Caius Valerius Catullus (continued 2)

Porci et Socration, duae sinistrae Pisonis, scabies famesque mundi Vos Veraniolo meo et Fabullo Verpus praeposuit Priapus ille? 5 Vos convivia lauta sumptuose De die facitis? mei sodales Quaerunt in trivio vocationes?

Porcius and Socration, pair sinister Of Piso, scabs and starvelings of the world, You to Fabúllus and my Verianólus, Hath dared yon snipt Priapus to prefer? 5 Upon rich banquets sumptuously spread Still gorge you daily while my comrades must Go seek invitals where the three roads fork?

Mellitos oculos tuos, Iuventi, Siquis me sinat usque basiare, Vsque ad milia basiem trecenta, Nec umquam videar satur futurus, 5 Non si densior aridis aristis Sit nostrae seges osculationis.

Those honied eyes of thine (Juventius!) If any suffer me sans stint to buss, I'd kiss of kisses hundred thousands three, Nor ever deem I'd reach satiety, 5 Not albe denser than dried wheat-ears show The kissing harvests our embraces grow.

Disertissime Romuli nepotum, Quot sunt quotque fuere, Marce Tulli, Quotque post aliis erunt in annis, Gratias tibi maximas Catullus 5 Agit pessimus omnium poeta, Tanto pessimus omnium poeta Quanto tu optimus omnium patronus.

Most eloquent 'mid race of Romulus That is or ever was (Marc Tullius!) Or in the coming years the light shall see, His thanks, the warmest, offers unto thee 5 Catullus, poet sorriest that be, And by such measure poet sorriest, As thou of pleaders art the bestest best.

Hesterno, Licini, die otiosi Multum lusimus in meis tabellis, Vt convenerat esse delicatos. Scribens versiculos uterque nostrum 5 Ludebat numero modo hoc modo illoc, Reddens mutua per iocum atque vinum. Atque illinc abii tuo lepore Incensus, Licini, facetiisque, Vt nec me miserum cibus iuvaret, 10 Nec somnus tegeret quiete ocellos, Sed toto indomitus furore lecto Versarer cupiens videre lucem, Vt tecum loquerer, simulque ut essem. At defessa labore membra postquam 15 Semimortua lectulo iacebant, Hoc, iocunde, tibi poema feci, Ex quo perspiceres meum dolorem. Nunc audax cave sis, precesque nostras, Oramus, cave despuas, ocelle, 20 Ne poenas Nemesis reposcat a te. Est vemens dea: laedere hanc caveto.

Idly (Licinius!) we our yesterday, Played with my tablets much as pleased us play, In mode becoming souls of dainty strain. Inditing verses either of us twain 5 Now in one measure then in other line We rang the changes amid wit and wine. Then fared I homewards by thy fun so fired And by thy jests (Licinius!) so inspired, Nor food my hapless appetite availed 10 Nor sleep in quiet rest my eyelids veiled, But o'er the bedstead wild in furious plight I tossed a-longing to behold the light, So I might talk wi' thee, and be wi' thee. But when these wearied limbs from labour free 15 Were on my couchlet strewn half-dead to lie, For thee (sweet wag!) this poem for thee wrote I, Whereby thou mete and weet my cark and care. Now be not over-bold, nor this our prayer Outspit thou (apple of mine eyes!): we pray 20 Lest doom thee Nemesis hard pain repay:— She's a dire Goddess, 'ware thou cross her way.

Ille mi par esse deo videtur, Ille, si fas est, superare divos, Qui sedens adversus identidem te Spectat et audit 5 Dulce ridentem, misero quod omnis Eripit sensus mihi: nam simul te, Lesbia, aspexi, nihil est super mi * * * * Lingua sed torpet, tenuis sub artus 10 Flamma demanat, sonitu suopte Tintinant aures geminae, teguntur Lumina nocte.

Otium, Catulle, tibi molestumst: 15 Otio exultas nimiumque gestis. Otium et reges prius et beatas Perdidit urbes.

Peer of a God meseemeth he, Nay passing Gods (and that can be!) Who all the while sits facing thee Sees thee and hears 5 Thy low sweet laughs which (ah me!) daze Mine every sense, and as I gaze Upon thee (Lesbia!) o'er me strays * * * * My tongue is dulled, my limbs adown 10 Flows subtle flame; with sound its own Rings either ear, and o'er are strown Mine eyes with night.

Ease has thy lot, Catullus, crost, 15 Ease gladdens thee at heaviest cost, Ease killed the Kings ere this and lost The tallest towns.

Quid est, Catulle? quid moraris emori? Sella in curuli struma Nonius sedet, Per consulatum peierat Vatinius: Quid est, Catulle? quid moraris emori?

What is't, Catullus? Why delay to out die? That Wen hight Nonius sits in curule chair, For Consulship Vatinius false doth swear; What is't, Catullus? Why delay to out die?

Risi nescioquem modo e corona, Qui, cum mirifice Vatiniana Meus crimina Calvos explicasset, Admirans ait haec manusque tollens, 5 'Di magni, salaputium disertum!'

I laughed at one 'mid Forum-crowd unknown Who, when Vatinius' crimes in wondrous way Had by my Calvus been explained, exposed, His hand upraising high admiring cried 5 "Great Gods! the loquent little Doodle-diddle!"

Othonis caput oppidost pusillum * * * * Neri rustica semilauta crura, Subtile et leve peditum Libonis. * * * * Si non omnia displicere vellem 5 Tibi et Fuficio seni recocte

Irascere iterum meis iambis Inmerentibus, unice imperator.

The head of Otho, puniest of pates * * * * The rustic half-washt shanks of Nerius And Libo's subtle silent fizzling-farts. * * * * I wish that leastwise these should breed disgust 5 In thee and old Fuficius, rogue twice-cookt.

Again at these mine innocent iamb-lines Wi' wrath be wrothest; unique Emperor!

Oramus, si forte non molestumst, Demostres, ubi sint tuae tenebrae. Te campo quaesivimus minore, Te in circo, te in omnibus libellis, 5 Te in templo summi Iovis sacrato. In Magni simul ambulatione Femellas omnes, amice, prendi, Quas vultu vidi tamen serenas. A, vel te sic ipse flagitabam, 10 'Camerium mihi, pessimae puellae.' Quaedam inquit, nudum sinum reducens, 'En heic in roseis latet papillis.' 13 Sed te iam ferre Herculei labos est. 23 Non custos si fingar ille Cretum, Non si Pegaseo ferar volatu, 25 Non Ladas ego pinnipesve Perseus, Non Rhesi nivea citaque biga: Adde huc plumipedes volatilesque, Ventorumque simul require cursum: Quos cunctos, Cameri, mihi dicares, 30 Defessus tamen omnibus medullis Et multis langoribus peresus 32 Essem te mihi, amice, quaeritando. 14 Tanto ten fastu negas, amice? Dic nobis ubi sis futurus, ede Audacter, conmitte, crede lucei. Num te lacteolae tenent puellae? Si linguam clauso tenes in ore, Fructus proicies amoris omnes: 20 Verbosa gaudet Venus loquella. Vel si vis, licet obseres palatum, Dum vostri sim particeps amoris.

We pray, an' haply irk it not when prayed, Show us where shadowed hidest thou in shade! Thee throughout Campus Minor sought we all, Thee in the Circus, thee in each bookstall, 5 Thee in Almighty Jove's fane consecrate. Nor less in promenade titled from The Great (Friend!) I accosted each and every quean, But mostly madams showing mien serene, For thee I pestered all with many pleas— 10 "Give me Camérius, wanton baggages!" Till answered certain one a-baring breasts "Lo, 'twixt these rosy paps he haply rests!" 13 But now to find thee were Herculean feat. 23 Not if I feignèd me that guard of Crete, Not if with Pegasèan wing I sped, 25 Or Ladas I or Perseus plumiped, Or Rhesus borne in swifty car snow-white: Add the twain foot-bewing'd and fast of flight, And of the cursive winds require the blow: All these (Camérius!) couldst on me bestow. 30 Tho' were I wearied to each marrow bone And by many o' languors clean forgone 32 Yet I to seek thee (friend!) would still assay. 14 In such proud lodging (friend) wouldst self denay? Tell us where haply dwell'st thou, speak outright, Be bold and risk it, trusting truth to light, Say do these milk-white girls thy steps detain? If aye in tight-sealed lips thy tongue remain, All Amor's fruitage thou shalt cast away: 20 Verbose is Venus, loving verbal play! But, an it please thee, padlockt palate bear, So in your friendship I have partner-share.

Orem ridiculam, Cato, et iocosam Dignamque auribus et tuo cachinno. Ride, quidquid amas, Cato, Catullum: Res est ridicula et nimis iocosa. 5 Deprendi modo pupulum puellae Trusantem: hunc ego, si placet Dionae, Protelo rigida mea cecidi.

O risible matter (Cato!) and jocose, Digne of thy hearing, of thy sneering digne. Laugh (Cato!) an thou love Catullus thine; The thing is risible, nay, too jocose. 5 Erstwhile I came upon a lad who a lass Was —— and (so please it Dion!) I Pierced him with stiffest staff and did him die.

Pulcre convenit inprobis cinaedis, Mamurrae pathicoque Caesarique. Nec mirum: maculae pares utrisque, Vrbana altera et illa Formiana, 5 Inpressae resident nec eluentur: Morbosi pariter, gemelli utrique Vno in lectulo, erudituli ambo, Non hic quam ille magis vorax adulter, Rivales sociei puellularum. 10 Pulcre convenit inprobis cinaedis.

Right well are paired these Cinaedes sans shame Mamurra and Cæsar, both of pathic fame. No wonder! Both are fouled with foulest blight, One urban being, Formian t'other wight, 5 And deeply printed with indelible stain: Morbose is either, and the twin-like twain Share single Couchlet; peers in shallow lore, Nor this nor that for lechery hungers more, As rival wenchers who the maidens claim 10 Right well are paired these Cinaedes sans shame.

Caeli, Lesbia nostra, Lesbia illa, Illa Lesbia, quam Catullus unam Plus quam se atque suos amavit omnes, Nunc in quadriviis et angiportis 5 Glubit magnanimos Remi nepotes.

