1. Ovid, Metamorphoses, 4.1-4.11, 4.13-4.20, 4.22-4.30, 4.32-4.41, 4.43-4.47, 4.49-4.57, 4.59-4.83, 4.85-4.91, 4.93-4.100, 4.102-4.116, 4.118-4.124, 4.126-4.129, 4.131-4.133, 4.135-4.138, 4.140-4.152, 4.154-4.168, 4.170-4.173, 4.175-4.179, 4.181-4.183, 4.185-4.192, 4.194-4.210, 4.212-4.226, 4.228-4.234, 4.236-4.243, 4.245-4.255, 4.257-4.260, 4.262-4.269, 4.271-4.276, 4.278-4.286, 4.288-4.292, 4.294-4.304, 4.306-4.314, 4.316-4.319, 4.321-4.347, 4.349-4.357, 4.359-4.363, 4.365-4.373, 4.375-4.379, 4.381-4.391, 4.393-4.399, 4.401-4.415 (1st cent. BCE - missingth cent. CE)
Tagged with subjects: • Minyads, daughters of Minyas [ Psoloeis] • Minyas, daughters of
Found in books: Bernabe et al. (2013), Redefining Dionysos, 7, 14, 287, 303; Rutter and Sparkes (2012), Word and Image in Ancient Greece, 121
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4.1 At non Alcithoe Minyeias orgia censet 4.2 accipienda dei, sed adhuc temeraria Bacchum 4.3 progeniem negat esse Iovis, sociasque sorores 4.4 inpietatis habet. Festum celebrare sacerdos 4.6 pectora pelle tegi, crinales solvere vittas, 4.7 serta coma, manibus frondentes sumere thyrsos 4.8 iusserat, et saevam laesi fore numinis iram 4.9 vaticinatus erat. Parent matresque nurusque
4.10 telasque calathosque infectaque pensa reponunt,
4.11 turaque dant Bacchumque vocant Bromiumque Lyaeumque
4.13 additur his Nyseus indetonsusque Thyoneus,
4.14 et cum Lenaeo genialis consitor uvae,
4.15 Nycteliusque Eleleusque parens et Iacchus et Euhan,
4.16 et quae praeterea per Graias plurima gentes
4.17 nomina, Liber, habes. Tibi enim inconsumpta iuventa est,
4.18 tu puer aeternus, tu formosissimus alto
4.19 conspiceris caelo, tibi, cum sine cornibus adstas, 4.20 virgineum caput est. Oriens tibi victus, adusque
4.22 Penthea tu, venerande, bipenniferumque Lycurgum 4.23 sacrilegos mactas, Tyrrhenaque mittis in aequor 4.24 corpora, tu biiugum pictis insignia frenis 4.25 colla premis lyncum; bacchae satyrique sequuntur, 4.26 quique senex ferula titubantes ebrius artus 4.27 sustinet et pando non fortiter haeret asello. 4.28 Quacumque ingrederis, clamor iuvenalis et una 4.29 femineae voces inpulsaque tympana palmis 4.30 concavaque aera sot longoque foramine buxus.
4.32 iussaque sacra colunt. Solae Minyeides intus 4.33 intempestiva turbantes festa Minerva 4.34 aut ducunt lanas, aut stamina pollice versant, 4.35 aut haerent telae famulasque laboribus urgent. 4.36 E quibus una levi deducens pollice filum 4.37 “dum cessant aliae commentaque sacra frequentant, 4.38 nos quoque, quas Pallas, melior dea, detinet” inquit, 4.39 “utile opus manuum vario sermone levemus: 4.40 perque vices aliquid, quod tempora longa videri 4.41 non sinat, in medium vacuas referamus ad aures.”
4.43 Illa, quid e multis referat (nam plurima norat), 4.44 cogitat et dubia est, de te, Babylonia, narret, 4.45 Derceti, quam versa squamis velantibus artus 4.46 stagna Palaestini credunt motasse figura; 4.47 an magis, ut sumptis illius filia pennis
4.49 nais an ut cantu nimiumque potentibus herbis 4.50 verterit in tacitos iuvenalia corpora pisces, 4.51 donec idem passa est; an, quae poma alba ferebat, 4.52 ut nunc nigra ferat contactu sanguinis arbor. 4.53 Hoc placet, hanc, quoniam vulgaris fabula non est, 4.54 talibus orsa modis, lana sua fila sequente: 4.55 “Pyramus et Thisbe, iuvenum pulcherrimus alter, 4.56 altera, quas oriens habuit, praelata puellis, 4.57 contiguas tenuere domos, ubi dicitur altam
4.59 Notitiam primosque gradus vicinia fecit: 4.60 tempore crevit amor. Taedae quoque iure coissent: 4.61 sed vetuere patres. Quod non potuere vetare, 4.62 ex aequo captis ardebant mentibus ambo. 4.63 Conscius omnis abest: nutu signisque loquuntur, 4.64 quoque magis tegitur, tectus magis aestuat ignis. 4.65 Fissus erat tenui rima, quam duxerat olim, 4.66 cum fieret paries domui communis utrique. 4.67 Id vitium nulli per saecula longa notatum 4.68 (quid non sentit amor?) primi vidistis amantes, 4.69 et vocis fecistis iter; tutaeque per illud 4.70 murmure blanditiae minimo transire solebant. 4.71 Saepe, ubi constiterant hinc Thisbe, Pyramus illinc, 4.72 inque vices fuerat captatus anhelitus oris, 4.73 “invide” dicebant “paries, quid amantibus obstas? 4.74 quantum erat, ut sineres toto nos corpore iungi, 4.75 aut hoc si nimium est, vel ad oscula danda pateres? 4.76 Nec sumus ingrati: tibi nos debere fatemur, 4.77 quod datus est verbis ad amicas transitus aures.” 4.78 Talia diversa nequiquam sede locuti 4.79 sub noctem dixere ”vale” partique dedere 4.80 oscula quisque suae non pervenientia contra. 4.81 Postera nocturnos aurora removerat ignes, 4.82 solque pruinosas radiis siccaverat herbas: 4.83 ad solitum coiere locum. Tum murmure parvo
