Allyson Stevens
LTN201
Apuleius, Metamorphoses 1.1
Allyson Stevens /
- Created on 2018-09-07 18:05:25
- Modified on 2018-12-17 17:33:40
- Translated by A.S Kline
- Aligned by Allyson Stevens
Latin
English
At ego tibi sermone isto Milesio varias fabulas conseram auresque tuas benivolas lepido susurro permulceam , modo si papyrum Aegyptiam argutia Nilotici calami inscriptam non spreveris inspicere , figuras fortunasque hominum in alias imagines conversas et in se rursum mutuo nexu refectas , ut mireris . Exordior . Quis ille ? Paucis accipe . Hymettos Attica et Isthmos Ephyraea et Taenaros Spartiaca , glebae felices aeternum libris felicioribus conditae , mea vetus prosapia est : ibi linguam Attidem primis pueritiae stipendiis merui . Mox in urbe Latia advena studiorum , Quiritium indigenam sermonem aerumnabili labore , nullo magistro praeeunte , aggressus excolui . En ecce praefamur veniam , si quid exotici ac forensis sermonis rudis locutor offendero . Iam haec equidem ipsa vocis immutatio desultoriae scientiae stilo quem accessimus respondet . Fabulam Graecanicam incipimus : lector intende ; laetaberis .
Now
!
I’d
like
to
string
together
various
tales
in
the
Milesian
style
,
and
charm
your
kindly
ear
with
seductive
murmurs
,
so
long
as
you’re
ready
to
be
amazed
at
human
forms
and
fortunes
changed
radically
and
then
restored
in
turn
in
mutual
exchange
,
and
don’t
object
to
reading
Egyptian
papyri
,
inscribed
by
a
sly
reed
from
the
Nile
.
I’ll
begin
.
Who
am
I
?
I’ll
tell
you
briefly
.
Hymettus
near
Athens
;
the
Isthmus
of
Corinth
;
and
Spartan
Mount
Taenarus
,
happy
soil
more
happily
buried
forever
in
other
books
,
that’s
my
lineage
.
There
as
a
lad
I
served
in
my
first
campaigns
with
the
Greek
tongue
.
Later
,
in
Rome
,
freshly
come
to
Latin
studies
I
assumed
and
cultivated
the
native
language
,
without
a
teacher
,
and
with
a
heap
of
pains
.
So
there
!
I
beg
your
indulgence
in
advance
if
as
a
crude
performer
in
the
exotic
speech
of
the
Forum
I
offend
.
And
in
truth
the
very
fact
of
a
change
of
voice
will
answer
like
a
circus
rider’s
skill
when
needed
.
We’re
about
to
embark
on
a
Greek
tale
.
Reader
,
attend
:
and
find
delight
.
Metamorphosis 4.28
Allyson Stevens /
- Created on 2018-09-24 18:08:45
- Modified on 2018-12-07 23:09:09
- Aligned by Allyson Stevens
Latin
English
Erant in quadam civitate rex et regina : hi tres numero filias forma conspicuas habuere , sed maiores quidem natu , quamvis gratissima specie , idonee tamen celebrari posse laudibus humanis credebantur . at vero puellae iunioris tam praecipua , tam praeclara pulchritudo nec exprimi ac ne sufficienter quidem laudari sermonis humani penuria poterat . Multi denique civium et advenae copiosi , quos eximii spectaculi rumor studiosa celebritate congregabat , inaccessae formositatis admiratione stupidi et admoventes oribus suis dexteram priore digito in erectum pollicem residente ut ipsam prorsus deam Venerem venerabantur religiosis adorationibus . Iamque proximas civitates et attiguas regiones fama pervaserat deam , quam caerulum profundum pelagi peperit et ros spumantium fluctuum educavit , iam numinis sui passim tributa venia in mediis conversari populi coetibus , vel certe rursum novo caelestium stillarum germine non maria , sed terras Venerem aliam , virginali flore praeditam , pullulasse .
In
a
certain
city
there
lived
a
king
and
queen
,
who
had
three
daughters
of
surpassing
beauty
.
Though
the
elder
two
were
extremely
pleasing
,
still
it
was
thought
they
were
only
worthy
of
mortal
praise
;
but
the
youngest
girl’s
looks
were
so
delightful
,
so
dazzling
,
no
human
speech
in
its
poverty
could
celebrate
them
,
or
even
rise
to
adequate
description
.
Crowds
of
eager
citizens
,
and
visitors
alike
,
drawn
by
tales
of
this
peerless
vision
,
stood
dumbfounded
,
marvelling
at
her
exceptional
loveliness
,
pressing
thumb
and
forefinger
together
and
touching
them
to
their
lips
,
and
bowing
their
heads
towards
her
in
pious
prayer
as
if
she
were
truly
the
goddess
Venus
.
Soon
the
news
spread
through
neighbouring
cities
,
and
the
lands
beyond
its
borders
,
that
the
goddess
herself
,
born
from
the
blue
depths
of
the
sea
,
emerging
in
spray
from
the
foaming
waves
,
was
now
gracing
the
earth
in
various
places
,
appearing
in
many
a
mortal
gathering
or
,
if
not
that
,
then
earth
not
ocean
had
given
rise
to
a
new
creation
,
a
new
celestial
emanation
,
another
Venus
,
and
as
yet
a
virgin
flower
.
Metamorphoses 4.29
Allyson Stevens /
- Created on 2018-09-29 15:13:31
- Modified on 2018-12-07 23:21:35
- Aligned by Allyson Stevens
Latin
English
Sic immensum procedit in dies opinio , sic insulas iam proxumas et terrae plusculum provinciasque plurimas fama porrecta pervagatur : iam multi mortalium longis itineribus atque altissimis maris meatibus ad saeculi specimen gloriosum confluebant : Paphon nemo , Cnidon nemo ac ne ipsa quidem Cythera ad conspectum deae Veneris navigabant . Sacra differuntur , templa deformantur , pulvinaria proteruntur , caerimoniae negleguntur ; incoronata simulacra et arae viduae frigido cinere foedatae . Puellae supplicatur , et in humanis vultibus deae tantae numina placantur , et in matutino progressu virginis victimis et epulis Veneris absentis nomen propitiatur , iamque per plateas commeantem populi frequentes floribus sertis et solutis apprecantur . Haec honorum caelestium ad puellae mortalis : cultum immodica translatio verae Veneris vehementer incendit animos , et impatiens indignationis capite quassanti fremens altius , sic secum disserit :
So
daily
more
and
more
increased
this
opinion
,
and
now
was
her
flying
fame
dispersed
into
the
next
islands
and
well
nigh
into
every
part
and
province
of
the
whole
world
.