Cælius! That Lesbia of ours, that Lesbia, That only Lesbia by Catullus loved, Than self, far fondlier, than all his friends, She now where four roads fork, and wind the wynds 5 Husks the high-minded scions Remus-sprung.

Bononiensis Rufa Rufulum fellat, Vxor Meneni, saepe quam in sepulcretis Vidistis ipso rapere de rogo cenam, Cum devolutum ex igne prosequens panem 5 Ab semiraso tunderetur ustore.

Rúfa the Bolognese drains Rufule dry, (Wife to Menenius) she 'mid tombs you'll spy, The same a-snatching supper from the pyre Following the bread-loaves rolling forth the fire 5 Till frapped by half-shaved body-burner's ire.

Num te leaena montibus Libystinis Aut Scylla latrans infima inguinum parte Tam mente dura procreavit ac taetra, Vt supplicis vocem in novissimo casu 5 Contemptam haberes a! nimis fero corde?

Bare thee some lioness wild in Lybian wold? Or Scylla barking from low'st inguinal fold? With so black spirit, of so dure a mould, E'en voice of suppliant must thou disregard 5 In latest circumstance ah, heart o'er hard?

Collis o Heliconii Cultor, Vraniae genus, Qui rapis teneram ad virum Virginem, o Hymenaee Hymen, 5 O Hymen Hymenaee,

Cinge tempora floribus Suave olentis amaraci, Flammeum cape, laetus huc Huc veni niveo gerens 10 Luteum pede soccum,

Excitusque hilari die Nuptialia concinens Voce carmina tinnula Pelle humum pedibus, manu 15 Pineam quate taedam.

Namque Vinia Manlio, Qualis Idalium colens Venit ad Phrygium Venus Iudicem, bona cum bona 20 Nubet alite virgo,

Floridis velut enitens Myrtus Asia ramulis, Quos Hamadryades deae Ludicrum sibi rosido 25 Nutriunt umore.

Quare age huc aditum ferens Perge linquere Thespiae Rupis Aonios specus, Nympha quos super inrigat 30 Frigerans Aganippe,

Ac domum dominam voca Coniugis cupidam novi, Mentem amore revinciens, Vt tenax hedera huc et huc 35 Arborem inplicat errans.

Vosque item simul, integrae Virgines, quibus advenit Par dies, agite in modum Dicite 'o Hymenaee Hymen, 40 O Hymen Hymenaee,'

Vt lubentius, audiens Se citarier ad suom Munus, huc aditum ferat Dux bonae Veneris, boni 45 Coniugator amoris.

Quis deus magis anxiis Est petendus amantibus? Quem colent homines magis Caelitum? o Hymenaee Hymen, 50 O Hymen Hymenaee.

Te suis tremulus parens Invocat, tibi virgines Zonula soluunt sinus, Te timens cupida novos 55 Captat aure maritus.

Tu fero iuveni in manus Floridam ipse puellulam Dedis a gremio suae Matris, o Hymenaee Hymen, 60 O Hymen Hymenaee.

Nil potest sine te Venus, Fama quod bona conprobet, Commodi capere: at potest Te volente. quis huic deo 65 Conpararier ausit?

Nulla quit sine te domus Liberos dare, nec parens Stirpe cingier: at potest Te volente. quis huic deo 70 Conpararier ausit?

Quae tuis careat sacris, Non queat dare praesides Terra finibus: at queat Te volente. quis huic deo 75 Conpararier ausit?

Claustra pandite ianuae, Virgo ades. viden ut faces Splendidas quatiunt comas? Tardet ingenuos pudor: * * * *

* * * * * * * * * * * * 80 Quem tamen magis audiens 81 Flet, quod ire necesse est.

(86) Flere desine. non tibi, A- runculeia, periculumst, Nequa femina pulchrior 85 Clarum ab Oceano diem (90) Viderit venientem.

Talis in vario solet Divitis domini hortulo Stare flos hyacinthinus. 90 Sed moraris, abit dies: Prodeas, nova nupta.

Prodeas, nova nupta, si Iam videtur, et audias Nostra verba. vide ut faces 95 Aureas quatiunt comas: Prodeas, nova nupta.

Non tuos levis in mala Deditus vir adultera Probra turpia persequens 100 A tuis teneris volet Secubare papillis,

Lenta quin velut adsitas Vitis inplicat arbores, Inplicabitur in tuom 105 Conplexum. sed abit dies: Prodeas, nova nupta.

O cubile, quod omnibus * * * * * * * * 110 * * * * Candido pede lecti,

Quae tuo veniunt ero, Quanta gaudia, quae vaga Nocte, quae medio die 115 Gaudeat! sed abit dies: Prodeas, nova nupta.

Tollite, o pueri, faces: Flammeum video venire. Ite, concinite in modum 120 'O Hymen Hymenaee io, O Hymen Hymenaee.'

Ne diu taceat procax Fescennina iocatio, Nec nuces pueris neget 125 Desertum domini audiens Concubinus amorem.

Da nuces pueris, iners Concubine: satis diu Lusisti nucibus: lubet 130 Iam servire Talasio. Concubine, nuces da.

Sordebant tibi vilicae, Concubine, hodie atque heri: Nunc tuom cinerarius 135 Tondet os. miser a miser Concubine, nuces da.

Diceris male te a tuis Vnguentate glabris marite Abstinere: sed abstine. 140 O Hymen Hymenaee io, O Hymen Hymenaee.

Scimus haec tibi quae licent Sola cognita: sed marito Ista non eadem licent. 145 O Hymen Hymenaee io, O Hymen Hymenaee.

Nupta, tu quoque, quae tuos Vir petet, cave ne neges, Ni petitum aliunde eat. 150 O Hymen Hymenaee io, O Hymen Hymenaee.

En tibi domus ut potens Et beata viri tui, Quae tibi sine fine erit 155 (O Hymen Hymenaee io, O Hymen Hymenaee),

Vsque dum tremulum movens Cana tempus anilitas Omnia omnibus adnuit. 160 O Hymen Hymenaee io, O Hymen Hymenaee.

Transfer omine cum bono Limen aureolos pedes, Rasilemque subi forem. 165 O Hymen Hymenaee io, O Hymen Hymenaee.

Aspice, intus ut accubans Vir tuos Tyrio in toro Totus inmineat tibi. 170 O Hymen Hymenaee io, O Hymen Hymenaee.

Illi non minus ac tibi Pectore uritur intimo Flamma, sed penite magis. 175 O Hymen Hymenaee io, O Hymen Hymenaee.

Mitte brachiolum teres, Praetextate, puellulae: Iam cubile adeat viri. 180 O Hymen Hymenaee io, O Hymen Hymenaee.

Vos bonae senibus viris Cognitae bene feminae, Collocate puellulam. 185 O Hymen Hymenaee io, O Hymen Hymenaee.

Iam licet venias, marite: Vxor in thalamo tibist Ore floridulo nitens, 190 Alba parthenice velut Luteumve papaver.

At, marite, (ita me iuvent Caelites) nihilo minus Pulcher es, neque te Venus 195 Neglegit. sed abit dies: Perge, ne remorare.

Non diu remoratus es, Iam venis. bona te Venus Iuverit, quoniam palam 200 Quod cupis capis et bonum Non abscondis amorem.

Ille pulveris Africei Siderumque micantium Subducat numerum prius, 205 Qui vostri numerare volt Multa milia ludei.

Ludite ut lubet, et brevi Liberos date. non decet Tam vetus sine liberis 210 Nomen esse, sed indidem Semper ingenerari.

Torquatus volo parvolus Matris e gremio suae Porrigens teneras manus 215 Dulce rideat ad patrem Semhiante labello.

Sit suo similis patri Manlio et facile inscieis Noscitetur ab omnibus 220 Et pudicitiam suae Matris indicet ore.

Talis illius a bona Matre laus genus adprobet, Qualis unica ab optima 225 Matre Telemacho manet Fama Penelopeo.

Claudite ostia, virgines: Lusimus satis. at, bonei Coniuges, bene vivite et 230 Munere adsiduo valentem Exercete inventam.

Of Helicon-hill, O Thou that be Haunter, Urania's progeny, Who hurriest soft virginity To man, O Hymenæus Hymen, 5 O Hymen Hymenæus.

About thy temples bind the bloom, Of Marjoram flow'ret scented sweet; Take flamey veil: glad hither come Come hither borne by snow-hue'd feet 10 Wearing the saffron'd sock.

And, roused by day of joyful cheer, Carolling nuptial lays and chaunts With voice as silver-ringing clear, Beat ground with feet, while brandisht flaunts 15 Thy hand the piney torch.

For Vinia comes by Manlius woo'd, As Venus on th' Idalian crest, Before the Phrygian judge she stood And now with blessèd omens blest, 20 The maid is here to wed.

A maiden shining bright of blee, As Myrtle branchlet Asia bred, Which Hamadryad deity As toy for joyance aye befed 25 With humour of the dew.

Then hither come thou, hieing lief, Awhile to leave th' Aonian cave, Where 'neath the rocky Thespian cliff Nymph Aganippe loves to lave 30 In cooly waves outpoured.

And call the house-bride, homewards bring Maid yearning for new married fere, Her mind with fondness manacling, As the tough ivy here and there 35 Errant the tree enwinds.

And likewise ye, clean virginal Maidens, to whom shall haps befall Like day, in measure join ye all Singing, O Hymenæus Hymen, 40 O Hymen Hymenæus.

That with more will-full will a-hearing The call to office due, he would Turn footsteps hither, here appearing, Guide to good Venus, and the good 45 Lover conjoining strait.

What God than other Godheads more Must love-sick wights for aid implore? Whose Godhead foremost shall adore Mankind? O Hymenæus Hymen, 50 O Hymen Hymenæus.

Thee for his own the trembling sire Invokes, thee Virgins ever sue Who laps of zone to loose aspire, And thee the bashful bridegrooms woo 55 With ears that long to hear.

Thou to the hand of love-fierce swain Deliverest maiden fair and fain, From mother's fondling bosom ta'en Perforce, O Hymenæus Hymen 60 O Hymen Hymenæus.

Thou lacking, Venus ne'er avails— While Fame approves for honesty— Love-joys to lavish: ne'er she fails Thou willing:—with such Deity 65 Whoe'er shall dare compare?

