And after this the Earth spontaneousproduced the world of animals, when allremaining moistures of the mirey fensfermented in the sun, and fruitful seedsin soils nutritious grew to shapes ordained.So when the seven streamed Nile from oozy fieldsreturneth duly to her ancient bed,the sun's ethereal rays impregn the slime,that haply as the peasants turn the soilthey find strange animals unknown before:some in the moment of their birth, and somedeprived of limbs, imperfect; often partalive and part of slime inanimateare fashioned in one body. Heat combinedwith moisture so conceives and life resultsfrom these two things. For though the flames may bethe foes of water, everything that livesbegins in humid vapour, and it seemsdiscordant concord is the means of life.When Earth, spread over with diluvian ooze,felt heat ethereal from the glowing sun,unnumbered species to the light she gave,and gave to being many an ancient form,or monster new created. Unwilling shecreated thus enormous Python.—Thouunheard of serpent spread so far athwartthe side of a vast mountain, didst fill with fearthe race of new created man. The Godthat bears the bow (a weapon used till thenonly to hunt the deer and agile goat)destroyed the monster with a myriad darts,and almost emptied all his quiver, tillenvenomed gore oozed forth from livid wounds.Lest in a dark oblivion time should hidethe fame of this achievement, sacred sportshe instituted, from the Python called“The Pythian Games.” In these the happy youthwho proved victorious in the chariot race,running and boxing, with an honoured crownof oak leaves was enwreathed. The laurel thenwas not created, wherefore Phoebus, brightand godlike, beauteous with his flowing hair,was wont to wreathe his brows with various leaves.
Cetera diversis tellus animalia formissponte sua peperit, postquam vetus umor ab ignepercaluit solis, caenumque udaeque paludesintumuere aestu, fecundaque semina rerumvivaci nutrita solo ceu matris in alvocreverunt faciemque aliquam cepere morando.Sic ubi deseruit madidos septemfluus agrosNilus et antiquo sua flumina reddidit alveoaetherioque recens exarsit sidere limus,plurima cultores versis animalia glaebisinveniunt, et in his quaedam modo coepta per ipsumnascendi spatium, quaedam inperfecta suisquetrunca vident numeris; et eodem in corpore saepealtera pars vivit, rudis est pars altera tellus.Quippe ubi temperiem sumpsere umorque calorque,concipiunt, et ab his oriuntur cuncta duobus;cumque sit ignis aquae pugnax, vapor umidus omnesres creat, et discors concordia fetibus apta est.Ergo ubi diluvio tellus lutulenta recentisolibus aetheriis altoque recanduit aestu,edidit innumeras species, partimque figurasrettulit antiquas, partim nova monstra creavit.Illa quidem nollet, sed te quoque, maxime Python,tum genuit, populisque novis, incognite serpens,terror eras: tantum spatii de monte tenebas.Hunc deus arquitenens, et numquam talibus armisante nisi in dammis capreisque fugacibus usus,mille gravem telis exhausta paene pharetraperdidit effuso per vulnera nigra veneno.Neve operis famam posset delere vetustas,instituit sacros celebri certamine ludos,Pythia perdomitae serpentis nomine dictos.Hic iuvenum quicumque manu pedibusve rotavevicerat, aesculeae capiebat frondis honorem:nondum laurus erat, longoque decentia crinetempora cingebat de qualibet arbore Phoebus.
