---
title: "Metamorphoses"
author: "Ovid"
translator: "Brookes More"
title_ru: "Метаморфозы"
author_ru: "Овидий"
languages: [la, en]
shelf: "Classical Latin"
section: 9 of 30
url: https://scriptura.si/works/ovid-metamorphoses/9/
cite: "Ovid, tr. Brookes More, Metamorphoses, section 9. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/ovid-metamorphoses/9/"
---

# Metamorphoses

*Ovid, tr. Brookes More*

Russian: Метаморфозы, Овидий

Bodies changed into new forms, from the creation of the world to the deification of Julius Caesar: Daphne, Narcissus, Pyramus and Thisbe, Icarus, Orpheus.

> Latin: ed. Hugo Magnus, from the Perseus Digital Library (canonical-latinLit, phi0959.phi006, CC BY-SA 4.0).

> English: Brookes More, from the Perseus Digital Library (phi0959.phi006.perseus-eng3). Notes are not included.

> Rows follow the references the two texts share (line numbers), cut where both reach the end of a sentence.

## 9. Book V · lines 1–340

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/ovid-metamorphoses/9/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/ovid-metamorphoses/9/#p-N

[¶0] While Perseus, the brave son of Jupiter,
surrounded at the feast by Cepheus' lords,
narrated this, a raging multitude
with sudden outcry filled the royal courts—
not with the clamours of a wedding feast
but boisterous rage, portentous of dread war.
As when the fury of a great wind strikes
a tranquil sea, tempestuous billows roll
across the peaceful bosom of the deep;
so were the pleasures at the banquet changed
to sudden tumult.
Foremost of that throng,
the rash ring-leader, Phineus, shook his spear,
brass-tipped of ash, and shouted, “Ha, 'tis I!
I come avenger of my ravished bride!
Let now your flittering wings deliver you,
or even Jupiter, dissolved in showers
of imitation gold.” So boasted he,
aiming his spear at Perseus.
Thus to him
cried Cepheus: “Hold your hand, and strike him not!
What strange delusions, O my brother, have
compelled you to this crime? Is it the just
requital of heroic worth? A fair
reguerdon for the life of her you loved?
“If truth were known, not Perseus ravished her
from you; but, either 'twas the awful God
that rules the Nereides; or Ammon, crowned
with crescent horns; or that monstrosity
of Ocean's vast abyss, which came to glut
his famine on the issue of my loins.
Nor was your suit abandoned till the time
when she must perish and be lost to you.
So cruel are you, seeking my daughter's death,
rejoicing lightly in our deep despair.—
“And was it not enough for you to stand
supinely by, while she was bound in chains,
and offer no assistance, though you were
her lover and betrothed? And will you grieve
that she was rescued from a dreadful fate,
and spoil her champion of his just rewards?
Rewards that now may seem magnificent,
but not denied to you if you had won
and saved, when she was fettered to the rock.
“Let him, whose strength to my declining years
restored my child, receive the merit due
his words and deeds; and know his suit was not
preferred to yours, but granted to prevent
her certain death.”
not deigning to reply,
against them Phineus stood; and glancing back
from him to Perseus, with alternate looks,
as doubtful which should feel his first attack,
made brief delay. Then vain at Perseus hurled
his spear, with all the force that rage inspired,
but, missing him it quivered in a couch.
Provoked beyond endurance Perseus leaped
forth from the cushioned seats, and fiercely sent
that outwrenched weapon back. It would have pierced
his hostile breast had not the miscreant crouched
behind the altars. Oh perverted good,
that thus an altar should abet the wrong!
But, though the craven Phineus escaped,
not vainly flew the whizzing point, but struck
in Rhoetus' forehead. As the barb was torn
out of the bone, the victim's heels began
to kick upon the floor, and spouting blood
defiled the festal board. Then truly flame
in uncontrolled rage the vulgar crowd,
and hurl their harmful darts.
And there are some
who hold that Cepheus and his son-in-law
deserved to die; but Cepheus had passed forth
the threshold of his palace: having called
on all the Gods of Hospitality
and Truth and Justice to attest, he gave
no comfort to the enemies of Peace.
Unconquered Pallas is at hand and holds
her Aegis to protect her brother's life;
she lends him dauntless courage. At the feast
was one from India's distant shores, whose name
was Athis. It was said that Limnate,
the daughter of the River Ganges, him
in vitreous caverns bright had brought to birth;
and now at sixteen summers in his prime,
the handsome youth was clad in costly robes.
A purple mantle with a golden fringe
covered his shoulders, and a necklace, carved
of gold, enhanced the beauty of his throat.
His hair encompassed with a coronal,
delighted with sweet myrrh. Well taught was he
to hurl the javelin at a distant mark,
and none with better skill could stretch the bow.
No sooner had he bent the pliant horns
than Perseus, with a smoking billet, seized
from the mid-altar, struck him on the face,
and smashed his features in his broken skull.
And when Assyrian Lycabas had seen
his dear companion, whom he truly loved,
beating his handsome countenance in blood.
And when he had bewailed his lost life,
that ebbed away from that unpiteous wound,
he snatched the bow that Athis used, and said;
“Let us in single combat seek revenge;
not long will you rejoice the stripling's fate;
a deed most worthy shame.” So speaking, forth
the piercing arrow bounded from the cord,
which, though avoided, struck the hero's cloak
and fastened in its folds.—
Then Perseus turned
upon him, with the trusted curving sword,
cause of Medusa's death, and drove the blade
deep in his breast. The dying victim's eyes,
now swimming in a shadowous night, looked 'round
for Athis, whom, beholding, he reclined
upon, and ushered to the other world,—
sad consolation of united death.