4.85 fallere custodes foribusque excedere temptent, 4.86 cumque domo exierint, urbis quoque tecta relinquant; 4.87 neve sit errandum lato spatiantibus arvo, 4.88 conveniant ad busta Nini lateantque sub umbra 4.89 arboris. Arbor ibi, niveis uberrima pomis 4.90 ardua morus, erat, gelido contermina fonti. 4.91 Pacta placent. Et lux, tarde discedere visa,
4.93 Callida per tenebras versato cardine Thisbe 4.94 egreditur fallitque suos, adopertaque vultum 4.95 pervenit ad tumulum, dictaque sub arbore sedit. 4.96 Audacem faciebat amor. Venit ecce recenti 4.97 caede leaena boum spumantes oblita rictus, 4.98 depositura sitim vicini fontis in unda. 4.99 Quam procul ad lunae radios Babylonia Thisbe
4.100 vidit et obscurum timido pede fugit in antrum,
4.102 Ut lea saeva sitim multa conpescuit unda,
4.103 dum redit in silvas, inventos forte sine ipsa
4.104 ore cruentato tenues laniavit amictus.
4.105 Serius egressus vestigia vidit in alto
4.106 pulvere certa ferae totoque expalluit ore
4.107 Pyramus: ut vero vestem quoque sanguine tinctam
4.108 repperit, “una duos” inquit “nox perdet amantes.
4.109 E quibus illa fuit longa dignissima vita,
4.110 nostra nocens anima est: ego te, miseranda, peremi,
4.111 in loca plena metus qui iussi nocte venires,
4.112 nec prior huc veni. Nostrum divellite corpus,
4.113 et scelerata fero consumite viscera morsu,
4.114 o quicumque sub hac habitatis rupe, leones.
4.115 Sed timidi est optare necem.” Velamina Thisbes
4.116 tollit et ad pactae secum fert arboris umbram;
4.118 “accipe nunc” inquit “nostri quoque sanguinis haustus!”
4.119 quoque erat accinctus, demisit in ilia ferrum,
4.120 nec mora, ferventi moriens e vulnere traxit.
4.121 Ut iacuit resupinus humo: cruor emicat alte,
4.122 non aliter quam cum vitiato fistula plumbo
4.123 scinditur et tenui stridente foramine longas
4.124 eiaculatur aquas atque ictibus aera rumpit.
4.126 vertuntur faciem, madefactaque sanguine radix
4.127 purpureo tingit pendentia mora colore.
4.128 Ecce metu nondum posito, ne fallat amantem,
4.129 illa redit iuvenemque oculis animoque requirit,
4.131 Utque locum et visa cognoscit in arbore formam,
4.132 sic facit incertam pomi color: haeret, an haec sit.
4.133 Dum dubitat, tremebunda videt pulsare cruentum
4.135 pallidiora gerens exhorruit aequoris instar,
4.136 quod tremit, exigua cum summum stringitur aura.
4.137 Sed postquam remorata suos cognovit amores,
4.138 percutit indignos claro plangore lacertos,
4.140 vulnera supplevit lacrimis fletumque cruori
4.141 miscuit et gelidis in vultibus oscula figens
4.142 “Pyrame” clamavit “quis te mihi casus ademit?
4.143 Pyrame, responde: tua te carissima Thisbe
4.144 nominat: exaudi vultusque attolle iacentes!”
4.145 Ad nomen Thisbes oculos iam morte gravatos
4.146 Pyramus erexit, visaque recondidit illa.
4.147 Quae postquam vestemque suam cognovit et ense
4.148 vidit ebur vacuum, “tua te manus” inquit “amorque
4.149 perdidit, infelix. Est et mihi fortis in unum
4.150 hoc manus, est et amor: dabit hic in vulnera vires.
4.151 Persequar exstinctum letique miserrima dicar
4.152 causa comesque tui; quique a me morte revelli
4.154 Hoc tamen amborum verbis estote rogati,
4.155 o multum miseri meus illiusque parentes,
4.156 ut quos certus amor, quos hora novissima iunxit,
4.157 conponi tumulo non invideatis eodem.
4.158 At tu quae ramis arbor miserabile corpus
4.159 nunc tegis unius, mox es tectura duorum,
4.160 signa tene caedis pullosque et luctibus aptos
4.161 semper habe fetus, gemini monimenta cruoris.”
4.162 Dixit, et aptato pectus mucrone sub imum
4.163 incubuit ferro, quod adhuc a caede tepebat.
4.164 Vota tamen tetigere deos, tetigere parentes:
4.165 nam color in pomo est, ubi permaturuit, ater,
4.166 quodque rogis superest, una requiescit in urna.”