Whereupon
innumerable
strangers
resorted
from
far
countries
,
adventuring
themselves
by
long
journeys
on
land
and
by
great
travels
on
water
,
to
behold
this
wonder
of
the
age
.
By
occasion
whereof
such
a
contempt
grew
towards
the
goddess
Venus
,
that
no
person
travelled
unto
the
town
Paphos
nor
unto
Cnidos
,
no
nor
to
the
isle
Cythera
to
worship
her
.
Her
liturgies
were
left
out
,
her
temples
defaced
,
her
couches
contemned
,
her
ceremonies
neglected
,
and
her
bare
altars
unswept
and
foul
with
the
ashes
of
old
burnt
sacrifice
.
For
why
,
every
person
honoured
and
worshipped
this
maiden
instead
of
Venus
,
calling
upon
the
divinity
of
that
great
goddess
in
a
human
form
,
and
in
the
morning
at
her
first
coming
abroad
,
offered
unto
her
oblations
,
provided
banquets
,
called
her
by
the
name
of
Venus
which
was
not
Venus
indeed
,
and
in
her
honour
,
as
she
walked
in
the
streets
,
presented
flowers
and
garlands
in
most
reverent
fashion
.
This
sudden
change
and
alteration
of
celestial
honour
unto
the
worship
of
a
mortal
maiden
did
greatly
inflame
and
kindle
the
mind
of
very
Venus
,
who
(
unable
to
temper
her
head
in
raging
sort
)
reasoned
with
herself
in
this
manner
:
Metamorphosis 4.30
Allyson Stevens /
- Created on 2018-10-03 20:49:24
- Modified on 2018-12-07 23:24:46
- Aligned by Allyson Stevens
Latin
English
' En rerum naturae prisca parens , en elementorum origo initialis , en orbis totius alma Venus , quae cum mortali puella partiario maiestatis honore tractor et nomen meum caelo conditum terrenis sordibus profanatur ! Nimirum communi numinis piamento vicariae venerationis incertum sustinebo , et imaginem meam circumferet puella moritura . Frustra me pastor ille , cuius iustitiam fidemque magnus comprobavit Iupiter , ob eximiam speciem tantis praetulit deabus . Sed non adeo gaudens ista , quaecumque est , meos honores usurpaverit : iam faxo eam huius etiam ipsius illicitae formositatis paeniteat ' . Et vocat confestim puerum suum pinnatum illum et satis temerarium , qui malis suis moribus contempta disciplina publica , flammis et sagittis armatus per alienas domos nocte discurrens et omnium matrimonia corrumpens impune committit tanta flagitia , et nihil prorsus boni facit .
'
Behold
I
,
the
original
of
nature
,
the
first
beginning
of
all
the
elements
,
behold
I
,
the
Lady
Venus
of
all
the
world
,
am
now
joined
with
a
mortal
maiden
as
a
partaker
of
my
honour
;
my
name
,
registered
in
the
city
of
heaven
,
is
profaned
and
made
vile
by
terrene
absurdities
.
If
I
shall
suffer
any
mortal
creature
to
present
my
majesty
in
earth
,
and
must
be
content
with
sharing
the
godhead
and
receiving
worship
through
other
,
or
that
any
girl
that
one
day
is
to
die
shall
bear
about
a
false
surmised
shape
of
my
person
,
then
in
vain
did
Paris
that
shepherd
(
in
whose
just
judgement
and
confidence
the
great
Jupiter
had
affiance
)
prefer
me
above
the
other
great
goddesses
for
the
excellency
of
my
beauty
:
but
she
,
whatsoever
she
be
,
shall
not
for
nought
have
usurped
mine
honour
,
but
she
shall
shortly
repent
her
of
her
unlawful
loveliness
'
.
Then
by
and
by
she
called
her
winged
son
Cupid
,
rash
enough
and
hardy
,
who
by
his
evil
manners
,
contemning
all
public
justice
and
law
,
armed
with
fire
and
arrows
,
running
up
and
down
in
the
nights
from
house
to
house
,
and
corrupting
the
lawful
marriages
of
every
person
,
doth
nothing
(
and
yet
he
is
not
punished
)
but
that
which
is
evil
.
Metamorphoses 11.1-11.6
Allyson Stevens /
- Created on 2018-10-10 21:55:02
- Modified on 2018-11-25 22:17:55
- Aligned by Allyson Stevens
Latin
English
English
Circa primam ferme noctis vigiliam , experrectus pavore subito , video praemicantis lunae candore nimio completum orbem commodum marinis emergentem fluctibus , nanctusque opacae noctis silentiosa secreta , certus etiam summatem deam praecipua maiestate pollere resque prorsus humanas ipsius regi providentia , nec tantum pecuina et ferina , verum inanima etiam divino eius luminis numinisque nutu vegetari , ipsa etiam corpora terra caelo marique nunc incrementis consequenter augeri , nunc detrimentis obsequenter imminui , fato scilicet iam meis tot tantisque cladibus satiato et spem salutis , licet tardam , subministrante , augustum specimen deae praesentis statui deprecari , confestimque discussa pigra quiete alacer exsurgo meque protinus purificandi studio marino lavacro trado , septiesque submerso fluctibus capite , quod eum numerum praecipue religionibus aptissimum divinus ille Pythagoras prodidit , laetus et alacer deam praepotentem lacrimoso vultu sic apprecabar :
Regina caeli , sive tu Ceres alma frugum parens originalis , quae , repertu laetata filiae , vetustae glandis ferino remoto pabulo , miti commonstrato cibo , nunc Eleusiniam glebam percolis ; seu tu caelestis Venus , quae primis rerum exordiis sexuum diversitatem generato amore sociasti et aeterna subole humano genere propagato nunc circumfluo Paphi sacrario coleris ; seu Phoebi soror , quae partu fetarum medelis lenientibus recreato populos tantos educasti praeclarisque nunc veneraris delubris Ephesi ; seu nocturnis ululatibus horrenda Proserpina triformi facie larvales impetus comprimens terraeque claustra cohibens , lucos diversos inerrans vario cultu propitiaris : ista luce feminea collustrans cuncta moenia et udis ignibus nutriens laeta semina et solis ambagibus dispensans incerta lumina—quoquo nomine , quoquo ritu , quaqua facie te fas est invocare : tu meis iam nunc extremis aerumnis subsiste , tu fortunam collapsam affirma , tu saevis exanclatis casibus pausam pacemque tribue ; sit satis laborum , sit satis periculorum . Depelle quadripedis diram faciem , redde me conspectui meorum , redde me meo Lucio : ae si quod offensum numen inexorabili me saevitia premit , mori saltem liceat , si non licet vivere .
