The Metamorphoses of Publius Ovidus Naso in English blank verse Part 18

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

"Her mother, Dryope alone could boast, "(Me to my sire another bore) her charms "thalia all confess'd; whom (rifled first "Of virgin charms, when pa.s.sively she felt "His force, who Delphos, and who Delos rules) "Andraemon took, and held a happy spouse.

"A lake expands with steep and shelving sh.o.r.es "Encompa.s.s'd; myrtles crown the rising bank.

"Here Dryope, of fate unconscious came, "And what must more commiseration move, "Came to weave chaplets for the Naad nymphs; "Her arms sustain'd her boy, a pleasing load, "His first year scarce complete, as with warm milk "She nourish'd him. The watery Lotus there, "For promis'd fruit in Tyrian splendor bright, "Grew flowering near. The flowers my sister cropp'd, "And held them to delight her boy; and I, "(For there I stood,) the same prepar'd to do; "But from the flowers red flowing drops I saw, "And all the boughs with tremulous shuddering shook.

"Doubtless it is, (but far too late we learn'd "By the rough swains,) nymph Lotis, when she fled "From Priapus obscene, her shape transform'd "Into this tree which still retains her name.

"My sister witless of this change, in fright "Would back retreat, and leave the nymphs ador'd, "But roots her feet retain: these from the ground "She strains to rend; but save her upper limbs "Nought can she move; a tender bark grows o'er "The lower parts, and her mid limbs invades.

"This seeing, and her locks to rend away "Attempting; her rais'd hand with leaves was fill'd.

"Leaves cover'd all her head. Amphyssus found, "(His grandsire had the child Amphyssus nam'd) "His mother's b.r.e.a.s.t.s grow hard; nor when he suck'd "Lacteal fluid gain'd he. I there stood, "Of her sad fate spectator: loud I cry'd-- "But, O my sister! aid I could not bring; "Yet what I could I urg'd; the growing trunk, "And growing boughs, my close embraces staid: "In the same bark I glad had been enclos'd.

"Lo! come her spouse Andraemon, and her sire "So wretched; and for Dryope they seek: "A Lotus, as for Dryope they ask, "I shew them; to the yet warm wood salutes "Ardent they give; and prostrate spread, the roots "They clasp of their own tree. Now, sister dear!

"Nought save thy face but what a tree becomes.

"Thy tears, the leaves thy body form'd, bedew.

"And now, whilst able, while her mouth yet gives "To words a pa.s.sage, such like plaints as these "She breathes;--If faith th' unhappy e'er can claim, "I swear by all the deities, this deed "I never merited: without a crime "My punishment I suffer. Innocent "My life has been. If I deceive, may drought "Parch those new leaves; and, by the hatchet fell'd, "May fire consume me. Yet this infant bear "From those maternal branches; to a nurse "Transfer him; but contrive that oft he comes "And 'neath my boughs let him his milk imbibe; "And 'neath my boughs sport playful. When with words "Able to hail me, let him me salute, "And sorrowing say;--Within that trunk lies hid "My mother--But the lakes, O! let him dread, "Nor dare from any tree to s.n.a.t.c.h a flower; "But think each shrub he sees a G.o.d contains.

"Adieu! dear husband; sister dear, adieu!

"Father, farewel! if pious cares you feel, "From the sharp axe defend my boughs, and from "The browsing flocks. And now, as fate denies "To lean my arms to yours,--your arms advance; "Approach my lips, whilst you my lips may touch: "And to them lift my infant boy. More words "I may not;--now the tender bark my neck, "So white, invades; my utmost summit hid.

"Move from my lids your fingers, for the bark, "So rapid growing, will my dying eyes "Without a.s.sistance close.--Her lips to speak "Cease, and existence ceases: the fresh boughs "Long in the alter'd body warm were felt."

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

Junonian Hebe, by her husband's prayers O'ercome, to Iolaus gave the boon.

Who, when to vow she went, that future times Should none such gift enjoying, e'er perceive, Was check'd by Themis. "Now all Thebes,"--she said, "Discordant warfare moves. Through Jove alone "Capaneus can be conquer'd. Mutual wounds "Shall slay the brothers. In the yawning earth "A living prophet his own tomb shall see.