4.167 Desierat, mediumque fuit breve tempus, et orsa est
4.168 dicere Leuconoe: vocem tenuere sorores.
4.170 cepit amor Solem: Solis referemus amores.
4.171 Primus adulterium Veneris cum Marte putatur
4.172 hic vidisse deus: videt hic deus omnia primus.
4.173 Indoluit facto, Iunonigenaeque marito
4.175 et mens et quod opus fabrilis dextra tenebat
4.176 excidit. Extemplo graciles ex aere catenas
4.177 retiaque et laqueos, quae lumina fallere possent,
4.178 elimat (non illud opus tenuissima vincant
4.179 stamina, non summo quae pendet aranea tigno),
4.181 efficit et lecto circumdata collocat arte.
4.182 Ut venere torum coniunx et adulter in unum,
4.183 arte viri vinclisque nova ratione paratis
4.185 Lemnius extemplo valvas patefecit eburnas
4.186 admisitque deos: illi iacuere ligati
4.187 turpiter; atque aliquis de dis non tristibus optat
4.188 sic fieri turpis: superi risere, diuque
4.189 haec fuit in toto notissima fabula caelo.
4.190 Exigit indicii memorem Cythereia poenam,
4.191 inque vices illum, tectos qui laesit amores,
4.192 laedit amore pari.
4.194 Nempe tuis omnes qui terras ignibus uris,
4.195 ureris igne novo; quique omnia cernere debes,
4.196 Leucothoen spectas, et virgine figis in una,
4.197 quos mundo debes oculos. Modo surgis Eoo
4.198 temperius caelo, modo serius incidis undis,
4.199 spectandique mora brumales porrigis horas, 4.200 deficis interdum, vitiumque in lumina mentis 4.201 transit et obscurus mortalia pectora terres. 4.202 Nec, tibi quod lunae terris propioris imago 4.203 obstiterit, palles: facit hunc amor iste colorem. 4.204 Diligis hanc unam; nec te Clymeneque Rhodosque 4.205 nec tenet Aeaeae genetrix pulcherrima Circes, 4.206 quaeque tuos Clytie quamvis despecta petebat 4.207 concubitus ipsoque illo grave vulnus habebat 4.208 tempore: Leucothoe multarum oblivia fecit, 4.209 gentis odoriferae quam formosissima partu 4.210 edidit Eurynome. Sed postquam filia crevit,
4.212 Rexit Achaemenias urbes pater Orchamus, isque 4.213 septimus a prisco numeratur origine Belo. 4.214 Axe sub Hesperio sunt pascua Solis equorum. 4.215 Ambrosiam pro gramine habent: ea fessa diurnis 4.216 membra ministeriis nutrit reparatque labori. 4.217 Dumque ibi quadrupedes caelestia pabula carpunt, 4.218 noxque vicem peragit, thalamos deus intrat amatos, 4.219 versus in Eurynomes faciem genetricis, et inter
4.220 bis sex Leucothoen famulas ad lumina cernit
4.221 levia versato ducentem stamina fuso.
4.222 Ergo ubi ceu mater carae dedit oscula natae,
4.223 “res” ait “arcana est. Famulae, discedite neve
4.224 eripite arbitrium matri secreta loquendi.”
4.225 Paruerant: thalamoque deus sine teste relicto
4.226 “ille ego sum” dixit, “qui longum metior annum,
4.228 mundi oculus. Mihi, crede, places.” Pavet illa, metuque
4.229 et colus et fusus digitis cecidere remissis. 4.230 Ipse timor decuit. Nec longius ille moratus 4.231 in veram rediit speciem solitumque nitorem: 4.232 at virgo, quamvis inopino territa visu, 4.233 victa nitore dei posita vim passa querella est. 4.234 Invidit Clytie (neque enim moderatus in illa
4.236 vulgat adulterium diffamatumque parenti 4.237 indicat. Ille ferox inmansuetusque precantem 4.238 tendentemque manus ad lumina Solis et “ille 4.239 vim tulit invitae” dicentem defodit alta 4.240 crudus humo, tumulumque super gravis addit harenae. 4.241 Dissipat hunc radiis Hyperione natus iterque 4.242 dat tibi, qua possis defossos promere vultus. 4.243 Nec tu iam poteras enectum pondere terrae
4.245 Nil illo fertur volucrum moderator equorum 4.246 post Phaethonteos vidisse dolentius ignes. 4.247 Ille quidem gelidos radiorum viribus artus 4.248 si queat in vivum temptat revocare calorem: 4.249 sed quoniam tantis fatum conatibus obstat, 4.250 nectare odorato sparsit corpusque locumque, 4.251 multaque praequestus “tanges tamen aethera” dixit. 4.252 Protinus inbutum caelesti nectare corpus 4.253 dilicuit terramque suo madefecit odore: 4.254 virgaque per glaebas sensim radicibus actis 4.255 turea surrexit tumulumque cacumine rupit.