Ad istum modum fusis precibus et adstructis miseris lamentationibus , rursus mihi marcentem animum in eodem illo cubili sopor circumfusus oppressit . Necdum satis conniveram , et ecce pelago medio venerandos diis etiam vultus attollens emergit divina facies : ae dehinc paulatim toto corpore pellucidum simulacrum excusso pelago ante me constitisse visum est . Eius mirandam speciem ad vos etiam referre conitar , si tamen mihi disserendi tribuerit facultatem paupertas oris humani , vel ipsum numen eius dapsilem copiam elocutilis facundiae subministraverit . Iam primum crines uberrimi prolixique et sensim intorti per divina colla passive dispersi molliter defluebant . Corona multiformis variis floribus sublimem destrinxerat verticem , cuius media quidem super frontem plana rotunditas in modum speculi vel immo argumentum lunae candidum lumen emicabat , dextra laevaque sulcis insurgentium viperarum cohibita , spicis etiam Cerialibus desuper porrectis Vestis multicolor bysso tenui pertexta , nunc albo candore lucida , nune croceo flore lutea , nune roseo rubore flammida , et , quae longe longeque etiam meum confutabat obtutum , palla nigerrima splendescens atro nitore , quae circumcirca remeans et sub dexterum latus ad numerum laevum recurrens umbonis vicem deiecta parte laciniae multiplici contabulatione dependula ad ultimas oras nodulis fimbriarum decoriter confluctuabat .
Per intextam extremitatem et in ipsa eius planitie stellae dispersae coruscabant , earumque media semenstris luna flammeos spirabat ignes : quaqua tamen insignis illius pallae perfluebat ambitus , individuo nexu corona totis floribus totisque constructa pomis adhaerebat . Iam gestamina longe diversa : nam dextra quidem ferebat aereum crepitaculum , cuius per angustam laminam in modum baltei recurvatam traiectae mediae paucae virgulae , crispante brachio trigeminos iactus , reddebant argutum sonorem ; laevae vero cymbium dependebat aureum , cuius ansulae , qua parte conspicua est , insurgebat aspis caput extollens arduum , cervicibus late tumescentibus . Pedes ambroseos tegebant soleae palmae victricis foliis intextae . Talis ac tanta , spirans Arabiae felicia germina , divina me voce dignata est :
En adsum tuis commota , Luci , precibus , rerum naturae parens , elementorum omnium domina , saeculorum progenies initialis , summa numinum , regina manium , prima caelitum , deorum dearumque facies uniformis , quae caeli luminosa culmina , maris salubria flamina , inferum deplorata silentia nutibus meis dispenso : cuius numen unicum multiformi specie , ritu vario , nomine multiiugo totus veneratur orbis . Inde primigenii Phryges Pessinuntiam deum Matrem , hinc autochthones Attici Cecropeiam Minervam , illinc fluctuantes Cyprii Paphiam Venerem , Cretes sagittiferi Dictynnam Dianam , Siculi trilingues Stygiam Proserpinam , Eleusini vetustam deam Cererem , Iunonem alii , Bellonam alii , Hecatam isti , Rhamnusiam illi , et qui nascentis dei solis inchoantibus illustrantur radiis Aethiopes utrique priscaque doctrina pollentes Aegyptii , caerimoniis me propriis percolentes , appellant vero nomine reginam Isidem . Adsum tuos miserata casus , adsum favens et propitia . Mitte iam fletus et lamentationes omitte , depelle maerorem : iam tibi providentia mea illucescit dies salutaris . Ergo igitur imperiis istis meis animum intende sollicitum . Diem , qui dies ex ista nocte nascetur , aeterna mihi nuncupavit religio , quo , sedatis hibernis tempestatibus et lenitis maris procellosis fluctibus , navigabili iam pelago rudem dedicantes carinam primitias commeatus libant» mei sacerdotes : id sacrum nec sollicita nec profana !
mente debebis opperiri . Nam meo monitu sacerdos in ipso procinctu pompae roseam manu dextera sistro cohaerentem gestabit coronam . Incunctanter ergo dimotis turbulis alacer continuare pompam , mea volentia fretus , et de proxumo clementer velut manum sacerdotis osculabundus rosis decerptis pessimae mihique destabilis iamdudum beluae istius corio te protinus exue . Nec quicquam rerum mearum reformides ut arduum : nam hoc eodem momento quo tibi venio , simul et ibi praesens quae sunt sequentia sacerdoti meo per quietem facienda praecipio . Meo iussu tibi constricti comitatus decedent populi ; nec inter hilares caerimonias et festiva spectacula quisquam deformem istam quam geris faciem perhorrescet , vel figuram tuam repente mutatam sequius interpretatus aliquis maligne criminabitur . Plane memineris et penita mente conditum semper tenebis mihi reliqua vitae tuae curricula ad usque terminos ultimi spiritus vadata ; nec iniurium , cuius beneficio rediens ad homines , ei totum debere quod vives . Vives autem beatus , vives in mea tutela gloriosus ; et cum spatium saeculi tui permensus ad inferos demearis , ibi quoque in ipso subterraneo semirotundo me , quam vides Acherontis tenebris interlucentem Stygiisque penetralibus regnantem , campos Elysios incolens ipse , tibi propitiam frequens adorabis . Quod si sedulis obsequiis et religiosis ministeriis et tenacibus castimoniis numeri nostrum promerueris , scies ultra statuta fato tum spatia vitam quoque tibi prorogare mihi tantum licere .
Regina caeli , sive tu Ceres alma frugum parens originalis , quae , repertu laetata filiae , vetustae glandis ferino remoto pabulo , miti commonstrato cibo , nunc Eleusiniam glebam percolis ; seu tu caelestis Venus , quae primis rerum exordiis sexuum diversitatem generato amore sociasti et aeterna subole humano genere propagato nunc circumfluo Paphi sacrario coleris ; seu Phoebi soror , quae partu fetarum medelis lenientibus recreato populos tantos educasti praeclarisque nunc veneraris delubris Ephesi ; seu nocturnis ululatibus horrenda Proserpina triformi facie larvales impetus comprimens terraeque claustra cohibens , lucos diversos inerrans vario cultu propitiaris : ista luce feminea collustrans cuncta moenia et udis ignibus nutriens laeta semina et solis ambagibus dispensans incerta lumina—quoquo nomine , quoquo ritu , quaqua facie te fas est invocare : tu meis iam nunc extremis aerumnis subsiste , tu fortunam collapsam affirma , tu saevis exanclatis casibus pausam pacemque tribue ; sit satis laborum , sit satis periculorum . Depelle quadripedis diram faciem , redde me conspectui meorum , redde me meo Lucio : ae si quod offensum numen inexorabili me saevitia premit , mori saltem liceat , si non licet vivere .
