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

by Ovid

Now blush'd Sigæum's shores with spouting blood,
Where Cygnus, Neptune's offspring, gave to death
Whole crowds. Achilles in his chariot stood,
And with his forceful Pelian spear o'erthrew
Thick ranks of Trojans; and as through the fights
Cygnus or Hector to engage he sought,
Cygnus he met: delay'd was Hector's fate
To the tenth year. Then to his white-neck'd steeds,
Press'd by the yoke, with cheering shouts he spoke;
And full against the foe his chariot drove.
His quivering lance well-pois'd he shook, and call'd,
“Whoe'er thou art, O youth! this comfort learn
“In death, that by Achilles' arm thou dy'st.”
Thus far Pelides; and his massive spear
Close follow'd on his words. With truth it fled;
Yet did the steely point, unerring hurl'd,
Fall harmless: with a deaden'd point his breast
Was struck. Then he;—“O goddess-born! (for fame
“Thy race to me has long before made known)
“Why wonder'st thou that I unwounded stand?”
(For wondering stood Pelides.) “Not this helm,
“Which thou behold'st, gay with the courser's mane.
“Nor the curv'd buckler by my arm sustain'd,
“For aid are worn. For comely grace alone
“They deck me. Thus is Mars himself adorn'd.
“Thrown every guard far from my limbs, my limbs
“Unwounded would remain. Sure I may boast!
“Sprung not from Nereus' daughter, but from him
“Who rules o'er Nereus; o'er his daughter rules;
“And all th' extent of ocean.” Cygnus spoke:
And at Pelides launch'd his spear to pierce
His orbed shield; its brazen front it pierc'd,
And nine bull-hides beneath; stay'd at the tenth,
The warrior shook it forth; with strenuous arm
The quivering weapon hostile back return'd:
Cygnus again unwounded felt the blow.
Nor felt his naked bosom, to the force
Of the third weapon vauntingly expos'd,
Aught harm'd. Less fiercely in the Circus wide
Rages the bull not, when the scarlet vests
To urge his fury fixt, with furious horn
To gore attempting, finds elusion still,
The unhurt limbs invading. Seeks he now
If fall'n the metal from his weapon's point:
Fast to the wood the metal still appears;
And cries he;—“Weak is then my hand? and spent
“On one, is all the strength I once could boast?
“For surely strength that arm could boast, which erst
“Lyrnessus' wall o'erthrew, and when with gore
“It Tenedos, and Thebes made stream; or when
“Caÿcus purple flow'd, stain'd with their blood
“Who on its banks had dwelt; and when twice prov'd
“By Telephus, the virtue of my spear.
“This nervous arm has here too shewn its force
“In hills of slain by me up-heap'd; these shores
“Attest it.” Speaking so, his spear he sent
Against Menœtes 'mid the Lycian crowd,
As doubting faintly deeds perform'd before:
And pierc'd at once his corslet and his breast.
From the hot smoking wound as forth he drew
The dart,—as with his dying head was struck
The solid ground, he spoke:—“This is the hand,
“And this the spear which conquest knew before:
“This will I 'gainst him use. May it, when sent,
“The same success attend.”—Ere ceas'd his words
Cygnus again with aim he sought, nor swerv'd
His ashen weapon whence he aim'd, but rung,
Unshrunk from, on the shoulder: thence repell'd,
As from a wall or rugged rock it fell:
Yet where the blow was felt, did Cygnus seem
With blood distain'd. Achilles' joy was vain,
For wound was not. Menœtes' blood was there.
Then furious from his lofty car he sprung,
And close at hand his braving foe assail'd
With glittering falchion; by the falchion broke,
The helm and shield he saw, but the keen edge
His stubborn body blunted. More the son
Of Peleus bore not, but the warrior's face
With furious buffets from his shield, unclaspt
First from his arm, he smote, and with his hilt
Heavy his temples; and with headstrong rage
Bore on him: nor to his astounded soul
Respite allow'd. Dread through his bosom spread;
Before his eyes swam darkness: when amidst
The plain, a stone his retrogressive feet
Oppos'd. Pelides, with his mightiest strength,
Struck Cygnus against it, and to earth
Hard forc'd him, thrown supine. Pent with his shield,
And nervous knees upon his bosom prest
Tight, he the lacing of the helmet drew,
Which 'neath his chin was ty'd; close press'd his throat,
His breathing passage and his life at once
Destroy'd he. When his conquer'd foe to spoil
Of all his arms he went, the arms he found
Vacant. The ocean-god had to a bird
Of snowy plumage chang'd his offspring's form:
A bird which still the name of Cygnus bears.

Here stay'd the toil, here did the battle gain
Of numerous days a respite, either power
Resting on arms unhostile. Then, while guards,
Watchful, the Trojan walls protective kept;
And sentries equal wakeful o'er the trench
Form'd by the Argives watch'd, a feast was held,
Where Cygnus' victor, stout Achilles, gave
An heifer ribbon-bound to Athen's maid.
The sever'd flesh was on the altar plac'd,
Whose smoking fragrance, grateful to the gods,
High to th' ethereal regions mounted. Part,
Their due, th' official sacrificers took;
To swell the feast the rest was given. Outstretch'd
On couches, laid the noble guests, and fill'd
With the drest meat their hunger; and with wine
At once their thirst and all their cares assuag'd.
No lyre them sooth'd; no sound of vocal song;
Nor long extended boxen pipe with holes
Multiferous pierc'd: but all night long, discourse
Protracted; valiant deeds alone the theme.
Alike the valiant acts their foes perform'd,
And those their own they speak. Much they enjoy
To tell by turns what hazards they o'ercame;
And what they oft successless try'd. What else
Could e'er Achilles' speech employ? What else
By great Achilles could with joy be heard?
Chief in the converse, was the conquest late
O'er Cygnus gain'd, the topic. Strange to all
Seem'd it; the youth, from every weapon safe
By wound unconquerable, and with skin
Blunting the keenest steel. Wonder the Greeks,
And wonders ev'n Pelides: when in words
Like these, old Nestor hail'd them. “Cygnus, proof
“'Gainst steel,—unpierceable by furious blows
“Your age alone has known. These eyes have seen
“Perrhæbian Cæneus bear ten thousand strokes
“Unhurt. He, fam'd for warlike actions, dwelt
“On Othrys, and more strange those warlike deeds,
“Since female was he born.” The wondering crowd,
Mov'd with the novel prodigy, beseech
(Their spokesman was Achilles) that the tale
Nestor would give them. “Eloquent old man!
“Of all our age most prudent, tell, for all
“The same desire prevails o'er, who was he,
“This Cæneus? why was chang'd his sex? what wars
“Of fierce encounter made him known to thee?
“And if by any conquer'd, tell the name.”

Then thus the senior: “Though decrepid age
“Weighs heavy on me, and the deeds beheld
“In prime of youth, in numbers 'scape my mind;
“Yet than those facts, 'mid all of peace and war,
“Nought on my bosom made a deeper print.
“Yet may extended age of all beheld
“Part of the numerous acts and objects seen
“Relate,—I twice one hundred years have pass'd;
“Now in the third I breathe. Cænis, a nymph
“Sprung from Elateus, fam'd was all around
“For brightest beauty; fairest of the maids
“Who Thessaly adorn; theme of vain hopes
“To crowds of wooers through the neighbouring towns;
“And ev'n through thine, Achilles; for the land
“Thou claim'st produc'd her. Nay, her nuptial couch,
“Peleus perchance had sought, save that the rites
“Already with thy mother were compleat,
“Or were in promise ready. Nuptial couch
“She never press'd, for on the lonely shore
“Strolling, so fame declares, the vigorous clasp
“Of Ocean's god she felt. The charms possest
“Of his new object, Neptune said—whate'er
“Thou wishest, chuse, secure of no repulse.—
“This too does fame report, that Cænis cry'd—
“Wrongs such as mine no trivial gift deserve,
“That ne'er such shame again I suffer, grant
“I woman be no longer; that will all
“Favors comprize.—Her closing words betray'd
“A graver sound; manly appear'd her voice:
“And masculine it was. Deep ocean's god
“Acceded to her wish, and granted, more,
“That wounds should never harm her, nor by steel
“Should she e'er fall. Joy'd at the gift, the god
“Atracia's hero leaves—employs his age
“In studies warlike; and among the fields,
“Where fertilizing Peneus wanders, roams.

“Now bold Ixion's son had gain'd the hand
“Of Hippodamia; and the fierce-soul'd crowd
“Cloud-born, had bidden to attend the boards,
“In order rang'd within a cavern's mouth,
“By trees thick-shaded. All the princes round
“Of Thessaly attended: I, myself
“Amongst them went. Loud rung the regal feast
“With the mixt concourse; all most joyful sung
“O Hymen! Iö Hymen! and each hall
“Blaz'd bright with fires. The virgin then approach'd
“Pre-excellent in fairness, with a band
“Of matrons and unwedded nymphs begirt.
“Most blest, we all exclaim'd, in such a spouse
“Must be Pirithoüs—but such boding hopes
“Well nigh deceiv'd us. For when drunken lust
“O'er thee, Eurytus! govern'd, of the blood
“Of savage Centaurs, far most savage, fir'd
“Whether by wine, or by the virgin's charms
“Thou saw'st, thy breast. Instant, the board o'erturn'd,
“Routed the guests convivial, and the bride
“Caught by her locks, was forceful dragg'd away.
“Eurytus Hippodamia seiz'd; the rest
“Grasp'd such as pleas'd them, or whoe'er they met.
“It show'd the image of a captur'd town.

“With female shrieks the place resounded; swift
“We start, and Theseus foremost thus exclaims:—
“What frenzy, O Eurytus! thee impels
“Pirithoüs thus to wrong me still in life!
“Ign'rant that two thou wound'st in one?—Nor vain
“The chief magnanimous his threat'nings spoke:
“Th' aggressors back repell'd; and, while they rag'd,
“The ravish'd bride recover'd. Nought he said,
“Nor could such acts defence by words allow;
“But with rude inconsiderate hands he press'd
“Full on her champion's face; his valiant breast
“Assaulting. Near by chance a cup there stood,
“Of mould antique, and rough with rising forms:
“Mighty it was, but Theseus, mightier still,
“Seiz'd it, and full against his hostile face
“It dash'd; he vomits forth, with clots of gore,
“His brains, and wine; these issuing from the wound;
“That from his mouth; and on the soaking sand
“Supine he sprawls. With rage the two-form'd race
“Burn for their brother's slaughter; all with voice
“United, eager call—to arms! to arms!
“Wine gave them courage, and the primal fight
“Was goblets, fragile casks, and hollow jars,
“Dash'd on: once instruments to feasts alone
“Pertaining; now for slaughter us'd and blood.

“First Amycus, of Ophion son, not fear'd
“To rob the sacred chambers of their spoils;
“And from its cord suspensive, tore away,
“As from the roof it hung, a glittering lamp;
“And hurl'd it, lofty-pois'd, full in the front
“Of Lapithæan Celadon. So falls
“On the white neck the victim bull presents,
“The sacrificial axe, and all his bones
“Were shatter'd left; one all confounded wound.
“His eyes sprang forth; his palate bones displac'd,
“His nose driv'n back within his palate falls.
“Him Belates Pellæan with a foot
“Torn from a maple table, on the ground
“Stretch'd prone; his chin forc'd downward on his breast;
“And sputtering teeth, with blackest gore commixt,
“Sent by a second blow to Stygia's shades.

“As next he stood, and with tremendous brow
“The flaming altar view'd, Gryneus exclaim'd—
“Why use we this not? and the ponderous load
“With all its fires he seiz'd, and 'mid the crowd
“Of Lapithæans flung: two low it press'd;
“Broteas and bold Orion. From her sphere
“Orion's mother Mycalé, by charms
“The moon to drag to earth has oft been known.

“Loud cry'd Exodius:—Were but weapons found
“That death impunity would boast not. Horns
“An ancient stag once brandish'd, on a pine
“Hung lofty, serv'd for arms; the forky branch
“Hurl'd in his face deep dug out either eye.
“Part to the horns adhere; part flowing down
“His beard, thence hang in ropes of clotted gore.
“Lo! Rhætus snatches from the altar's height
“A burning torch of size immense, and through
“Charaxus' dexter temple, with bright hair
“Shaded, he drives it. Like the arid corn
“Caught by the rapid flame, the tresses burn;
“And the scorch'd blood the wound sent forth, a sound
“Of horrid crackling gave. Oft whizzes steel
“So, drawn forth glowing from the fire, with tongs
“Bent, and in cooling waters frequent plung'd;
“And crackling sounds, immers'd in tepid waves.
“The wounded hero from his tresses shook
“The greedy flames, and in his arms upheav'd,
“Tom from the earth, a mighty threshold stone,
“A waggon's burthen; but the ponderous load
“Forbade his strength to hurl it on the foe:
“And on Cometes, who beside him stood,
“Dropp'd the huge bulk. Nor Rhætus then his joy
“Disguis'd, exclaiming:—Such may be the aid
“That all your friends receive!—Then with his brand
“Half burnt, his blows redoubling, burst the skull
“With the strong force; and on the pulpy brain
“By frequent strokes the bones beat down. From thence
“Victor, Evagrus, Corythus, he met
“And Dryas. Corythus o'erthrown, whose cheeks
“The first down shaded; loud Evagrus cry'd:—
“What glory thine, thus a weak boy to slay?—
“No more to utter Rhætus gave, but fierce
“Plung'd the red-flaming weapon in his mouth,
“Thus speaking; and deep forc'd it down his throat.
“Thee also, furious Dryas! with the brand,
“Whirl'd round and round his head, he next assails.
“But thee the same sad fortune not befel:
“Him, proud triumphing from increas'd success
“In blood, thou piercest with an harden'd stake,
“Where the neck meets the shoulder. Rhætus groan'd:
“And from the hard bone scarce the wood could draw;
“As drench'd in blood his own, by flight he scap'd.
“With him fled Lycabas; and Orneus fled;
“Thaumas; Pisenor; Medon, who was struck
“'Neath the right shoulder; Mermeros, who late
“In rapid race all else surpass'd, but now
“Mov'd halting with his wound; Abas, of boars
“The spoiler; Pholus, and Melaneus too;
“With Astylos the seer, who from the war
“Dissuaded, but in vain, his brethren crowd.
“Nay more, to Nessus, fearing wounds, he cry'd—
“Fly not!—thou'lt for Alcides' bow be sav'd.

“Euronymus, nor Lycidas, their fate,
“Areos, nor Imbreos fled; whom face to face
“Confronting, Dryas' hand smote down. Thou too,
“Crenæus! felt thy death in front, though turn'd
“For flight thy feet; for looking back thou caught'st
“Betwixt thine eyes the massy steel; where joins
“The nose's basement to the forehead bones.

“With endless draughts of stupefactive wine
“Aphidas lay, 'mid all the raging noise
“Unrous'd; and grasping in his languid hand
“A ready-mingled bowl: stretch'd was he seen,
“On a rough bear-skin, brought from Ossa's hill.
“Him from afar, as Phorbas saw, no arms
“Dreading, he fix'd his fingers in the thongs,
“And said—with Stygian waters mixt, thy wine
“Now drink;—and instant round his javelin twin'd
“The youth: for as supinely stietch'd he lay
“The ash-form'd javelin through his throat was driv'n.
“No sense of death he felt; his dark brown gore
“Flow'd in full stream upon the couch, and flow'd
“In his grasp'd goblet. I, Petræus saw,
“An acorn-loaded oak from earth to rend
“Endeavoring; which while compass'd with both arms
“He strains, now this way, now the other, shook
“Appear'd the tottering tree. Pirithous' dart
“Driv'n through the ribs, Petræus' straining breast
“Nail'd to the rigid wood. Pirithous' arm
“Lycus o'erthrew; and 'neath Pirithous' force
“Fell Chromis,—so they tell. But less of fame
“The conqueror gain'd from these, than from the death
“Of Helops, and of Dictys. Helops felt
“The dart through both his temples; swift it whizz'd
“His right ear enter'd, shewing at his left.
“But Dictys, from a dangerous mountain's brow
“As flying, trembling from Ixion's son
“Close following, he descended, headlong down
“He tumbled; with his ponderous fall he broke
“A mighty ash; within his riven side
“The stumps his bowels tore. Aphareus fierce,
“Came on for vengeance; and a massive rock,
“Torn from the hill, upheav'd to throw—to throw
“Attempted. Theseus with an oaken club
“Prevented, and his mighty elbow broke:
“Nor now his leisure suits, nor cares he now
“A foe disabled to dispatch to hell:
“But on Biamor's lofty back he springs,
“Unwont to bear, except himself, before:
“Press'd with his knees his ribs, and grasping firm,
“With his left hand his locks, he bruis'd his face,
“His frowning forehead, and his harden'd skull,
“With the rough club. With the same club he lays
“Nidymnus prostrate; and Lycotas, skill'd
“To fling the javelin; Hippasus, whose beard
“Immense, his breast o'ershaded; Ripheus sprung
“From lofty woods; and Tereus wont to drag
“Home furious bears still living, on the hills
“Thessalian, caught. Nor longer in the fight
“Raging with such success, Demoleon bore
“Theseus to see, but from a crowded wood,
“With giant efforts strove a pine to rend,
“Of ancient growth, up by the roots, but foil'd
“He flung the broken fragment 'mid the foe.
“Warn'd by Minerva, from the flying wood
“Theseus withdrew; so would he we believe.
“Yet harmless fell the tree not; from the breast
“And shoulder of great Crantor, was the neck
“Sever'd. The faithful follower of thy sire
“Was he, Achilles. Him, Amyntor, king
“Of all Dolopia, in the warlike strife
“O'ercome, as pledge of peace and faithful words
“Gave to Æäcides. Him mangled so
“With cruel wound, Peleus far distant saw;
“And thus exclaim'd,—O, Crantor! dearest youth!
“Thy funeral obsequies behold.—He said,
“And hurl'd his ashen spear with vigorous arm,
“And with a spirit not less vigorous, forth,
“Full on Demoleon: tearing through the fence
“Of his strong chest, it quiver'd in the bones.
“The pointless wood his hand dragg'd out; the wood
“With difficulty dragg'd he: in his lungs
“Deep was the steel retain'd. To his fierce soul
“Fresh vigor gave the smart. Hurt as he was
“He rear'd against the foe, and with his hoofs
“Trampled thy sire. He, with his helm and shield,
“Wards off the sounding blows; his shoulders guards;
“Holds his protended steel, and his foe's chest
“Full 'twixt the shoulders; one strong blow transpierc'd.
“Yet had he slain by distant darts before
“Both Hylis and Phlegræus; and in fight
“More close, had Clanis and Hipponous fall'n.
“To these must Dorilas be added, he
“A wolf skin round his forehead wore; and, bent,
“A double wound presenting, o'er his brows
“He bore the weapons of a savage bull;
“With streaming gore deep blushing. Loud I cry'd,
“While courage gave me strength—see how my steel
“Thy horns surpasses—and my dart I flung.
“My dart to 'scape unable, o'er his brow
“To ward the blow, his hand he held; his hand
“Was to his forehead nail'd. Loud shouts were heard,
“And Peleus at him, wounded thus, rush'd on,
“(He nearer stood) and with a furious blow
“Mid belly plac'd, dispatch'd him. High he sprung
“On earth his entrails dragging;—as they dragg'd
“Madly he trampled;—what he trampled tore:
“These round his legs entwining, down he falls;
“And with an empty'd body sinks to death.