> Latin: Dumque ea Cephenum medio Danaeius heros
agmine commemorat, fremida regalia turba
atria complentur: nec coniugialia festa
qui canat est clamor, sed qui fera nuntiet arma.
Inque repentinos convivia versa tumultus
adsimilare freto possis, quod saeva quietum
ventorum rabies motis exasperat undis.
Primus in his Phineus, belli temerarius auctor,
fraxineam quatiens aeratae cuspidis hastam,
“en” ait, “en adsum praereptae coniugis ultor,
nec mihi te pennae, nec falsum versus in aurum
Iuppiter eripiet.” Conanti mittere Cepheus
“quid facis?” exclamat, “quae te, germane, furentem
mens agit in facinus? meritisne haec gratia tantis
redditur? hac vitam servatae dote rependis?
Quam tibi non Perseus, verum si quaeris, ademit,
sed grave Nereidum numen, sed corniger Ammon,
sed quae visceribus veniebat belua ponti
exsaturanda meis. Illo tibi tempore rapta est,
quo peritura fuit: nisi si crudelis id ipsum
exigis, ut pereat, luctuque levabere nostro.
Scilicet haud satis est, quod te spectante revincta est
et nullam quod opem patruus sponsusve tulisti:
insuper, a quoquam quod sit servata, dolebis
praemiaque eripies? Quae si tibi magna videntur,
ex illis scopulis, ubi erant adfixa, petisses.
Nunc sine, qui petiit, per quem haec non orba senectus,
ferre quod et meritis et voce est pactus, eumque
non tibi, sed certae praelatum intellege morti!”
Ille nihil contra: sed et hunc et Persea vultu
alterno spectans petat hunc ignorat, an illum,
cunctatusque brevi contortam viribus hastam,
quantas ira dabat, nequiquam in Persea misit.
Ut stetit illa toro, stratis tunc denique Perseus
exsiluit; teloque ferox inimica remisso
pectora rupisset, nisi post altaria Phineus
isset: et (indignum!) scelerato profuit ara.
Fronte tamen Rhoeti non inrita cuspis adhaesit.
Qui postquam cecidit ferrumque ex osse revulsum est,
calcitrat et positas adspergit sanguine mensas.
Tum vero indomitas ardescit vulgus in iras,
telaque coniciunt, et sunt, qui Cephea dicunt
cum genero debere mori. Sed limine tecti
exierat Cepheus, testatus iusque fidemque
hospitiique deos, ea se prohibente moveri.
Bellica Pallas adest et protegit aegide fratrem
datque animos. Erat Indus Athis, quem flumine Gange
edita Limnaee vitreis peperisse sub undis
creditur, egregius forma, quam divite cultu
augebat, bis adhuc octonis integer annis,
indutus chlamydem Tyriam, quam limbus obibat
aureus; ornabant aurata monilia collum
et madidos murra curvum crinale capillos.
Ille quidem iaculo quamvis distantia misso
figere doctus erat, sed tendere doctior arcus.
Tunc quoque lenta manu flectentem cornua Perseus
stipite, qui media positus fumabat in ara,
perculit et fractis confudit in ossibus ora.
Hunc ubi laudatos iactantem in sanguine vultus
Assyrius vidit Lycabas, iunctissimus illi
et comes et veri non dissimulator amoris,
postquam exhalantem sub acerbo vulnere vitam
deploravit Athin, quos ille tetenderat arcus
arripit et “mecum tibi sint certamina” dixit:
“nec longum pueri fato laetabere, quo plus
invidiae, quam laudis habes.” Haec omnia nondum
dixerat, emicuit nervo penetrabile telum
vitatumque tamen sinuosa veste pependit.
Vertit in hunc harpen spectatam caede Medusae
Acrisioniades adigitque in pectus: at ille
iam moriens, oculis sub nocte natantibus atra
circumspexit Athin seque acclinavit ad illum
et tulit ad manes iunctae solacia mortis.