"A son avenger of his parent's death "Upon his parent: impious for the deed, "At once, and pious: at the action stunn'd, "Exil'd from home, and from his senses driv'n, "The furies' faces, and his mother's shade "Shall haunt him; till his wife the fatal gold "Shall ask: and till the Phegian sword shall pierce "Their kinsman's side. Callirhoe then, the nymph "From Achelous sprung, suppliant shall seek "From Jove, her infants years mature may gain.

"Mov'd by her prayers, Jove will from thee demand, "Son's spouse, and daughter of his wife, the boon "And unripe men thou'lt make the youths become."

While Themis thus, with fate-foretelling lips, This spoke; the G.o.ds in murmuring grudgings mourn'd, Angry why others might not grant the gift.

Aurora mourn'd her husband's aged years: Mild Ceres 'plain'd that Jason's hairs were white: Vulcan, for Erichthonius pray'd an age Renew'd. E'en Venus future cares employ'd, Anxious for promise that Anchises' years Replenishment might find: And every G.o.d Had whom he lov'd; and dark sedition grew From special favor; till the mighty sire The silence broke.--"If reverence I may claim, "Where rashly rush ye? Which of you the power, "Fate to control, possesses? Fate it was "Gave Iolaus youth restor'd again: "By Fate Callirhoe's sons ere long shall spring "To manhood, prematurely; nor can arms "Nor yet ambition gain this gift. With souls "More tranquil bear this; since you see the fates "Me also rule. Could I the fates once change, "Old age should never bend aeacus down; "And Rhadamanthus had perpetual spring "Of youth enjoy'd, with Minos, now despis'd "Through load of bitter years, nor reigns as wont."

Jove's words the deities all mov'd; not one Longer complain'd, when heavy press'd with years They aeacus, and Rhadamanthus saw; And Minos: who, when in his prime of age, Made mightiest nations tremble at his name.

He, feeble then, at Deone's son Miletus, trembled, who with youthful strength, And Phbus' origin proud swol'n, and known About to rise against his rule:--yet him He dar'd not from his household roof to drive.

But thou, Miletus, fled'st spontaneous, thou Th' aegean waves in thy swift s.h.i.+p didst pa.s.s, And on the Asian land the walls didst found Which bear the builder's name. Cyance here, Maeander's daughter, whose recurving banks She often trode: (whose stream itself reseeks So oft) in beauteous form, by thee was known, And, claspt by thee, a double offspring came, Byblis and Caunus, from the warm embrace.

Let Byblis warn, that nymphs should ne'er indulge Illicit warmth. Her brother Byblis lov'd; Not as she ought; not with a sister's soul.

No fires at first the maid suspected; nought Of sin: the thought that oft her lips to his She wish'd to join, and clasp her arms around His neck fraternal, long herself deceiv'd, Beneath the semblance of a duteous love.

Love gradual bends to him her soul; she comes Fully adorn'd to see him, anxious pants Beauteous to seem; if one more beauteous there She sees, invidious she that face beholds.

Still to herself unconscious was her love: No wish she form'd beneath that burning flame, Yet all within was fire. She call'd him lord, Now kindred's name detesting; anxious more, Byblis, than sister he should call her still.

Yet waking, ne'er her soul durst entertain Lascivious wishes. When relax'd in sleep, Then the lov'd object oft her fancy saw; Oft seem'd her bosom to his bosom join'd: Yet blush'd she, tranc'd in sleep. Her slumbers fly, She lies awhile in silence, and revolves Her dream: and thus in doubting accents speaks; "Ah, wretch! what means this dream of silent night, "Which yet I oft would wish? Why have I known "This vision? Envy's eyes must own him fair, "And but his sister am I, all my love "He might possess; worthy of all my love.

"A sister's claim then hurts me! O! at least "(While tempted thus I wakeful nought commit) "Let sleep oft visit with such luscious dreams: "No witness sees my sleeping joys; my joys, "Though sleeping, yet are sweet. O, Venus! O, "Thou feather'd Cupid, with thy tender dame!