Thou wanting, never son and heir The Hearth can bear, nor parents be By issue girt, yet can it bear, Thou willing:—with such Deity, 70 Whoe'er shall dare compare?

An lack a land thy sacring rite, The perfect rule we ne'er shall see Reach Earth's far bourne; yet such we sight, Thou willing:—with such Deity 75 Whoe'er shall dare compare?

Your folds ye gateways wide-ope swing! The maiden comes. Seest not the sheen Of links their splendent tresses fling? Let shame retard the modest mien. * * * *

* * * * * * * * * * * * 80 Who more she hears us weeps the more, 81 That needs she must advance.

(86) Cease raining tear-drops! not for thee, Aurunculeia, risk we deem, That fairer femininety 85 Clear day outdawned from Ocean stream (90) Shall ever more behold.

Such in the many-tinted bower Of rich man's garden passing gay Upstands the hyacinthine flower. 90 But thou delayest, wanes the day: Prithee, come forth new Bride.

Prithee, come forth new Bride! methinks, Drawing in sight, the talk we hold Thou haply hearest. See the Links! 95 How shake their locks begilt with gold: Prithee, new Bride come forth.

Not lightly given thy mate to ill Joys and adulterous delights Foul fleshly pleasures seeking still 100 Shall ever choose he lie o' nights Far from thy tender paps.

But as with pliant shoots the vine Round nearest tree-trunk winds her way, He shall be ever twined in thine 105 Embraces:—yet, lo! wanes the day: Prithee, come forth new Bride!

Couchlet which to me and all * * * * * * * * 110 * * * * With bright white bedstead foot.

What joys the lord of thee betide! What love-liesse on vaguing way O' nights! What sweets in morning tide 115 For thee be stored! Yet wanes the day: Prithee, come forth fresh Bride!

Your lighted links, O boys, wave high: I see the flamey veil draw nigh: Hie, sing in merry mode and cry 120 "O Hymen Hymenæus io, O Hymen Hymenæus!"

Lest longer mute tongue stays that joys In festal jest, from Fescennine, Nor yet denay their nuts to boys, 125 He-Concubine! who learns in fine His lordling's love is fled.

Throw nuts to boys thou idle all He-Concubine! wast fain full long With nuts to play: now pleased as thrall 130 Be thou to swell Talasios' throng: He-Concubine throw nuts.

Wont thou at peasant-girls to jape He-whore! Thy Lord's delight the while: Now shall hair-curling chattel scrape 135 Thy cheeks: poor wretch, ah! poor and vile:— He-Concubine, throw nuts.

'Tis said from smooth-faced ingle train (Anointed bridegroom!) hardly fain Hast e'er refrained; now do refrain! 140 O Hymen Hymenæus io, O Hymen Hymenæus!

We know that naught save licit rites Be known to thee, but wedded wights No more deem lawful such delights. 145 O Hymen Hymenæus io, O Hymen Hymenæus.

Thou too, O Bride, whatever dare Thy groom, of coy rebuff beware, Lest he to find elsewhither fare. 150 O Hymen Hymenæus io, O Hymen Hymenæus.

Lo! here the house of high degree Thy husband's puissant home to be, Which ever shall obey thy gree. 155 O Hymen Hymenæus io, O Hymen Hymenæus!

Till Time betide when eld the hoar Thy head and temples trembling o'er Make nod to all things evermore. 160 O Hymen Hymenæus io, O Hymen Hymenæus.

O'erstep with omen meetest meet The threshold-stone thy golden feet Up, past the polisht panels fleet. 165 O Hymen Hymenæus io, O Hymen Hymenæus.

Within bestrewn thy bridegroom see On couch of Tyrian cramoisy All imminent awaiting thee. 170 O Hymen Hymenæus io, O Hymen Hymenæus.

For in his breast not less than thine Burn high the flames that deepest shrine, Yet his the lowe far deeper lien. 175 O Hymen Hymenæus io, O Hymen Hymenæus.

Let fall the maid's soft arms, thou fair Boy purple-hem'd: now be thy care Her bridegroom's couch she seek and share. 180 O Hymen Hymenæus io, O Hymen Hymenæus.

Ye wives time-tried to husbands wed, Well-known for chastity inbred, Dispose the virginette a-bed. 185 O Hymen Hymenæus io, O Hymen Hymenæus.

Groom, now 'tis meet thou hither pace, With bride in genial bed to blend, For sheenly shines her flowery face 190 Where the white chamomiles contend With poppies blushing red.

Yet bridegroom (So may Godhead deign Help me!) nowise in humbler way Art fair, nor Venus shall disdain 195 Thy charms, but look! how wanes the day: Forward, nor loiter more!

No longer loitering makest thou, Now comest thou. May Venus good Aid thee when frankly takest thou 200 Thy wishes won, nor true Love woo'd Thou carest to conceal.

Of Afric's wolds and wilds each grain, Or constellations glistening, First reckon he that of the twain 205 To count alone were fain to bring The many thousand joys.

Play as ye please: soon prove ye deft At babying babes,—'twere ill design'd A name thus ancient should be left 210 Heirless, but issue like of kind Engendered aye should be.

A wee Torquátus fain I'd see Encradled on his mother's breast Put forth his tender puds while he 215 Smiles to his sire with sweetest gest And liplets half apart.

Let son like father's semblance show (Manlius!) so with easy guess All know him where his sire they know, 220 And still his face and form express His mother's honest love.

Approve shall fair approof his birth From mother's seed-stock generous, As rarest fame of mother's worth 225 Unique exalts Telemachus Penelope's own son.

Fast close the door-leaves, virgin band: Enow we've played. But ye the fair New-wedded twain live happy, and 230 Functions of lusty married pair Exercise sans surcease.

* * * *

Vesper adest, iuvenes, consurgite: Vesper Olympo Expectata diu vix tandem lumina tollit. Surgere iam tempus, iam pingues linquere mensas, Iam veniet virgo, iam dicetur Hymenaeus. 5 Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!

Cernitis, innuptae, iuvenes? consurgite contra: Nimirum Oetaeos ostendit noctifer ignes. Sic certest; viden ut perniciter exiluere? Non temere exiluere, canent quod vincere par est. 10 Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!

Non facilis nobis, aequales, palma paratast, Adspicite, innuptae secum ut meditata requirunt. Non frustra meditantur, habent memorabile quod sit. Nec mirum, penitus quae tota mente laborent. 15 Nos alio mentes, alio divisimus aures: Iure igitur vincemur, amat victoria curam. Quare nunc animos saltem convertite vestros, Dicere iam incipient, iam respondere decebit. Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!

20 Hespere, qui caelo fertur crudelior ignis? Qui natam possis conplexu avellere matris, Conplexu matris retinentem avellere natam Et iuveni ardenti castam donare puellam. Quid faciunt hostes capta crudelius urbe? 25 Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!

Hespere, qui caelo lucet iocundior ignis? Qui desponsa tua firmes conubia flamma, Quae pepigere viri, pepigerunt ante parentes Nec iunxere prius quam se tuus extulit ardor. 30 Quid datur a divis felici optatius hora? Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!

* * * * Hesperus e nobis, aequales, abstulit unam * * * * Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!

* * * * Namque tuo adventu vigilat custodia semper. Nocte latent fures, quos idem saepe revertens, 35 Hespere, mutato conprendis nomine Eous. At libet innuptis ficto te carpere questu. Quid tum, si carpunt, tacita quem mente requirunt? Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!

Vt flos in saeptis secretus nascitur hortis, 40 Ignotus pecori, nullo convolsus aratro, Quem mulcent aurae, firmat sol, educat imber * * * * Multi illum pueri, multae optavere puellae: Idem cum tenui carptus defloruit ungui, Nulli illum pueri, nullae optavere puellae: 45 Sic virgo, dum intacta manet, dum cara suis est; Cum castum amisit polluto corpore florem, Nec pueris iocunda manet, nec cara puellis. Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!

Vt vidua in nudo vitis quae nascitur arvo 50 Numquam se extollit, numquam mitem educat uvam, Sed tenerum prono deflectens pondere corpus Iam iam contingit summum radice flagellum; Hanc nulli agricolae, nulli coluere bubulci: At si forte eademst ulmo coniuncta marito, 55 Multi illam agricolae, multi coluere bubulci: Sic virgo dum intacta manet, dum inculta senescit; Cum par conubium maturo tempore adeptast, Cara viro magis et minus est invisa parenti. 58b Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!

At tu ne pugna cum tali coniuge virgo. 60 Non aequomst pugnare, pater cui tradidit ipse, Ipse pater cum matre, quibus parere necessest. Virginitas non tota tuast, ex parte parentumst, Tertia pars patrist, pars est data tertia matri, Tertia sola tuast: noli pugnare duobus, 65 Qui genero sua iura simul cum dote dederunt. Hymen o Hymenaee, Hymen ades o Hymenaee!

Vesper is here, O youths, rise all; for Vesper Olympus Scales and in fine enfires what lights so long were expected! Time 'tis now to arise, now leave we tables rich laden, Now shall the Virgin come; now chaunt we the Hymenæus. 5 Hymen O Hymenæus: Hymen here, O Hymenæus!

View ye the Youths, O Maids unwed? Then rise to withstand them: Doubtless the night-fraught Star displays his splendour Œtéän. Sooth 'tis so; d'ye sight how speedily sprang they to warfare? Nor for a naught up-sprang: they'll sing what need we to conquer. 10 Hymen O Hymenæus: Hymen here, O Hymenæus!

Nowise easy the palm for us (Companions!) be proffer'd, Lo! now the maidens muse and meditate matter of forethought Nor meditate they in vain; they muse a humorous something. Yet naught wonder it is, their sprites be wholly in labour. 15 We bear divided thought one way and hearing in other: Vanquish't by right we must be, since Victory loveth the heedful. Therefore at least d'ye turn your minds the task to consider, Soon shall begin their say whose countersay shall befit you. Hymen O Hymenæus: Hymen here, O Hymenæus!

20 Hesperus! say what flame more cruel in Heaven be fanned? Thou who the girl perforce canst tear from a mother's embraces, Tear from a parent's clasp her child despite of her clinging And upon love-hot youth bestowest her chastest of maidenhoods! What shall the foeman deal more cruel to city becaptured? 25 Hymen O Hymenæus, Hymen here, O Hymenæus!

