus, my diminish'd host "Scarce guards this kingdom, and those barren fields."

Thus far Diomedes; and Venulus Th' Apulian kingdom left, Calabria's gulf Pa.s.s'd, and Messapia's plains, where he beheld Caverns with woods deep shaded, with light rills Cool water'd: here the goatish Pan now dwelt; Once tenanted by wood-nymphs. From the spot Them, Appulus, a shepherd drove to flight; Alarm'd at first by sudden dread, but soon, Resum'd their courage, his pursuit despis'd, They to the measur'd notes their agile feet Mov'd in the dance. The clown insults them more, Mimics their motions in his boorish steps, To coa.r.s.e abusing adding speech obscene: Nor ceas'd his tongue 'till bury'd in a tree.

Well may his manner from the fruit be known; For the wild olive marks his tongue's reproach, In berries most austere: to them transferr'd The rough ungrateful sharpness of his words.

Return'd the legates, and the message told, Th' Etolians' aid deny'd; without their help Wage the Rutilians now the ready war: And streams of blood from either army flow.

Lo! Turnus comes, and greedy torches brings To fire the cover'd ships; the flames they fear Whom tempests spar'd. And now the fire consum'd The pitch, the wax, with all that flame could feed; Then, mounting up the lofty mast, a.s.sail'd The canvas; and the rowers' benches smok'd.

This saw the sacred mother of the G.o.ds, And mindful that from Ida's lofty top The pines were hew'd, with clash of tinkling bra.s.s, And sounds of hollow box, fill'd all the air.

Then borne through ether by her lions tam'd, She said; "Those flames with sacrilegious hand "Thou hurl'st in vain: I will them s.n.a.t.c.h away.

"Ne'er will I calmly view the greedy fire "Aught of the forests, which are mine consume."

Loud thunders rattled as the G.o.ddess spoke; And showery floods with hard rebounding hail, The thunder follow'd. In the troubled air The bl.u.s.tering brethren rag'd, and swell'd the main: The billows furious clash'd. The mother us'd One blast's exerted force; the cables burst, Which bound the Phrygian vessels to the sh.o.r.e; Them swiftly swept along, and in the deep Low plung'd them. Straight the rigid wood grows soft The timber turns to flesh; the crooked prows To heads are chang'd: the oars to floating legs, And toes; while what were ribs, as ribs remain; The keels, deep in the vessels sunk, become The spinal bones; in soft long tresses flows The cordage; into arms the sailyards change: The hue of all cerulean as before.

And now the Naiads of the ocean sport With girlish play, amid those very waves Ere while so dreaded: sprung from rugged hills They love the gentle main; nor aught their birth Their bosoms irks. Yet mindful still what risks Themselves encounter'd on the raging main, Oft with a.s.sisting hand the high-tost bark They aid; save Greeks the hapless bark contains.

Mindful of Ilium's fall, they still detest The Argives; and with joyful looks behold The shatter'd fragments of Ulysses' ship: With joy behold the bark Alcinous gave Harden to rock, stone growing from the wood.

'Twas hop'd, the fleet transform'd to nymphs marine, The fierce Rutilians, struck with awe, might cease The war; but stubborn either side persists.

Each have their G.o.ds, and each have G.o.dlike souls.

Nor seek they now, so much the kingdom dower, Latinus' sceptre, or Lavinia! thee, As conquest: waging war through shame to cease.

Venus at last beholds, brave Turnus slain, Her son's victorious arms; and Ardea falls, A mighty town when Turnus yet was safe: It cruel flames destroy'd; and every roof The smoking embers hid; up from the heap Of ruins, sprung a bird unknown before, And beat the ashes with its sounding wings: Its voice, its leanness, pallid hue, and all, Suit well a captur'd city; and the name Retaining still, with beating wings it wails.

Now had aeneas' virtues, all the G.o.ds, Ev'n Juno, forc'd to cease their ancient hate.