[¶1] And Phorbas the descendant of Methion.
Who hailed from far Syene, with his friend
Amphimedon of Libya, in their haste
to join the battle, slipped up in the blood
and fell together: just as they arose
that glittering sword was driven through the throat
of Phorbas into the ribs of his companion.
But Erithus, the son of Actor, swung
a battle-ax, so weighty, Perseus chose
not combat with his curving blade. He seized
in his two hands a huge bowl, wrought around
with large design, outstanding from its mass.
This, lifting up, he dashes on his foe,
who vomits crimson blood, and falling back
beats on the hard floor with his dying head.
And next he slew Caucasian Abaris,
and Polydaemon—from Semiramis
nobly descended—and Sperchius, son,
Lycetus, long-haired Elyces, unshorn,
Clytus and Phlegias, the hero slew;—
and trampled on the dying heaped around.
Not daring to engage his enemy
in open contest, Phineus held aloof,
and hurled his javelin. Badly aimed—by some
mischance or turned—it wounded Idas, who
had followed neither side; vain-hoping thus
to shun the conflict.
Idas, filled with rage,
on Phineus gazed with futile hate, and said,
“Since I am forced unwilling to such deeds,
behold, whom you have made your enemy,
O savage Phineus! Let your recompense
be stroke for stroke.” So speaking, from the wound
he drew the steel, but, faint from loss of blood,
before his arm could hurl the weapon back,
he sank upon his knees.
Here, also, lies
Odytes,—noblest of the Cephenes,
save Cepheus only,—slaughtered by the sword
of Clymenus. And Prothoenor lies
the victim of Hypseus; by his side
Hypseus slaughtered by Lyncidas falls.
And in the midst of this destruction stood
Emathion, now an aged man, revered,
who feared the Gods, and stood for upright deeds.
And, since his years denied him strength for war,
he battled with his tongue, and railed, and cursed
their impious weapons. As that aged man
clings to the altar with his trembling hands,
Chromis with ruthless sword cuts off his head,
which straightway falls upon the altar, whence
his dying tongue denounces them in words
of execration: and his soul expires
amid the altar flames.
Then Broteas
and Ammon, his twin brother, who not knew
their equals at the cestus, by the hand
of Phineus fell; for what avails in deed
the cestus as a weapon matched with swords.
Ampycus by the same hand fell,—the priest
of Ceres, with his temples wreathed in white.
And O, Iapetides not for this
did you attend the feast! Your voice attuned
melodious to the harp, was in request
to celebrate the wedding-day with song,—
a work of peace; as you did stand aside,
holding the peaceful plectrum in your hand,
the mocking Pettalus in ridicule said,
“Go sing your ditties to the Stygian shades.”
And, mocking thus, he drove his pointed sword
in your right temple. As your limbs gave way,
your dying fingers swept the tuneful strings:
and falling you did chant a mournful dirge.—
You to avenge enraged Lycormas tore
a huge bar from the door-post, on the right,
and dashing it against the mocker crushed
his neck-bones: as a slaughtered bullock falls—
he tumbled to the ground.
Then on the left.
Cinyphian Pelates began to wrench
an oak plank from the door-post, but the spear
of Corythus, the son of Marmarus,
pinioned his right hand to the wooden post;
and while he struggled Abas pierced his side.—
He fell not to the floor, but dying hung
suspended from the door-post by his hand.
And of the friends of Perseus, Melaneus
was slain, and Dorylas whose wealth was large
in Nasamonian land. No other lord,
as Dorylas, such vast estates possessed;
no other owned so many heaps of corn.
The missile steel stood fastened in his groin,
obliquely fixed,—a fatal spot—and when
the author of his wound, Halcyoneus
the Bactrian, beheld his victim thus,
rolling his eyes and sobbing forth his soul,
he railed; “Keep for yourself of all your lands
as much as you can cover.” And he left
the bleeding corpse.
But Perseus in revenge
hurled after him a spear, which, in his need,
he ripped out from the wound, yet warm, and struck
the boaster on the middle of his nose.
The piercing steel, passed through his nose and neck,—
remained projecting from the front and back.
And while good fortune helped his hand, he slew
Clanis and Clytius, of one mother born,
but with a different wound he slaughtered each:
for, leveled by a mighty arm, his ashen spear
drove through the thighs of Clytius, right and left,
and Clanis bit the javelin with his teeth.
And by his might, Mendesian Celadon
and Atreus fell, his mother of the tribes
of Palestine, his father was unknown.
Aethion, also, who could well foresee
the things to come, but was at last deceived
by some false omen. And Thoactes fell,
the armour-bearer of the king; and, next,
the infamous Agyrtes who had slain
his father. These he slew; and though his strength
was nearly spent, so many more remained:
for now the multitude with one accord
conspired to slaughter him. From every side
the raging troops assailed the better cause.
In vain the pious father and the bride,
together with her mother, fill the halls
with lamentations; for the clash of arms,
the groans of fallen heroes drown their cries.—
Bellona in a sea of blood has drenched
their Household Gods, polluted by these deeds,
and she endeavours to renew the strife.
Perseus, alone against that raging throng,
is now surrounded by a myriad men,
led on by Phineus; and their flying darts,
as thick as wintry tail, are showered around
on every side, grazing his eyes and ears.—
Quickly he fixed his shoulder firm against
the rock of a great pillar, which secured
his back from danger, and he faced his foes,
and baffled their attack.
Upon his left
Chaonian Molpeus pressed, and on his right
a Nabathe an called Ethemon pressed.—
As when a tiger from a valley hears
the lowing of two herds, in separate fields,
though hunger urges he not knows on which
to spring, but rages equally for each;
so, Perseus doubtful which may first attack
his left or right, knows not on which to turn,
but stands attentive witness to the flight
of Molpeus, whom he wounded in the leg.
Nor could he choose—Ethemon, full of rage,
pressed on him to inflict a fatal wound,
deep in his neck; but with incautious force
struck the stone pillar with his ringing sword
and shattered the metal blade, close to the hilt;
the flying fragment pierced its owner's neck,
but not with mortal wound. In vain he pled
for mercy, stretching forth his helpless arms:
perseus transfixed him with his glittering blade,
Cyllenian.