Hesperus! say what flame more gladsome in Heavens be shining? Thou whose light makes sure long-pledged connubial promise Plighted erewhile by men and erstwhile plighted by parents. Yet to be ne'er fulfilled before thy fire's ardours have risen! 30 What better boon can the gods bestow than hour so desirèd? Hymen O Hymenæus, Hymen here, O Hymenæus!

* * * * Hesperus! one of ourselves (Companions!) carried elsewhither * * * * Hymen O Hymenæus, Hymen here, O Hymenæus!

* * * * For at thy coming in sight a guard is constantly watching. Hidden o'nights lurk thieves and these as oft as returnest, 35 Hesper! thou seizest them with title changed to Eöus. Pleases the bevy unwed with feigned complaints to accuse thee. What if assail they whom their souls in secrecy cherish? Hymen O Hymenæus, Hymen here, O Hymenæus!

E'en as a flow'ret born secluded in garden enclosèd, 40 Unto the flock unknown and ne'er uptorn by the ploughshare, Soothed by the zephyrs and strengthened by suns and nourish't by showers * * * * Loves her many a youth and longs for her many a maiden: Yet from her lissome stalk when cropt that flower deflowered, Loves her never a youth nor longs for her ever a maiden: 45 Thus while the virgin be whole, such while she's the dearling of kinsfolk; Yet no sooner is lost her bloom from body polluted, Neither to youths she is joy, nor a dearling she to the maidens. Hymen O Hymenæus, Hymen here, O Hymenæus!

E'en as an unmated vine which born in field of the barest 50 Never upraises head nor breeds the mellowy grape-bunch, But under weight prone-bowed that tender body a-bending Makes she her root anon to touch her topmost of tendrils; Tends her never a hind nor tends her ever a herdsman: Yet if haply conjoinèd the same with elm as a husband, 55 Tends her many a hind and tends her many a herdsman: Thus is the maid when whole, uncultured waxes she aged; But whenas union meet she wins her at ripest of seasons, More to her spouse she is dear and less she's irk to her parents. Hymen O Hymenæus, Hymen here, O Hymenæus!

But do thou cease to resist (O Maid!) such bridegroom opposing, Right it is not to resist whereto consigned thee a father, Father and mother of thee unto whom obedience is owing. Not is that maidenhood all thine own, but partly thy parents! Owneth thy sire one third, one third is right of thy mother, Only the third is thine: stint thee to strive with the others, 65 Who to the stranger son have yielded their dues with a dower! Hymen O Hymenæus: Hymen here, O Hymenæus!

Super alta vectus Attis celeri rate maria Phrygium ut nemus citato cupide pede tetigit Adiitque opaca, silvis redimita loca deae, Stimulatus ibi furenti rabie, vagus animis, 5 Devolsit ilei acuto sibi pondera silice. Itaque ut relicta sensit sibi membra sine viro, Etiam recente terrae sola sanguine maculans Niveis citata cepit manibus leve typanum, Typanum, tuom Cybebe, tua, mater, initia, 10 Quatiensque terga taurei teneris cava digitis Canere haec suis adortast tremebunda comitibus. 'Agite ite ad alta, Gallae, Cybeles nemora simul, Simul ite, Dindymenae dominae vaga pecora, Aliena quae petentes velut exules loca 15 Sectam meam executae duce me mihi comites Rabidum salum tulistis truculentaque pelage Et corpus evirastis Veneris nimio odio, Hilarate erae citatis erroribus animum. Mora tarda mente cedat: simul ite, sequimini 20 Phrygiam ad domum Cybebes, Phrygia ad nemora deae, Vbi cymbalum sonat vox, ubi tympana reboant, Tibicen ubi canit Phryx curvo grave calamo, Vbi capita Maenades vi iaciunt ederigerae, Vbi sacra sancta acutis ululatibus agitant, 25 Vbi suevit illa divae volitare vaga cohors: Quo nos decet citatis celerare tripudiis.' Simul haec comitibus Attis cecinit notha mulier, Thiasus repente linguis trepidantibus ululat, Leve tympanum remugit, cava cymbala recrepant, 30 Viridem citus adit Idam properante pede chorus. Furibunda simul anhelans vaga vadit, animam agens, Comitata tympano Attis per opaca nemora dux, Veluti iuvenca vitans onus indomita iugi: Rapidae ducem sequuntur Gallae properipedem. 35 Itaque ut domum Cybebes tetigere lassulae, Nimio e labore somnum capiunt sine Cerere. Piger his labante langore oculos sopor operit: Abit in quiete molli rabidus furor animi. Sed ubi oris aurei Sol radiantibus oculis 40 Lustravit aethera album, sola dura, mare ferum, Pepulitque noctis umbras vegetis sonipedibus, Ibi Somnus excitam Attin fugiens citus abiit: Trepidante eum recepit dea Pasithea sinu. Ita de quiete molli rapida sine rabie 45 Simul ipsa pectore Attis sua facta recoluit, Liquidaque mente vidit sine queis ubique foret, Animo aestuante rusum reditum ad vada tetulit. Ibi maria vasta visens lacrimantibus oculis, Patriam allocuta maestast ita voce miseriter. 50 'Patria o mei creatrix, patria o mea genetrix, Ego quam miser relinquens, dominos ut erifugae Famuli solent, ad Idae tetuli nemora pedem, Vt aput nivem et ferarum gelida stabula forem Et earum operta adirem furibunda latibula? 55 Vbinam aut quibus locis te positam, patria, reor? Cupit ipsa pupula ad te sibi dirigere aciem, Rabie fera carens dum breve tempus animus est. Egone a mea remota haec ferar in nemora domo? Patria, bonis, amicis, genitoribus abero? 60 Abero foro, palaestra, stadio et guminasiis? Miser a miser, querendumst etiam atque etiam, anime. Quod enim genus figuraest, ego non quod habuerim? Ego mulier, ego adolescens, ego ephebus, ego puer, Ego guminasi fui flos, ego eram decus olei: 65 Mihi ianuae frequentes, mihi limina tepida, Mihi floridis corollis redimita domus erat, Linquendum ubi esset orto mihi sole cubiculum. Ego nunc deum ministra et Cybeles famula ferar? Ego Maenas, ego mei pars, ego vir sterilis ero? 70 Ego viridis algida Idae nive amicta loca colam? Ego vitam agam sub altis Phrygiae columinibus, Vbi cerva silvicultrix, ubi aper nemorivagus? Iam iam dolet quod egi, iam iamque paenitet.' Roseis ut huic labellis sonitus celer abiit, 75 Geminas deorum ad aures nova nuntia referens, Ibi iuncta iuga resolvens Cybele leonibus Laevumque pecoris hostem stimulans ita loquitur. 'Agedum' inquit 'age ferox i, fac ut hunc furor agitet, Fac uti furoris ictu reditum in nemora ferat, 80 Mea libere nimis qui fugere imperia cupit. Age caede terga cauda, tua verbera patere, Fac cuncta mugienti fremitu loca retonent, Rutilam ferox torosa cervice quate iubam.' Ait haec minax Cybebe religatque iuga manu. 85 Ferus ipse sese adhortans rapidum incitat animo, Vadit, fremit, refringit virgulta pede vago. At ubi umida albicantis loca litoris adiit, Teneramque vidit Attin prope marmora pelagi, Facit impetum: illa demens fugit in nemora fera: 90 Ibi semper omne vitae spatium famula fuit. Dea magna, dea Cybebe, Didymei dea domina, Procul a mea tuos sit furor omnis, era, domo: Alios age incitatos, alios age rabidos.

O'er high deep seas in speedy ship his voyage Atys sped Until he trod the Phrygian grove with hurried eager tread And as the gloomy tree-shorn stead, the she-god's home, he sought There sorely stung with fiery ire and madman's vaguing thought, 5 Share he with sharpened flint the freight wherewith his form was fraught. Then as the she-he sensèd limbs were void of manly strain And sighted freshly shed a-ground spot of ensanguined stain, Snatched she the timbrel's legier load with hands as snowdrops white, Thy timbrel, Mother Cybebé, the firstings of thy rite, 10 And as her tender finger-tips on bull-back hollow rang She rose a-grieving and her song to listening comrades sang. "Up Gallæ, hie together, haste for Cybebe's deep grove, Hie to the Dindyménean dame, ye flocks that love to rove; The which affecting stranger steads as bound in exile's brunt 15 My sect pursuing led by me have nerved you to confront The raging surge of salty sea and ocean's tyrant hand As your hate of Venus' hest your manly forms unmann'd, Gladden your souls, ye mistresses, with sense of error bann'd. Drive from your spirits dull delay, together follow ye 20 To hold of Phrygian goddess, home of Phrygian Cybebe, Where loud the cymbal's voice resounds with timbrel-echoes blending, And where the Phrygian piper drones grave bass from reed a-bending, Where toss their ivy-circled heads with might the Mænades Where ply mid shrilly lullilooes the holiest mysteries, 25 Where to fly here and there be wont the she-god's vaguing train, Thither behoves us lead the dance in quick-step hasty strain." Soon as had Atys (bastard-she) this lay to comrades sung The Chorus sudden lulliloos with quivering, quavering tongue, Again the nimble timbrel groans, the scooped-out cymbals clash, 30 And up green Ida flits the Choir, with footsteps hurrying rash. Then Atys frantic, panting, raves, a-wandering, lost, insane, And leads with timbrel hent and treads the shades where shadows rain, Like heifer spurning load of yoke in yet unbroken pride; And the swift Gallæ follow fain their first and fleetfoot guide. 35 But when the home of Cybebe they make with toil out-worn O'er much, they lay them down to sleep and gifts of Ceres scorn; Till heavy slumbers seal their eyelids langourous, drooping lowly, And raving phrenzy flies each brain departing softly, slowly. But when Dan Sol with radiant eyes that fire his face of gold 40 Surveyed white aether and solid soil and waters uncontrol'd, And chased with steeds sonorous-hooved the shades of lingering night, Then sleep from waking Atys fled fleeting with sudden flight, By Nymph Pásithae welcomèd to palpitating breast. Thus when his phrenzy raging rash was soothed to gentlest rest, 45 Atys revolved deeds lately done, as thought from breast unfolding, And what he'd lost and what he was with lucid sprite beholding, To shallows led by surging soul again the way 'gan take. There casting glance of weeping eyes where vasty billows brake, Sad-voiced in pitifullest lay his native land bespake. 50 "Country of me, Creatress mine, O born to thee and bred, By hapless me abandoned as by thrall from lordling fled, When me to Ida's groves and glades these vaguing footsteps bore To tarry 'mid the snows and where lurk beasts in antres frore And seek the deeply hidden lairs where furious ferals meet! 55 Where, Country! whither placed must I now hold thy site and seat? Lief would these balls of eyes direct to thee their line of sight, Which for a while, a little while, would free me from despite. Must I for ever roam these groves from house and home afar? Of country, parents, kith and kin (life's boon) myself debar? 60 Fly Forum, fly Palestra, fly the Stadium, the Gymnase? Wretch, ah poor wretch, I'm doomed (my soul!) to mourn throughout my days, For what of form or figure is, which I failed to enjoy? I full-grown man, I blooming youth, I stripling, I a boy, I of Gymnasium erst the bloom, I too of oil the pride: 65 Warm was my threshold, ever stood my gateways opening wide, My house was ever garlanded and hung with flowery freight, And couch to quit with rising sun, has ever been my fate: Now must I Cybebe's she-slave, priestess of gods, be hight? I Mænad I, mere bit of self, I neutral barren wight? 70 I spend my life-tide couch't beneath high-towering Phrygian peaks? I dwell on Ida's verdant slopes mottled with snowy streaks, Where homes the forest-haunting doe, where roams the wildling boar? Now, now I rue my deed foredone, now, now it irks me sore!" Whenas from out those roseate lips these accents rapid flew, 75 Bore them to ears divine consigned a Nuncio true and new; Then Cybebe her lions twain disjoining from their yoke The left-hand enemy of the herds a-goading thus bespoke:— "Up feral fell! up, hie with him, see rage his footsteps urge, See that his fury smite him till he seek the forest verge, 80 He who with over-freedom fain would fly mine empery. Go, slash thy flank with lashing tail and sense the strokes of thee, Make the whole mountain to thy roar sound and resound again, And fiercely toss thy brawny neck that bears the tawny mane!" So quoth an-angered Cybebe, and yoke with hand untied: 85 The feral rose in fiery wrath and self-inciting hied, A-charging, roaring through the brake with breaking paws he tore. But when he reached the humid sands where surges cream the shore, Spying soft Atys lingering near the marbled pave of sea He springs: the terror-madded wretch back to the wood doth flee, 90 Where for the remnant of her days a bondmaid's life led she. Great Goddess, Goddess Cybebe, Dindymus dame divine, Far from my house and home thy wrath and wrack, dread mistress mine: Goad others on with Fury's goad, others to Ire consign!