Ad istum modum fusis precibus et adstructis miseris lamentationibus , rursus mihi marcentem animum in eodem illo cubili sopor circumfusus oppressit . Necdum satis conniveram , et ecce pelago medio venerandos diis etiam vultus attollens emergit divina facies : ae dehinc paulatim toto corpore pellucidum simulacrum excusso pelago ante me constitisse visum est . Eius mirandam speciem ad vos etiam referre conitar , si tamen mihi disserendi tribuerit facultatem paupertas oris humani , vel ipsum numen eius dapsilem copiam elocutilis facundiae subministraverit . Iam primum crines uberrimi prolixique et sensim intorti per divina colla passive dispersi molliter defluebant . Corona multiformis variis floribus sublimem destrinxerat verticem , cuius media quidem super frontem plana rotunditas in modum speculi vel immo argumentum lunae candidum lumen emicabat , dextra laevaque sulcis insurgentium viperarum cohibita , spicis etiam Cerialibus desuper porrectis Vestis multicolor bysso tenui pertexta , nunc albo candore lucida , nune croceo flore lutea , nune roseo rubore flammida , et , quae longe longeque etiam meum confutabat obtutum , palla nigerrima splendescens atro nitore , quae circumcirca remeans et sub dexterum latus ad numerum laevum recurrens umbonis vicem deiecta parte laciniae multiplici contabulatione dependula ad ultimas oras nodulis fimbriarum decoriter confluctuabat .
Per intextam extremitatem et in ipsa eius planitie stellae dispersae coruscabant , earumque media semenstris luna flammeos spirabat ignes : quaqua tamen insignis illius pallae perfluebat ambitus , individuo nexu corona totis floribus totisque constructa pomis adhaerebat . Iam gestamina longe diversa : nam dextra quidem ferebat aereum crepitaculum , cuius per angustam laminam in modum baltei recurvatam traiectae mediae paucae virgulae , crispante brachio trigeminos iactus , reddebant argutum sonorem ; laevae vero cymbium dependebat aureum , cuius ansulae , qua parte conspicua est , insurgebat aspis caput extollens arduum , cervicibus late tumescentibus . Pedes ambroseos tegebant soleae palmae victricis foliis intextae . Talis ac tanta , spirans Arabiae felicia germina , divina me voce dignata est :
En adsum tuis commota , Luci , precibus , rerum naturae parens , elementorum omnium domina , saeculorum progenies initialis , summa numinum , regina manium , prima caelitum , deorum dearumque facies uniformis , quae caeli luminosa culmina , maris salubria flamina , inferum deplorata silentia nutibus meis dispenso : cuius numen unicum multiformi specie , ritu vario , nomine multiiugo totus veneratur orbis . Inde primigenii Phryges Pessinuntiam deum Matrem , hinc autochthones Attici Cecropeiam Minervam , illinc fluctuantes Cyprii Paphiam Venerem , Cretes sagittiferi Dictynnam Dianam , Siculi trilingues Stygiam Proserpinam , Eleusini vetustam deam Cererem , Iunonem alii , Bellonam alii , Hecatam isti , Rhamnusiam illi , et qui nascentis dei solis inchoantibus illustrantur radiis Aethiopes utrique priscaque doctrina pollentes Aegyptii , caerimoniis me propriis percolentes , appellant vero nomine reginam Isidem . Adsum tuos miserata casus , adsum favens et propitia . Mitte iam fletus et lamentationes omitte , depelle maerorem : iam tibi providentia mea illucescit dies salutaris . Ergo igitur imperiis istis meis animum intende sollicitum . Diem , qui dies ex ista nocte nascetur , aeterna mihi nuncupavit religio , quo , sedatis hibernis tempestatibus et lenitis maris procellosis fluctibus , navigabili iam pelago rudem dedicantes carinam primitias commeatus libant» mei sacerdotes : id sacrum nec sollicita nec profana !
mente debebis opperiri . Nam meo monitu sacerdos in ipso procinctu pompae roseam manu dextera sistro cohaerentem gestabit coronam . Incunctanter ergo dimotis turbulis alacer continuare pompam , mea volentia fretus , et de proxumo clementer velut manum sacerdotis osculabundus rosis decerptis pessimae mihique destabilis iamdudum beluae istius corio te protinus exue . Nec quicquam rerum mearum reformides ut arduum : nam hoc eodem momento quo tibi venio , simul et ibi praesens quae sunt sequentia sacerdoti meo per quietem facienda praecipio . Meo iussu tibi constricti comitatus decedent populi ; nec inter hilares caerimonias et festiva spectacula quisquam deformem istam quam geris faciem perhorrescet , vel figuram tuam repente mutatam sequius interpretatus aliquis maligne criminabitur . Plane memineris et penita mente conditum semper tenebis mihi reliqua vitae tuae curricula ad usque terminos ultimi spiritus vadata ; nec iniurium , cuius beneficio rediens ad homines , ei totum debere quod vives . Vives autem beatus , vives in mea tutela gloriosus ; et cum spatium saeculi tui permensus ad inferos demearis , ibi quoque in ipso subterraneo semirotundo me , quam vides Acherontis tenebris interlucentem Stygiisque penetralibus regnantem , campos Elysios incolens ipse , tibi propitiam frequens adorabis . Quod si sedulis obsequiis et religiosis ministeriis et tenacibus castimoniis numeri nostrum promerueris , scies ultra statuta fato tum spatia vitam quoque tibi prorogare mihi tantum licere .
A few hours later I woke in sudden terror and saw the moon’s orb at the full , shining with dazzling brilliance , emerging from the sea . I knew that cloaked in the silent mysteries of nocturnal darkness , the supreme Goddess exercises her greatest power ; her guidance governs human affairs ; not only cattle and wild creatures but even lifeless things being quickened by her power and her light’s divine favour ; all individual bodies on land , in sea or air , waxing with her as she waxes , and waning in obedience to her waning . Now fate seemed sated with the magnitude and frequency of my sufferings , and offered me hope , though late , of deliverance , and I determined on praying to the powerful image of the Goddess before me . I swiftly shook off sluggish sleep and rose happy and eager . Wishing to purge myself I ran at once to the sea to bathe , plunging my head seven times under the waves since divine Pythagoras declared that number especially fitting for religious rites . Then , my face wet with tears , I prayed to the Great Goddess :
‘Queen of Heaven , whether you are known as bountiful Ceres , the
primal harvest mother , who , delighted at finding your daughter Proserpine again , abolished our primitive woodland diet , showed us sweet nourishment , and now dwell at Eleusis ; or heavenly Venus , who at the founding of the world joined the sexes by creating Love , propagating the human race in endless generation , and worshipped now in the sea-girt sanctuary of Paphos ; or Diana , Apollo’s sister , you who relieve the pangs of countless childbirths with your soothing remedies , venerated now at Ephesus ; or dread Proserpine herself , she of the night-cries , who triple-faced combats the assault of spirits shutting them from earth above , who wanders the many sacred groves , propitiated by a host of rites ; oh , light of woman , illuminating every city , nourishing the glad seed with your misty radiance , shedding that light whose power varies with the passage of the
sun ; in whatever aspect , by whatever name , with whatever ceremony we should invoke you , have mercy on me in the depths of my distress , grant good fortune , give me peace and rest after cruel tribulation . Let the toil , the dangers I’ve endured suffice . Rid me of this foul four-footed form , restore me to the sight of my own people ; make me the Lucius I once was . Or if I may not live , if I have offended some deity who hounds me with inexorable savagery , grant me the gift of death . ’
When I had poured out my prayers , ending them in pitiful
lamentation , my fainting spirit sank back , once more engulfed in sleep . I had scarcely closed my eyes when a divine apparition appeared , rising from the depths of the sea , her face worthy to be adored by the gods themselves . Slowly she rose , till her whole body was in view , shaking her self free of the brine to stand before me , a radiant vision . If the poverty of human speech allows me , if the goddess herself grants me a wealth of verbal inspiration , I shall try to describe her marvellous beauty to you .