"What transports I enjoy'd! what true delight "Me thrill'd! how lay I, all my soul dissolv'd!

"How joys it me to trace in mind again "The pleasure though so brief: for flying night "Invidious check'd enjoyment in the bud.

"O Caunus! that an alter'd name might join "Us closely; that thy sire a sire-in-law "To me might be: O, Caunus, how I'd joy "Wert thou not son, but son-in-law to mine.

"Would that the G.o.ds had all in common given, "Save parents only. Thou in lofty birth "I would should me excel. O beauteous youth!

"A mother whom thou'lt make I know not; I "Ne'er can thee know but with a sister's love: "Parents the same as thine my hapless lot.

"All that I have, me only pains the more.

"What are to me my visions? Weight have dreams?

"How much more happy are th' immortal G.o.ds!

"The G.o.ds embrace their sisters. Saturn clasps "Ops, join'd to him by blood; Ocean enjoys "His sister Tethys; and Olympus' king "His Juno. G.o.ds peculiar laws possess.

"Why seek I then celestial rites to bring "Diverse, with human ord'nance to compare?

"Forbidden love shall from my breast be driv'n, "Or that impossible, may death me seize "Instant, and cold upon my couch outstretch'd, "My brother then may kiss me as I lie.

"Yet still my wish double consent requires.

"Grant I should yield, still might the deed to him "Seem execrable. Yet th' aeolian youth "A sister's nuptial couch ne'er dreaded. Why, "O, why! on this so dwell? Why thus recal "Examples to my view? Where am I borne?

"Hence, flames obscene! hence far! a sister's love, "And that alone my brother shall enjoy.

"But had his soul first burn'd for me, perchance "I had indulg'd his pa.s.sion. Surely then "I may demand, who would not, ask'd, refuse.

"What couldst thou speak? Couldst thou confess thy flame?

"Love forces, and I can. If shame my lips "Close binds; yet secret letters may disclose "The hidden flame."--With this idea pleas'd, These words her hesitating mind resolv'd, Rais'd on her side, supported by her arm.-- "He shall"--she said--"now know it; all my love "Preposterous confess'd. Alas! what depth "Now rush I to? What fire has seiz'd my soul?"-- And then with tremulous hand the words compos'd.

Her right hand grasps the style, the left sustains The waxen tablet smooth; and then begins.

She doubts; she writes; condemns what now she wrote; Corrects; erases; alters; now dislikes; And now approves. Now throws the tablet by, Then seizes it again. Irres'lute what She would; whate'er is done displeases, all.

Shame and audacious boldness in her face Are mingled. Sister, once her hand had wrote, But sister, soon as seen, her hand eras'd; And her fair tablet bore such words as these.-- "To thee, a lover salutation sends, "And health, which only thou to her canst give: "Asham'd, she blushes to disclose her name.

"For should I press to gain my wish'd desire, "Without my name, my cause I trust would find "Successful aid. Let Byblis not be known "Till certain hopes of bliss her mind shall cheer.

"Yet faded color, leanness, and pale face, "With constant dripping eye, and rising sobs "Shew my unhidden grief. Well might these prove "To thee an index of a wounded heart.

"My constant clasping, numerous fond salutes, "If e'er thou'st mark'd, thou well might have perceiv'd "Not sister-like embracings. In my soul "Though this deep wound I bear; though in my breast "This fire consuming burns, yet strive I all, "(Witness, ye G.o.ds! my truth) all to suppress, "And act with wiser conduct: hapless war "Long have I wag'd 'gainst Cupid's furious rule "More pressure have I borne, than what a maid "Could e'er be thought to bear. At length o'ercome, "And forc'd to yield, thy help I must implore "With trembling voice: thou only canst preserve, "Thou only canst the loving nymph destroy.

"With thee the choice remains. No foe thus sues, "But one by nearest ties to thee conjoin'd, "Pants to be join'd more nearly; link'd to thee "With closest bands. Let aged seniors learn "Our laws, and seek what moral codes permit.