4.257 indiciumque dolor poterat, non amplius auctor 4.258 lucis adit venerisque modum sibi fecit in illa. 4.259 Tabuit ex illo dementer amoribus usa 4.260 nympha larum inpatiens, et sub Iove nocte dieque
4.262 perque novem luces expers undaeque cibique 4.263 rore mero lacrimisque suis ieiunia pavit 4.264 nec se movit humo: tantum spectabat euntis 4.265 ora dei vultusque suos flectebat ad illum. 4.266 Membra ferunt haesisse solo, partemque coloris 4.267 luridus exsangues pallor convertit in herbas; 4.268 est in parte rubor, violaeque simillimus ora 4.269 flos tegit. Illa suum, quamvis radice tenetur,
4.271 Dixerat, et factum mirabile ceperat aures. 4.272 Pars fieri potuisse negant, pars omnia veros 4.273 posse deos memorant: sed non et Bacchus in illis. 4.274 Poscitur Alcithoe, postquam siluere sorores. 4.275 Quae radio stantis percurrens stamina telae 4.276 “vulgatos taceo” dixit “pastoris amores
4.278 contulit in saxum (tantus dolor urit amantes). 4.279 Nec loquor, ut quondam naturae iure novato 4.280 ambiguus fuerit modo vir, modo femina Sithon. 4.281 Te quoque, nunc adamas, quondam fidissime parvo, 4.282 Celmi, Iovi, largoque satos Curetas ab imbri 4.283 et Crocon in parvos versum cum Smilace flores 4.284 praetereo, dulcique animos novitate tenebo. 4.285 Unde sit infamis, quare male fortibus undis 4.286 Salmacis enervet tactosque remolliat artus,
4.288 Mercurio puerum diva Cythereide natum 4.289 naides Idaeis enutrivere sub antris; 4.290 cuius erat facies, in qua materque paterque 4.291 cognosci possent; nomen quoque traxit ab illis. 4.292 Is tria cum primum fecit quinquennia, montes
4.294 ignotis errare locis, ignota videre 4.295 flumina gaudebat, studio minuente laborem. 4.296 Ille etiam Lycias urbes Lyciaeque propinquos 4.297 Caras adit. Videt hic stagnum lucentis ad imum 4.298 usque solum lymphae. Non illic canna palustris 4.299 nec steriles ulvae nec acuta cuspide iunci: 4.300 perspicuus liquor est; stagni tamen ultima vivo 4.301 caespite cinguntur semperque virentibus herbis. 4.302 Nympha colit, sed nec venatibus apta, nec arcus 4.303 flectere quae soleat nec quae contendere cursu, 4.304 solaque naiadum celeri non nota Dianae.
4.306 “Salmaci, vel iaculum vel pictas sume pharetras, 4.307 et tua cum duris venatibus otia misce.” 4.308 Nec iaculum sumit nec pictas illa pharetras, 4.309 nec sua cum duris venatibus otia miscet, 4.310 sed modo fonte suo formosos perluit artus, 4.311 saepe Cytoriaco deducit pectine crines 4.312 et, quid se deceat, spectatas consulit undas; 4.313 nunc perlucenti circumdata corpus amictu 4.314 mollibus aut foliis aut mollibus incubat herbis;
4.316 cum puerum vidit visumque optavit habere. 4.317 Nec tamen ante adiit, etsi properabat adire, 4.318 quam se conposuit, quam circumspexit amictus, 4.319 et finxit vultum et meruit formosa videri.
4.321 esse deus, seu tu deus es, potes esse Cupido,
4.322 sive es mortalis, qui te genuere, beati,
4.323 et frater felix, et fortunata profecto,
4.324 siqua tibi soror est, et quae dedit ubera nutrix:
4.325 sed longe cunctis longeque beatior illa,
4.326 siqua tibi sponsa est, siquam dignabere taeda.
4.327 Haec tibi sive aliqua est, mea sit furtiva voluptas,
4.328 seu nulla est, ego sim, thalamumque ineamus eundem.”
4.329 Nais ab his tacuit. Pueri rubor ora notavit 4.330 (nescit enim, quid amor), sed et erubuisse decebat. 4.331 Hic color aprica pendentibus arbore pomis 4.332 aut ebori tincto est, aut sub candore rubenti, 4.333 cum frustra resot aera auxiliaria, lunae. 4.334 Poscenti nymphae sine fine sororia saltem 4.335 oscula iamque manus ad eburnea colla ferenti 4.336 “desinis? aut fugio, tecumque” ait “ista relinquo.” 4.337 Salmacis extimuit “loca” que “haec tibi libera trado, 4.338 hospes” ait, simulatque gradu discedere verso, 4.339 tunc quoque respiciens, fruticumque recondita silva 4.340 delituit, flexuque genu submisit. At ille, 4.341 scilicet ut vacuis et inobservatus in herbis, 4.342 huc it et hinc illuc, et in adludentibus undis 4.343 summa pedum taloque tenus vestigia tingit; 4.344 nec mora, temperie blandarum captus aquarum 4.345 mollia de tenero velamina corpore ponit. 4.346 Tum vero placuit, nudaeque cupidine formae 4.347 Salmacis exarsit: flagrant quoque lumina nymphae,
4.349 opposita speculi referitur imagine Phoebus. 4.350 Vixque moram patitur, vix iam sua gaudia differt, 4.351 iam cupit amplecti, iam se male continet amens. 4.352 Ille cavis velox adplauso corpore palmis 4.353 desilit in latices, alternaque bracchia ducens 4.354 in liquidis translucet aquis, ut eburnea siquis 4.355 signa tegat claro vel candida lilia vitro. 4.356 “Vicimus et meus est!” exclamat nais et omni 4.357 veste procul iacta mediis inmittitur undis,
4.359 subiectatque manus invitaque pectora tangit, 4.360 et nunc hac iuveni, nunc circumfunditur illac; 4.361 denique nitentem contra elabique volentem 4.362 inplicat, ut serpens, quam regia sustinet ales 4.363 sublimemque rapit: pendens caput illa pedesque
4.365 utve solent hederae longos intexere truncos, 4.366 utque sub aequoribus deprensum polypus hostem 4.367 continet, ex omni dimissis parte flagellis. 4.368 Perstat Atlantiades, sperataque gaudia nymphae 4.369 denegat. Illa premit, commissaque corpore toto 4.370 sicut inhaerebat, “pugnes licet, inprobe” dixit, 4.371 “non tamen effugies. Ita di iubeatis! et istum 4.372 nulla dies a me nec me diducat ab isto.” 4.373 Vota suos habuere deos: nam mixta duorum
4.375 una, velut, siquis conducat cortice ramos, 4.376 crescendo iungi pariterque adolescere cernit. 4.377 Sic ubi conplexu coierunt membra tenaci, 4.378 nec duo sunt et forma duplex, nec femina dici 4.379 nec puer ut possit: neutrumque et utrumque videntur.