Firstly her long thick hair in tapering ringlets was loosely spread
over her divine neck and shoulders , and her head was crowned with a
complex garland of interwoven flowers of every kind . At the centre , over her brow , a flat disc like a mirror or rather a moon-symbol shone with brilliant light . Coiled vipers reared from the right and left of her coronet which was bristling with erect ears of corn . Her multi-coloured robe was of finest linen , gleaming here pure white , here a saffron yellow , there flaming rose-red , with a woven border flowing with flowers and fruit , and what dazzled me most of all was her jet-black cloak with its full sheen , wrapped gleaming about her , slung from the left shoulder , knotted at the breast , and sweeping over her right hip . It hung in sweetly undulating complex folds down to a tasselled fringe , and along its borders and over its surface fell a
scatter of glittering stars , round a full moon at the centre breathing fiery rays . And she bore a host of emblems .
In her right hand she held the sistrum , a strip of bronze curved in a
loop , with small rods across its width that made a tinkling noise as her forearm shook to a triple beat . From her left hand hung a boat-shaped vessel of gold , an asp with tumescent neck rearing to strike from the outer point of its handle . Her ambrosial feet wore slippers woven from palmleaves , emblems of victory . And in such guise , exuding all the sweet scents of Arabia , she deigned to address me with celestial voice :
‘Behold , Lucius , here I am , moved by your prayer , I , mother of all Nature and mistress of the elements , first-born of the ages and greatest of powers divine , queen of the dead , and queen of the immortals , all gods and goddesses in a single form ; who with a gesture commands heaven’s glittering summit , the wholesome ocean breezes , the underworld’s mournful silence ; whose sole divinity is worshipped in differing forms , with varying rites , under many names , by all the world . There , at Pessinus , the Phrygians , first-born of men , call me Cybele , Mother of the Gods ; in Attica , a people sprung from their own soil name me Cecropian Minerva ; in sea-girt Cyprus I am Paphian Venus ; Dictynna-Diana to the Cretan archers ; Stygian Proserpine to the three-tongued Sicilians ; at Eleusis , ancient Ceres ; Juno to some , to others Bellona , Hecate , Rhamnusia ; while the races of both Ethiopias , first to be lit at dawn by the risen Sun’s divine
rays , and the Egyptians too , deep in arcane lore , worship me with my own rites , and call me by my true name , royal Isis . I am here in pity for your misfortunes , I am here as friend and helper . Weep no more , end your lamentations . Banish sorrow . With my aid , your day of salvation is at hand . So listen carefully to my commands .
From time immemorial the day born of this night has been dedicated
to my rites : on this coming day the winter storms cease , the ocean’s stormy waves grow calm , and my priests launch an untried vessel on the now navigable waters , and dedicate it to me as the first offering of the trading season . You must await this ceremony with a mind neither anxious nor irreverent . The high-priest , at my command , will carry in procession a garland of roses fastened to the sistrum in his hand . Don’t hesitate to join the crowd and , trusting in my protection , push your way towards the priest , then as if you wished to kiss his hand pluck gently at the roses with your mouth , and so at once throw off that wretched form of the most detestable of creatures .
And have faith in my power to oversee the execution of my orders ,
for at this very moment when I am here with you I am with my priest too telling him , in dream , what he must do . When I wish , the heaving crowd will part before you , and amidst the joyous rites and wild festivity no one will shrink from your unseemly shape , nor treat your sudden change of form as sinister and level charges at you out of spite .
Remember one thing clearly though , and keep it locked deep within
your heart : the life that is left to you , to the final sigh of your last breath , is pledged to me . It is right that all your days be devoted to she whose grace returns you to the world of men . Under my wing , you will live in happiness and honour , and when your span of life is complete and you descend to the shades , even there , in the sphere beneath the earth , you will see me , who am now before you , gleaming amidst the darkness of Acheron , queen of the Stygian depths ; and dwelling yourself in the Elysian fields , you will endlessly adore me and I will favour you . Know too that if by sedulous obedience , dutiful service , and perfect chastity you are worthy of my divine grace , I and I alone can extend your life beyond the limits set by fate . ’
‘Queen of Heaven , whether you are known as bountiful Ceres , the
primal harvest mother , who , delighted at finding your daughter Proserpine again , abolished our primitive woodland diet , showed us sweet nourishment , and now dwell at Eleusis ; or heavenly Venus , who at the founding of the world joined the sexes by creating Love , propagating the human race in endless generation , and worshipped now in the sea-girt sanctuary of Paphos ; or Diana , Apollo’s sister , you who relieve the pangs of countless childbirths with your soothing remedies , venerated now at Ephesus ; or dread Proserpine herself , she of the night-cries , who triple-faced combats the assault of spirits shutting them from earth above , who wanders the many sacred groves , propitiated by a host of rites ; oh , light of woman , illuminating every city , nourishing the glad seed with your misty radiance , shedding that light whose power varies with the passage of the
sun ; in whatever aspect , by whatever name , with whatever ceremony we should invoke you , have mercy on me in the depths of my distress , grant good fortune , give me peace and rest after cruel tribulation . Let the toil , the dangers I’ve endured suffice . Rid me of this foul four-footed form , restore me to the sight of my own people ; make me the Lucius I once was . Or if I may not live , if I have offended some deity who hounds me with inexorable savagery , grant me the gift of death . ’
When I had poured out my prayers , ending them in pitiful
lamentation , my fainting spirit sank back , once more engulfed in sleep . I had scarcely closed my eyes when a divine apparition appeared , rising from the depths of the sea , her face worthy to be adored by the gods themselves . Slowly she rose , till her whole body was in view , shaking her self free of the brine to stand before me , a radiant vision . If the poverty of human speech allows me , if the goddess herself grants me a wealth of verbal inspiration , I shall try to describe her marvellous beauty to you .