The young Iulus' growing empire fixt On firm foundations, ripe was then for heaven The Cytherean prince. Venus besought That favor of the G.o.ds; round her sire's neck Her arms she clasp'd--"O, father!"--she exclaim'd-- "Indulgent still, be more than ever kind: "Grant that a deity, though e'er so low, "aeneas may become! who through my blood "Claims thee as grandsire; something let him gain.

"Let it suffice, that he has once beheld "The dreary realm; and once already past "The Stygian stream."--The deities consent: Nor does the heavenly queen, her forehead stern Retain, consenting with a cheerful mien.

Then spoke the sire. "Both, daughter, merit well "The boon celestial: what thou ask'st receive, "Since thou desir'st it, and since he deserves."

He ceas'd. O'erjoy'd, she grateful thanks returns; And by yok'd turtles borne through yielding air, She seeks Laurentum's sh.o.r.e, where gently creep Numicius' waters 'midst a reedy shade Into the neighbouring main. She bids him cleanse All of aeneas that to death was given; And bear him silent floating to the sea.

The horned G.o.d, what Venus bade perform'd: All that aeneas had of mortal mould He purg'd away, and wash'd him with his waves.

His better part remain'd. Odours divine, O'er his l.u.s.trated limbs, the mother pour'd; And with ambrosia and sweet nectar touch'd His lips, and perfect is the new-made G.o.d: Whom Indiges, the Roman people call, Worship with altars, and in temples place.

Alba, and Latium then beneath the rule Of young Iulus, call'd Ascanius, came.

Him Sylvius follow'd. Then Latinus held The ancient sceptre, with his grandsire's name.

Alba to fam'd Latinus was the next.

Then Epitus; Capetus; Capys reign'd: Capys before Capetus. After these The realm was sway'd by Tiberinus; sunk Beneath the billows of the Tuscan stream, The waters took his name. His sons were two, Fierce Remulus, and Acrota; the first Pre-eminent in years, the thunder mock'd; And by the thunder dy'd. Of meeker mind His brother, to brave Aventinus left The throne; who bury'd 'neath the self-same hill Where once he reign'd, gave to the hill a name; And Procas now the Latian people rul'd.

Beneath this monarch fair Pomona liv'd, Than whom amongst the Hamadryad train None tended closer to her garden's care; None o'er the trees' young fruit more anxious watch'd; And thence her name. In rivers, she, and woods, Delighted not, for fields were all her joy; And branches bending with delicious loads.

Nor grasps her hand a javelin, but a hook, With which she now luxurious boughs restrains, And prunes the stragglers, when too wide they spread: Now she divides the rind, and in the cleft Inserts a scion, and supporting juice Affords th' adopted stranger. Ne'er she bears That drought they feel, but oft with flowing streams Waters the crooked fibres of their roots: This all her love, this all her care, for man She heeded not. Yet of the lawless force Of rustics fearful, she her orchard round Well fenc'd, and every part from access barr'd, And fled from all mankind. What was there left Untry'd, by satyrs, by the wanton fawns, Or pine-crown'd Pan; Sylva.n.u.s, ever youth; Or him whose sickle frights nocturnal thieves To gain her? These Vertumnus all excell'd In pa.s.sion; but not happier he than they.

How oft a basket of ripe grain he bore, Clad like a hardy reaper, and in form A real reaper seem'd! Oft with new hay His temples bound, who turns the fresh cut gra.s.s He might be thought. Oft in his h.o.r.n.y hand He bears a goad; then might you swear, that now The weary oxen he had just unyok'd.

Arm'd with a pruning hook, he one appears Who lops the vines. When he the ladder lifts, Apples about to pluck he seems. His sword Shews him a soldier; and his trembling reed An angler. Thus a thousand shapes he tries, T' enjoy the pleasure of her beauteous sight.

