The Metamorphoses of Publius Ovidus Naso in English blank verse Vols. I & II

by Ovid

Now the strong fires spread wide o'er every part,
Crackling, and seizing his regardless limbs,
Who them despis'd. The gods beheld with fear
The earth's avenger. Jove, who saw their care
With joyous countenance, thus the powers address'd:
“This fear, O deities! makes glad my heart;
“And lively pleasure swells in all my breast,
“That sire and sovereign o'er such grateful minds
“I hold my sway; since to my offspring too
“Your favoring care extends. No less, 'tis true,
“His deeds stupendous claim. Still I'm oblig'd.
“But from your anxious breasts banish vain fear;
“Despise those flames of Œté; he who all
“O'ercame, shall conquer even the flames you see:
“Nor shall the power of Vulcan ought consume,
“Save his maternal part: what he deriv'd
“From me, is ever-during; safe from death;
“And never vanquish'd by the force of fire.
“That we'll receive, his earthly race compleat,
“Amidst the heavenly host; and all I trust
“My actions gladly will approve. Should one
“Haply, with grief see Hercules a god,
“And grudge the high reward; ev'n he shall grant
“His great deserts demand it; and allow
“Unwilling approbation.” All assent;
Not even his royal spouse's forehead wore,
A frown at ought he said; his final words
Irk'd her at length, to be so plainly mark'd.
Vulcan meantime each corruptible part
Bore off in flames, nor could Alcides' form
Remaining, now be known; nought he retain'd
Of what his mother gave; Jove's share alone.
A serpent revels thus in glittering scales,
His age and former skin thrown off at once.
So when Tirynthius from his mortal limbs
Departed, in his better part he shone,
Increas'd in stature; and majestic grace
Augustly deck'd his venerable brow.
Veil'd in a hollow cloud, and borne along
By four swift steeds, in a high car, the sire
Him plac'd in glory 'mid the radiant stars.
Atlas perceiv'd his load increas'd. Nor yet
Eurystheus 'bated in his rancorous hate,
But cruel exercis'd his savage rage,
Against the offspring of the sire abhorr'd.

But now Alcmena, worn with constant cares,
In Argolis, to Iölé confides
Her aged plaints, to her the labors tells
Her son atchiev'd, o'er all the wide world known;
And her own griefs beside. Alcides' words
Caus'd Hyllus to his couch to take, and take
Iölé, cordial to his inmost heart:
And now with generous fruit, the nymph was large.
Alcmena, thus to her commenc'd her tale.—

“May thee, at least, the favoring gods indulge;
“And all delay diminish, when matur'd,
“Thou to Ilithyiä shalt have need to call,
“Who o'er travailing mothers bears the rule;
“Whom Juno's influence made so hard to me.
“Of Hercules toil-bearing, now the birth,
“Approach'd, and in the tenth sign rul'd the sun.
“A mighty bulk swell'd out my womb, so huge,
“Well might you know that Jove the load had caus'd:
“Nor could I longer bear my throes (my limbs
“Cold rigors seize, while now I speak; my pains
“Part ev'n in memory now I seem to feel)
“Through seven long nights, and seven long days with pangs
“Incessant was I rack'd: my arms to heaven
“Stretching, I call'd Lucina, and the powers,
“With outcries mighty. True Lucina came,
“But came by Juno prepossest, and bent
“My life to sacrifice to Juno's rage.
“Soon as my groans she hearken'd, down she sate
“Upon the altar, plac'd without the gates:
“'Neath her right ham, her left knee pressing; join'd
“Fingers with fingers cross'd upon her breast
“My labor stay'd; and spellful words she spoke
“In whispering tone; the spellful words delay'd
“Th' approaching birth. I strain, and madly rave
“With vain upbraidings to ungrateful Jove,
“And crave for death; in such expressions 'plain
“As hardest flints might move. The Theban dames
“Around me throng; assist me with their prayers;
“And me my trying pains exhort to bear.
“Galanthis, one who tended me, of race
“Plebeïan; yellow-hair'd; and sedulous
“What order'd to perform; and much esteem'd
“For courteous deeds;—she first suspected, (what,
“I know not) somewhat, form'd by Juno's pique:
“And while she constant pass'd; now to, now fro,
“She saw the goddess on the altar sit,
“Girding her arms, with close-knit fingers o'er
“Her knees, and said;—O dame, whoe'er thou art,
“Our mistress gratulate. Alcmena now
“Argolican, is lighten'd. Now the prayers
“Of the child-bearer meet her hopes.—The dame
“Who rules the womb, straight from her station leap'd,
“And all astounded, her clench'd fingers loos'd:
“I in that moment felt my bonds undone.
“Galanthis, they report, the goddess mock'd
“Thus cheated, by her laughter. Savage, she
“Dragg'd her so laughing, by the tresses seiz'd,
“And forc'd her down to earth, as up she strove
“Erect to rise; and to forefeet her arms
“Transform'd. The same agility remains;
“Her back its colour keeps; her form alone
“Is diverse. She, 'cause then her lying mouth
“My birth assisted, by her mouth still bears:
“And round my house she harbors as before.”—

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, Dryopé alone could boast,
“(Me to my sire another bore) her charms
“Œthalia all confess'd; whom (rifled first
“Of virgin charms, when passively she felt
“His force, who Delphos, and who Delos rules)
“Andræmon took, and held a happy spouse.
“A lake expands with steep and shelving shores
“Encompass'd; myrtles crown the rising bank.
“Here Dryopé, of fate unconscious came,
“And what must more commiseration move,
“Came to weave chaplets for the Naïad 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 breasts 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 Andræmon, and her sire
“So wretched; and for Dryopé they seek:
“A Lotus, as for Dryopé 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 passage, 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 snatch a flower;
“But think each shrub he sees a god 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 assistance close.—Her lips to speak
“Cease, and existence ceases: the fresh boughs
“Long in the alter'd body warm were felt.”

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

Junonian Hebé, by her husband's prayers
O'ercome, to Iölaüs 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. Callirhoë then, the nymph
“From Acheloüs 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 gods 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 god
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 Iölaüs youth restor'd again:
“By Fate Callirhoë'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 Æäcus 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 Æäcus, and Rhadamanthus saw;
And Minos: who, when in his prime of age,
Made mightiest nations tremble at his name.
He, feeble then, at Deïoné's son
Miletus, trembled, who with youthful strength,
And Phœbus' 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' Ægean waves in thy swift ship didst pass,
And on the Asian land the walls didst found
Which bear the builder's name. Cyancë here,
Mæander'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 gods 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 gods!
“The gods embrace their sisters. Saturn clasps
“Ops, join'd to him by blood; Ocean enjoys
“His sister Tethys; and Olympus' king
“His Juno. Gods 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' Æolian 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 passion. 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 gods! 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 gods.
“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.—”