Peliaco quondam prognatae vertice pinus Dicuntur liquidas Neptuni nasse per undas Phasidos ad fluctus et fines Aeetaeos, Cum lecti iuvenes, Argivae robora pubis, 5 Auratam optantes Colchis avertere pellem Ausi sunt vada salsa cita decurrere puppi, Caerula verrentes abiegnis aequora palmis. Diva quibus retinens in summis urbibus arces Ipsa levi fecit volitantem flamine currum, 10 Pinea coniungens inflexae texta carinae. Illa rudem cursu prima imbuit Amphitriten. Quae simulac rostro ventosum proscidit aequor, Tortaque remigio spumis incanduit unda, Emersere freti canenti e gurgite vultus 15 Aequoreae monstrum Nereides admirantes. Atque illic alma viderunt luce marinas Mortales oculi nudato corpore Nymphas Nutricum tenus extantes e gurgite cano. Tum Thetidis Peleus incensus fertur amore, 20 Tum Thetis humanos non despexit hymenaeos, Tum Thetidi pater ipse iugandum Pelea sanxit. O nimis optato saeclorum tempore nati Heroes, salvete, deum genus, o bona matrum Progenies, salvete iterum placidique favete. Vos ego saepe meo, vos carmine conpellabo, 25 Teque adeo eximie taedis felicibus aucte Thessaliae columen Peleu, cui Iuppiter ipse, Ipse suos divom genitor concessit amores. Tene Thetis tenuit pulcherrima Nereine? Tene suam Tethys concessit ducere neptem, 30 Oceanusque, mari totum qui amplectitur orbem? Quoi simul optatae finito tempore luces Advenere, domum conventu tota frequentat Thessalia, oppletur laetanti regia coetu: Dona ferunt prae se, declarant gaudia voltu. 35 Deseritur Cieros, linquunt Phthiotica tempe, Crannonisque domos ac moenia Larisaea, Pharsalum coeunt, Pharsalia tecta frequentant. Rura colit nemo, mollescunt colla iuvencis, Non humilis curvis purgatur vinea rastris, 41 Non falx attenuat frondatorum arboris umbram, 40 Non glaebam prono convellit vomere taurus, Squalida desertis rubigo infertur aratris. Ipsius at sedes, quacumque opulenta recessit Regia, fulgenti splendent auro atque argento. 45 Candet ebur soliis, collucent pocula mensae, Tota domus gaudet regali splendida gaza. Pulvinar vero divae geniale locatur Sedibus in mediis, Indo quod dente politum Tincta tegit roseo conchyli purpura fuco. 50 Haec vestis priscis hominum variata figuris Heroum mira virtutes indicat arte. Namque fluentisono prospectans litore Diae Thesea cedentem celeri cum classe tuetur Indomitos in corde gerens Ariadna furores, 55 Necdum etiam sese quae visit visere credit, Vt pote fallaci quae tum primum excita somno Desertam in sola miseram se cernat arena. Inmemor at iuvenis fugiens pellit vada remis, Inrita ventosae linquens promissa procellae. 60 Quem procul ex alga maestis Minois ocellis, Saxea ut effigies bacchantis, prospicit, eheu, Prospicit et magnis curarum fluctuat undis, Non flavo retinens subtilem vertice mitram, Non contecta levi † velatum pectus amictu, 65 Non tereti strophio lactantes vincta papillas, Omnia quae toto delapsa e corpore passim Ipsius ante pedes fluctus salis adludebant. Set neque tum mitrae neque tum fluitantis amictus Illa vicem curans toto ex te pectore, Theseu, 70 Toto animo, tota pendebat perdita mente. A misera, adsiduis quam luctibus externavit Spinosas Erycina serens in pectore curas Illa tempestate, ferox quom robore Theseus Egressus curvis e litoribus Piraei 75 Attigit iniusti regis Gortynia tecta. Nam perhibent olim crudeli peste coactam Androgeoneae poenas exolvere caedis Electos iuvenes simul et decus innuptarum Cecropiam solitam esse dapem dare Minotauro. 80 Quis angusta malis cum moenia vexarentur, Ipse suom Theseus pro caris corpus Athenis Proicere optavit potius quam talia Cretam Funera Cecropiae nec funera portarentur, Atque ita nave levi nitens ac lenibus auris 85 Magnanimum ad Minoa venit sedesque superbas. Hunc simulac cupido conspexit lumine virgo Regia, quam suavis expirans castus odores Lectulus in molli conplexu matris alebat, Quales Eurotae progignunt flumina myrtus 90 Aurave distinctos educit verna colores, Non prius ex illo flagrantia declinavit Lumina, quam cuncto concepit corpore flammam Funditus atque imis exarsit tota medullis. Heu misere exagitans inmiti corde furores 95 Sancte puer, curis hominum qui gaudia misces, Quaeque regis Golgos quaeque Idalium frondosum, Qualibus incensam iactastis mente puellam Fluctibus in flavo saepe hospite suspirantem! Quantos illa tulit languenti corde timores! 100 Quam tum saepe magis † fulgore expalluit auri! Cum saevom cupiens contra contendere monstrum Aut mortem oppeteret Theseus aut praemia laudis. Non ingrata tamen frustra munuscula divis Promittens tacito succepit vota labello. 105 Nam velut in summo quatientem brachia Tauro Quercum aut conigeram sudanti cortice pinum Indomitum turben contorquens flamine robur Eruit (illa procul radicitus exturbata Prona cadit, late quast impetus obvia frangens), 110 Sic domito saevom prostravit corpore Theseus Nequiquam vanis iactantem cornua ventis. Inde pedem sospes multa cum laude reflexit Errabunda regens tenui vestigia filo, Ne labyrintheis e flexibus egredientem 115 Tecti frustraretur inobservabilis error. Sed quid ego a primo digressus carmine plura Conmemorem, ut linquens genitoris filia voltum, Vt consanguineae conplexum, ut denique matris, Quae misera in gnata deperdita laetabatur, 120 Omnibus his Thesei dulcem praeoptarit amorem, Aut ut vecta rati spumosa ad litora Diae Venerit, aut ut eam devinctam lumina somno Liquerit inmemori discedens pectore coniunx? Saepe illam perhibent ardenti corde furentem 125 Clarisonas imo fudisse e pectore voces, Ac tum praeruptos tristem conscendere montes, Vnde aciem in pelagi vastos protenderet aestus, Tum tremuli salis adversas procurrere in undas Mollia nudatae tollentem tegmina surae, 130 Atque haec extremis maestam dixisse querellis, Frigidulos udo singultus ore cientem. 'Sicine me patriis avectam, perfide, ab oris, Perfide, deserto liquisti in litore, Theseu? Sicine discedens neglecto numine divom 135 Inmemor a, devota domum periuria portas? Nullane res potuit crudelis flectere mentis Consilium? tibi nulla fuit clementia praesto, Inmite ut nostri vellet miserescere pectus? At non haec quondam nobis promissa dedisti, 140 Vane: mihi non haec miserae sperare iubebas, Sed conubia laeta, sed optatos hymenaeos: Quae cuncta aerii discerpunt irrita venti. Iam iam nulla viro iuranti femina credat, Nulla viri speret sermones esse fideles; 145 Quis dum aliquid cupiens animus praegestit apisci, Nil metuunt iurare, nihil promittere parcunt: Sed simulac cupidae mentis satiata libidost, Dicta nihil meminere, nihil periuria curant. Certe ego te in medio versantem turbine leti 150 Eripui, et potius germanum amittere crevi, Quam tibi fallaci supremo in tempore dessem. Pro quo dilaceranda feris dabor alitibusque Praeda, neque iniecta tumulabor mortua terra. Quaenam te genuit sola sub rupe leaena? 155 Quod mare conceptum spumantibus expuit undis? Quae Syrtis, quae Scylla rapax, quae vasta Charybdis? Talia qui reddis pro dulci praemia vita. Si tibi non cordi fuerant conubia nostra, Saeva quod horrebas prisci praecepta parentis, 160 At tamen in vostras potuisti ducere sedes, Quae tibi iocundo famularer serva labore, Candida permulcens liquidis vestigia lymphis Purpureave tuum consternens veste cubile. Sed quid ego ignaris nequiquam conqueror auris, 165 Externata malo, quae nullis sensibus auctae Nec missas audire queunt nec reddere voces? Ille autem prope iam mediis versatur in undis, Nec quisquam adparet vacua mortalis in alga. Sic nimis insultans extremo tempore saeva 170 Fors etiam nostris invidit questibus aures. Iuppiter omnipotens, utinam ne tempore primo Gnosia Cecropiae tetigissent litora puppes, Indomito nec dira ferens stipendia tauro Perfidus in Creta religasset navita funem, 175 Nec malus hic celans dulci crudelia forma Consilia in nostris requiesset sedibus hospes! Nam quo me referam? quali spe perdita nitar? Idomeneosne petam montes? a, gurgite lato Discernens ponti truculentum ubi dividit aequor? 180 An patris auxilium sperem? quemne ipsa reliqui, Respersum iuvenem fraterna caede secuta? Coniugis an fido consoler memet amore, Quine fugit lentos incurvans gurgite remos? Praeterea nullo litus, sola insula, tecto, 185 Nec patet egressus pelagi cingentibus undis: Nulla fugae ratio, nulla spes: omnia muta, Omnia sunt deserta, ostentant omnia letum. Non tamen ante mihi languescent lumina morte, Nec prius a fesso secedent corpore sensus, 190 Quam iustam a divis exposcam prodita multam, Caelestumque fidem postrema conprecer hora. Quare facta virum multantes vindice poena, Eumenides, quibus anguino redimita capillo Frons expirantis praeportat pectoris iras, 195 Huc huc adventate, meas audite querellas, Quas ego vae! misera extremis proferre medullis Cogor inops, ardens, amenti caeca furore. Quae quoniam verae nascuntur pectore ab imo, Vos nolite pati nostrum vanescere luctum, 200 Sed quali solam Theseus me mente reliquit, Tali mente, deae, funestet seque suosque.' Has postquam maesto profudit pectore voces, Supplicium saevis exposcens anxia factis, Adnuit invicto caelestum numine rector, 205 Quo motu tellus atque horrida contremuerunt Aequora concussitque micantia sidera mundus. Ipse autem caeca mentem caligine Theseus Consitus oblito dimisit pectore cuncta, Quae mandata prius constanti mente tenebat, 210 Dulcia nec maesto sustollens signa parenti Sospitem Erechtheum se ostendit visere portum. Namque ferunt olim, castae cum moenia divae Linquentem gnatum ventis concrederet Aegeus, Talia conplexum iuveni mandata dedisse. 215 'Gnate, mihi longa iocundior unice vita, 217 Reddite in extrema nuper mihi fine senectae, 216 Gnate, ego quem in dubios cogor dimittere casus, Quandoquidem fortuna mea ac tua fervida virtus Eripit invito mihi te, cui languida nondum 220 Lumina sunt gnati cara saturata figura: Non ego te gaudens laetanti pectore mittam, Nec te ferre sinam fortunae signa secundae, Sed primum multas expromam mente querellas, Canitiem terra atque infuso pulvere foedans, 225 Inde infecta vago suspendam lintea malo, Nostros ut luctus nostraeque incendia mentis Carbasus obscurata decet ferrugine Hibera. Quod tibi si sancti concesserit incola Itoni, Quae nostrum genus ac sedes defendere Erechthei 230 Adnuit, ut tauri respergas sanguine dextram, Tum vero facito ut memori tibi condita corde Haec vigeant mandata, nec ulla oblitteret aetas, Vt simulac nostros invisent lumina colles, Funestam antennae deponant undique vestem, 235 Candidaque intorti sustollant vela rudentes, 235b Lucida qua splendent summi carchesia mali, Quam primum cernens ut laeta gaudia mente Agnoscam, cum te reducem aetas prospera sistet.' Haec mandata prius constanti mente tenentem Thesea ceu pulsae ventorum flamine nubes 240 Aerium nivei montis liquere cacumen. At pater, ut summa prospectum ex arce petebat, Anxia in adsiduos absumens lumina fletus, Cum primum infecti conspexit lintea veli, Praecipitem sese scopulorum e vertice iecit, 245 Amissum credens inmiti Thesea fato. Sic funesta domus ingressus tecta paterna Morte ferox Theseus qualem Minoidi luctum Obtulerat mente inmemori talem ipse recepit. Quae tamen aspectans cedentem maesta carinam 250 Multiplices animo volvebat saucia curas. At parte ex alia florens volitabat Iacchus Cum thiaso Satyrorum et Nysigenis Silenis, Te quaerens, Ariadna, tuoque incensus amore. * * * * Quae tum alacres passim lymphata mente furebant 255 Euhoe bacchantes, euhoe capita inflectentes. Harum pars tecta quatiebant cuspide thyrsos, Pars e divolso iactabant membra iuvenco, Pars sese tortis serpentibus incingebant, Pars obscura cavis celebrabant orgia cistis, 260 Orgia, quae frustra cupiunt audire profani, Plangebant aliae proceris tympana palmis Aut tereti tenues tinnitus aere ciebant, Multis raucisonos efflabant cornua bombos Barbaraque horribili stridebat tibia cantu. 265 Talibus amplifice vestis decorata figuris Pulvinar conplexa suo velabat amictu. Quae postquam cupide spectando Thessala pubes Expletast, sanctis coepit decedere divis. Hic, qualis flatu placidum mare matutino 270 Horrificans Zephyrus proclivas incitat undas Aurora exoriente vagi sub limina Solis, Quae tarde primum clementi flamine pulsae Procedunt (leni resonant plangore cachinni), Post vento crescente magis magis increbescunt 275 Purpureaque procul nantes a luce refulgent, Sic ibi vestibuli linquentes regia tecta Ad se quisque vago passim pede discedebant. Quorum post abitum princeps e vertice Pelei Advenit Chiron portans silvestria dona: 280 Nam quoscumque ferunt campi, quos Thessala magnis Montibus ora creat, quos propter fluminis undas Aura parit flores tepidi fecunda Favoni, Hos indistinctis plexos tulit ipse corollis, Quo permulsa domus iocundo risit odore. 285 Confestim Penios adest, viridantia Tempe, Tempe, quae silvae cingunt super inpendentes, † Minosim linquens crebris celebranda choreis, Non vacuos: namque ille tulit radicitus altas Fagos ac recto proceras stipite laurus, 290 Non sine nutanti platano lentaque sorore Flammati Phaethontis et aeria cupressu. Haec circum sedes late contexta locavit, Vestibulum ut molli velatum fronde vireret. Post hunc consequitur sollerti corde Prometheus, 295 Extenuata gerens veteris vestigia poenae, Quam quondam scythicis restrictus membra catena Persolvit pendens e verticibus praeruptis. Inde pater divom sancta cum coniuge natisque Advenit caelo, te solum, Phoebe, relinquens 300 Vnigenamque simul cultricem montibus Idri: Pelea nam tecum pariter soror aspernatast Nec Thetidis taedas voluit celebrare iugalis, Qui postquam niveis flexerunt sedibus artus, Large multiplici constructae sunt dape mensae, 305 Cum interea infirmo quatientes corpora motu Veridicos Parcae coeperunt edere cantus. His corpus tremulum conplectens undique vestis Candida purpurea talos incinxerat ora, Annoso niveae residebant vertice vittae, 310 Aeternumque manus carpebant rite laborem. Laeva colum molli lana retinebat amictum, Dextera tum leviter deducens fila supinis Formabat digitis, tum prono in pollice torquens Libratum tereti versabat turbine fusum, 315 Atque ita decerpens aequabat semper opus dens, Laneaque aridulis haerebant morsa labellis, Quae prius in levi fuerant extantia filo: Ante pedes autem candentis mollia lanae Vellera virgati custodibant calathisci. 320 Haec tum clarisona pectentes vellera voce Talia divino fuderunt carmine fata, Carmine, perfidiae quod post nulla arguet aetas.