Now leaning on a staff, his temples clad In painted bonnet, he an ancient dame, With silver locks thin scatter'd o'er her head, Would seem; and in the well-trimm'd orchard walks; Admires the fruit--"But, O! how far beyond "Are these;"--he said, and kiss'd the lips he prais'd: No ancient dame such kisses e'er bestow'd.

Then rested on the swelling turf, and view'd The branches bending with th' autumnal load.

An elm there stood right opposite, full spread With swelling grapes, which, with its social vine, He prais'd;--"Yet should that trunk there single stand"-- Said he,--"without its vine, nought but the leaves "Desirable would seem. As well the vine "Which rests now safe upon its wedded elm, "If not so join'd, were prostrate on the ground.

"Yet does the tree's example move not thee.

"Thou fly'st from marriage; fly'st from nuptial joys; "Would they could charm thy soul. Not Helen e'er "Such crowds of wooers sought; not her who mov'd "The Lapithaean war; nor the bright queen "Of Ithacus, still 'gainst the coward brave, "As would pursue thee. Now, though all thou fly'st, "Thy suitors scorning, thousands seek thy hand, "Both demi-G.o.ds and G.o.ds, whoever dwell "Of deities on Alba's lofty hills.

"Yet wisely would'st thou act, and happy wed, "Attend my aged counsel (thee I love "More than all these, and more than thou'dst believe) "Reject such vulgar offers, and select "Vertumnus for the consort of thy bed: "And for his worth accept of me as pledge.

"For to himself not better is he known "Than me. No truant through the earth he roves; "These spots he dwells in, and in these alone, "Nor loves he, like thy wooer's greatest share, "Instant whate'er he sees. Thou his first flame "Shalt be, and be his last. He will devote "His every year to thee, and thee alone.

"Add too his youth, and nature's bounteous gifts "Which decorate him; and that changed with ease, "He every form can take, and those the best "That thou may'st like, for all thou may'st command.

"Are not your pleasures both the same? the fruits "Thou gatherest first, are they not given to him?

"Who takes thy offerings with a grateful hand.

"But now he seeks not fruits pluck'd from thy trees, "Nor herbs thy garden feeds with mellow juice, "Nor aught, save thee. Have pity on his flame: "Think 'tis himself that sues; think that he prays "Through me. O fear the vengeance of the G.o.ds!

"Affronted Venus' unrelenting rage; "And fear Rhamnusia's still vindictive mind.

"That these you more may dread, I will relate "(For age has much to me made known) a fact "Notorious through all Cyprus which may urge "Your soul more quickly to relent and love.

"Iphis of humble origin beheld "The n.o.ble Anaxarete--the blood "Of ancient Teucer: he beheld, and felt "Love burn through all his frame; he struggled long "By reason to o'ercome the flame, in vain.

"He came a humble suppliant to her gate.

"To her old nurse, he now his hapless love "Confess'd, and pray'd her by her nurseling's hopes, "She would not be severe. Now he a.s.sails "All her attendants with his flattering speech, "And anxious begs of each to intercede.

"Oft, grav'n on tablets, were his amorous words "Borne to her. Oft against her door he hung "Garlands, wet dropping with the dew of tears.

"Plac'd on the threshold hard his tender side, "Venting reproaches on the cruel bar.

"But she more deaf than surges which arise "With setting stars; and harder than the steel "Numician fires have temper'd; or the rock "Still living in its bed, spurn'd him, and laugh'd: "And cruel, added lofty words to deeds "Unmerciful, and robb'd him ev'n of hope.

"Impatient Iphis, now no longer bore "The pangs of endless grief, but at her gate "Thus utter'd his last 'plaints--Thou hast o'ercome "O Anaxarete! for never more "Will I molest thy quiet. Now prepare "Glad triumphs; Paean call; and bind thy brows "With laurel bright, for thou victorious art, "And joyfully I die. O heart of steel!

"Enjoy thy bliss. Now will I force thy praise "In something;--somehow find a way to please, "And thee constrain to grant I have desert.