Daphne, the daughter of a River Godwas first beloved by Phoebus, the great Godof glorious light. 'Twas not a cause of chancebut out of Cupid's vengeful spite that shewas fated to torment the lord of light.For Phoebus, proud of Python's death, beheldthat impish god of Love upon a timewhen he was bending his diminished bow,and voicing his contempt in anger said;“What, wanton boy, are mighty arms to thee,great weapons suited to the needs of war?The bow is only for the use of thoselarge deities of heaven whose strength may dealwounds, mortal, to the savage beasts of prey;and who courageous overcome their foes.—it is a proper weapon to the useof such as slew with arrows Python, huge,whose pestilential carcase vast extentcovered. Content thee with the flames thy torchenkindles (fires too subtle for my thought)and leave to me the glory that is mine.”to him, undaunted, Venus, son replied;“O Phoebus, thou canst conquer all the worldwith thy strong bow and arrows, but with thissmall arrow I shall pierce thy vaunting breast!And by the measure that thy might exceedsthe broken powers of thy defeated foes,so is thy glory less than mine.” No morehe said, but with his wings expanded thenceflew lightly to Parnassus, lofty peak.There, from his quiver he plucked arrows twain,most curiously wrought of different art;one love exciting, one repelling love.The dart of love was glittering, gold and sharp,the other had a blunted tip of lead;and with that dull lead dart he shot the Nymph,but with the keen point of the golden darthe pierced the bone and marrow of the God.Immediately the one with love was filled,the other, scouting at the thought of love,rejoiced in the deep shadow of the woods,and as the virgin Phoebe (who deniesthe joys of love and loves the joys of chase)a maiden's fillet bound her flowing hair,—and her pure mind denied the love of man.Beloved and wooed she wandered silent paths,for never could her modesty endurethe glance of man or listen to his love.Her grieving father spoke to her, “Alas,my daughter, I have wished a son in law,and now you owe a grandchild to the joyof my old age.” But Daphne only hungher head to hide her shame. The nuptial torchseemed criminal to her. She even clung,caressing, with her arms around his neck,and pled, “My dearest father let me livea virgin always, for remember Jovedid grant it to Diana at her birth.”But though her father promised her desire,her loveliness prevailed against their will;for, Phoebus when he saw her waxed distraught,and filled with wonder his sick fancy raiseddelusive hopes, and his own oraclesdeceived him.—As the stubble in the fieldflares up, or as the stacked wheat is consumedby flames, enkindled from a spark or torchthe chance pedestrian may neglect at dawn;so was the bosom of the god consumed,and so desire flamed in his stricken heart.He saw her bright hair waving on her neck;—“How beautiful if properly arranged!”He saw her eyes like stars of sparkling fire,her lips for kissing sweetest, and her handsand fingers and her arms; her shoulders whiteas ivory;—and whatever was not seenmore beautiful must be.Swift as the windfrom his pursuing feet the virgin fled,and neither stopped nor heeded as he called;“O Nymph! O Daphne! I entreat thee stay,it is no enemy that follows thee—why, so the lamb leaps from the raging wolf,and from the lion runs the timid faun,and from the eagle flies the trembling dove,all hasten from their natural enemybut I alone pursue for my dear love.Alas, if thou shouldst fall and mar thy face,or tear upon the bramble thy soft thighs,or should I prove unwilling cause of pain!“The wilderness is rough and dangerous,and I beseech thee be more careful—Iwill follow slowly.—Ask of whom thou wilt,and thou shalt learn that I am not a churl—I am no mountain dweller of rude caves,nor clown compelled to watch the sheep and goats;and neither canst thou know from whom thy feetfly fearful, or thou wouldst not leave me thus.“The Delphic Land, the Pataraean Realm,Claros and Tenedos revere my name,and my immortal sire is Jupiter.The present, past and future are through mein sacred oracles revealed to man,and from my harp the harmonies of soundare borrowed by their bards to praise the Gods.My bow is certain, but a flaming shaftsurpassing mine has pierced my heart—untouched before. The art of medicineis my invention, and the power of herbs;but though the world declare my useful worksthere is no herb to medicate my wound,and all the arts that save have failed their lord.,”