O decus eximium magnis virtutibus augens, Emathiae tutamen opis, clarissime nato, 325 Accipe, quod laeta tibi pandunt luce sorores, Veridicum oraclum. sed vos, quae fata sequuntur, Currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.

Adveniet tibi iam portans optata maritis Hesperus, adveniet fausto cum sidere coniunx, 330 Quae tibi flexanimo mentem perfundat amore Languidulosque paret tecum coniungere somnos, Levia substernens robusto brachia collo. Currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.

Nulla domus tales umquam conexit amores, 335 Nullus amor tali coniunxit foedere amantes, Qualis adest Thetidi, qualis concordia Peleo. Currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.

Nascetur vobis expers terroris Achilles, Hostibus haud tergo, sed forti pectore notus, 340 Quae persaepe vago victor certamine cursus Flammea praevertet celeris vestigia cervae. Currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.

Non illi quisquam bello se conferet heros, Cum Phrygii Teucro manabunt sanguine † tenen, 345 Troicaque obsidens longinquo moenia bello Periuri Pelopis vastabit tertius heres. Currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.

Illius egregias virtutes claraque facta Saepe fatebuntur gnatorum in funere matres, 350 Cum in cinerem canos solvent a vertice crines Putridaque infirmis variabunt pectora palmis. Currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.

Namque velut densas praecerpens cultor aristas Sole sub ardenti flaventia demetit arva, 355 Troiugenum infesto prosternet corpora ferro. Currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.

Testis erit magnis virtutibus unda Scamandri, Quae passim rapido diffunditur Hellesponto, Cuius iter caesis angustans corporum acervis 360 Alta tepefaciet permixta flumina caede. Currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.

Denique testis erit morti quoque reddita praeda, Cum terrae ex celso coacervatum aggere bustum Excipiet niveos percussae virginis artus. 365 Currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.

