Retia cum pedicis, laqueosque, artesque dolosas
Tollite: nec Volucrem viscatâ fallite virgâ,
Nec formidatis Cervos eludite pinnis,
Nec celate cibis uncos fallacibus hamos.
Perdite, si qua nocent: verùm hæc quòque perdite tantùm:
Ora vacent epulis, alimentaque congrua carpant.”
Metamorphoseon, Lib. xv. 72–142, 462–478.
Nor is this the only passage in his writings in which the Pagan poet proves himself to have been not without that humaneness and feeling so rare alike in non-Christian and in Christian poetry. In the charming story of the visit of the disguised and incarnate Celestials to the cottage of the pious peasants, Philemon and Baucis, Ovid takes the opportunity to present an alluring picture of the innocent fruits which were placed before the divine guests—a picture which, probably, was present to Milton in recording the similar hospitality of Eve.
Among the fragrant dishes—“savoury fruits, of taste to please true appetite”—appear Figs, Nuts, Dates, Plums, Grapes, Apples, Olives, Radishes, Onions, and Endive, with Honey, Eggs, and Milk:—
“Ponitur hìc bicolor sinceræ bacca Minervæ,