Primus amor Phoebi Daphne Peneia, quem nonfors ignara dedit, sed saeva Cupidinis ira.Delius hunc, nuper victa serpente superbus,viderat adducto flectentem cornua nervo“quid” que “tibi, lascive puer, cum fortibus armis?”dixerat, “ista decent umeros gestamina nostros,qui dare certa ferae, dare vulnera possumus hosti,qui modo pestifero tot iugera ventre prementemstravimus innumeris tumidum Pythona sagittis.Tu face nescio quos esto contentus amoresinritare tua, nec laudes adsere nostras.”Filius huic Veneris “figat tuus omnia, Phoebe,te meus arcus:” ait “quantoque animalia ceduntcuncta deo tanto minor est tua gloria nostra.”Dixit et eliso percussis aere pennisinpiger umbrosa Parnasi constitit arceeque sagittifera prompsit duo tela pharetradiversorum operum: fugat hoc, facit illud amorem.Quod facit, auratum est et cuspide fulget acuta;quod fugat, obtusum est et habet sub harundine plumbum.Hoc deus in nympha Peneide fixit, at illolaesit Apollineas traiecta per ossa medullas.Protinus alter amat, fugit altera nomen amantissilvarum tenebris captivarumque ferarumexuviis gaudens innuptaeque aemula Phoebes.Vitta coercebat positos sine lege capillos.Multi illam petiere, illa aversata petentesinpatiens expersque viri nemora avia lustrat,nec quid Hymen, quid Amor, quid sint conubia curat.Saepe pater dixit “generum mihi, filia, debes,”saepe pater dixit “debes mihi nata, nepotes:”illa, velut crimen taedas exosa iugales,pulchra verecundo suffunditur ora rubore,inque patris blandis haerens cervice lacertis“da mihi perpetua, genitor carissime,” dixit“virginitate frui: dedit hoc pater ante Dianae.”Ille quidem obsequitur, sed te decor iste quod optasesse vetat. Votoque tuo tua forma repugnat:Phoebus amat visaeque cupit conubia Daphnes,quodque cupit, sperat, suaque illum oracula fallunt.Utque leves stipulae demptis adolentur aristis,ut facibus saepes ardent, quas forte viatorvel nimis admovit vel iam sub luce reliquit,sic deus in flammas abiit, sic pectore totouritur et sterilem sperando nutrit amorem.Spectat inornatos collo pendere capilloset “quid, si comantur?” ait. Videt igne micantessideribus similes oculos, videt oscula, quae nonest vidisse satis; laudat digitosque manusquebracchiaque et nudos media plus parte lacertos.Siqua latent, meliora putat. Fugit ocior aurailla levi neque ad haec revocantis verba resistit:“Nympha, precor, Penei, mane! Non insequor hostis:nympha, mane! sic agna lupum, sic cerva leonem,sic aquilam penna fugiunt trepidante columbae,hostes quaeque suos: amor est mihi causa sequendi.Me miserum! ne prona cadas indignave laedicrura notent sentes et sim tibi causa doloris.Aspera, qua properas, loca sunt. Moderatius, oro,curre fugamque inhibe; moderatius insequar ipse.Cui placeas, inquire tamen. Non incola montis,non ego sum pastor, non hic armenta gregesquehorridus observo. Nescis, temeraria, nescisquem fugias, ideoque fugis. Mihi Delphica telluset Claros et Tenedos Patareaque regia servit,Iuppiter est genitor; per me quod eritque fuitqueestque patet; per me concordant carmina nervis.Certa quidem nostra est, nostra tamen una sagittacertior, in vacuo quae vulnera pectore fecit.Inventum medicina meum est, opiferque per orbemdicor, et herbarum subiecta potentia nobis:ei mihi, quod nullis amor est sanabilis herbisnec prosunt domino, quae prosunt omnibus, artes.”
But even as he made his plaint, the Nymphwith timid footsteps fled from his approach,and left him to his murmurs and his pain.Lovely the virgin seemed as the soft windexposed her limbs, and as the zephyrs fondfluttered amid her garments, and the breezefanned lightly in her flowing hair. She seemedmost lovely to his fancy in her flight;and mad with love he followed in her steps,and silent hastened his increasing speed.As when the greyhound sees the frightened hareflit over the plain:—With eager nose outstretched,impetuous, he rushes on his prey,and gains upon her till he treads her feet,and almost fastens in her side his fangs;but she, whilst dreading that her end is near,is suddenly delivered from her fright;so was it with the god and virgin: onewith hope pursued, the other fled in fear;and he who followed, borne on wings of love,permitted her no rest and gained on her,until his warm breath mingled in her hair.Her strength spent, pale and faint, with pleading eyesshe gazed upon her father's waves and prayed,“Help me my father, if thy flowing streamshave virtue! Cover me, O mother Earth!Destroy the beauty that has injured me,or change the body that destroys my life.”Before her prayer was ended, torpor seizedon all her body, and a thin bark closedaround her gentle bosom, and her hairbecame as moving leaves; her arms were changedto waving branches, and her active feetas clinging roots were fastened to the ground—her face was hidden with encircling leaves.—Phoebus admired and loved the graceful tree,(For still, though changed, her slender form remained)and with his right hand lingering on the trunkhe felt her bosom throbbing in the bark.He clung to trunk and branch as though to twine.His form with hers, and fondly kissed the woodthat shrank from every kiss.And thus the God;“Although thou canst not be my bride, thou shaltbe called my chosen tree, and thy green leaves,O Laurel! shall forever crown my brows,be wreathed around my quiver and my lyre;the Roman heroes shall be crowned with thee,as long processions climb the Capitoland chanting throngs proclaim their victories;and as a faithful warden thou shalt guardthe civic crown of oak leaves fixed betweenthy branches, and before Augustan gates.And as my youthful head is never shorn,so, also, shalt