> Latin: Ecce Syenites, genitus Metione, Phorbas
et Libys Amphimedon, avidi committere pugnam,
sanguine, quo late tellus madefacta tepebat,
conciderant lapsi: surgentibus obstitit ensis,
alterius costis, iugulo Phorbantis adactus.
At non Actoriden Erytum, cui lata bipennis
telum erat, hamato Perseus petit ense, sed altis
exstantem signis multaeque in pondere massae
ingentem manibus tollit cratera duabus
infligitque viro; rutilum vomit ille cruorem
et resupinus humum moribundo vertice pulsat.
Inde Semiramio Polydegmona sanguine cretum
Caucasiumque Abarin Sperchionidenque Lycetum
intonsumque comas Helicen Phlegyanque Clytumque
sternit et exstructos morientum calcat acervos.
Nec Phineus ausus concurrere comminus hosti,
intorquet iaculum: quod detulit error in Idan,
expertem frustra belli et neutra arma secutum.
Ille tuens oculis inmitem Phinea torvis
“quandoquidem in partes” ait “abstrahor, accipe, Phineu,
quem fecisti hostem pensaque hoc vulnere vulnus”;
iamque remissurus tractum de vulnere telum
sanguine defectos cecidit conlapsus in artus.
Hic quoque Cephenum post regem primus Hodites
ense iacet Clymeni; Prothoenora percutit Hypseus,
Hypsea Lyncides. Fuit et grandaevus in illis
Emathion, aequi cultor timidusque deorum;
qui, quoniam prohibent anni bellare, loquendo
pugnat et incessit scelerataque devovet arma.
Huic Chromis amplexo tremulis altaria palmis
decutit ense caput; quod protinus incidit arae
atque ibi semianimi verba exsecrantia lingua
edidit, et medios animam exspiravit in ignes.
Hinc gemini fratres Broteasque et caestibus Ammon
invicti, vinci si possent caestibus enses,
Phinea cecidere manu, Cererisque sacerdos
Ampycus, albenti velatus tempora vitta.
Tu quoque, Lampetide, non hos adhibendus ad usus,
sed qui, pacis opus, citharam cum voce moveres,
iussus eras celebrare dapes festumque canendo.
Quem procul adstantem plectrumque imbelle tenentem
Pettalus inridens “Stygiis cane cetera” dixit
“manibus” et laevo mucronem tempore fixit.
Concidit et digitis morientibus ille retemptat
fila lyrae, casuque fuit miserabile carmen.
Nec sinit hunc impune ferox cecidisse Lycormas
raptaque de dextro robusta repagula posti
ossibus inlisit mediae cervicis: at ille
procubuit terrae mactati more iuvenci.
Demere temptabat laevi quoque robora postis
Cinyphius Pelates: temptanti dextera fixa est
cuspide Marmaridae Corythi lignoque cohaesit.
Haerenti latus hausit Abas: nec corruit ille,
sed retinente manum moriens e poste pependit.
Sternitur et Menaleus, Perseia castra secutus,
et Nasamoniaci Dorylas ditissimus agri,
dives agri Dorylas, quo non possederat alter
latius aut totidem tollebat turis acervos.
Huius in obliquo missum stetit inguine ferrum:
letifer ille locus. Quem postquam vulneris auctor
singultantem animam et versantem lumina vidit
Bactrius Halcyoneus “hoc, quod premis” inquit, “habeto
de tot agris terrae” corpusque exsangue reliquit.
Torquet in hunc hastam calido de vulnere raptam
ultor Abantiades; media quae nare recepta
cervice exacta est in partesque eminet ambas.
Dumque manum Fortuna iuvat, Clytiumque Claninque,
matre satos una, diverso vulnere fudit:
nam Clytii per utrumque gravis librata lacerto
fraxinus acta femur, iaculum Clanis ore momordit.
Occidit et Celadon Mendesius, occidit Astreus,
matre Palaestina, dubio genitore creatus,
Aethionque sagax quondam ventura videre
(tunc ave deceptus falsa), regisque Thoactes
armiger et caeso genitore infamis Agyrtes.
Plus tamen exhausto superest: namque omnibus unum
opprimere est animus, coniurata undique pugnant
agmina pro causa meritum impugnante fidemque:
hac pro parte socer frustra pius et nova coniunx
cum genetrice favent ululatuque atria complent.
Sed sonus armorum superat gemitusque cadentum,
pollutosque semel multo Bellona penates
sanguine perfundit renovataque proelia miscet.
Circueunt unum Phineus et mille secuti
Phinea: tela volant hiberna grandine plura
praeter utrumque latus praeterque et lumen et aures.
Applicat hic umeros ad magnae saxa columnae,
tutaque terga gerens adversaque in agmina versus
sustinet instantes. Instabat parte sinistra
Chaonius Molpeus, dextra Nabataeus Echemmon.
Tigris ut auditis diversa valle duorum
exstimulata fame mugitibus armentorum
nescit, utro potius ruat, et ruere ardet utroque,
sic dubius Perseus, dextra laevane feratur,
Molpea traiecti submovit vulnere cruris,
contentusque fuga est: neque enim dat tempus Echemmon,
sed furit et, cupiens saltu dare vulnera collo,
non circumspectis exactum viribus ensem
fregit, et extrema percussae parte columnae
lammina dissiluit dominique in gutture fixa est.
Non tamen ad letum causas satis illa valentes
plaga dedit: trepidum Perseus et inermia frustra
bracchia tendentem Cyllenide confodit harpe.