Firstly her long thick hair in tapering ringlets was loosely spread
over her divine neck and shoulders , and her head was crowned with a
complex garland of interwoven flowers of every kind . At the centre , over her brow , a flat disc like a mirror or rather a moon-symbol shone with brilliant light . Coiled vipers reared from the right and left of her coronet which was bristling with erect ears of corn . Her multi-coloured robe was of finest linen , gleaming here pure white , here a saffron yellow , there flaming rose-red , with a woven border flowing with flowers and fruit , and what dazzled me most of all was her jet-black cloak with its full sheen , wrapped gleaming about her , slung from the left shoulder , knotted at the breast , and sweeping over her right hip . It hung in sweetly undulating complex folds down to a tasselled fringe , and along its borders and over its surface fell a
scatter of glittering stars , round a full moon at the centre breathing fiery rays . And she bore a host of emblems .
In her right hand she held the sistrum , a strip of bronze curved in a
loop , with small rods across its width that made a tinkling noise as her forearm shook to a triple beat . From her left hand hung a boat-shaped vessel of gold , an asp with tumescent neck rearing to strike from the outer point of its handle . Her ambrosial feet wore slippers woven from palmleaves , emblems of victory . And in such guise , exuding all the sweet scents of Arabia , she deigned to address me with celestial voice :
‘Behold , Lucius , here I am , moved by your prayer , I , mother of all Nature and mistress of the elements , first-born of the ages and greatest of powers divine , queen of the dead , and queen of the immortals , all gods and goddesses in a single form ; who with a gesture commands heaven’s glittering summit , the wholesome ocean breezes , the underworld’s mournful silence ; whose sole divinity is worshipped in differing forms , with varying rites , under many names , by all the world . There , at Pessinus , the Phrygians , first-born of men , call me Cybele , Mother of the Gods ; in Attica , a people sprung from their own soil name me Cecropian Minerva ; in sea-girt Cyprus I am Paphian Venus ; Dictynna-Diana to the Cretan archers ; Stygian Proserpine to the three-tongued Sicilians ; at Eleusis , ancient Ceres ; Juno to some , to others Bellona , Hecate , Rhamnusia ; while the races of both Ethiopias , first to be lit at dawn by the risen Sun’s divine
rays , and the Egyptians too , deep in arcane lore , worship me with my own rites , and call me by my true name , royal Isis . I am here in pity for your misfortunes , I am here as friend and helper . Weep no more , end your lamentations . Banish sorrow . With my aid , your day of salvation is at hand . So listen carefully to my commands .
From time immemorial the day born of this night has been dedicated
to my rites : on this coming day the winter storms cease , the ocean’s stormy waves grow calm , and my priests launch an untried vessel on the now navigable waters , and dedicate it to me as the first offering of the trading season . You must await this ceremony with a mind neither anxious nor irreverent . The high-priest , at my command , will carry in procession a garland of roses fastened to the sistrum in his hand . Don’t hesitate to join the crowd and , trusting in my protection , push your way towards the priest , then as if you wished to kiss his hand pluck gently at the roses with your mouth , and so at once throw off that wretched form of the most detestable of creatures .
And have faith in my power to oversee the execution of my orders ,
for at this very moment when I am here with you I am with my priest too telling him , in dream , what he must do . When I wish , the heaving crowd will part before you , and amidst the joyous rites and wild festivity no one will shrink from your unseemly shape , nor treat your sudden change of form as sinister and level charges at you out of spite .
Remember one thing clearly though , and keep it locked deep within
your heart : the life that is left to you , to the final sigh of your last breath , is pledged to me . It is right that all your days be devoted to she whose grace returns you to the world of men . Under my wing , you will live in happiness and honour , and when your span of life is complete and you descend to the shades , even there , in the sphere beneath the earth , you will see me , who am now before you , gleaming amidst the darkness of Acheron , queen of the Stygian depths ; and dwelling yourself in the Elysian fields , you will endlessly adore me and I will favour you . Know too that if by sedulous obedience , dutiful service , and perfect chastity you are worthy of my divine grace , I and I alone can extend your life beyond the limits set by fate . ’
When midnight came that I had slept my first sleepe , I awaked with suddaine feare , and saw the Moone shining bright , as when shee is at the full , and seeming as though she leaped out of the Sea . Then thought I with my selfe , that was the most secret time , when the goddesse Ceres had most puissance and force , considering that all humane things be governed by her providence : and not onely all beasts private and tame , but also all wild and savage beasts be under her protection . And considering that all bodies in the heavens , the earth and the seas , be by her increasing motions increased , and by her diminishing motions diminished : as weary of all my cruell fortune and calamity , I found good hope and soveraigne remedy , though it were very late , to be delivered from all my misery , by invocation and prayer , to the excellent beauty of the Goddesse , whom I saw shining before mine eyes , wherefore shaking off mine Assie and drowsie sleepe , I arose with a joyfull face , and mooved by a great affection to purifie my selfe , I plunged my selfe seven times into the water of the Sea , which number of seven is conveniable and agreeable to holy and divine things , as the worthy and sage Philosopher Pythagoras hath declared . Then with a weeping countenance , I made this Orison to the puissant Goddesse , saying : O blessed Queene of heaven , whether thou be the Dame Ceres which art the originall and motherly nource of all fruitfull things in earth , who after the finding of thy daughter Proserpina , through the great joy which thou diddest presently conceive , madest barraine and unfruitfull ground to be plowed and sowne , and now thou inhabitest in the land of Eleusie ; or whether thou be the celestiall Venus , who in the beginning of the world diddest couple together all kind of things with an ingendered love , by an eternall propagation of humane kind , art now worshipped within the Temples of the Ile Paphos , thou which art the sister of the God Phoebus , who nourishest so many people by the generation of beasts , and art now adored at the sacred places of Ephesus , thou which art horrible Proserpina , by reason of the deadly howlings which thou yeeldest , that hast power to stoppe and put away the invasion of the hags and Ghoasts which appeare unto men , and to keepe them downe in the closures of the earth : thou which art worshipped in divers manners , and doest illuminate all the borders of the earth by thy feminine shape , thou which nourishest all the fruits of the world by thy vigor and force ; with whatsoever name or fashion it is lawfull to call upon thee , I pray thee , to end my great travaile and misery , and deliver mee from the wretched fortune , which had so long time pursued me . Grant peace and rest if it please thee to my adversities , for I have endured too much labour and perill . Remoove from me my shape of mine Asse , and render to me my pristine estate , and if I have offended in any point of divine Majesty , let me rather dye then live , for I am full weary of my life . When I had ended this orison , and discovered my plaints to the Goddesse , I fortuned to fall asleepe , and by and by appeared unto me a divine and venerable face , worshipped even of the Gods themselves . Then by little and little I seemed to see the whole figure of her body , mounting out of the sea and standing before mee , wherefore I purpose to describe her divine semblance , if the poverty of my humane speech will suffer me , or her divine power give me eloquence thereto . First shee had a great abundance of haire , dispersed and scattered about her neck , on the crowne of her head she bare many garlands enterlaced with floures , in the middle of her forehead was a compasse in fashion of a glasse , or resembling the light of the Moone , in one of her hands she bare serpents , in the other , blades of corne , her vestiment was of fine silke yeelding divers colours , sometime yellow , sometime rosie , sometime flamy , and sometime ( which troubled my spirit sore ) darke and obscure , covered with a blacke robe in manner of a shield , and pleated in most subtill fashion at the skirts of her garments , the welts appeared comely , whereas here and there the starres glimpsed , and in the middle of them was placed the Moone , which shone like a flame of fire , round about the robe was a coronet or garland made with flowers and fruits . In her right hand shee had a timbrell of brasse , which gave a pleasant sound , in her left hand shee bare a cup of gold , out of the mouth whereof the serpent Aspis lifted up his head , with a swelling throat , her odoriferous feete were covered with shoes interlaced and wrought with victorious palme . Thus the divine shape breathing out the pleasant spice of fertill Arabia , disdained not with her divine voyce to utter these words unto me : Behold Lucius I am come , thy weeping and prayers hath mooved mee to succour thee . I am she that is the naturall mother of all things , mistresse and governesse of all the Elements , the initiall progeny of worlds , chiefe of powers divine , Queene of heaven ! the principall of the Gods celestiall , the light of the goddesses : at my will the planets of the ayre , the wholesome winds of the Seas , and the silences of hell be diposed ; my name , my divinity is adored throughout all the world in divers manners , in variable customes and in many names , for the Phrygians call me the mother of the Gods : the Athenians , Minerva : the Cyprians , Venus : the Candians , Diana : the Sicilians Proserpina : the Eleusians , Ceres : some Juno , other Bellona , other Hecate : and principally the Aethiopians which dwell in the Orient , and the Aegyptians which are excellent in all kind of ancient doctrine , and by their proper ceremonies accustome to worship mee , doe call mee Queene Isis . Behold I am come to take pitty of thy fortune and tribulation , behold I am present to favour and ayd thee , leave off thy weeping and lamentation , put away all thy sorrow , for behold the healthfull day which is ordained by my providence , therefore be ready to attend to my commandement . This day which shall come after this night , is dedicated to my service , by an eternall religion , my Priests and Ministers doe accustome after the tempests of the Sea , be ceased , to offer in my name a new ship as a first fruit of my Navigation . I command thee not to prophane or despise the sacrifice in any wise , for the great Priest shall carry this day following in procession by my exhortation , a Garland of Roses , next the timbrell of his right hand : follow thou my procession amongst the people , and when thou commest to the Priest make as though thou wouldest kisse his hand , but snatch at the Roses , whereby I will put away the skin and shape of an Asse , which kind of beast I have long time abhorred and despised , but above all things beware thou doubt not nor feare any of those things , as hard and difficill to bee brought to passe , for in the same houre that I am come to thee , I have commanded the Priest by a vision what he shall doe , and all the people by my commandement shall be compelled to give thee place and say nothing ! Moreover , thinke not that amongst so faire and joyfull Ceremonies , and in so good a company that any person shall abhorre thy ill-favoured and deformed figure , or that any man shall be so hardy , as to blame and reprove thy suddaine restoration to humane shape , wherby they should gather or conceive any sinister opinion : and know thou this of certaine , that the residue of thy life untill the houre of death shall be bound and subject to me ! And think it not an injury to be alwayes serviceable towards me , since as by my meane and benefit thou shalt become a man : thou shalt live blessed in this world , thou shalt live glorious by my guide and protection , and when thou descendest to Hell , where thou shalt see me shine in that subterene place , shining ( as thou seest me now ) in the darkness of Acheron , and raigning in the deepe profundity of Stix , thou shalt worship me , as one that hath bin favourable to thee , and if I perceive that thou art obedient to my commandement , addict to my religion , and merite my divine grace , know thou , that I will prolong thy dales above the time that the fates have appointed , and the celestial Planets ordeined .
Metamorphoses 4.32
Allyson Stevens /
- Created on 2018-10-31 03:27:35
- Modified on 2018-12-07 23:25:38
- Aligned by Allyson Stevens
Latin
English
Interea Psyche cum sua sibi perspicua pulchritudine nullum decoris sui fructum percipit . Spectatur ab omnibus , laudatur ab omnibus , nec quisquam , non rex , non regius , nec de plebe saltem cupiens eius nuptiarum petitor accedit : mirantur quidem divinam speciem , sed ut simulacrum fabre politum mirantur omnes . Olim duae maiores sorores , quarum temperatam formositatem nulli diffamarant populi , procis regibus desponsae iam beatas nuptias adeptae sed Psyche virgo vidua domi residens deflet desertam suam solitudinem , aegra corporis , animi saucia , et quamvis gentibus totis complacitam odit in se suam formositatem . Sic infortunatissimae filiae miserrimus pater , suspectatis caelestibus odiis et irae superum metuens , dei Milesii vetustissimum percontatur oraculum et a tanto numine precibus et victimis ingratae virgini petit nuptias et maritum . Sed Apollo , quamquam Graecus et Ionicus , propter Milesiae conditorem sic Latina sorte respondit :
Psyche
,
for
all
her
conspicuous
beauty
,
reaped
no
profit
from
her
charms
.
Gazed
at
by
all
,
praised
by
all
,
no
one
,
neither
prince
nor
commoner
,
wishing
to
marry
her
,
sought
her
hand
.
They
admired
her
divine
beauty
of
course
,
but
as
we
admire
a
perfectly
finished
statue
.
Her
two
elder
sisters
,
whose
plainer
looks
had
never
been
trumpeted
through
the
world
,
were
soon
engaged
to
royal
suitors
and
so
made
excellent
marriages
,
but
Psyche
was
left
at
home
,
a
virgin
,
single
,
weeping
in
lonely
solitude
,
ill
in
body
and
sore
at
heart
,
hating
that
beauty
of
form
the
world
found
so
pleasing
.
So
the
wretched
girl’s
unhappy
father
,
suspecting
divine
hostility
,
fearing
the
gods’
anger
,
consulted
the
ancient
Miletian
oracle
of
Apollo
at
Didyma
.
With
prayer
and
sacrifice
he
asked
the
mighty
god
for
a
man
to
marry
the
unfortunate
girl
.