thou ever bear thy leavesunchanging to thy glory.,”Here the God,Phoebus Apollo, ended his lament,and unto him the Laurel bent her boughs,so lately fashioned; and it seemed to himher graceful nod gave answer to his love.There is a grove in Thessaly, enclosedon every side with crags, precipitous,—on which a forest grows—and this is calledthe Vale of Tempe—through this valley flowsthe River Peneus, white with foaming waves,that issue from the foot of Pindus, whencewith sudden fall up gather steamy cloudsthat sprinkle mist upon the circling trees,and far away with mighty roar resound.It is the abode, the solitary home,that mighty River loves, where deep in gloomof rocky cavern, he resides and rulesthe flowing waters and the water nymphsabiding there. All rivers of that landnow hasten thither, doubtful to consoleor flatter Daphne's parent: poplar crownedSperchios, swift Enipeus and the wildAmphrysos, old Apidanus and Aeas,with all their kindred streams that wandering mazeand wearied seek the ocean. Inachusalone is absent, hidden in his caveobscure, deepening his waters with his tears—most wretchedly bewailing, for he deemshis daughter Io lost. If she may liveor roam a spirit in the nether shadeshe dares not even guess but dreadsfor Jove not long before had seen her whilereturning from her father's stream, and said;“O virgin, worthy of immortal Jove,although some happy mortal's chosen bride,—behold these shades of overhanging trees,and seek their cool recesses while the sunis glowing in the height of middle skies—”and as he spoke he pointed out the groves—“But should the dens of wild beasts frighten you,with safety you may enter the deep woods,conducted by a God—not with a Godof small repute, but in the care of himwho holds the heavenly scepter in his handand fulminates the trackless thunder bolts.—forsake me not!” For while he spoke she fled,and swiftly left behind the pasture fieldsof Lerna, and Lyrcea's arbours, wherethe trees are planted thickly. But the Godcalled forth a heavy shadow which involvedthe wide extended earth, and stopped her flightand ravished in that cloud her chastity.Meanwhile, the goddess Juno gazing downon earth's expanse, with wonder saw the cloudsas dark as night enfold those middle fieldswhile day was bright above. She was convincedthe clouds were none composed of river mistnor raised from marshy fens. Suspicious now,from oft detected amours of her spouse,she glanced around to find her absent lord,and quite convinced that he was far from heaven,she thus exclaimed; “This cloud deceives my mind,or Jove has wronged me.” From the dome of heavenshe glided down and stood upon the earth,and bade the clouds recede. But Jove had knownthe coming of his queen. He had transformedthe lovely Io, so that she appeareda milk white heifer—formed so beautifuland fair that envious Juno gazed on her.She queried: “Whose? what herd? what pasture fields?”As if she guessed no knowledge of the truth.And Jupiter, false hearted, said the cowwas earth begotten, for he feared his queenmight make inquiry of the owner's name.Juno implored the heifer as a gift.—what then was left the Father of the Gods?'Twould be a cruel thing to sacrificehis own beloved to a rival's wrath.Although refusal must imply his guiltthe shame and love of her almost prevailed;but if a present of such little worthwere now denied the sharer of his couch,the partner of his birth, 'twould prove indeedthe earth born heifer other than she seemed—and so he gave his mistress up to her.Juno regardful of Jove's cunning art,lest he might change her to her human form,gave the unhappy heifer to the chargeof Argus, Aristorides, whose headwas circled with a hundred glowing eyes;of which but two did slumber in their turnwhilst all the others kept on watch and guard.Whichever way he stood his gaze was fixedon Io—even if he turned awayhis watchful eyes on Io still remained.He let her feed by day; but when the sunwas under the deep world he shut her up,and tied a rope around her tender neck.She fed upon green leaves and bitter herbsand on the cold ground slept—too often bare,she could not rest upon a cushioned couch.She drank the troubled waters. Hoping aidshe tried to stretch imploring arms to Argus,but all in vain for now no arms remained;the sound of bellowing was all she heard,and she was frightened with her proper voice.Where former days she loved to roam and sport,she wandered by the banks of Inachus:there imaged in the stream she saw her hornsand, startled, turned and fled. And Inachusand all her sister Naiads knew her not,although she followed them, they knew her not,although she suffered them to touch her sidesand praise her.When the ancient Inachusgathered sweet herbs and offered them to her,she licked his hands, kissing her father's palms,nor could she more restrain her falling tears.If only words as well as tears would flow,she might implore his aid and tell her nameand all her sad misfortune; but, instead,she traced in dust the letters of her namewith cloven hoof; and thus her sad estatewas known.
