The Metamorphoses of Publius Ovidus Naso in English blank verse Part 8

The princess' anxious comrades trac'd her steps With care; the last with arduous search they found, Just on the giddy brink, nor dubious deem'd Her fate a moment. Cadmus' house they wail; With beating hands their tresses tear, and robes; And highly Juno blame, as one unjust: Too ireful for the hapless sister's fault.

Juno, fierce flaming, these reproaches stung;-- "Ye too," she cry'd, "shall monuments become "Of the fierce ire ye blame!" Deeds words pursu'd.

The nymph who most her hapless queen held dear, Exclaim'd;--"deep in the roaring main I'll plunge, "To join her fate,"--and sprung to take the leap; But motionless she stood,--fixt to the rock!

Her wounding blows, upon her bosom one Strives to renew, as wont; her striving arms Stiffen'd to stone she sees. This tow'rd the waves Her hands extends; a rocky ma.s.s she stands, In the same waves far stretching. Lifted high, The locks to rend, the fingers might be seen Stiffen'd, and rigid with the hair become.

In posture whatsoever caught, each nymph, In that same posture stands. Thus part are chang'd: The rest, to birds transform'd, by wings upborne, Skim o'er the surface of the neighbouring sea.

Cadmus, the wond'rous change which rais'd his child, And his young grandson to the rank of G.o.ds, Yet knew not. By his load of grief o'erwhelm'd; A chain of woes; and supernatural scenes, So numerous which he sees; the founder quits His town, suspicious that the city's fate, And not his own, misfortune on him showers.

Borne o'er the main, his lengthen'd wanderings end, When with his exil'd consort, safe he gains Illyria's sh.o.r.es. Opprest with grief and age, The primal fortunes of their house, with care They scan, and in their converse all their woes Again recounting, Cadmus thus exclaims;-- "Was then that serpent, by my javelin pierc'd, "When driven from Tyre; whose numerous teeth I sow'd, "Sacred to some divinity?--If he "Thus, vengeful for the deed, his anger pours, "May I a serpent stretcht at length become."

He said,--and serpent-like extended lies!

Scales he perceives, upon his harden'd skin; And sees green spots on his black body form; p.r.o.ne on his breast he falls; together twin'd, His legs commingling stretch, and gradual end Lessen'd in rounded point; his arms remain Still, and those arms remaining he extends; While down his face yet human tears flow fast.

"O, hapless wife! approach," he cries, "approach, "And touch me now, while ought of me remains; "Receive my hand, while yet a hand I bear; "Ere to a serpent wholly turns my form."-- More he prepar'd to utter, but his tongue, Cleft sudden, to his wishes words refus'd: And often when his sorrows sad he try'd To wail anew, he hiss'd!--that sound alone, Nature permitted. While her naked breast With blows resounded, loud his wife exclaim'd;-- "Stay,--O, my Cadmus! hapless man, shake off "This monstrous figure! Cadmus what is this?

"Where are thy feet,--and where thy arms and hands?

"Where are thy features,--thy complexion? Where, "Whilst I bewail, art thou? Celestial powers!

"Why not this transformation work on me?"

She ended; he advancing, lick'd her face, And creep'd, as custom'd, to her bosom dear, And round her wonted neck embracing twin'd.

Now draw their servants nigh, and as they come With terror start. The crested serpents play, Smooth on their necks,--now two; and cordial slide, In spires conjoin'd; then in the darksome shades Th' adjoining woods afford them, close they hide.

Mankind they fly not, nor deep wounds inflict; Harmless, their pristine form is ne'er forgot.

Still, though in alter'd shapes, the pair rejoic'd Their grandson's fame to hear; whom vanquish'd Ind'

Low bending wors.h.i.+pp'd; Greece adoring prais'd, In lofty temples. Sole Acrisius stands, Like Bacchus sprung from Jove's celestial seed, Opposing; and from Argos' gates propels The G.o.d;--his birth deny'd, against him arms.

Nor Perseus would he own from heaven deriv'd; Conceiv'd by Danae, from a golden shower: Yet soon,--so mighty is the force of truth,-- Acrisius grieves he e'er so rashly brav'd The G.o.d; his grandson driving from his court, Disown'd. Now one in heaven is glorious plac'd; The other, laden with the well-known spoil Of the fierce snaky monster, cleaves the air, On sounding pinions. High the victor sails O'er Lybia's desarts, and the gory drops Fall from the gorgon's head; the Ground receives The blood, and warms it into writhing snakes.