"What is permitted, and what is deny'd, "Let them enquire, and closely search the laws: "A bolder love more suits our growing years.

"As yet we know not what the laws allow; "And judge for all things we free leave enjoy; "Th' example following of the mighty G.o.ds.

"Nor parent stern, nor strict regard for fame, "Nor timid thoughts should check us; absent all "Should be each cause of fear. The dear sweet theft "Beneath fraternal love may be conceal'd; "With thee in secret converse I may speak, "Embrace thee, kiss thee in the open crowd; "How little then remains! Pity, forgive, "The declaration of this love, ne'er told "Had raging fire not urg'd it, nor allow "Upon my tomb this cause of death to stand.--"

Here the fill'd tablet check'd her hand, in vain Thus writing, at the utmost edge the lines, But stay'd. Her crime straightway she firmly press'd, With her carv'd gem, and moisten'd it with tears: Her tears of utterance robb'd her. Bashful then She call'd a page, and blandis.h.i.+ng in fear Exclaim'd.--"Thou faithful boy, this billet bear--"

And hesitated long ere more she said, Ere--"to my brother, bear it."--As she gave The tablet, from her trembling hand it fell; The omen deep disturb'd her. Yet she sent.

A chosen hour the servant sought, went forth And gave the secret message. Sudden rage me youth Maeandrian petrify'd; and down The half-read lines upon the ground he flung.

His hand scarce holding from the trembling face Of the pale messenger. "Quick, fly!" he cry'd, "Thou wicked pander of forbidden l.u.s.t!

"Fly while thou may'st; and know, had not thy fate "Involv'd our modest name, death hadst thou found.--"

He terrify'd escapes, and backward bears, To his young mistress all fierce Caunus spoke.

Pale, thou, O Byblis! heardst the rough repulse; Thy breast with frigid chills beset. But soon Her spirits rally, and her furious love Returns: scarce to the trembling air her tongue Can utterance give in these indignant words;-- "Deserv'dly mourn I, who so rashly gave "Him of my wounds the conscious tale to learn.

"Why trust so soon to words, what still might hid "Remain, on tablets hastily compos'd?

"Why were not first the wishes of my soul "Try'd in ambiguous hints? First, sure I ought "Whence the wind blew have mark'd; nor loos'd my sails, "Him flying, to pursue, and the wide main "In all directions plough: now bellies out "My canvas; not a single course explor'd.

"Hence am I borne against the rocks; hence 'whelm'd "In the wide depth of ocean; nor my sails "Know I to tack returning. Did not heaven "Check the indulgence of my love, by marks "Obvious to all? when from my hand down dropp'd "The tablet, which the boy was bade to bear.

"Mark'd that my falling hopes not? More deferr'd "Thy wishes, or the day should sure have been; "Surely the day. For heaven itself me warn'd, "And certain signs me gave; but those my mind "Stupid neglected. Personal my words "Should I have urg'd, nor trusted to the wax.

"In person should my love have been display'd.

"Then had my tears been seen; then had he view'd "My raptur'd countenance; then had I spoke "Far more than power of letters can convey.

"My arms around his neck I then had thrown "Howe'er unwilling; and, had he been coy, "In dying posture I his feet had clasp'd; "And stretch'd before him life demanding, all "Had I achiev'd. Perchance though, by the boy, "My messenger commission'd, I have fail'd: "Aptly perhaps he enter'd not; perhaps, "And much I fear, improper hours he chose; "Nor sought a vacant time, when nought his mind "Disturb'd. This has, alas! my hopes destroy'd: "For from a tiger Caunus sprung not; round "His heart not solid steel, nor rigid flint, "Nor adamant is girt; nor has he suck'd "The lioness's milk. He shall be bent, "And gain'd his heart shall be; nor will I brook "The smallest bar to what I undertake, "While now this spirit holds. My primal wish "(If it were given I might revoke my deeds) "Is, I had ne'er commenc'd: my second now "Is, that I persevere in what's begun.