[¶2] But when he saw his strength
was yielding to the multitude, he said,
“Since you have forced disaster on yourselves,
why should I hesitate to save myself?—
O friends, avert your faces if ye stand
before me!” And he raised Medusa, s head.
Thescelus answered him; “Seek other dupes
to chase with wonders!” Just as he prepared
to hurl the deadly javelin from his hand,
he stood, unmoving in that attitude,
a marble statue.
Ampyx, close to him,
exulting in a mighty spirit, made
a lunge to pierce Lyncides in the breast;
but, as his sword was flashing in the air,
his right arm grew so rigid, there he stood
unable to draw back or thrust it forth.
But Nileus, who had feigned himself begot
by seven-fold Nile, and carved his shield with gold
and silver streams, alternate seven, shouted;
“Look, look! O Perseus, him from whom I sprung!
And you shall carry to the silent shades
a mighty consolation in your death,
that you were slain by such a one as I.”
But in the midst of boasting, the last words
were silenced; and his open mouth, although
incapable of motion, seemed intent
to utter speech.
Then Eryx, chiding says;
“Your craven spirits have benumbed you, not
Medusa's poison.—Come with me and strike
this youthful mover of magician charms
down to the ground.”—He started with a rush;
the earth detained his steps; it held him fast;
he could not speak; he stood, complete with arms,
a statue.
Such a penalty was theirs,
and justly earned; but near by there was one,
aconteus, who defending Perseus, saw
medusa as he fought; and at the sight
the soldier hardened to an upright stone.—
Assured he was alive, Astyages
now struck him with his long sword, but the blade
resounded with a ringing note; and there,
astonished at the sound, Astyages,
himself, assumed that nature; and remained
with wonder pictured on his marble face.
And not to weary with the names of men,
sprung from the middle classes, there remained
two hundred warriors eager for the fight—
as soon as they could see Medusa's face,
two hundred warriors stiffened into stone.
At last, repentant, Phineus dreads the war,
unjust, for in a helpless fright he sees
the statues standing in strange attitudes;
and, recognizing his adherents, calls
on each by name to rescue from that death.
Still unbelieving he begins to touch
the bodies, nearest to himself, and all
are hard stone.
Having turned his eyes away,
he stretched his hands and arms obliquely back
to Perseus, and confessed his wicked deeds;
and thus imploring spoke;
“Remove, I pray,
O Perseus, thou invincible, remove
from me that dreadful Gorgon: take away
the stone-creating countenance of thy
unspeakable Medusa! For we warred
not out of hatred, nor to gain a throne,
but clashed our weapons for a woman's sake.—
“Thy merit proved thy valid claim, and time
gave argument for mine. It grieves me not
to yield, O bravest, only give me life,
and all the rest be thine.” Such words implored
the craven, never daring to address
his eyes to whom he spoke.
And thus returned
the valiant Perseus; “I will grant to you,
O timid-hearted Phineus! as behoves
your conduct; and it should appear a gift,
magnanimous, to one who fears to move.—
Take courage, for no steel shall violate
your carcase; and, moreover, you shall be
a monument, that ages may record
your unforgotten name. You shall be seen
thus always, in the palace where resides
my father-in-law, that my surrendered spouse
may soften her great grief when she but sees
the darling image of her first betrothed.”
He spoke, and moved Medusa to that side
where Phineus had turned his trembling face:
and as he struggled to avert his gaze
his neck grew stiff; the moisture of his eyes
was hardened into stone.—And since that day
his timid face and coward eyes and hands,
forever shall be guilty as in life.
After such deeds, victorious Perseus turned,
and sought the confines of his native land;
together with his bride; which, having reached,
he punished Proetus—who by force of arms
had routed his own brother from the throne
of Argos. By his aid Acrisius,
although his undeserving parent, gained
his citadels once more: for Proetus failed,
with all his arms and towers unjustly held,
to quell the grim-eyed monster, snake-begin.
Yet not the valour of the youth, upheld
by many labours, nor his grievous wrongs
have softened you, O Polydectes! king
of Little Seriphus; but bitter hate
ungoverned, rankles in your hardened heart—
there is no limit to your unjust rage.
Even his praises are defamed by you
and all your arguments are given to prove
Medusa's death a fraud.—Perseus rejoined;
“By this we give our true pledge of the truth,
avert your eyes!” And by Medusa's face
he made the features of that impious king
a bloodless stone.