Nam simul ac fessis dederit fors copiam Achivis Vrbis Dardaniae Neptunia solvere vincla, Alta Polyxenia madefient caede sepulcra, Quae, velut ancipiti succumbens victima ferro, 370 Proiciet truncum submisso poplite corpus. Currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.

Quare agite optatos animi coniungite amores. Accipiat coniunx felici foedere divam, Dedatur cupido iandudum nupta marito. 375 Currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.

Non illam nutrix orienti luce revisens Hesterno collum poterit circumdare filo, [Currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi] Anxia nec mater discordis maesta puellae 380 Secubitu caros mittet sperare nepotes. Currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.

Talia praefantes quondam felicia Pelei Carmina divino cecinerunt pectore Parcae. Praesentes namque ante domos invisere castas 385 Heroum et sese mortali ostendere coetu Caelicolae nondum spreta pietate solebant. Saepe pater divom templo in fulgente residens, Annua cum festis venissent sacra diebus, Conspexit terra centum procumbere tauros. 390 Saepe vagus Liber Parnasi vertice summo Thyiadas effusis euhantes crinibus egit. * * * * Cum Delphi tota certatim ex urbe ruentes Acciperent laeti divom fumantibus aris. Saepe in letifero belli certamine Mavors 395 Aut rapidi Tritonis era aut Rhamnusia virgo Armatas hominumst praesens hortata catervas. Sed postquam tellus scelerest imbuta nefando, Iustitiamque omnes cupida de mente fugarunt, Perfudere manus fraterno sanguine fratres, 400 Destitit extinctos natus lugere parentes, Optavit genitor primaevi funera nati, Liber ut innuptae poteretur flore novercae, Ignaro mater substernens se inpia nato Inpia non veritast divos scelerare penates: 405 Omnia fanda nefanda malo permixta furore Iustificam nobis mentem avertere deorum. Quare nec tales dignantur visere coetus, Nec se contingi patiuntur lumine claro.

Pine-trees gendered whilòme upon soaring Peliac summit Swam (as the tale is told) through liquid surges of Neptune Far as the Phasis-flood and frontier-land Æëtéan; Whenas the youths elect, of Argive vigour the oak-heart, 5 Longing the Golden Fleece of the Colchis-region to harry, Dared in a poop swift-paced to span salt seas and their shallows, Sweeping the deep blue seas with sweeps a-carven of fir-wood. She, that governing Goddess of citadels crowning the cities, Builded herself their car fast-flitting with lightest of breezes, 10 Weaving plants of the pine conjoined in curve of the kelson; Foremost of all to imbue rude Amphitrité with ship-lore. Soon as her beak had burst through wind-rackt spaces of ocean, While th'oar-tortured wave with spumy whiteness was blanching, Surged from the deep abyss and hoar-capped billows the faces 15 Seaborn, Nereids eyeing the prodigy wonder-smitten. There too mortal orbs through softened spendours regarded Ocean-nymphs who exposed bodies denuded of raiment Bare to the breast upthrust from hoar froth capping the sea-depths. Then Thetis Péleus fired (men say) a-sudden with love-lowe, 20 Then Thetis nowise spurned to mate and marry wi' mortal, Then Thetis' Sire himself her yoke with Peleus sanctioned. Oh, in those happier days now fondly yearned-for, ye heroes Born; (all hail!) of the Gods begotten, and excellent issue Bred by your mothers, all hail! and placid deal me your favour. Oft wi' the sound of me, in strains and spells I'll invoke you; 25 Thee too by wedding-torch so happily, highly augmented, Peleus, Thessaly's ward, whomunto Jupiter's self deigned Yield of the freest gree his loves though gotten of Godheads. Thee Thetis, fairest of maids Nereian, vouchsafed to marry? Thee did Tethys empower to woo and wed with her grandchild; 30 Nor less Oceanus, with water compassing th' Earth-globe? But when ended the term, and wisht-for light of the day-tide Uprose, flocks to the house in concourse mighty convenèd, Thessaly all, with glad assembly the Palace fulfilling: Presents afore they bring, and joy in faces declare they. 35 Scyros desert abides: they quit Phthiotican Tempe, Homesteads of Crannon-town, eke bulwarkt walls of Larissa; Meeting at Pharsálus, and roof Pharsálian seeking. None will the fields now till; soft wax all necks of the oxen, Never the humble vine is purged by curve of the rake-tooth, 41 Never a pruner's hook thins out the shade of the tree-tufts, 40 Never a bull up-plows broad glebe with bend of the coulter, Over whose point unuse displays the squalor of rust-stain. But in the homestead's heart, where'er that opulent palace Hides a retreat, all shines with splendour of gold and of silver. 45 Ivory blanches the seats, bright gleam the flagons a-table, All of the mansion joys in royal riches and grandeur. But for the Diva's use bestrewn is the genial bedstead, Hidden in midmost stead, and its polisht framework of Indian Tusk underlies its cloth empurpled by juice of the dye-shell. 50 This be a figured cloth with forms of manhood primeval Showing by marvel-art the gifts and graces of heroes. Here upon Dia's strand wave-resonant, ever-regarding Theseus borne from sight outside by fleet of the fleetest, Stands Ariadne with heart full-filled with furies unbated, 55 Nor can her sense as yet believe she 'spies the espied, When like one that awakes new roused from slumber deceptive, Sees she her hapless self lone left on loneliest sandbank: While as the mindless youth with oars disturbeth the shallows, Casts to the windy storms what vows he vainly had vowèd. 60 Him through the sedges afar the sad-eyed maiden of Minos, Likest a Bacchant-girl stone-carven, (O her sorrow!) 'Spies, a-tossing the while on sorest billows of love-care. Now no more on her blood-hued hair fine fillets retains she, No more now light veil conceals her bosom erst hidden, 65 Now no more smooth zone contains her milky-hued paplets: All gear dropping adown from every part of her person Thrown, lie fronting her feet to the briny wavelets a sea-toy. But at such now no more of her veil or her fillet a-floating Had she regard: on thee, O Theseus! all of her heart-strength, 70 All of her sprite, her mind, forlorn, were evermore hanging. Ah, sad soul, by grief and grievance driven beside thee, Sowed Erycína first those brambly cares in thy bosom, What while issuing fierce with will enstarkenèd, Theseus Forth from the bow-bent shore Piræan putting a-seawards 75 Reacht the Gortynian roofs where dwelt th' injurious Monarch. For 'twas told of yore how forced by pestilence cruel, Eke as a blood rite due for th' Androgéonian murthur, Many a chosen youth and the bloom of damsels unmarried Food for the Minotaur, Cecropia was wont to befurnish. 80 Seeing his narrow walls in such wise vexed with evils, Theseus of freest will for dear-loved Athens his body Offered a victim so that no more to Crete be deported Lives by Cecropia doomed to burials burying nowise; Then with a swifty ship and soft breathed breezes a-stirring, 85 Sought he Minos the Haughty where homed in proudest of Mansions. Him as with yearning glance forthright espièd the royal Maiden, whom pure chaste couch aspiring delicate odours Cherisht, in soft embrace of a mother comforted all-whiles, (E'en as the myrtles begot by the flowing floods of Eurotas, 90 Or as the tincts distinct brought forth by breath of the springtide) Never the burning lights of her eyes from gazing upon him Turned she, before fierce flame in all her body conceived she Down in its deepest depths and burning amiddle her marrow. Ah, with unmitigate heart exciting wretchedmost furies, 95 Thou, Boy sacrosanct! man's grief and gladness commingling, Thou too of Golgos Queen and Lady of leafy Idalium, Whelm'd ye in what manner waves that maiden phantasy-firèd, All for a blond-haired youth suspiring many a singulf! Whiles how dire was the dread she dreed in languishing heart-strings; 100 How yet more, ever more, with golden splendour she palèd! Whenas yearning to mate his might wi' the furious monster Theseus braved his death or sought the prizes of praises. Then of her gifts to gods not ingrate, nor profiting naught, Promise with silent lip, addressed she timidly vowing. 105 For as an oak that shakes on topmost summit of Taurus Its boughs, or cone-growing pine from bole bark resin exuding, Whirlwind of passing might that twists the stems with its storm-blasts, Uproots, deracinates, forthright its trunk to the farthest, Prone falls, shattering wide what lies in line of its downfall,— 110 Thus was that wildling flung by Theseus and vanquisht of body, Vainly tossing its horns and goring the wind to no purpose. Thence with abounding praise returned he, guiding his footsteps, Whiles did a fine drawn thread check steps in wander abounding, Lest when issuing forth of the winding maze labyrinthine 115 Baffled become his track by inobservable error. But for what cause should I, from early subject digressing, Tell of the daughter who the face of her sire unseeing, Eke her sister's embrace nor less her mother's endearments, Who in despair bewept her hapless child that so gladly 120 Chose before every and each the lively wooing of Theseus? Or how borne by the ship to the yeasting shore-line of Dia Came she? or how when bound her eyes in bondage of slumber Left her that chosen mate with mind unmindful departing? Often (they tell) with heart inflamed by fiery fury 125 Poured she shrilling of shrieks from deepest depths of her bosom; Now she would sadly scale the broken faces of mountains, Whence she might overglance the boundless boiling of billows, Then she would rush to bestem the salt-plain's quivering wavelet And from her ankles bare the dainty garment uplifting, 130 Spake she these words ('tis said) from sorrow's deepest abysses, Whiles from her tear-drencht face outburst cold shivering singulfs. "Thus fro' my patrial shore, O traitor, hurried to exile, Me on a lonely strand hast left, perfidious Theseus? Thus wise farest, despite the godhead of Deities spurned, 135 (Reckless, alas!) to thy home convoying perjury-curses? Naught, then, ever availed that mind of cruelest counsel Alter? No saving grace in thee was evermore ready, That to have pity on me vouchsafed thy pitiless bosom? Natheless not in past time such were the promises wordy 140 Lavishèd; nor such hopes to me the hapless were bidden; But the glad married joys, the longed-for pleasures of wedlock. All now empty and vain, by breath of the breezes bescattered! Now, let woman no more trust her to man when he sweareth, Ne'er let her hope to find or truth or faith in his pleadings, 145 Who whenas lustful thought forelooks to somewhat attaining, Never an oath they fear, shall spare no promise to promise. Yet no sooner they sate all lewdness and lecherous fancy, Nothing remember of words and reck they naught of fore-swearing. Certès, thee did I snatch from midmost whirlpool of ruin 150 Deadly, and held it cheap loss of a brother to suffer Rather than fail thy need (O false!) at hour the supremest. Therefor my limbs are doomed to be torn of birds, and of ferals Prey, nor shall upheapt Earth afford a grave to my body. Say me, what lioness bare thee 'neath lone rock of the desert? 155 What sea spued thee conceived from out the spume of his surges! What manner Syrt, what ravening Scylla, what vasty Charybdis? Thou who for sweet life saved such meeds art lief of returning! If never willed thy breast with me to mate thee in marriage, Hating the savage law decreed by primitive parent, 160 Still of your competence 'twas within your household to home me, Where I might serve as slave in gladsome service familiar, Laving thy snow-white feet in clearest chrystalline waters Or with its purpling gear thy couch in company strewing. Yet for what cause should I 'plain in vain to the winds that unknow me, 165 (I so beside me with grief!) which ne'er of senses enduèd Hear not the words sent forth nor aught avail they to answer? Now be his course well-nigh engaged in midway of ocean, Nor any mortal shape appears in barrens of seawrack. Thus at the latest hour with insults over-sufficient 170 E'en to my plaints fere Fate begrudges ears that would hear me. Jupiter! Lord of All-might, Oh would in days that are bygone Ne'er had Cecropian poops toucht ground at Gnossian foreshore, Nor to th' unconquered Bull that tribute direful conveying Had the false Seaman bound to Cretan island his hawser, 175 Nor had yon evil wight, 'neath shape the softest hard purpose Hiding, enjoyed repose within our mansion beguested! Whither can wend I now? What hope lends help to the lost one? Idomenéan mounts shall I scale? Ah, parted by whirlpools Widest, yon truculent main where yields it power of passage? 180 Aid of my sire can I crave? Whom I willing abandoned, Treading in tracks of a youth bewrayed with blood of a brother! Can I console my soul wi' the helpful love of a helpmate Who flies me with pliant oars, flies overbounding the sea-depths? Nay, an this Coast I quit, this lone isle lends me no roof-tree, 185 Nor aught issue allows begirt by billows of Ocean: Nowhere is path for flight: none hope shows: all things are silent: All be a desolate waste: all makes display of destruction. Yet never close these eyne in latest languor of dying, Ne'er from my wearied frame go forth slow-ebbing my senses, 190 Ere from the Gods just doom implore I, treason-betrayed, And with my breath supreme firm faith of Celestials invoke I. Therefore, O ye who 'venge man's deed with penalties direful, Eumenides! aye wont to bind with viperous hair-locks Foreheads,—Oh, deign outspeak fierce wrath from bosom outbreathing, 195 Hither, Oh hither, speed, and lend ye all ear to my grievance, Which now sad I (alas!) outpour from innermost vitals Maugre my will, sans help, blind, fired with furious madness. And, as indeed all spring from veriest core of my bosom, Suffer ye not the cause of grief and woe to evanish; 200 But wi' the Will wherewith could Theseus leave me in loneness, Goddesses! bid that Will lead him, lead his, to destruction." E'en as she thus poured forth these words from anguish of bosom, And for this cruel deed, distracted, sued she for vengeance, Nodded the Ruler of Gods Celestial, matchless of All-might, 205 When at the gest earth-plain and horrid spaces of ocean Trembled, and every sphere rockt stars and planets resplendent. Meanwhile Theseus himself, obscured in blindness of darkness As to his mind, dismiss'd from breast oblivious all things Erewhile enjoined and held hereto in memory constant, 210 Nor for his saddened sire the gladness-signals uphoisting Heralded safe return within sight of the Erechthean harbour. For 'twas told of yore, when from walls of the Virginal Deëss Ægeus speeding his son, to the care of breezes committed, Thus with a last embrace to the youth spake words of commandment: 215 "Son! far nearer my heart (sole thou) than life of the longest, Son, I perforce dismiss to doubtful, dangerous chances, Lately restored to me when eld draws nearest his ending, Sithence such fortune in me, and in thee such boiling of valour Tear thee away from me so loath, whose eyne in their languor 220 Never are sated with sight of my son, all-dearest of figures. Nor will I send thee forth with joy that gladdens my bosom, Nor will I suffer thee show boon signs of favouring Fortune, But fro' my soul I'll first express an issue of sorrow, Soiling my hoary hairs with dust and ashes commingled; 225 Then will I hang stained sails fast-made to the wavering yard-arms, So shall our mourning thought and burning torture of spirit Show by the dark sombre-dye of Iberian canvas spread. But, an grant me the grace Who dwells in Sacred Itone, (And our issue to guard and ward the seats of Erechtheus 230 Sware She) that be thy right besprent with blood of the Man-Bull, Then do thou so-wise act, and storèd in memory's heart-core Dwell these mandates of me, no time their traces untracing. Dip, when first shall arise our hills to gladden thy eye-glance, Down from thine every mast th'ill-omened vestments of mourning, 235 Then let the twisten ropes upheave the whitest of canvas, 235b Wherewith splendid shall gleam the tallest spars of the top-mast, These seeing sans delay with joy exalting my spirit Well shall I wot boon Time sets thee returning before me." Such were the mandates which stored at first in memory constant Faded from Theseus' mind like mists, compelled by the whirlwind, 240 Fleet from äerial crests of mountains hoary with snow-drifts. But as the sire had sought the citadel's summit for outlook, Wasting his anxious eyes with tear-floods evermore flowing, Forthright e'en as he saw the sail-gear darkened with dye-stain, Headlong himself flung he from the sea-cliff's pinnacled summit 245 Holding his Theseus lost by doom of pitiless Fortune. Thus as he came to the home funest, his roof-tree paternal, Theseus (vaunting the death), what dule to the maiden of Minos Dealt with unminding mind so dree'd he similar dolour. She too gazing in grief at the kelson vanishing slowly, 250 Self-wrapt, manifold cares revolved, in spirit perturbèd.