"For should I now my wishes not pursue, "Still must he of those daring wishes think; "And should I now desist, well might he judge "Form'd lightly my desires: or plann'd to try "His virtue, and involve in snares his fame: "Or, (dreadful!) think me not by love o'ercome, "(Who burns and rages fiercely in my breast) "But by hot l.u.s.t. For now conceal'd no more "My guilty act can be; I've written once, "Once have I ask'd; corrupted all my soul.

"Should further no depravity ensue, "Guilty I must be call'd. What more remains, "In crime is little, but in hope immense."--

She said, and such the wavering of her breast, That, whilst the trial grieves her which she made, Farther to try she wishes; every bound O'erpa.s.sing; and, with luckless fate, her suit Still meets repulsion. He, when endless seem'd Her pressing, fled his country, and the crime; And in a foreign region rais'd new walls.

Then, daughter of Miletus, they report, Forsook thee all thy senses; then in truth Thou rent thy garments from thy breast; thy breast Thy furious hands hard smote. Now to the world Madly she raves; now to the world displays Her wish'd-for love, deny'd: all hope--despair!

She too forsook her country, and the roof So hated; and the vagrant steps pursu'd Her flying brother trode. As Thracia's dames O, son of Semele! thy Thyrsus shake When celebrating thy triennial rites, So did the Carian matrons, Byblis see Fly o'er the wide-spread fields, with shrieks and howls: These left behind, o'er Caria's plains she runs, And through the warlike Leleges, and through The Lycian realms. Now Cragos had she left, And Lymire, and Xanthus' waves behind; With the high ridge Chimaera lifts, who burns Central with flames; his breast and front fierce arm'd A lion--tow'rd his tail a serpent form'd.

Now all the forests past; thou Byblis, faint With long pursuit, fall'st flat; on the hard ground Thy locks are spread; dumb now thou ly'st; thy face Presses the fallen leaves. Oft in their arms So delicate, the Lelegean nymphs To raise thee up attempted. Oft they strove To give advice that might thy love control, And offer solace to thy deafen'd ear.

Still silent Byblis lies; and with her nails Rends the green herbage; moistens all the gra.s.s With rivulets of tears. And here, they say, The Naiad nymphs their bubbling art supply'd.

Ne'er drought to know: more to afford, their power Sure could not. Straightway, as the pitchy drops Flow from the fir's cleft bark; from solid earth As stiff bitumen oozes; or as streams, By cold congeal'd, thaw with the southern wind And warming sun: Phbean Byblis so By her own tears exhausted, was transform'd, A fount becoming; which still in that vale, 'Neath a dark ilex springing, keeps her name.

Now had the rumor of this wond'rous change Spread rapid through the hundred towns of Crete, But Crete had lately seen a wond'rous change In her own clime, in Iphis' alter'd form.

There in the Phestian land, near Gnossus' realm Was Lygdus born: a man of unknown fame, But a plebean of unblemish'd worth: Nor had he, more than n.o.ble stock, estate; Yet unimpeach'd for honesty his life.

He thus the ears of his then pregnant spouse Address'd, when near her bearing time approach'd:-- "Two things my wishes bound; first that thy pains "May lightly press, next that a male thou bring'st: "More burdensome are females; strength to them "Nature denies. Then if by fate ordain'd "To give a female birth, which I detest, "Unwilling I command,--O piety!

"Excuse it,--let the babe to death be given."-- He said, and tears profuse the cheeks bedew Of him who bade, and her who heard his words.

Still Telethusa to the latest hour, With vain pet.i.tions strives her spouse to move, That thus he should not straighten so his hopes.

Firm to his purpose Lygdus stood. And now Scarce could the heavy weight her womb sustain; When in the silent s.p.a.ce of night, in sleep Entranc'd; or Isis stood before her bed, Or seem'd to stand; surrounded by the pomp To her belonging. On her forehead shone The lunar horns, and yellow wheat them bound In golden radiance, with a regal crown.

With her Anubis, barker came; and came Bubastis holy; Apis various-mark'd; He who the voice suppresses, and directs To silence with his finger; timbrels loud; Osiris never sought enough; and snakes Of foreign lands full of somniferous gall.