> Latin: Verum ubi virtutem turbae succumbere vidit,
“auxilium” Perseus “quoniam sic cogitis ipsi”
dixit “ab hoste petam. Vultus avertite vestros,
siquis amicus adest!” et Gorgonis extulit ora.
“Quaere alium, tua quem moveant miracula” dixit
Thescelus; utque manu iaculum fatale parabat
mittere, in hoc haesit signum de marmore gestu.
Proximus huic Ampyx animi plenissima magni
pectora Lyncidae gladio petit; inque petendo
dextera deriguit nec citra mota nec ultra est.
At Nileus, qui se genitum septemplice Nilo
ementitus erat, clipeo quoque flumina septem
argento partim, partim caelaverat auro,
“adspice” ait, “Perseu, nostrae primordia gentis:
magna feres tacitas solacia mortis ad umbras,
a tanto cecidisse viro”: pars ultima vocis
in medio suppressa sono est, adapertaque velle
ora loqui credas, nec sunt ea pervia verbis.
Increpat hos “vitio” que “animi, non viribus” inquit
“Gorgoneis torpetis” Eryx: “incurrite mecum
et prosternite humi iuvenem magica arma moventem!”
Incursurus erat: tenuit vestigia tellus,
inmotusque silex armataque mansit imago.
Hi tamen ex merito poenas subiere; sed unus
miles erat Persei, pro quo dum pugnat, Aconteus,
Gorgone conspecta saxo concrevit oborto.
Quem ratus Astyages etiamnum vivere, longo
ense ferit: sonuit tinnitibus ensis acutis.
Dum stupet Astyages, naturam traxit eandem,
marmoreoque manet vultus mirantis in ore.
Nomina longa mora est media de plebe virorum
dicere: bis centum restabant corpora pugnae,
Gorgone bis centum riguerunt corpora visa.
Paenitet iniusti tunc denique Phinea belli.
Sed quid agat? simulacra videt diversa figuris
agnoscitque suos et nomine quemque vocatum
poscit opem, credensque parum sibi proxima tangit
corpora: marmor erant. Avertitur, atque ita supplex
confessasque manus obliquaque bracchia tendens,
“vincis” ait, “Perseu. Remove tua monstra tuaeque
saxificos vultus, quaecumque ea, tolle Medusae,
tolle, precor. Non nos odium regnique cupido
compulit ad bellum: pro coniuge movimus arma.
Causa fuit meritis melior tua, tempore nostra.
Non cessisse piget. Nihil, o fortissime, praeter
hanc animam concede mihi: tua cetera sunto.”
Talia dicenti neque eum, quem voce rogabat
respicere audenti “quod” ait, “timidissime Phineu,
et possum tribuisse et magnum est munus inerti,
(pone metum) tribuam: nullo violabere ferro.
Quin etiam mansura dabo monimenta per aevum,
inque domo soceri semper spectabere nostri,
ut mea se sponsi soletur imagine coniunx?”
Dixit et in partem Phorcynida transtulit illam,
ad quam se trepido Phineus obverterat ore.
Tunc quoque conanti sua vertere lumina cervix
deriguit, saxoque oculorum induruit umor.
Sed tamen os timidum vultusque in marmore supplex
submissaeque manus faciesque obnoxia mansit.
Victor Abantiades patrios cum coniuge muros
intrat et inmeriti vindex ultorque parentis
adgreditur Proetum: nam fratre per arma fugato
Acrisioneas Proetus possederat arces.
Sed nec ope armorum, nec, quam male ceperat, arce
torva colubriferi superavit lumina monstri.
Te tamen, o parvae rector, Polydecta, Seriphi,
nec iuvenis virtus per tot spectata labores
nec mala mollierant, sed inexorabile durus
exerces odium, nec iniqua finis in ira est.
Detrectas etiam laudem fictamque Medusae
arguis esse necem. “Dabimus tibi pignera veri.
Parcite luminibus!” Perseus ait oraque regis
ore Medusaeo silicem sine sanguine fecit.