But fro' the further side came flitting bright-faced Iacchus Girded by Satyr-crew and Nysa-rearèd Sileni Burning wi' love unto thee (Ariadne!) and greeting thy presence. * * * * Who flocking eager to fray did rave with infuriate spirit, 255 "Evoë" phrensying loud, with heads at "Evoë" rolling. Brandisht some of the maids their thyrsi sheathèd of spear-point, Some snatcht limbs and joints of sturlings rended to pieces, These girt necks and waists with writhing bodies of vipers, Those wi' the gear enwombed in crates dark orgies ordainèd— 260 Orgies that ears prophane must vainly lust for o'er hearing— Others with palms on high smote hurried strokes on the cymbal, Or from the polisht brass woke thin-toned tinkling music, While from the many there boomed and blared hoarse blast of the horn-trump, And with its horrid skirl loud shrilled the barbarous bag-pipe, 265 Showing such varied forms, that richly-decorate couch-cloth Folded in strait embrace the bedding drapery-veilèd. This when the Théssalan youths had eyed with eager inspection Fulfilled, place they began to provide for venerate Godheads, Even as Zephyrus' breath, seas couching placid at dawn-tide, 270 Roughens, then stings and spurs the wavelets slantingly fretted— Rising Aurora the while 'neath Sol the wanderer's threshold— Tardy at first they flow by the clement breathing of breezes Urgèd, and echo the shores with soft-toned ripples of laughter, But as the winds wax high so waves wax higher and higher, 275 Flashing and floating afar to outswim morn's purpurine splendours,— So did the crowd fare forth, the royal vestibule leaving, And to their house each wight with vaguing paces departed. After their wending, the first, foremost from Pelion's summit, Chiron came to the front with woodland presents surchargèd: 280 Whatso of blooms and flowers bring forth Thessalian uplands Mighty with mountain crests, whate'er of riverine lea flowers Reareth Favonius' air, bud-breeding, tepidly breathing, All in his hands brought he, unseparate in woven garlands, Whereat laughèd the house as soothed by pleasure of perfume. 285 Presently Péneus appears, deserting verdurous Tempe— Tempe girt by her belts of greenwood ever impending, Left for the Mamonides with frequent dances to worship— Nor is he empty of hand, for bears he tallest of beeches Deracinate, and bays with straight boles lofty and stately, 290 Not without nodding plane-tree nor less the flexible sister Fire-slain Phaëton left, and not without cypresses airy. These in a line wide-broke set he, the Mansion surrounding, So by the soft leaves screened, the porch might flourish in verdure. Follows hard on his track with active spirit Prometheus, 295 Bearing extenuate sign of penalties suffer'd in bygones. Paid erewhiles what time fast-bound as to every member, Hung he in carkanet slung from the Scythian rock-tor. Last did the Father of Gods with his sacred spouse and his offspring, Proud from the Heavens proceed, thee leaving (Phœbus) in loneness, 300 Lone wi' thy sister twin who haunteth mountains of Idrus: For that the Virgin spurned as thou the person of Peleus, Nor Thetis' nuptial torch would greet by act of her presence. When they had leaned their limbs upon snowy benches reposing, Tables largely arranged with various viands were garnisht. 305 But, ere opened the feast, with infirm gesture their semblance Shaking, the Parcae fell to chaunting veridique verses. Robed were their tremulous frames all o'er in muffle of garments Bright-white, purple of hem enfolding heels in its edges; Snowy the fillets that bound heads agèd by many a year-tide, 310 And, as their wont aye was, their hands plied labour unceasing. Each in her left upheld with soft fleece clothèd a distaff, Then did the right that drew forth thread with upturn of fingers Gently fashion the yarn which deftly twisted by thumb-ball Speeded the spindle poised by thread-whorl perfect of polish; 315 Thus as the work was wrought, the lengths were trimmed wi' the fore-teeth, While to their thin, dry lips stuck wool-flecks severed by biting, Which at the first outstood from yarn-hanks evenly fine-drawn. Still at their feet in front soft fleece-flecks white as the snow-flake Lay in the trusty guard of wickers woven in withies. 320 Always a-carding the wool, with clear-toned voices resounding Told they such lots as these in song divinely directed, Chaunts which none after-time shall 'stablish falsehood-convicted.