4.381 semimarem fecisse videt, mollitaque in illis 4.382 membra, manus tendens, sed non iam voce virili, 4.383 Hermaphroditus ait: “Nato date munera vestro, 4.384 et pater et genetrix, amborum nomen habenti: 4.385 quisquis in hos fontes vir venerit, exeat inde 4.386 semivir et tactis subito mollescat in undis.” 4.387 Motus uterque parens nati rata verba biformis 4.388 fecit et incesto fontem medicamine tinxit.” 4.389 Finis erat dictis. Sed adhuc Minyeia proles 4.390 urget opus spernitque deum festumque profanat, 4.391 tympana cum subito non adparentia raucis
4.393 tinnulaque aera sot; redolent murraeque crocique, 4.394 resque fide maior, coepere virescere telae 4.395 inque hederae faciem pendens frondescere vestis. 4.396 Pars abit in vites, et quae modo fila fuerunt, 4.397 palmite mutantur; de stamine pampinus exit; 4.398 purpura fulgorem pictis adcommodat uvis. 4.399 Iamque dies exactus erat, tempusque subibat,
4.401 sed cum luce tamen dubiae confinia noctis: 4.402 tecta repente quati pinguesque ardere videntur 4.403 lampades et rutilis conlucere ignibus aedes 4.404 falsaque saevarum simulacra ululare ferarum. 4.405 Fumida iamdudum latitant per tecta sorores, 4.406 diversaeque locis ignes ac lumina vitant; 4.407 dumque petunt tenebras, parvos membrana per artus 4.408 porrigitur tenuique includit bracchia pinna. 4.409 Nec qua perdiderint veterem ratione figuram 4.410 scire sinunt tenebrae. Non illas pluma levavit, 4.411 sustinuere tamen se perlucentibus alis; 4.412 conataeque loqui minimam et pro corpore vocem 4.413 emittunt, peraguntque leves stridore querellas. 4.414 Tectaque, non silvas celebrant lucemque perosae 4.415 nocte volant, seroque tenent a vespere nomen.' ' None | sup>
4.1 Alcithoe, daughter of King Minyas, 4.2 consents not to the orgies of the God; 4.3 denies that Bacchus is the son of Jove, 4.4 and her two sisters join her in that crime. 4.6 keeping it sacred, had forbade all toil.— 4.7 And having draped their bosoms with wild skins, 4.8 they loosed their long hair for the sacred wreaths, 4.9 and took the leafy thyrsus in their hands;—
4.10 for so the priest commanded them. Austere
4.11 the wrath of Bacchus if his power be scorned.
4.13 and putting by their wickers and their webs,
4.14 dropt their unfinished toils to offer up
4.15 frankincense to the God; invoking him
4.16 with many names:—“O Bacchus! O Twice-born!
4.17 O Fire-begot! Thou only child Twice-mothered!
4.18 God of all those who plant the luscious grape!
4.19 O Liber !” All these names and many more, 4.20 for ages known—throughout the lands of Greece .
4.22 and lo, thou art an ever-youthful boy, 4.23 most beautiful of all the Gods of Heaven, 4.24 mooth as a virgin when thy horns are hid.—' "4.25 The distant east to tawny India 's clime," '4.26 where rolls remotest Ganges to the sea, 4.27 was conquered by thy might.—O Most-revered! 4.28 Thou didst destroy the doubting Pentheus,' "4.29 and hurled the sailors' bodies in the deep," '4.30 and smote Lycurgus, wielder of the ax.
4.32 with showy harness.—Satyrs follow thee; 4.33 and Bacchanals, and old Silenus, drunk, 4.34 unsteady on his staff; jolting so rough 4.35 on his small back-bent ass; and all the way 4.36 resounds a youthful clamour; and the scream 4.37 of women! and the noise of tambourines! 4.38 And the hollow cymbals! and the boxwood flutes,— 4.39 fitted with measured holes.—Thou art implored 4.40 by all Ismenian women to appear 4.41 peaceful and mild; and they perform thy rites.”
4.43 are carding wool within their fastened doors, 4.44 or twisting with their thumbs the fleecy yarn, 4.45 or working at the web. So they corrupt 4.46 the sacred festival with needless toil, 4.47 keeping their hand-maids busy at the work.
4.49 with nimble thumb, anon began to speak; 4.50 “While others loiter and frequent these rite 4.51 fantastic, we the wards of Pallas, much 4.52 to be preferred, by speaking novel thought 4.53 may lighten labour. Let us each in turn, 4.54 relate to an attentive audience, 4.55 a novel tale; and so the hours may glide.” 4.56 it pleased her sisters, and they ordered her 4.57 to tell the story that she loved the most.
4.59 the many tales she knew, first doubted she 4.60 whether to tell the tale of Derceto,— 4.61 that Babylonian, who, aver the tribe 4.62 of Palestine , in limpid ponds yet lives,— 4.63 her body changed, and scales upon her limbs; 4.64 or how her daughter, having taken wings, 4.65 passed her declining years in whitened towers. 4.66 Or should she tell of Nais, who with herbs, 4.67 too potent, into fishes had transformed 4.68 the bodies of her lovers, till she met 4.69 herself the same sad fate; or of that tree 4.70 which sometime bore white fruit, but now is changed 4.71 and darkened by the blood that stained its roots.— 4.72 Pleased with the novelty of this, at once 4.73 he tells the tale of Pyramus and Thisbe ;— 4.74 and swiftly as she told it unto them, 4.75 the fleecy wool was twisted into threads. 4.76 When Pyramus and Thisbe, who were known 4.77 the one most handsome of all youthful men, 4.78 the other loveliest of all eastern girls,— 4.79 lived in adjoining houses, near the wall 4.80 that Queen Semiramis had built of brick 4.81 around her famous city, they grew fond, 4.82 and loved each other—meeting often there— 4.83 and as the days went by their love increased.
4.85 their fathers had forbidden them to hope; 4.86 and yet the passion that with equal strength 4.87 inflamed their minds no parents could forbid. 4.88 No relatives had guessed their secret love, 4.89 for all their converse was by nods and signs; 4.90 and as a smoldering fire may gather heat,' "4.91 the more 'tis smothered, so their love increased." 4.93 between their houses, many years ago, 4.94 was made defective with a little chink; 4.95 a small defect observed by none, although 4.96 for ages there; but what is hid from love? 4.97 Our lovers found the secret opening, 4.98 and used its passage to convey the sound 4.99 of gentle, murmured words, whose tuneful note
4.100 passed oft in safety through that hidden way.
4.102 thisbe on one and Pyramus the other,
4.103 and when their warm breath touched from lip to lip,
4.104 their sighs were such as this: “Thou envious wall
4.105 why art thou standing in the way of those
4.106 who die for love? What harm could happen thee
4.107 houldst thou permit us to enjoy our love?
4.108 But if we ask too much, let us persuade
4.109 that thou wilt open while we kiss but once:
4.110 for, we are not ungrateful; unto thee
4.111 we own our debt; here thou hast left a way
4.112 that breathed words may enter loving ears.,”
4.113 o vainly whispered they, and when the night
4.114 began to darken they exchanged farewells;
4.115 made presence that they kissed a fond farewell
4.116 vain kisses that to love might none avail.
4.118 and the bright sun had dried the dewy gra
4.119 again they met where they had told their love;
4.120 and now complaining of their hapless fate,
4.121 in murmurs gentle, they at last resolved,
4.122 away to slip upon the quiet night,
4.123 elude their parents, and, as soon as free,
4.124 quit the great builded city and their homes.
4.126 they chose a trysting place, the tomb of Ninus ,
4.127 where safely they might hide unseen, beneath
4.128 the shadow of a tall mulberry tree,
4.129 covered with snow-white fruit, close by a spring.
4.131 and now the daylight, seeming slowly moved,
4.132 inks in the deep waves, and the tardy night
4.133 arises from the spot where day declines.
4.135 deceived her parents, opened the closed door.
4.136 She flitted in the silent night away;
4.137 and, having veiled her face, reached the great tomb,
4.138 and sat beneath the tree; love made her bold.
4.140 approached the nearby spring to quench her thirst:
4.141 her frothing jaws incarnadined with blood
4.142 of slaughtered oxen. As the moon was bright,
4.143 Thisbe could see her, and affrighted fled
4.144 with trembling footstep to a gloomy cave;
4.145 and as she ran she slipped and dropped her veil,
4.146 which fluttered to the ground. She did not dare
4.147 to save it. Wherefore, when the savage beast
4.148 had taken a great draft and slaked her thirst,
4.149 and thence had turned to seek her forest lair,
4.150 he found it on her way, and full of rage,
4.151 tore it and stained it with her bloody jaws:
4.152 but Thisbe , fortunate, escaped unseen.
4.154 as Thisbe to the tryst; and, when he saw
4.155 the certain traces of that savage beast,
4.156 imprinted in the yielding dust, his face
4.157 went white with fear; but when he found the veil
4.158 covered with blood, he cried; “Alas, one night
4.159 has caused the ruin of two lovers! Thou
4.160 wert most deserving of completed days,
4.161 but as for me, my heart is guilty! I
4.162 destroyed thee! O my love! I bade thee come
4.163 out in the dark night to a lonely haunt,
4.164 and failed to go before. Oh! whatever lurk
4.165 beneath this rock, though ravenous lion, tear
4.166 my guilty flesh, and with most cruel jaw
4.167 devour my cursed entrails! What? Not so;' "
4.168 it is a craven's part to wish for death!”"
4.170 went straightway to the shadow of the tree;
4.171 and as his tears bedewed the well-known veil,
4.172 he kissed it oft and sighing said, “Kisse
4.173 and tears are thine, receive my blood as well.”
4.175 deep in his bowels; and plucked it from the wound,
4.176 a-faint with death. As he fell back to earth,
4.177 his spurting blood shot upward in the air;
4.178 o, when decay has rift a leaden pipe
4.179 a hissing jet of water spurts on high.—
4.181 assumed a deeper tint, for as the root
4.182 oaked up the blood the pendent mulberrie
4.183 were dyed a purple tint.
4.185 though trembling still with fright, for now she thought
4.186 her lover must await her at the tree,
4.187 and she should haste before he feared for her.
4.188 Longing to tell him of her great escape
4.189 he sadly looked for him with faithful eyes;
4.190 but when she saw the spot and the changed tree,
4.191 he doubted could they be the same, for so
4.192 the colour of the hanging fruit deceived.
4.194 the wounded body covered with its blood;—
4.195 he started backward, and her face grew pale
4.196 and ashen; and she shuddered like the sea,
4.197 which trembles when its face is lightly skimmed
4.198 by the chill breezes;—and she paused a space;—
4.199 but when she knew it was the one she loved, 4.200 he struck her tender breast and tore her hair. 4.201 Then wreathing in her arms his loved form, 4.202 he bathed the wound with tears, mingling her grief 4.203 in his unquenched blood; and as she kissed 4.204 his death-cold features wailed; “Ah Pyramus , 4.205 what cruel fate has taken thy life away? 4.206 Pyramus ! Pyramus! awake! awake! 4.207 It is thy dearest Thisbe calls thee! Lift' "4.208 thy drooping head! Alas,”—At Thisbe's name" '4.209 he raised his eyes, though languorous in death, 4.210 and darkness gathered round him as he gazed.
4.212 his ivory sheath—but not the trusty sword 4.213 and once again she wailed; “Thy own right hand, 4.214 and thy great passion have destroyed thee!— 4.215 And I? my hand shall be as bold as thine— 4.216 my love shall nerve me to the fatal deed— 4.217 thee, I will follow to eternity— 4.218 though I be censured for the wretched cause, 4.219 o surely I shall share thy wretched fate:—
4.220 alas, whom death could me alone bereave,
4.221 thou shalt not from my love be reft by death!
4.222 And, O ye wretched parents, mine and his,
4.223 let our misfortunes and our pleadings melt
4.224 your hearts, that ye no more deny to those
4.225 whom constant love and lasting death unite—
4.226 entomb us in a single sepulchre.
4.228 preading dark shadows on the corpse of one,
4.229 destined to cover twain, take thou our fate 4.230 upon thy head; mourn our untimely deaths; 4.231 let thy fruit darken for a memory, 4.232 an emblem of our blood.” No more she said; 4.233 and having fixed the point below her breast, 4.234 he fell on the keen sword, still warm with his red blood.
4.236 her prayer was answered, for it moved the God 4.237 and moved their parents. Now the Gods have changed 4.238 the ripened fruit which darkens on the branch: 4.239 and from the funeral pile their parents sealed 4.240 their gathered ashes in a single urn. 4.241 So ended she; at once Leuconoe' "4.242 took the narrator's thread; and as she spoke" '4.243 her sisters all were silent.
4.245 that rules the world was captive made of Love. 4.246 My theme shall be a love-song of the Sun.' "4.247 'Tis said the Lord of Day, whose wakeful eye" '4.248 beholds at once whatever may transpire, 4.249 witnessed the loves of Mars and Venus. Grieved 4.250 to know the wrong, he called the son of Juno, 4.251 Vulcan , and gave full knowledge of the deed, 4.252 howing how Mars and Venus shamed his love, 4.253 as they defiled his bed. Vulcan amazed,— 4.254 the nimble-thoughted Vulcan lost his wits, 4.255 o that he dropped the work his right hand held.
4.257 to file out chains of brass, delicate, fine, 4.258 from which to fashion nets invisible, 4.259 filmy of mesh and airy as the thread 4.260 of insect-web, that from the rafter swings.—
4.262 the slightest movement or the gentlest touch, 4.263 with cunning skill he drew them round the bed 4.264 where they were sure to dally. Presently 4.265 appeared the faithless wife, and on the couch 4.266 lay down to languish with her paramour.— 4.267 Meshed in the chains they could not thence arise, 4.268 nor could they else but lie in strict embrace,—' "4.269 cunningly thus entrapped by Vulcan 's wit.—" 4.271 the folding ivory doors and called the Gods,— 4.272 to witness. There they lay disgraced and bound. 4.273 I wot were many of the lighter God 4.274 who wished themselves in like disgraceful bonds.— 4.275 The Gods were moved to laughter: and the tale 4.276 was long most noted in the courts of Heaven.' "
4.278 the Sun's betrayal of her stolen joys," "4.279 and thought to torture him in passion's pains," '4.280 and wreak requital for the pain he caused. 4.281 Son of Hyperion! what avails thy light? 4.282 What is the profit of thy glowing heat? 4.283 Lo, thou whose flames have parched innumerous lands, 4.284 thyself art burning with another flame! 4.285 And thou whose orb should joy the universe' "4.286 art gazing only on Leucothea's charms." 4.288 forgetting all besides. Too early thou 4.289 art rising from thy bed of orient skies, 4.290 too late thy setting in the western waves; 4.291 o taking time to gaze upon thy love, 4.292 thy frenzy lengthens out the wintry hour!
4.294 dark shadows of this trouble in thy mind, 4.295 unwonted aspect, casting man perplexed 4.296 in abject terror. Pale thou art, though not 4.297 betwixt thee and the earth the shadowous moon 4.298 bedims thy devious way. Thy passion give 4.299 to grief thy countece—for her thy heart 4.300 alone is grieving—Clymene and Rhodos , 4.301 and Persa, mother of deluding Circe, 4.302 are all forgotten for thy doting hope; 4.303 even Clytie, who is yearning for thy love, 4.304 no more can charm thee; thou art so foredone.
4.306 Leucothea, daughter of Eurynome,' "4.307 most beauteous matron of Arabia 's strand," '4.308 where spicey odours blow. Eurynome' "4.309 in youthful prime excelled her mother's grace," '4.310 and, save her daughter, all excelled besides.' "4.311 Leucothea's father, Orchamas was king" '4.312 where Achaemenes whilom held the sway;' "4.313 and Orchamas from ancient Belus' death" '4.314 might count his reign the seventh in descent.
4.316 are hid below the western skies; when there, 4.317 and spent with toil, in lieu of nibbling herb 4.318 they take ambrosial food: it gives their limb 4.319 restoring strength and nourishes anew.
4.321 and Night resumes his reign, the god appear
4.322 disguised, unguessed, as old Eurynome
4.323 to fair Leucothea as she draws the threads,
4.324 all smoothly twisted from her spindle. There
4.325 he sits with twice six hand-maids ranged around,
4.326 and as the god beholds her at the door
4.327 he kisses her, as if a child beloved
4.328 and he her mother. And he spoke to her:
4.329 “Let thy twelve hand-maids leave us undisturbed, 4.330 for I have things of close import to tell, 4.331 and seemly, from a mother to her child.”, 4.332 o when they all withdrew the god began, 4.333 “Lo, I am he who measures the long year; 4.334 I see all things, and through me the wide world 4.335 may see all things; I am the glowing eye 4.336 of the broad universe! Thou art to me 4.337 the glory of the earth!” Filled with alarm, 4.338 from her relaxed fingers she let fall 4.339 the distaff and the spindle, but, her fear 4.340 o lovely in her beauty seemed, the God 4.341 no longer brooked delay: he changed his form 4.342 back to his wonted beauty and resumed 4.343 his bright celestial. Startled at the sight 4.344 the maid recoiled a space; but presently 4.345 the glory of the god inspired her love; 4.346 and all her timid doubts dissolved away; 4.347 without complaint she melted in his arms.' "
4.349 that Clytie, envious of Leucothea's joy," '4.350 where evil none was known, a scandal made; 4.351 and having published wide their secret love,' "4.352 leucothea's father also heard the tale." '4.353 Relentlessly and fierce, his cruel hand 4.354 buried his living daughter in the ground, 4.355 who, while her arms implored the glowing Sun, 4.356 complained. “For love of thee my life is lost.” 4.357 And as she wailed her father sowed her there.
4.359 to scatter the loose sand, a way to open, 4.360 that she might look with beauteous features forth 4.361 too late! for smothered by the compact earth, 4.362 thou canst not lift thy drooping head; alas! 4.363 A lifeless corse remains.
4.365 ince Phaethon was blasted by the bolt, 4.366 down-hurled by Jove, had ever grieved the God 4.367 who daily drives his winged steeds. In vain 4.368 he strives with all the magic of his ray 4.369 to warm her limbs anew. — The deed is done— 4.370 what vantage gives his might if fate deny? 4.371 He sprinkles fragrant nectar on her grave, 4.372 and lifeless corse, and as he wails exclaims, 4.373 “But naught shall hinder you to reach the skies.”
4.375 of nectar, sweet and odourate, dissolve 4.376 and adds its fragrant juices to the earth: 4.377 lowly from this a sprout of Frankincense 4.378 takes root in riched soil, and bursting through 4.379 the sandy hillock shows its top.
4.381 to Clytie comes the author of sweet light, 4.382 for though her love might make excuse of grief, 4.383 and grief may plead to pardon jealous words, 4.384 his heart disdains the schemist of his woe; 4.385 and she who turned to sour the sweet of love, 4.386 from that unhallowed moment pined away. 4.387 Envious and hating all her sister Nymphs, 4.388 day after day,—and through the lonely nights, 4.389 all unprotected from the chilly breeze, 4.390 her hair dishevelled, tangled, unadorned, 4.391 he sat unmoved upon the bare hard ground.' "
4.393 or haply by her own tears' bitter brine;—" '4.394 all other nourishment was naught to her.— 4.395 She never raised herself from the bare ground, 4.396 though on the god her gaze was ever fixed;— 4.397 he turned her features towards him as he moved: 4.398 they say that afterwhile her limbs took root 4.399 and fastened to the around.
4.401 overspread her countece, that turned as pale 4.402 and bloodless as the dead; but here and there 4.403 a blushing tinge resolved in violet tint; 4.404 and something like the blossom of that name 4.405 a flower concealed her face. Although a root 4.406 now holds her fast to earth, the Heliotrope 4.407 turns ever to the Sun, as if to prove 4.408 that all may change and love through all remain. 4.409 Thus was the story ended. All were charmed 4.410 to hear recounted such mysterious deeds. 4.411 While some were doubting whether such were true 4.412 others affirmed that to the living God 4.413 is nothing to restrain their wondrous works, 4.414 though surely of the Gods, immortal, none 4.415 accorded Bacchus even thought or place.' ' None |
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