Plura locuturum timido Peneia cursufugit cumque ipso verba inperfecta reliquit,tum quoque visa decens. Nudabant corpora venti,obviaque adversas vibrabant flamina vestes,et levis inpulsos retro dabat aura capillos,auctaque forma fuga est. Sed enim non sustinet ultraperdere blanditias iuvenis deus, utque monebatipse Amor, admisso sequitur vestigia passu.Ut canis in vacuo leporem cum Gallicus arvovidit, et hic praedam pedibus petit, ille salutem:alter inhaesuro similis iam iamque teneresperat et extento stringit vestigia rostro,alter in ambiguo est, an sit conprensus, et ipsismorsibus eripitur tangentiaque ora relinquit:sic deus et virgo est hic spe celer, illa timore.Qui tamen insequitur pennis adiutus Amoris,ocior est requiemque negat tergoque fugacisinminet et crinem sparsum cervicibus adflat.Viribus absumptis expalluit illa citaequevicta labore fugae spectans Peneidas undas“fer pater” inquit “opem si flumina numen habetis.Qua nimium placui, mutando perde figuram!”Vix prece finita torpor gravis occupat artus:mollia cinguntur tenui praecordia libro,in frondem crines, in ramos bracchia crescunt,pes modo tam velox pigris radicibus haeret,ora cacumen habet; remanet nitor unus in illa.Hanc quoque Phoebus amat, positaque in stipite dextrasentit adhuc trepidare novo sub cortice pectusconplexusque suis ramos, ut membra, lacertisoscula dat ligno: refugit tamen oscula lignum.Cui deus “at quoniam coniunx mea non potes esse,arbor eris certe” dixit “mea. Semper habebuntte coma, te citharae, te nostrae, laure, pharetrae:tu ducibus Latiis aderis, cum laeta triumphumvox canet et visent longas Capitolia pompas:postibus Augustis eadem fidissima custosante fores stabis mediamque tuebere quercum,utque meum intonsis caput est iuvenale capillis,tu quoque perpetuos semper gere frondis honores.”Finierat Paean: factis modo laurea ramisadnuit utque caput visa est agitasse cacumen.Est nemus Haemoniae, praerupta quod undique clauditsilva: vocant Tempe. Per quae Peneus ab imoeffusus Pindo spumosis volvitur undis,deiectuque gravi tenues agitantia fumosnubila conducit summisque adspergine silvisinpluit et sonitu plus quam vicina fatigat.Haec domus, haec sedes, haec sunt penetralia magniamnis; in his residens facto de cautibus antro,undis iura dabat nymphisque colentibus undas.Conveniunt illuc popularia flumina primum,nescia, gratentur consolenturne parentem,populifer Sperchios et inrequietus EnipeusApidanusque senex lenisque Amphrysos et Aeas,moxque amnes alii, qui, qua tulit impetus illos,in mare deducunt fessas erroribus undas.Inachus unus abest imoque reconditus antrofletibus auget aquas natamque miserrimus Ioluget ut amissam. Nescit, vitane fruatur,an sit apud manes; sed quam non invenit usquam.esse putat nusquam atque animo peiora veretur.Viderat a patrio redeuntem Iuppiter illamflumine et “o virgo Iove digna tuoque beatumnescio quem factura toro, pete” dixerat “umbrasaltorum nemorum” (et nemorum monstraverat umbras),“dum calet et medio sol est altissimus orbe.Quodsi sola times latebras intrare ferarum,praeside tuta deo nemorum secreta subibis,nec de plebe deo, sed qui caelestia magnasceptra manu teneo, sed qui vaga fulmina mitto.Ne fuge me!”—fugiebat enim. Iam pascua Lernaeconsitaque arboribus Lyrcea reliquerat arva,cum deus inducta latas caligine terrasocculuit tenuitque fugam rapuitque pudorem.Interea medios Iuno despexit in agroset noctis faciem nebulas fecisse volucressub nitido mirata die, non fluminis illasesse, nec umenti sensit tellure remitti;atque suus coniunx ubi sit circumspicit, ut quaedeprensi totiens iam nosset furta mariti.Quem postquam caelo non repperit, “aut ego fallor,aut ego laedor” ait, delapsaque ab aethere summoconstitit in terris nebulasque recedere iussit.Coniugis adventum praesenserat inque nitentemInachidos vultus mutaverat ille iuvencam.Bos quoque formosa est. Speciem Saturnia vaccae,quamquam invita, probat, nec non et cuius et undequove sit armento, veri quasi nescia quaerit.Iuppiter e terra genitam mentitur, ut auctordesinat inquiri. Petit hanc Saturnia munus.Quid faciat? crudele suos addicere amores,non dare suspectum est. Pudor est qui suadeat illinc,hinc dissuadet amor. Victus pudor esset amore;sed leve si munus sociae generisque toriquevacca negaretur, poterat non vacca videri.Paelice donata non protinus exuit omnemdiva metum timuitque Iovem et fuit anxia furti,donec Arestoridae servandam tradidit Argo.Centum luminibus cinctum caput Argus habebat:inde suis vicibus capiebant bina quietem,cetera servabant atque in statione manebant.Constiterat quocumque modo, spectabat ad Io:ante oculos Io, quamvis aversus, habebat.Luce sinit pasci; cum sol tellure sub alta est,claudit et indigno circumdat vincula collo.frondibus arboreis et amara pascitur herba,proque toro terrae non semper gramen habentiincubat infelix limosaque flumina potat.Illa etiam supplex Argo cum bracchia vellettendere, non habuit, quae bracchia tenderet Argo,et conata queri mugitus edidit orepertimuitque sonos propriaque exterrita voce est.Venit et ad ripas, ubi ludere saepe solebat,Inachidas ripas; novaque ut conspexit in undacornua, pertimuit seque exsternata refugit.Naides ignorant, ignorat et Inachus ipse,quae sit; at illa patrem sequitur sequiturque sororeset patitur tangi seque admirantibus offert.Decerptas senior porrexerat Inachus herbas:illa manus lambit patriisque dat oscula palmisnec retinet lacrimas et, si modo verba sequantur,oret opem nomenque suum casusque loquatur.Littera pro verbis, quam pes in pulvere duxit,
“Ah wretched me!” her father cried;and as he clung around her horns and neckrepeated while she groaned, “Ah wretched me!Art thou my daughter sought in every clime?When lost I could not grieve for thee as nowthat thou art found; thy sighs instead of wordsheave up from thy deep breast, thy longings giveme answer. I prepared the nuptial torchand bridal chamber, in my ignorance,since my first hope was for a son in law;and then I dreamed of children from the match:but now the herd may furnish thee a mate,and all thy issue of the herd must be.Oh that a righteous death would end my grief!—it is a dreadful thing to be a God!Behold the lethal gate of death is shutagainst me, and my growing grief must lastthroughout eternity.”While thus he moanedcame starry Argus there, and Io borefrom her lamenting father. Thence he ledhis charge to other pastures; and removedfrom her, upon a lofty mountain sat,whence he could always watch her, undisturbed.The sovereign god no longer could endureto witness Io's woes. He called his son,whom Maia brightest of the Pleiadesbrought forth, and bade him slay the star eyed guard,argus. He seized his sleep compelling wandand fastened waving wings on his swift feet,and deftly fixed his brimmed hat on his head:—lo, Mercury, the favoured son of Jove,descending to the earth from heaven's plains,put off his cap and wings,— though still retainedhis wand with which he drove through pathless wildssome stray she goats, and as a shepherd fared,piping on oaten reeds melodious tunes.Argus, delighted with the charming soundof this new art began; “Whoever thou art,sit with me on this stone beneath the treesin cooling shade, whilst browse the tended flockabundant herbs; for thou canst see the shadeis fit for shepherds.” Wherefore, Mercurysat down beside the keeper and conversedof various things—passing the laggard hours.—then soothly piped he on the joined reedsto lull those ever watchful eyes asleep;but Argus strove his languor to subdue,and though some drowsy eyes might slumber, stillwere some that vigil kept. Again he spoke,(for the pipes were yet a recent art)“I pray thee tell what chance discovered these.”To him the God, “A famous Naiad dweltamong the Hamadryads, on the coldArcadian summit Nonacris, whose namewas Syrinx. Often she escaped the Gods,that wandered in the groves of sylvan shades,and often fled from Satyrs that pursued.Vowing virginity, in all pursuitsshe strove to emulate Diana's ways:and as that graceful goddess wears her robe,so Syrinx girded hers that one might wellbelieve Diana there. Even though her bowwere made of horn, Diana's wrought of gold,vet might she well deceive.“Now chanced it Pan.Whose head was girt with prickly pines, espiedthe Nymph returning from the Lycian Hill,and these words uttered he:”—But Mercuryrefrained from further speech, and Pan's appealremains untold. If he had told it all,the tale of Syrinx would have followed thus:—but she despised the prayers of Pan, and fledthrough pathless wilds until she had arrivedthe placid Ladon's sandy stream, whose wavesprevented her escape. There she imploredher sister Nymphs to change her form: and Pan,believing he had caught her, held insteadsome marsh reeds for the body of the Nymph;and while he sighed the moving winds beganto utter plaintive music in the reeds,so sweet and voice like that poor Pan exclaimed;“Forever this discovery shall remaina sweet communion binding thee to me.”—and this explains why reeds of different length,when joined together by cementing wax,derive the name of Syrinx from the maid.
corporis indicium mutati triste peregit.“Me miserum!” exclamat pater Inachus inque gementiscornibus et niveae pendens cervice iuvencae“me miserum!” ingeminat, “tune es quaesita per omnesnata, mihi terras? tu non inventa repertaluctus eras levior. Retices nec mutua nostrisdicta refers, alto tantum suspiria ducispectore, quodque unum potes, ad mea verba remugis.At tibi ego ignarus thalamos taedasque parabam,spesque fuit generi mihi prima, secunda nepotum.De grege nunc tibi vir, nunc de grege natus habendus.Nec finire licet tantos mihi morte dolores,sed nocet esse deum, praeclusaque ianua letiaeternum nostros luctus extendit in aevum?”Talia maerentem stellatus submovet Argusereptamque patri diversa in pascua natamabstrahit. Ipse procul montis sublime cacumenoccupat, unde sedens partes speculatur in omnes.Nec superum rector mala tanta Phoronidos ultraferre potest natumque vocat, quem lucida partuPleias enixa est, letoque det imperat Argum.Parva mora est alas pedibus virgamque potentisomniferam sumpsisse manu tegimenque capillis.Haec ubi disposuit, patria Iove natus ab arcedesilit in terras. Illic tegimenque removitet posuit pennas, tantummodo virga retenta est.Hac agit, ut pastor, per devia rura capellas,dum venit, adductas et structis cantat avenis.Voce nova captus custos Iunonius “at tu,quisquis es, hoc poteras mecum considere saxo,”Argus ait, “neque enim pecori fecundior ulloherba loco est, aptamque vides pastoribus umbram.”Sedit Atlantiades et euntem multa loquendodetinuit sermone diem iunctisque canendovincere harundinibus servantia lumina temptat.Ille tamen pugnat molles evincere somnoset, quamvis sopor est oculorum parte receptus,parte tamen vigilat. Quaerit quoque (namque repertafistula nuper erat), qua sit ratione reperta.Tum deus “Arcadiae gelidis in montibus” inquit“inter hamadryadas celeberrima Nonacrinasnaias una fuit; nymphae Syringa vocabant.Non semel et satyros eluserat illa sequenteset quoscumque deos umbrosaque silva feraxquerus habet. Ortygiam studiis ipsaque colebatvirginitate deam. Ritu quoque cincta Dianaefalleret et posset credi Latonia, si noncorneus huic arcus, si non foret aureus illi.Sic quoque fallebat. Redeuntem colle LycaeoPan videt hanc pinuque caput praecinctus acutatalia verba refert”—restabat verba referreet precibus spretis fugisse per avia nympham,donec harenosi placidum Ladonis ad amnemvenerit. Hic illam cursum inpedientibus undis,ut se mutarent liquidas orasse sorores,Panaque, cum prensam sibi iam Syringa putaret,corpore pro nymphae calamos tenuisse palustres.Dumque ibi suspirat, motos in harundine ventoseffecisse sonum tenuem similemque querenti.Arte nova vocisque deum dulcedine captum“hoc mihi concilium tecum” dixisse “manebit!“atque ita disparibus calamis conpagine cerae
Such words the bright god Mercury would say;but now perceiving Argus' eyes were dimmedin languorous doze, he hushed his voice and touchedthe drooping eyelids with his magic wand,compelling slumber. Then without delayhe struck the sleeper with his crescent sword,where neck and head unite, and hurled his head,blood dripping, down the rocks and rugged cliff.Low lies Argus: dark is the light of allhis hundred eyes, his many orbed lightsextinguished in the universal gloomthat night surrounds; but Saturn's daughter spreadtheir glister on the feathers of her bird,emblazoning its tail with starry gems.Juno made haste, inflamed with towering rage,to vent her wrath on Io; and she raisedin thought and vision of the Grecian girla dreadful Fury. Stings invisible,and pitiless, she planted in her breast,and drove her wandering throughout the globe.The utmost limit of her laboured way,O Nile, thou didst remain. Which, having reached,and placed her tired knees on that river's edge,she laid her there, and as she raised her necklooked upward to the stars, and groaned and weptand mournfully bellowed: trying thus to plead,by all the means she had, that Jupitermight end her miseries. Repentant Joveembraced his consort, and entreated herto end the punishment: “Fear not,” he said,“For she shall trouble thee no more.” He spoke,and called on bitter Styx to hear his oath.And now imperial Juno, pacified,permitted Io to resume her form,—at once the hair fell from her snowy sides;the horns absorbed, her dilate orbs decreased;the opening of her jaws contracted; handsappeared and shoulders; and each transformed hoofbecame five nails. And every mark or formthat gave the semblance of a heifer changed,except her fair white skin; and the glad Nymphwas raised erect and stood upon her feet.But long the very thought of speech, that shemight bellow as a heifer, filled her mindwith terror, till the words so long forgotfor some sufficient cause were tried once more.and since that time, the linen wearing throngof Egypt have adored her as a God;for they believe the seed of Jove prevailed;and when her time was due she bore to hima son called Epaphus; who also dwellsin temples with his mother in that land.Now Phaethon, whose father was the Sun,was equal to his rival, Epaphus,in mind and years; and he was glad to boastof wonders, nor would yield to Epaphusfor pride of Phoebus, his reputed sire.Unable to endure it, Io's sonthus mocked him; “Poor, demented fellow, whatwill you not credit if your mother speaks,you are so puffed up with the fond conceitof your imagined sire, the Lord of Day.”shame crimsoned in his cheeks, but Phaethonwithholding rage, reported all the tauntsof Epaphus to Clymene his mother:“'Twill grieve you, mother, I, the bold and free,was silent; and it shames me to reportthis dark reproach remains unchallenged. Oh,if I am born of race divine, give proofof that illustrious descent and claimmy right to Heaven.” Around his mother's neckhe drew his arms, and by the head of Merops,and by his own, and by the nuptial torchof his beloved sisters, he imploredfor some true token of his origin.Or moved by Phaethon's importuned words,or by the grievous charge, who might declare?She raised her arms to Heaven, and gazing fullupon the broad sun said; “I swear to youby yonder orb, so radiant and bright,which both beholds and hears us while we speak,that you are his begotten son.—You arethe child of that great light which sways the world:and if I have not spoken what is true,let not mine eyes behold his countenance,and let this fatal moment be the lastthat I shall look upon the light of day!Nor will it weary you, my son, to reachyour father's dwelling; for the very placewhere he appears at dawn is near our land.Go, if it please you, and the very truthlearn from your father.” Instantly sprang forthexultant Phaethon. Overjoyed with wordsso welcome, he imagined he could leapand touch the skies. And so he passed his landof Ethiopia, and the Indies, hotbeneath the tawny sun, and there he turnedhis footsteps to his father's Land of Dawn.