Hence does the country with the pest still swarm.

Thence borne by adverse winds, he sweeps along, Through boundless ether driven; now here, now there, As watery clouds are swept. From lofty skies, The earth far distant viewing, round the globe He skimm'd: three times he saw the Arctic pole And thrice the warmer Crab. Oft to the west, Th' adventurous youth was borne; back to the east, As often. Now the day in darkness sank, When he, nocturnal flight mistrusting, lights In Atlas' kingdom 'neath th' Hesperian sky; A short repose requests, till Phosphor' bright, Should call Aurora forth;--she ushering in The chariot of the day. j.a.petus' son All men in huge corporeal bulk surpa.s.s'd.

He to th' extremest confines of the land, And o'er the ocean sway'd, whose waves receive Apollo's panting steeds, and weary'd car.

A thousand bleating flocks; a thousand herds, Stray'd through the royal pastures. Neighbouring lords Not near him plough'd their lands. Trees grew, whose leaves With splendor glittering, threw a golden shade O'er golden branches, and o'er fruit of gold.

Thus Perseus;--"Friendly host, if glorious birth "Thee pleases, here one born of Jove behold.

"If deeds of merit more attraction move, "Mine thy applause may claim. At present grant "An hospitable shelter here, and rest."

But Atlas, fearing these oraculous words,-- (Long since by Themis on Parna.s.sus given) "The time, O king! will come, thy golden tree "Shall lose its fruit. The glory of the spoil "A son of Jove shall boast:" and dreading sore; Around his orchards ma.s.sy walls he rears; A dragon huge and fierce the guard maintains.

"Whatever strangers to his realm approach, Far thence he drives; and thus to Perseus too;-- "Haste, quickly haste from hence, lest soon I prove "Thy glorious deeds but feign'd,--feign'd as thy birth."

Then force to threats he added,--strove to thrust The hero forth; who struggling, efforts urg'd Resisting, while he begg'd with softening words.

Proving in strength inferior (who in strength Could vie with Atlas?) "Since my fame," he cries, "Such small desert obtains, a gift accept."

And, back his face averting, holds display'd, On his left side Medusa's ghastly head.

A mountain now the mighty Atlas stands!

His hair and beard as lofty forests wave; His arms and hands high hilly summits rear; O'er-topp'd above, by what was once his head: His bones are rocks; then, so the G.o.ds decree, Enlarg'd to size immense in every part, The weight of heaven, and all the stars he bears.

His bl.u.s.tering va.s.sals aeolus had pent, In ever-during prisons. Phosphor' bright, Most splendid 'midst the starry host of heaven; Admonitor of labor, now was risen; When Perseus bound again on either foot, His winnowing wings; girt on his crooked sword; And cleft the air, on waving pinions borne.

O'er numerous nations, far beneath him spread, He sail'd, till Ethiopia's realms he saw; Where Cepheus rul'd. There Ammon, power unjust, Andromeda had sentenc'd,--guiltless maid, To what her mother's boastful tongue deserv'd.

Her soon as Perseus spy'd, fast by the arms Chain'd to the rugged rock;--where but her locks Wav'd lightly to the breeze; and but her eyes Trickled a tepid stream; she might be deem'd A sculptur'd marble: him the unknown sight Astonish'd, dazzled, and enflam'd with love.

His senses in the beauteous view sole wrapt, Scarce he remembers on his wings to wave:-- Alights, exclaiming;--"O, whom chains like these "Should never bind, nor other chains than such, "As lovers intertwist! declare thy name; "Thy country tell; and why thou bear'st those bonds."

Silent awhile the virgin stood; abash'd, Converse with man to hold: her blus.h.i.+ng face, Her hands, if free, had long before conceal'd.

Quick starting tears, 'twas all she could, her eyes Veil'd swimming: then her name and country told; And all the conscious pride her mother's charms Inspir'd, in full acknowledg'd; lest for crimes Her own, just suffering, Perseus might conceive.

All yet untold, when loud the billows roar'd; Upheav'd the monster's bulk: far 'bove the waves He stood uprear'd, and then right onward plung'd; His ample bosom covering half the main.

Loud shrieks the virgin! Sad her father comes; And sad her raving mother, wretched both, The mother most deserv'dly. Help in vain From them she seeks; with tears, and bosoms torn, Her fetter'd limbs they clasp, they can no more.

Then Perseus thus;--"for tears and loud laments, "Long may the time be: but effective aid "To give, the time is short. Suppose the nymph "I ask;--I, Perseus! sprung from mighty Jove, "By her whose prison in a golden shower "Fecundative, he enter'd. Perseus, who "The Gorgon snaky-hair'd o'ercame; who bold "On waving pinions winnows through the air.

"Him for a son in preference should ye chuse, "Arduous he'll strive to these high claims to add, "If heaven permits, some merits more his own.

"Agree she's mine, if by my arm preserv'd."

The parents promise;--(who in such a case Would waver) beg his help; and promise, more, That all their kingdom shall her dower become.

Lo! as a vessel's sharpen'd prow quick cleaves The waves, by strenuous sweating arms impell'd, The monster comes! his mighty bosom wide The waters sideway breasting; distant now, Not more than what the Balearic sling Could with the bullet gain, when high in air, The sod repelling, upward springs the youth.

Soon as the main reflected Perseus' form, The ocean-savage rag'd: as Jove's swift bird When in the open fields a snake he spies Basking, his livid back to Phbus' rays Expos'd, behind attacks him; plunges deep, His hungry talons in his scaly neck, To curb the twisting of his sanguine teeth.

With rapid flight, thus Perseus shooting cleaves The empty air; lights on the monster's back; Burying his weapon to the crooked hilt, Full in the shoulder of the raging beast.

Mad with the deepen'd wound, now rears aloft The savage high in air; now plunges low, Beneath the waters; now he furious turns, As turns the boar ferocious, when the crowd Of barking dogs beset him fiercely round.

With rapid waft the venturous hero shuns His greedy jaws: now on his back, thick-arm'd With sh.e.l.ls, he strikes where opening s.p.a.ce he sees; Now on his sides; now where his tapering tail In fish-like form is finish'd, bites the steel.

High spouts the wounded monster from his mouth; The waves with gore deep purpling: drench'd, the wings Droop nagging; and no longer Perseus dares To trust their dripping aid. A rock he spies Whose summit o'er the peaceful waters rose, But deep was hid when tempests mov'd the main.

Supported here, his left hand firmly grasps The craggy edge; while through his sides, and through, The dying savage feels the weapon drove.

Loud shouts and plaudits fill the sh.o.r.e, the noise Resounding echoes to the heavenly thrones.

Ca.s.siope and Cepheus joyful greet Their son, and grateful own him chief support, And saviour. From her rugged fetters freed, The virgin walks; the cause, the great reward Of all his toil. His victor hands he laves In the pure stream: then with soft leaves defends A spot, to rest the serpent-bearing head, Lest the bare sand should harm it. Twigs marine He likewise strews, and rests Medusa there.

The fresh green twigs as though with life endow'd, Felt the dire Gorgon's power; their spongy pith Hard to the touch became, the stiffness spread Through every twig and leaf. The Nered nymphs More branches bring, and try the wonderous change On all, and joy to see the change succeed: Spreading the transformation from the seeds, With them throughout the waves. This nature still Retains the coral: hardness still a.s.sumes From contact with the air; beneath the waves A bending twig; an harden'd stone above.

Three turfy altars to three heavenly G.o.ds He builds: to Hermes sacred stands the left; The right to warlike Pallas; in the midst The mighty Jove's is rear'd: (To Pallas bleeds An heifer: to the plume-heel'd G.o.d a calf: Almighty Jove accepts a lordly bull) Then claims Andromeda, the rich reward, without a dower, of all his valorous toil.

Now Love and Hymen wave their torches high, Precursive of their joys: each hearth is heap'd With odorous incense: every roof is hung With flowery garlands: pipes, and harps, and lyres, And songs which indicate their festive souls, Resound aloud. Each portal open thrown, Display'd appears the golden palace wide.

By every lord of Cepheus' court, array'd In splendid pomp, the nuptial feast is grac'd.

The banquet ended, while the generous gift Of Bacchus circles; and each soul dilates, Perseus, the modes and customs of the land Curious enquires. Lyncides full relates The habits, laws, and manners of the clime.

His information ended;--"now,"--he cry'd,-- "Relate, O Perseus! boldest of mankind,-- "By what fierce courage, and what skilful arts,"

"The snaky locks in thy possession came."

Then Perseus tells, how lies a lonely vale Beneath cold Atlas; every side strong fenc'd By lofty hills, whose only pa.s.s is held, By Phorcus' twin-born daughters. Mutual they One eye possess'd, in turns by either us'd.

His hand deceiving seiz'd it, as it pa.s.s'd 'Twixt them alternate; dexterous was the wile.

Through devious paths, and deep-sunk ways he went; And craggy woods, dark-frowning, till he reach'd The Gorgon's dwelling: pa.s.sing then the fields, And beaten roads, there forms of men he saw, And shapes of savage beasts; but all to stone By dire Medusa's petrifying face Transform'd. He then the horrid countenance mark'd, Bright from the brazen targe his left arm bore, Reflected. While deep slumber safe weigh'd down, The Gorgon and her serpents, he divorc'd Her shoulders from her head. He adds how sprung, Chrysaor, and wing'd Pegasus the swift, From the prolific Gorgon's streaming gore.

Relates the perils of his lengthen'd flight; What seas, what kingdoms from the lofty sky, Beneath him he had view'd; what sparkling stars His waving wings had brush'd;--thus ceas'd his tale: All more desiring. Then uprose a peer,-- And why Medusa, of the sisters sole The serpent-twisted tresses wore, enquir'd.

The youth:--"The story that you ask, full well "Attention claims;--I what you seek recite.

"For matchless beauty fam'd, with envying hope "Her, crowds of suitors follow'd: nought surpa.s.s'd "'Mongst all her beauties, her bright lovely hair: "Those who had seen her thus, have this averr'd.

"But in Minerva's temple Ocean's G.o.d "The maid defil'd. The virgin G.o.ddess shock'd, "Her eyes averted, and her forehead chaste "Veil'd with the aegis. Then with vengeful power "Chang'd the Gorgonian locks to writhing snakes.

"The snakes, thus form'd, fixt on her s.h.i.+eld she bears; "The horrid sight her trembling foes appals."

*The Fifth Book.*

Attack of Phineus and his friends on Perseus. Defeat of the former, and their change to statues. Atchievements of Perseus in Argos, and Seriphus. Minerva's visit to the Muses. Fate of Pyreneus. Song of the Pierides. Song of the Muses. Rape of Proserpine. Change of Cyane, to a fountain. Search of Ceres.

Transformation of a boy to an eft. Of Ascalaphus to an owl.

Change of the companions of Proserpine to Sirens. Story of Arethusa. Journey of Triptolemus. Transformation of Lyncus to a lynx. The Pierides transformed to magpies.

THE *Fifth Book* OF THE METAMORPHOSES OF OVID.

These wonders, while the son of Danae tells, Circled around by Cepheus' n.o.ble troop; Sudden th' imperial hall with tumults loud Resounds. Not clamor such as oft we hear, The bridal feasts, in songs of joy attend: But what stern war announces. Much the change, (The peaceful feast to instant riot turn'd) Seem'd like the placid main, when the fierce rage Of sudden tempests lash its surges high.

First Phineus stepp'd, the leader of the crowd; Soul of the riot; and his ashen spear, Arm'd with a brazen point, he brandish'd high;-- "Lo, here!" he shouts, "lo, here I vengeful come "On him who claims my spouse! Not thy swift wings; "Nor cheating Jove, chang'd to a golden shower, "Shall save thee from my arm,"--and pois'd to fling, The dart was held, but Cepheus loud exclaim'd,-- "Brother! what dost thou? what dire madness sways "To wicked acts thy soul? Is this the meed "His gallant deeds deserve? Is this the dower, "We for the valued life he sav'd bestow?

"List but to truth,--not Perseus of thy wife "Bereft thee, but the angry Nered nymphs,-- "The horned Ammon,--and the monster huge!

"Prepar'd to glut his hunger with my child.

"Then was thy spouse s.n.a.t.c.h'd from thee, when remain'd "Of help no hope; to all she lost appear'd.

"Thy savage heart perhaps had ev'n rejoic'd "To see her perish, that our greater grief "Might lighten part of thine. Couldst thou her see "Fast chain'd before thee? uncle! spouse betroth'd!