[¶3] Through all these mighty deeds
Pallas, Minerva, had availed to guide
her gold-begotten brother. Now she sped,
surrounded in a cloud, from Seriphus,
while Cynthus on the right, and Gyarus
far faded from her view. And where a path,
high over the deep sea, leads the near way,
she winged the air for Thebes, and Helicon
haunt of the Virgin Nine.
High on that mount
she stayed her flight, and with these words bespoke
those well-taught sisters; “Fame has given to me
the knowledge of a new-made fountain—gift
of Pegasus, that fleet steed, from the blood
of dread Medusa sprung—it opened when
his hard hoof struck the ground.—It is the cause
that brought me.—For my longing to have seen
this fount, miraculous and wonderful,
grows not the less in that myself did see
the swift steed, nascent from maternal blood.”
To which Urania thus; “Whatever the cause
that brings thee to our habitation, thou,
O goddess, art to us the greatest joy.
And now, to answer thee, reports are true;
this fountain is the work of Pegasus,”
And having said these words, she gladly thence
conducted Pallas to the sacred streams.
And Pallas, after she had long admired
that fountain, flowing where the hoof had struck,
turned round to view the groves of ancient trees;
the grottoes and the grass bespangled, rich
with flowers unnumbered—all so beautiful
she deemed the charm of that locality
a fair surrounding for the studious days
of those Mnemonian Maids.
But one of them
addressed her thus; “O thou whose valour gave
thy mind to greater deeds! if thou hadst stooped
to us, Minerva, we had welcomed thee
most worthy of our choir! Thy words are true;
and well hast thou approved the joys of art,
and this retreat. Most happy would we be
if only we were safe; but wickedness
admits of no restraint, and everything
affrights our virgin minds; and everywhere
the dreadful Pyrenaeus haunts our sight;—
scarcely have we recovered from the shock.
“That savage, with his troops of Thrace. had seized
the lands of Daulis and of Phocis, where
he ruled in tyranny; and when we sought
the Temples of Parnassus, he observed
us on our way;—and knowing our estate,
pretending to revere our sacred lives,
he said; ‘O Muses, I beseech you pause!
Choose now the shelter of my roof and shun
the heavy stars that teem with pouring rain;
nor hesitate, for often the glorious Gods
have entered humbler homes.’
“Moved by his words,
and by the growing storm, we gave assent,
and entered his first house. But presently
the storm abated, and the southern wind
was conquered by the north; the black clouds fled,
and soon the skies were clear.
“At once we sought
to quit the house, but Pyrenaeus closed
all means of exit,—and prepared to force
our virtue. Instantly we spread our wings,
and so escaped; but on a lofty tower
he stood, as if to follow, and exclaimed;
‘A path for you marks out a way for me.,
and quite insane, he leaped down from the top
of that high tower.—Falling on his face,
the bones were crushed, and as his life ebbed out
the ground was crimsoned with his wicked blood.”
So spoke the Muse. And now was heard the sound
of pennons in the air, and voices, too,
gave salutations from the lofty trees.
Minerva, thinking they were human tongues,
looked up in question whence the perfect words;
but on the boughs, nine ugly magpies perched,
those mockers of all sounds, which now complained
their hapless fate. And as she wondering stood,
Urania, goddess of the Muse, rejoined;—
“Look, those but lately worsted in dispute
augment the number of unnumbered birds.—
Pierus was their father, very rich
in lands of Pella; and their mother (called
Evippe of Paeonia) when she brought
them forth, nine times evoked, in labours nine,
Lucina's aid.—Unduly puffed with pride,
because it chanced their number equalled ours,
these stupid sisters, hither to engage
in wordy contest, fared through many towns;—
through all Haemonia and Achaia came
to us, and said;—
‘Oh, cease your empty songs,
attuned to dulcet numbers, that deceive
the vulgar, untaught throng. If aught is yours
of confidence, O Thespian Deities
contend with us: our number equals yours.
We will not be defeated by your arts;
nor shall your songs prevail.—Then, conquered, give
Hyantean Aganippe; yield to us
the Medusean Fount;—and should we fail,
we grant Emathia's plains, to where uprise
Paeonia's peaks of snow.—Let chosen Nymphs
award the prize—.’ 'Twas shameful to contend;
it seemed more shameful to submit. At once,
the chosen Nymphs swore justice by their streams,
and sat in judgment on their thrones of rock.
“At once, although the lot had not been cast,
the leading sister hastened to begin.—
She chanted of celestial wars; she gave
the Giants false renown; she gave the Gods
small credit for great deeds.—She droned out, ‘Forth,
those deepest realms of earth, Typhoeus came,
and filled the Gods with fear. They turned their backs
in flight to Egypt; and the wearied rout,
where Great Nile spreads his seven-channeled mouth,
were there received.—Thither the earth-begot
Typhoeus hastened: but the Gods of Heaven
deceptive shapes assumed.—Lo, Jupiter,
(As Libyan Ammon's crooked horns attest)
was hidden in the leader of a flock;
Apollo in a crow; Bacchus in a goat;
Diana in a cat; Venus in a fish;
Saturnian Juno in a snow-white cow;
Cyllenian Hermes in an Ibis' wings.’—
Such stuff she droned out from her noisy mouth:
and then they summoned us; but, haply, time
permits thee not, nor leisure thee permits,
that thou shouldst hearken to our melodies.”
“Nay doubt it not,” quoth Pallas, “but relate
your melodies in order.” And she sat
beneath the pleasant shadows of the grove.
And thus again Urania; “On our side
we trusted all to one.” Which having said,
Calliope arose. Her glorious hair
was bound with ivy. She attuned the chords,
and chanted as she struck the sounding strings:—