inter se iunctis nomen tenuisse puellae.Talia dicturus vidit Cyllenius omnessuccubuisse oculos adopertaque lumina somno.Supprimit extemplo vocem firmatque soporemlanguida permulcens medicata lumina virga.Nec mora, falcato nutantem vulnerat ensequa collo est confine caput, saxoque cruentumdeicit et maculat praeruptam sanguine rupem.Arge, iaces, quodque in tot lumina lumen habebas,exstinctum est, centumque oculos nox occupat una.Excipit hos volucrisque suae Saturnia penniscollocat et gemmis caudam stellantibus inplet.Protinus exarsit nec tempora distulit iraehorriferamque oculis animoque obiecit Erinynpaelicis Argolicae stimulosque in pectore caecoscondidit et profugam per totum terruit orbem.Ultimus inmenso restabas, Nile, labori.Quem simul ac tetigit, positis in margine ripaeprocubuit genibus resupinoque ardua collo,quos potuit solos, tollens ad sidera vultuset gemitu et lacrimis et luctisono mugitucum Iove visa queri finemque orare malorum.Coniugis ille suae conplexus colla lacertis,finiat ut poenas tandem, rogat “in” que “futurumpone metus” inquit; “numquam tibi causa dolorishaec erit:” et Stygias iubet hoc audire paludes.Ut lenita dea est, vultus capit illa prioresfitque quod ante fuit: fugiunt e corpore saetae,cornua decrescunt, fit luminis artior orbis,contrahitur rictus, redeunt umerique manusque,ungulaque in quinos dilapsa absumitur ungues:de bove nil superest formae nisi candor in illa.Officioque pedum nymphe contenta duorumerigitur metuitque loqui, ne more iuvencaemugiat, et timide verba intermissa retemptat.Nunc dea linigera colitur celeberrima turba,nunc Epaphus magni genitus de semine tandemcreditur esse Iovis, perque urbes iuncta parentitempla tenet. Fuit huic animis aequalis et annisSole satus Phaethon. Quem quondam magna loquentemnec sibi cedentem Phoeboque parente superbumnon tulit Inachides, “matri” que ait “omnia demenscredis et es tumidus genitoris imagine falsi.”Erubuit Phaethon iramque pudore repressitet tulit ad Clymenen Epaphi convicia matrem;“quo” que “magis doleas genetrix,” ait “ille ego liber,ille ferox tacui. Pudet haec opprobria nobiset dici potuisse et non potuisse refelli.At tu, si modo sum caelesti stirpe creatus,ede notam tanti generis meque adsere caelo.”Dixit et inplicuit materno bracchia colloperque suum Meropisque caput taedasque sororumtraderet oravit veri sibi signa parentis.Ambiguum, Clymene, precibus Phaethontis an iramota magis dicti sibi criminis utraque caelobracchia porrexit spectansque ad lumina solis“per iubar hoc” inquit “radiis insigne coruscis,nate, tibi iuro, quod nos auditque videtque,hoc te, quem spectas, hoc te, qui temperat orbem,Sole satum. Si ficta loquor, neget ipse videndumse mihi, sitque oculis lux ista novissima nostris.Nec longus patrios labor est tibi nosse penates:unde oritur, domus est terrae contermina nostrae.Si modo fert animus, gradere et scitabere ab ipso.”Emicat extemplo laetus post talia matrisdicta suae Phaethon et concipit aethera mente,Aethiopasque suos positosque sub ignibus Indossidereis transit patriosque adit inpiger ortus.