"Yet still remember, that my love for thee "Leaves me not but with life! at once I lose "A double light. But fame shall not announce "To thee my death, for I myself will come.

"Lest thou should'st doubt, thou shalt thyself behold "My death, and on my lifeless body glut "Thy cruel eyes. But, O ye G.o.ds above!

"If mortal deeds ye view, remember me: "No more my tongue can dare to ask, than this, "That distant ages may my fortune know; "Grant fame to him, whom ye of life deprive.-- "He spoke, and to the porch so oft adorn'd "With flowing chaplets, rais'd his humid eyes, "And stretch'd his pallid arms; then to the post, "The cord with noose well-fitted, fastening, cry'd:-- "Nymph, pitiless and cruel! pleas'd the best "With garlands such as these!--Then in the cord, "His head inserted; tow'rd the maid still turn'd, "As, hapless load! with strangled throat he hung.

"Struck by his dangling feet, the portals seem'd "A sound to give, which mighty seem'd to mourn; "And open thrown, the horrid deed display'd: "Loudly the servants shriek, and vainly bear "His breathless body to his mother's dome.

"(Defunct his sire) She clasp'd him to her breast, "Embrac'd his clay-cold limbs; and all she said "That wretched parents say; and all she did "That hapless mothers do: then through the town "The melancholy funeral pomp she led, "The lurid members following, on a bier "For burning. In the road the dwelling stood "Through which the sad procession took its way, "And sound of lamentation struck the ears "Of Anaxarete, whom now the power "Of vengeance follow'd. Mov'd, she now exclaim'd-- "I will this melancholy prospect view.-- "And to the open cas.e.m.e.nt mounted high.

"Scarce had she Iphis on the bier beheld, "When harden'd grew her eyes; a pallid hue "O'erspread her body as the warm blood fled.

"Her feet to move for flight she try'd, her feet "Stuck fast; her face she try'd to turn away; "She could not turn it; and by small degrees "The stony hardness of her breast was spread "O'er all her limbs. Believe not that I feign, "For Salamis the figure of the nymph "Still keeps; and there a temple is high rear'd "Where Venus, the beholder, they adore.

"Mindful of this, O dearest nymph! lay by "That cold disdain, and join thee to a spouse.

"So may no vernal frosts thy budding fruits "Destroy, nor sweeping storms despoil thy flowers."

When this the G.o.d, to various shapes in vain Transform'd, had utter'd; he a.s.sum'd again The youth, and flung the garb of age aside: And so appear'd, as seems the radiant sun, Freed from opposing clouds, and darting bright His glory round. Force he prepar'd, but force He needed not. The nymph his beauty mov'd, And straight her bosom felt a mutual flame.

Th' Ausonian realm Amulius' force unjust Commanded next; and ancient Numitor By his young grandsons the lost realm regain'd.

The city's walls on Pales' feast were laid.

Now Tatius and the Sabine sires wage war Against it; and the fortress' gate unclos'd, Tarpea, well-deserving of her fate, Breathes out her soul beneath a pile of shields.

Thence Cures' sons, each sound of voice repress'd, Silent as wolves, steal on them drown'd in sleep, And gain the gates, which Ilia's son had clos'd With ma.s.sive bars. But Juno one threw ope, Nor creak'd the portal on its turning hinge.

Venus alone the fastening of the gate Withdrawn, perceiv'd, and had it clos'd again, Save that the acts a deity performs, No deity can e'er undo. A spot Near Ja.n.u.s' temple, cool with flowing streams, Ausonia's Naiads own'd; and aid from these She sought. Nor could the nymphs deny a boon So just; and instant all their rills and floods Burst forth. But still to Ja.n.u.s' open gate The way was pa.s.sable, nor could the waves Oppose their way. They to the fruitful springs Apply blue sulphur, and the hollow caves Fire with bitumen; to the lowest depth They forceful penetrate, both this, and that.