> Latin: Hactenus aurigenae comitem Tritonia fratri
se dedit: inde cava circumdata nube Seriphon
deserit, a dextra Cythno Gyaroque relictis,
quaque super pontum via visa brevissima, Thebas
virgineumque Helicona petit. Quo monte potita
constitit et doctas sic est adfata sorores:
“Fama novi fontis nostras pervenit ad aures,
dura Medusaei quem praepetis ungula rupit.
Is mihi causa viae. Volui mirabile factum
cernere: vidi ipsum materno sanguine nasci.”
Excipit Uranie: “Quaecumque est causa videndi
has tibi, diva, domos, animo gratissima nostro es.
Vera tamen fama est, et Pegasus huius origo
fontis”, et ad latices deduxit Pallada sacros.
Quae mirata diu factas pedis ictibus undas,
silvarum lucos circumspicit antiquarum
antraque et innumeris distinctas floribus herbas
felicesque vocat pariter studioque locoque
Mnemonidas. Quam sic adfata est una sororum:
“O, nisi te virtus opera ad maiora tulisset,
in partem ventura chori Tritonia nostri,
vera refers meritoque probas artesque locumque,
et gratam sortem, tutae modo simus, habemus.
Sed (vetitum est adeo sceleri nihil) omnia terrent
virgineas mentes, dirusque ante ora Pyreneus
vertitur, et nondum tota me mente recepi.
Daulida Threicio Phoceaque milite rura
ceperat ille ferox iniustaque regna tenebat.
Templa petebamus Parnasia: vidit euntes,
nostraque fallaci veneratus numina vultu
“Mnemonides” (cognorat enim), “consistite” dixit,
“nec dubitate, precor, tecto grave sidus et imbrem”
(imber erat) “vitare meo: subiere minores
saepe casas superi.” Dictis et tempore motae
adnuimusque viro primasque intravimus aedes.
Desierant imbres, victoque aquilonibus austro
fusca repurgato fugiebant nubila caelo.
Impetus ire fuit: claudit sua tecta Pyreneus
vimque parat. Quam nos sumptis effugimus alis.
Ipse secuturo similis stetit arduus arce
“qua” que “via est vobis, erit et mihi” dixit “eadem”,
seque iacit vecors e summae culmine turris
et cadit in vultus, discussisque ossibus oris
tundit humum moriens scelerato sanguine tinctam.”
Musa loquebatur: pennae sonuere per auras,
voxque salutantum ramis veniebat ab altis.
Suspicit et linguae quaerit tam certa loquentes
unde sonent hominemque putat Iove nata locutum:
Ales erat, numeroque novem, sua fata querentes,
institerant ramis imitantes omnia picae.
Miranti sic orsa deae dea: “Nuper et istae
auxerunt volucrum victae certamine turbam.
Pieros has genuit Pellaeis dives in arvis,
Paeonis Euippe mater fuit. Illa potentem
Lucinam noviens, noviens paritura, vocavit.
Intumuit numero stolidarum turba sororum,
perque tot Haemonias et per tot Achaidas urbes
huc venit et tali committit proelia voce:
“Desinite indoctum vana dulcedine vulgus
fallere: nobiscum, siqua est fiducia vobis,
Thespiades certate deae. Nec voce nec arte
vincemur, totidemque sumus. Vel cedite victae
fonte Medusaeo et Hyantea Aganippe,
vel nos Emathiis ad Paeonas usque nivosos
cedamus campis. Dirimant certamina nymphae.”
Turpe quidem contendere erat, sed cedere visum
turpius. Electae iurant per flumina nymphae
factaque de vivo pressere sedilia saxo.
Tum sine sorte prior quae se certare professa est,
bella canit superum, falsoque in honore Gigantas
ponit et extenuat magnorum facta deorum;
emissumque ima de sede Typhoea terrae
caelitibus fecisse metum cunctosque dedisse
terga fugae, donec fessos Aegyptia tellus
ceperit et septem discretus in ostia Nilus.
Huc quoque terrigenam venisse Typhoea narrat
et se mentitis superos celasse figuris;
“duxque gregis” dixit “fit Iuppiter; unde recurvis
nunc quoque formatus Libys est cum cornibus Ammon.
Delius in corvo, proles Semeleia capro,
fele soror Phoebi, nivea Saturnia vacca,
pisce Venus latuit, Cyllenius ibidis alis.”
Hactenus ad citharam vocalia moverat ora:
poscimur Aonides. Sed forsitan otia non sint,
nec nostris praebere vacet tibi cantibus aures.”
“Ne dubita, vestrumque mihi refer ordine carmen”
Pallas ait nemorisque levi consedit in umbra.
Musa refert: “Dedimus summam certaminis uni.
Surgit et inmissos hedera conlecta capillos
Calliope querulas praetemptat pollice chordas,
atque haec percussis subiungit carmina nervis: