1. Ovid, Fasti, 1.461-1.586, 1.599-1.600, 1.617-1.636, 6.473-6.568 (1st cent. BCE - missingth cent. CE)
Tagged with subjects: • Carmenta • Carmenta/Carmentis • Carmentis • Carmentis and Evander in Fasti
Found in books: Bierl (2017), Time and Space in Ancient Myth, Religion and Culture, 300, 319, 321, 322, 325, 326; Erker (2023), Ambiguity and Religion in Ovid’s Fasti: Religious Innovation and the Imperial Family, 73, 74, 78, 127, 131, 158, 192, 230; Fielding (2017), Transformations of Ovid in Late Antiquity. 63, 67; Gorain (2019), Language in the Confessions of Augustine, 89; Panoussi(2019), Brides, Mourners, Bacchae: Women's Rituals in Roman Literature, 189, 195, 197, 198, 199, 201, 261; Pillinger (2019), Cassandra and the Poetics of Prophecy in Greek and Latin Literature, 208; Santangelo (2013), Roman Frugality: Modes of Moderation from the Archaic Age to the Early Empire and Beyond, 159; Williams and Vol (2022), Philosophy in Ovid, Ovid as Philosopher, 323, 324
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1.461 Proxima prospiciet Tithono Aurora relicto 1.462 Arcadiae sacrum pontificale deae, 1.463 te quoque lux eadem, Turni soror, aede recepit, 1.464 hic ubi Virginea Campus obitur aqua. 1.465 unde petam causas horum moremque sacrorum? 1.466 diriget in medio quis mea vela freto? 1.467 ipsa mone, quae nomen habes a carmine ductum, 1.468 propositoque fave, ne tuus erret honor, 1.469 orta prior luna (de se si creditur ipsi) 1.470 a magno tellus Arcade nomen habet. 1.471 hic fuit Evander, qui, quamquam clarus utroque, 1.472 nobilior sacrae sanguine matris erat; 1.473 quae simul aetherios animo conceperat ignes, 1.474 ore dabat pleno carmina vera dei. 1.475 dixerat haec nato motus instare sibique, 1.476 multaque praeterea tempore nacta fidem. 1.477 nam iuvenis nimium vera cum matre fugatus 1.478 deserit Arcadiam Parrhasiumque larem, 1.479 cui genetrix flenti fortuna viriliter inquit 1.480 ‘(siste, precor, lacrimas) ista ferenda tibi est. 1.481 sic erat in fatis; nec te tua culpa fugavit, 1.482 sed deus; offenso pulsus es urbe deo. 1.483 non meriti poenam pateris, sed numinis iram: 1.484 est aliquid magnis crimen abesse malis. 1.485 conscia mens ut cuique sua est, ita concipit intra 1.486 pectora pro facto spemque metumque suo. 1.487 nec tamen ut primus maere mala talia passus: 1.488 obruit ingentes ista procella viros, 1.489 passus idem est, Tyriis qui quondam pulsus ab oris 1.490 Cadmus in Aonia constitit exul humo: 1.491 passus idem Tydeus et idem Pagasaeus Iason, 1.492 et quos praeterea longa referre mora est. 1.493 omne solum forti patria est, ut piscibus aequor, 1.494 ut volucri, vacuo quicquid in orbe patet. 1.495 nec fera tempestas toto tamen horret in anno: 1.496 et tibi (crede mihi) tempora veris erunt.’ 1.497 vocibus Evander firmata mente parentis 1.498 nave secat fluctus Hesperiarnque tenet, 1.499 iamque ratem doctae monitu Carmentis in amnem 1.500 egerat et Tuscis obvius ibat aquis: 1.501 fluminis illa latus, cui sunt vada iuncta Tarenti, 1.502 aspicit et sparsas per loca sola casas; 1.503 utque erat, immissis puppem stetit ante capillis 1.504 continuitque manum torva regentis iter, 1.505 et procul in dextram tendens sua bracchia ripam 1.506 pinea non sano ter pede texta ferit; 1.507 neve daret saltum properans insistere terrae, 1.508 vix est Evandri vixque retenta manu. 1.509 di que petitorum dixit ‘salve te locorum, 1.510 tuque novos caelo terra datura deos, 1.511 fluminaque et fontes, quibus utitur hospita tellus, 1.512 et nemorum nymphae naiadumque chori! 1.513 este bonis avibus visi natoque mihique, 1.514 ripaque felici tacta sit ista pede! 1.515 fallor, an hi fient ingentia moenia colles, 1.516 iuraque ab hac terra cetera terra petet? 1.517 montibus his olim totus promittitur orbis: 1.518 quis tantum fati credat habere locum? 1.519 et iam Dardaniae tangent haec litora pinus: 1.520 hic quoque causa novi femina Martis erit. 1.521 care nepos, Palla, funesta quid induis arma? 1.522 indue! non humili vindice caesus eris. 1.523 victa tamen vinces eversaque, Troia, resurges: 1.524 obruet hostiles ista ruina domos. 1.525 urite victrices Neptunia Pergama flammae! 1.526 num minus hic toto est altior orbe cinis? 1.527 iam pius Aeneas sacra et, sacra altera, patrem 1.528 adferet: Iliacos accipe, Vesta, deos! 1.529 tempus erit, cum vos orbemque tuebitur idem, 1.530 et fient ipso sacra colente deo, 1.531 et penes Angustos patriae tutela manebit: 1.532 hanc fas imperii frena tenere domum, 1.533 inde nepos natusque dei, licet ipse recuset, 1.534 pondera caelesti mente paterna feret; 1.535 utque ego perpetuis olim sacrabor in aris, 1.536 sic Augusta novum Iulia numen erit.’ 1.537 talibus ut dictis nostros descendit in annos, 1.538 substitit in medios praescia lingua sonos, 1.539 puppibus egressus Latia stetit exul in herba, 1.540 felix, exilium cui locus ille fuit! 1.541 nec mora longa fuit: stabant nova tecta, neque alter 1.542 montibus Ausoniis Arcade maior erat. 1.543 ecce boves illuc Erytheidas applicat heros 1.544 emensus longi claviger orbis iter; 1.545 dumque huic hospitium domus est Tegeaea, vagantur 1.546 incustoditae lata per arva boves, 1.547 mane erat: excussus somno Tirynthius actor 1.548 de numero tauros sentit abesse duos. 1.549 nulla videt quaerens taciti vestigia furti: 1.550 traxerat aversos Cacus in antra ferox, 1.551 Cacus, Aventinae timor atque infamia silvae, 1.552 non leve finitimis hospitibusque malum, 1.553 dira viro facies, vires pro corpore, corpus 1.554 grande: pater monstri Mulciber huius erat: 1.555 proque domo longis spelunca recessibus ingens, 1.556 abdita, vix ipsis invenienda feris, 1.557 ora super postes adfixaque brachia pendent, 1.558 squalidaque humanis ossibus albet humus, 1.559 servata male parte boum Iove natus abibat: 1.560 mugitum rauco furta dedere sono. 1.561 accipio revocamen ait, vocemque secutus 1.562 impia per silvas ultor ad antra venit, 1.563 ille aditum fracti praestruxerat obice montis; 1.564 vix iuga movissent quinque bis illud opus. 1.565 nititur hic numeris (caelum quoque sederat illis) 1.566 et vastum motu conlabefactat onus. 1.567 quod simul eversum est, fragor aethera terruit ipsum. 1.568 ictaque subsedit pondere molis humus, 1.569 prima movet Cacus collata proelia dextra 1.570 remque ferox saxis stipitibusque gerit. 1.571 quis ubi nil agitur, patrias male fortis ad artes 1.572 confugit et flammas ore sote vomit; 1.573 quas quotiens proflat, spirare Typhoea credas 1.574 et rapidum Aetnaeo fulgur ab igne iaci. 1.575 occupat Alcides, adductaque clava trinodis 1.576 ter quater adverso sedit in ore viri. 1.577 ille cadit mixtosque vomit cum sanguine fumos 1.578 et lato moriens pectore plangit humum, 1.579 immolat ex illis taurum tibi, Iuppiter, unum 1.580 victor et Evandrum ruricolasque vocat, 1.581 constituitque sibi, quae Maxima dicitur, aram, 1.582 hic ubi pars urbis de bove nomen habet, 1.583 nec tacet Evandri mater prope tempus adesse, 1.584 Hercule quo tellus sit satis usa suo. 1.585 at felix vates, ut dis gratissima vixit, 1.586 possidet hunc Iani sic dea mense diem. 13. E EID — NP 14. F EN DIES — VITIOS — EX — S — C
1.599 si petat a victis, tot sumat nomina Caesar, 1.600 quot numero gentes maximus orbis habet,
1.617 Respiciet Titan actas ubi tertius Idus, 1.618 fient Parrhasiae sacra relata deae. 1.619 Nam prius Ausonias matres carpenta vehebant 1.620 (haec quoque ab Evandri dicta parente reor); 1.621 mox honor eripitur, matronaque destinat omnis 1.622 ingratos nulla prole novare viros, 1.623 neve daret partus, ictu temeraria caeco 1.624 visceribus crescens excutiebat onus. 1.625 corripuisse patres ausas immitia nuptas, 1.626 ius tamen ereptum restituisse ferunt; 1.627 binaque nunc pariter Tegeaeae sacra parenti 1.628 pro pueris fieri virginibusque iubent, 1.629 scortea non illi fas est inferre sacello, 1.630 ne violent puros exanimata focos. 1.631 siquis amas veteres ritus, adsiste precanti: 1.632 nomina percipies non tibi nota prius. 1.633 Porrima placatur Postvertaque, sive sorores 1.634 sive fugae comites, Maenali diva, tuae: 1.635 altera, quod porro fuerat, cecinisse putatur, 1.636 altera, venturum postmodo quicquid erat. 16. HC
6.473 Iam, Phryx, a nupta quereris, Tithone, relinqui, 6.474 et vigil Eois Lucifer exit aquis: 6.475 ite, bonae matres (vestrum Matralia festum) 6.476 flavaque Thebanae reddite liba deae. 6.477 pontibus et magno iuncta est celeberrima Circo 6.478 area, quae posito de bove nomen habet: 6.479 hac ibi luce ferunt Matutae sacra parenti 6.480 sceptriferas Servi templa dedisse manus, 6.481 quae dea sit, quare famulas a limine templi 6.482 arceat (arcet enim) libaque tosta petat, 6.483 Bacche, racemiferos hedera redimite capillos, 6.484 si domus illa tua est, dirige vatis opus. 6.485 arserat obsequio Semele Iovis: accipit Ino 6.486 te, puer, et summa sedula nutrit ope. 6.487 intumuit Iuno, raptum quod paelice natum 6.488 educet: at sanguis ille sororis erat. 6.489 hinc agitur furiis Athamas et imagine falsa, 6.490 tuque cadis patria, parve Learche, manu. 6.491 maesta Learcheas mater tumulaverat umbras 6.492 et dederat miseris omnia iusta rogis. 6.493 haec quoque, funestos ut erat laniata capillos, 6.494 prosilit et cunis te, Melicerta, rapit. 6.495 est spatio contracta brevi, freta bina repellit 6.496 unaque pulsatur terra duabus aquis: 6.497 huc venit insanis natum complexa lacertis 6.498 et secum e celso mittit in alta iugo. 6.499 excipit illaesos Panope centumque sorores, 6.500 et placido lapsu per sua regna ferunt. 6.501 nondum Leucothea, nondum puer ille Palaemon 6.502 verticibus densi Thybridis ora tenent, 6.503 lucus erat; dubium Semelae Stimulaene vocetur: 6.504 Maenadas Ausonias incoluisse ferunt. 6.505 quaerit ab his Ino, quae gens foret: Arcadas esse 6.506 audit et Evandrum sceptra tenere loci. 6.507 dissimulata deam Latias Saturnia Bacchas 6.508 instimulat fictis insidiosa sonis: 6.509 ‘o nimium faciles, o toto pectore captae! 6.510 non venit haec nostris hospes amica choris, 6.511 fraude petit sacrique parat cognoscere ritum; 6.512 quo possit poenas pendere, pignus habet.’ 6.513 vix bene desierat, complent ululatibus auras 6.514 Thyades effusis per sua colla comis, 6.515 iniciuntque manus puerumque revellere pugt, 6.516 quos ignorat adhuc, invocat illa deos: 6.517 dique virique loci, miserae succurrite matri! 6.518 clamor Aventini saxa propinqua ferit, 6.519 appulerat ripae vaccas Oetaeus Hiberas: 6.520 audit et ad vocem concitus urget iter. 6.521 Herculis adventu, quae vim modo ferre parabant, 6.522 turpia femineae terga dedere fugae. 6.523 quid petis hinc (cognorat enim) ‘matertera Bacchi? 6.524 an numen, quod me, te quoque vexat?’ ait. 6.525 illa docet partim, partim praesentia nati 6.526 continet, et furiis in scelus isse pudet, 6.527 rumor, ut est velox, agitatis pervolat alis, 6.528 estque frequens, Ino, nomen in ore tuum. 6.529 hospita Carmentis fidos intrasse penates 6.530 diceris et longam deposuisse famem; 6.531 liba sua properata manu Tegeaca sacerdos 6.532 traditur in subito cocta dedisse foco. 6.533 nunc quoque liba iuvant festis Matralibus illam: 6.534 rustica sedulitas gratior arte fuit. 6.535 nunc, ait ‘o vates, venientia fata resigna, 6.536 qua licet, hospitiis hoc, precor, adde meis.’ 6.537 parva mora est, caelum vates ac numina sumit 6.538 fitque sui toto pectore plena dei; 6.539 vix illam subito posses cognoscere, tanto 6.540 sanctior et tanto, quam modo, maior erat. 6.541 laeta canam, gaude, defuncta laboribus Ino, 6.542 dixit ‘et huic populo prospera semper ades. 6.543 numen eris pelagi, natum quoque pontus habebit. 6.544 in vestris aliud sumite nomen aquis: 6.545 Leucothea Grais, Matuta vocabere nostris; 6.546 in portus nato ius erit omne tuo, 6.547 quem nos Portunum, sua lingua Palaemona dicet. 6.548 ite, precor, nostris aequus uterque locis!’ 6.549 annuerat, promissa fides, posuere labores, 6.550 nomina mutarunt: hic deus, illa dea est. 6.551 cur vetet ancillas accedere, quaeritis? odit, 6.552 principiumque odii, si sinat illa, canam, 6.553 una ministrarum solita est, Cadmei, tuarum 6.554 saepe sub amplexus coniugis ire tui. 6.555 improbus hanc Athamas furtim dilexit; ab illa 6.556 comperit agricolis semina tosta dari. 6.557 ipsa quidem fecisse negat, sed fama recepit. 6.558 hoc est, cur odio sit sibi serva manus, 6.559 non tamen hanc pro stirpe sua pia mater adoret: 6.560 ipsa parum felix visa fuisse parens, 6.561 alterius prolem melius mandabitis illi: 6.562 utilior Baccho quam fuit ipsa suis. 6.563 hanc tibi, quo properas? memorant dixisse, Rutili, 6.564 luce mea Marso consul ab hoste cades. 6.565 exitus accessit verbis, numenque Toleni 6.566 purpureum mixtis sanguine fluxit aquis, 6.567 proximus annus erat: Pallantide caesus eadem 6.568 Didius hostiles ingeminavit opes.'' None | sup>
1.461 Quitting his couch, Tithonus’ bride will witne 1.462 The high priest’s rite of Arcadian Carmentis. 1.463 The same light received you too, Juturna, Turnus’ sister, 1.464 There where the Aqua Virgo circles the Campus. 1.465 Where shall I find the cause and nature of these rites? 1.466 Who will steer my vessel in mid-ocean? 1.467 Advise me, Carmentis, you who take your name from song, 1.468 And favour my intent, lest I fail to honour you. 1.469 Arcadia, that’s older than the moon (if we believe it), 1.470 Takes its name from great Arcas, Callisto’s son. 1.471 From there came Evander, though of noble lineage on both side 1.472 Nobler through the blood of Carmentis, his sacred mother: 1.473 She, as soon as her spirit absorbed the heavenly fire, 1.474 Spoke true prophecies, filled with the god. 1.475 She had foretold trouble for her son and herself, 1.476 And many other things that time proved valid. 1.477 The mother’s words proved only too true, when the youth 1.478 Banished with her, fled Arcady and his Parrhasian home. 1.479 While he wept, his mother said: ‘Your fortune must 1.480 Be borne like a man (I beg you, check your tears). 1.481 It was fated so: it is no fault of yours that exiles you, 1.482 But a god: an offended god expelled you from the city. 1.483 You’re not suffering rightful punishment, but divine anger: 1.484 It is something in great misfortune to be free of guilt. 1.485 As each man’s conscience is, so it harbour 1.486 Hope or fear in his heart, according to his actions. 1.487 Don’t mourn these ills as if you were first to endure them: 1.488 Such storms have overwhelmed the mightiest people. 1.489 Cadmus endured the same, driven from the shores of Tyre, 1.490 Remaining an exile on Boeotian soil. 1.491 Tydeus endured the same, and Pagasean Jason, 1.492 And others whom it would take too long to speak of. 1.493 To the brave every land is their country, as the sea 1.494 To fish, or every empty space on earth to the birds. 1.495 Wild storms never rage the whole year long, 1.496 And spring will yet come to you (believe me).’ 1.497 Encouraged by his mother’s words, Evander 1.498 Sailed the waves and reached Hesperian lands. 1.499 Then, advised by wise Carmentis, he steered 1.500 His boat into a river, and stemmed the Tuscan stream. 1.501 She examined the river bank, bordered by Tarentum’s shallows, 1.502 And the huts scattered over the desolate spaces: 1.503 And stood, as she was, with streaming hair, at the stern, 1.504 And fiercely stopped the steersman’s hand: 1.505 Then stretching out her arm to the right bank, 1.506 She stamped three times, wildly, on the pine deck: 1.507 Evander barely held her back with his hand, 1.508 Barely stopped her leaping swiftly to land. 1.509 ‘Hail, you gods of the land we sought’ she cried, 1.510 ‘And you the place that will give heaven new gods, 1.511 And you nymphs of the grove, and crowds of Naiads! 1.512 May the sight of you be a good omen for me and my son, 1.513 And happy be the foot that touches that shore! 1.514 Am I wrong, or will those hills raise mighty walls, 1.515 And from this earth all the earth receive its laws? 1.516 The whole world is one day promised to these hills: 1.517 Who could believe the place held such fate in store? 1.518 Soon Trojan ships will touch these shores, 1.519 And a woman, Lavinia, shall cause fresh war. 1.520 Pallas, dear grandson, why put on that fatal armour? 1.521 Put it on! No mean champion will avenge you. 1.522 Conquered Troy you will conquer, and rise from your fall, 1.523 Your very ruin overwhelms your enemy’s houses. 1.524 Conquering flames consume Neptune’s Ilium! 1.525 Will that prevent its ashes rising higher than the world? 1.526 Soon pious Aeneas will bring the sacred Penates, and hi 1.527 Sacred father here: Vesta, receive the gods of Troy! 1.528 In time the same hand will guard the world and you, 1.529 And a god in person will hold the sacred rites. 1.530 The safety of the country will lie with Augustus’ house: 1.531 It’s decreed this family will hold the reins of empire. 1.532 So Caesar’s son, Augustus, and grandson, Tiberius, 1.533 Divine minds, will, despite his refusal, rule the country: 1.534 And as I myself will be hallowed at eternal altars, 1.535 So Livia shall be a new divinity, Julia Augusta.’ 1.536 When she had brought her tale to our own times, 1.537 Her prescient tongue halted in mid-speech. 1.538 Landing from the ships, Evander the exile stood 1.539 On Latian turf, happy for that to be his place of exile! 1.540 After a short time new houses were built, 1.541 And no Italian hill surpassed the Palatine. 1.542 See, Hercules drives the Erythean cattle here: 1.543 Travelling a long track through the world: 1.544 And while he is entertained in the Tegean house, 1.545 The untended cattle wander the wide acres. 1.546 It was morning: woken from his sleep the Tyrinthian 1.547 Saw that two bulls were missing from the herd. 1.548 Seeking, he found no trace of the silently stolen beasts: 1.549 Fierce Cacus had dragged them backwards into his cave, 1.550 Cacus the infamous terror of the Aventine woods, 1.551 No slight evil to neighbours and travellers. 1.552 His aspect was grim, his body huge, with strength 1.553 To match: the monster’s father was Mulciber. 1.554 He housed in a vast cavern with deep recesses, 1.555 So hidden the wild creatures could barely find it. 1.556 Over the entrance hung human arms and skulls, 1.557 And the ground bristled with whitened bones. 1.558 Jupiter’s son was leaving, that part of his herd lost, 1.559 When the stolen cattle lowed loudly. 1.560 ‘I am recalled” he said, and following the sound, 1.561 As avenger, came through the woods to the evil cave, 1.562 Cacus had blocked the entrance with a piece of the hill: 1.563 Ten yoked oxen could scarcely have moved it. 1.564 Hercules leant with his shoulders, on which the world had rested, 1.565 And loosened that vast bulk with the pressure. 1.566 A crash that troubled the air followed its toppling, 1.567 And the ground subsided under the falling weight. 1.568 Cacus at first fought hand to hand, and waged war, 1.569 Ferociously, with logs and boulders. 1.570 When that failed, beaten, he tried his father’s trick 1.571 And vomited roaring flames from his mouth: 1.572 You’d think Typhoeus breathed at every blast, 1.573 And sudden flares were hurled from Etna’s fires. 1.574 Hercules anticipated him, raised his triple-knotted club, 1.575 And swung it three, then four times, in his adversary’s face. 1.576 Cacus fell, vomiting smoke mingled with blood, 1.577 And beat at the ground, in dying, with his chest. 1.578 The victor offered one of the bulls to you, Jupiter, 1.579 And invited Evander and his countrymen to the feast, 1.580 And himself set up an altar, called Maxima, the Mightiest, 1.581 Where that part of the city takes its name from an ox. 1.582 Evander’s mother did not hide that the time was near 1.583 When earth would be done with its hero, Hercules. 1.584 But the felicitous prophetess, as she lived beloved of the gods, 1.585 Now a goddess herself, has this day of Janus’ month as hers. 1.586 On the Ides, in Jove’s temple, the chaste priest (the Flamen Dialis)
1.599 He would need as many names as tribes on earth. 1.600 Some have earned fame from lone enemies,
1.617 The rites of Carmenta, the Parrhasian goddess, are repeated. 1.618 Formerly the Ausonian mothers drove in carriages (carpenta) 1.619 (These I think were named after Evander’s mother). 1.620 The honour was later taken from them, so every woman 1.621 Vowed not to renew their ungrateful husband’s line, 1.622 And to avoid giving birth, unwisely, she expelled 1.623 Her womb’s growing burden, using unpredictable force. 1.624 They say the senate reproved the wives for their coldness, 1.625 But restored the right which had been taken from them: 1.626 And they ordered two like festivals for the Tegean mother, 1.627 To promote the birth of both boys and girls. 1.628 It is not lawful to take leather into her shrine, 1.629 Lest the pure hearths are defiled by sacrifice. 1.630 If you love ancient ritual, listen to the prayers, 1.631 And you’ll hear names you’ve never heard before. 1.632 They placate Porrima and Postverta, whether sisters, 1.633 Maenalian goddess, or companions in your exile: 1.634 The one thought to sing of what happened long ago (porro), 1.635 The other of what is to happen hereafter (venturum postmodo). 1.636 Radiant one, the next day places you in your snow-white shrine,
6.473 Now you complain, Phrygian Tithonus, abandoned by your bride, 6.474 And the vigilant Morning Star leaves the Eastern waters. 6.475 Good mothers (since the Matralia is your festival), 6.476 Go, offer the Theban goddess the golden cakes she’s owed. 6.477 Near the bridges and mighty Circus is a famous square, 6.478 One that takes its name from the statue of an ox: 6.479 There, on this day, they say, Servius with his own 6.480 Royal hands, consecrated a temple to Mother Matruta. 6.481 Bacchus, whose hair is twined with clustered grapes, 6.482 If the goddess’ house is also yours, guide the poet’s work, 6.483 Regarding who the goddess is, and why she exclude 6.484 (Since she does) female servants from the threshold 6.485 of her temple, and why she calls for toasted cakes. 6.486 Semele was burnt by Jove’s compliance: Ino 6.487 Received you as a baby, and nursed you with utmost care. 6.488 Juno swelled with rage, that Ino should raise a child 6.489 Snatched from Jove’s lover: but it was her sister’s son. 6.490 So Athamas was haunted by the Furies, and false visions, 6.491 And little Learchus died by his father’s hand. 6.492 His grieving mother committed his shade to the tomb. 6.493 And paid the honours due to the sad pyre. 6.494 Then tearing her hair in sorrow, she leapt up 6.495 And snatched you from your cradle, Melicertes. 6.496 There’s a narrow headland between two seas, 6.497 A single space attacked by twofold waves: 6.498 There Ino came, clutching her son in her frenzied grasp, 6.499 And threw herself, with him, from a high cliff into the sea. 6.500 Panope and her hundred sisters received them unharmed, 6.501 And gliding smoothly carried them through their realm. 6.502 They reached the mouth of densely eddying Tiber, 6.503 Before they became Leucothea and Palaemon. 6.504 There was a grove: known either as Semele’s or Stimula’s: 6.505 Inhabited, they say, by Italian Maenads. 6.506 Ino, asking them their nation, learned they were Arcadians, 6.507 And that Evander was the king of the place. 6.508 Hiding her divinity, Saturn’s daughter cleverly 6.509 Incited the Latian Bacchae with deceiving words: 6.510 ‘O too-easy-natured ones, caught by every feeling! 6.511 This stranger comes, but not as a friend, to our gathering. 6.512 She’s treacherous, and would learn our sacred rites: 6.513 But she has a child on whom we can wreak punishment.’ 6.514 She’d scarcely ended when the Thyiads, hair streaming 6.515 Over their necks, filled the air with their howling, 6.516 Laid hands on Ino, and tried to snatch the boy. 6.517 She invoked gods with names as yet unknown to her: 6.518 ‘Gods, and men, of this land, help a wretched mother!’ 6.519 Her cry carried to the neighbouring Aventine. 6.520 Oetaean Hercules having driven the Iberian cattle 6.521 To the riverbank, heard and hurried towards the voice. 6.522 As he arrived, the women who’d been ready for violence, 6.523 Shamefully turned their backs in cowardly flight. 6.524 ‘What are you doing here,’ said Hercules (recognising her), 6.525 ‘Sister of Bacchus’ mother? Does Juno persecute you too?’ 6.526 She told him part of her tale, suppressing the rest because of her son: 6.527 Ashamed to have been goaded to crime by the Furies. 6.528 Rumour, so swift, flew on beating wings, 6.529 And your name was on many a lip, Ino. 6.530 It’s said you entered loyal Carmentis’ home 6.531 As a guest, and assuaged your great hunger: 6.532 They say the Tegean priestess quickly made cake 6.533 With her own hands, and baked them on the hearth. 6.534 Now cakes delight the goddess at the Matralia: 6.535 Country ways pleased her more than art’s attentions. 6.536 ‘Now, O prophetess,’ she said, ‘reveal my future fate, 6.537 As far as is right. Add this, I beg, to your hospitality.’ 6.538 A pause ensued. Then the prophetess assumed divine powers, 6.539 And her whole breast filled with the presence of the god: 6.540 You’d hardly have known her then, so much taller 6.541 And holier she’d become than a moment before. 6.542 ‘I sing good news, Ino,’ she said, ‘your trials are over, 6.543 Be a blessing to your people for evermore. 6.544 You’ll be a sea goddess, and your son will inhabit ocean. 6.545 Take different names now, among your own waves: 6.546 Greeks will call you Leucothea, our people Matuta: 6.547 Your son will have complete command of harbours, 6.548 We’ll call him Portunus, Palaemon in his own tongue. 6.549 Go, and both be friends, I beg you, of our country!’ 6.550 Ino nodded, and gave her promise. Their trials were over, 6.551 They changed their names: he’s a god and she’s a goddess. 6.552 You ask why she forbids the approach of female servants? 6.553 She hates them: by her leave I’ll sing the reason for her hate. 6.554 Daughter of Cadmus, one of your maid 6.555 Was often embraced by your husband. 6.556 Faithless Athamas secretly enjoyed her: he learned 6.557 From her that you gave the farmers parched seed. 6.558 You yourself denied it, but rumour confirmed it. 6.559 That’s why you hate the service of a maid. 6.560 But let no loving mother pray to her, for her child: 6.561 She herself proved an unfortunate parent. 6.562 Better command her to help another’s child: 6.563 She was more use to Bacchus than her own. 6.564 They say she asked you, Rutilius, ‘Where are you rushing? 6.565 As consul you’ll fall to the Marsian enemy on my day.’ 6.566 Her words were fulfilled, the Tolenu 6.567 Flowed purple, its waters mixed with blood. 6.568 The following year, Didius, killed on the same'' None |
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