Apollo
,
though
Greek
and
Ionian
too
,
favoured
the
author
of
this
Miletian
tale
with
a
reply
in
Latin
:
Metamorphoses 4.33
Allyson Stevens /
- Created on 2018-11-12 18:06:49
- Modified on 2018-11-19 17:42:01
- Aligned by Allyson Stevens
Latin
English
urn:cts:latinLit:phi1212.phi002.perseus-lat1:4.33
Montis in excelsi scopulo , rex , siste puellam
Ornatam mundo funerei thalami : Nec speres generum mortali stirpe creatum ,
Sed saevum atque ferum vipereumque malum , Quod pinnis volitans super aethera cuncta fatigat
Flammaque et ferro singula debilitat ; Quod tremit ipse Iovis , quo numina terrificantur ,
Fluminaque horrescunt et Stygiae tenebrae .
Rex , olim beatus , affatu sanctae vaticinationis accepto pigens tristisque retro domum pergit suaeque coniugi praecepta sortis enodat infaustae . Maeretur , fletur , lamentatur diebus plusculis : sed dirae sortis iam urget taeter effectus , iam feralium nuptiarum miserrimae virgini choragium struitur , iam taedae lumen atrae fuliginis cinere marcescit , et sonus tibiae zygiae mutatur in querulum Lydii modum , cantusque laetus hymenaei lugubri finitur ululatu , et puella nuptura deterget lacrimas ipso suo flammeo . Sic affectae domus triste fatum cuncta etiam civitas congemebat , luctuque publico confestim congruens edicitur iustitium .
Ornatam mundo funerei thalami : Nec speres generum mortali stirpe creatum ,
Sed saevum atque ferum vipereumque malum , Quod pinnis volitans super aethera cuncta fatigat
Flammaque et ferro singula debilitat ; Quod tremit ipse Iovis , quo numina terrificantur ,
Fluminaque horrescunt et Stygiae tenebrae .
Rex , olim beatus , affatu sanctae vaticinationis accepto pigens tristisque retro domum pergit suaeque coniugi praecepta sortis enodat infaustae . Maeretur , fletur , lamentatur diebus plusculis : sed dirae sortis iam urget taeter effectus , iam feralium nuptiarum miserrimae virgini choragium struitur , iam taedae lumen atrae fuliginis cinere marcescit , et sonus tibiae zygiae mutatur in querulum Lydii modum , cantusque laetus hymenaei lugubri finitur ululatu , et puella nuptura deterget lacrimas ipso suo flammeo . Sic affectae domus triste fatum cuncta etiam civitas congemebat , luctuque publico confestim congruens edicitur iustitium .
"
High
on
a
mountain
crag
,
decked
in
her
finery
,
Lead your daughter , king , to her fatal marriage .
And hope for no child of hers born of a mortal ,
But a cruel and savage , serpent-like winged evil ,
Flying through the heavens , and threatening all ,
Menacing ever soul on earth with fire and sword ,
Till Jove himself trembles , the gods are terrified ,
And rivers quake and the Stygian shades beside . "
The king , blessed till now , on hearing this utterance of sacred prophecy went slowly home in sadness and told his wife the oracle’s dark saying . They moaned , they wept , they wailed for many a day . But the dire and fatal hour soon approached . The scene was set for the poor girl’s dark wedding . The flames of the wedding torches grew dim with black smoky ash ; the tune of hymen’s flute sounded in plaintive Lydian mode , and the marriage-hymn’s cheerful song fell to a mournful wail . The bride-to-be wiped tears away with her flame-red bridal veil ; the whole city grieved at the cruel fate that had struck the afflicted house and public business was interrupted as a fitting show of mourning .
Lead your daughter , king , to her fatal marriage .
And hope for no child of hers born of a mortal ,
But a cruel and savage , serpent-like winged evil ,
Flying through the heavens , and threatening all ,
Menacing ever soul on earth with fire and sword ,
Till Jove himself trembles , the gods are terrified ,
And rivers quake and the Stygian shades beside . "
The king , blessed till now , on hearing this utterance of sacred prophecy went slowly home in sadness and told his wife the oracle’s dark saying . They moaned , they wept , they wailed for many a day . But the dire and fatal hour soon approached . The scene was set for the poor girl’s dark wedding . The flames of the wedding torches grew dim with black smoky ash ; the tune of hymen’s flute sounded in plaintive Lydian mode , and the marriage-hymn’s cheerful song fell to a mournful wail . The bride-to-be wiped tears away with her flame-red bridal veil ; the whole city grieved at the cruel fate that had struck the afflicted house and public business was interrupted as a fitting show of mourning .
Metamorphosis 4.34
Allyson Stevens /
- Created on 2018-11-19 17:43:01
- Modified on 2018-11-25 22:18:27
- Aligned by Allyson Stevens
Latin
English
urn:cts:latinLit:phi1212.phi002.perseus-lat1:4.34
Sed monitis caelestibus parendi necessitas misellam Psychen ad destinatam poenam efflagitabat : perfectis igitur feralis thalami cum summo maerore sollemnibus toto prosequente populo vivum producitur funus et lacrimosa Psyche comitatur non nuptiassed exequias suas . Ac dum maesti parentes et tanto malo perciti nefarium facinus perficere cunctantur , ipsa illa filia talibus eos adhortatur vocibus : Quid infelicem senectam fletu diutino cruciatis ? Quid spiritum vestrum , qui magis meus est , crebris eiulatibus fatigatis ? Quid lacrimis inefficacibus ora mihi veneranda foedatis ? Quid laceratis in vestris oculis mea lumina ? Quid canitiem scinditis ? Quid pectora , quid ubera sancta tunditis ? Haec erunt vobis egregiae formositatis meae praeclara praemia ? Invidiae nefariae letali plaga percussi sero sentitis . Cum gentes et populi celebrarent nos divinis honoribus , cum novam me Venerem ore consono nuncuparent , tunc dolere , tunc flere , tunc me iam quasi peremptam lugere debuistis : iam sentio , iam video solo me nomine Veneris perisse . Ducite me , et cui sors addixit scopulo sistite : festino felices istas nuptias obire , festino generosum illum maritum meum videre . Quid differo ? Quid detrecto venientem
But
the
need
to
obey
the
divine
command
sent
poor
Psyche
to
meet
the
sentence
decreed
,
the
ritual
preparations
for
the
fatal
marriage
were
completed
in
utter
sorrow
,
and
the
living
corpse
was
led
from
the
house
surrounded
by
all
the
people
.
Tearful
Psyche
walked
along
,
not
in
wedding
procession
,
but
in
her
own
funeral
cortege
.
Her
parents
saddened
and
overcome
by
this
great
misfortune
hesitated
to
carry
out
the
dreadful
deed
,
but
their
daughter
herself
urged
them
on
:
"
Why
torment
a
sorrowful
old
age
with
endless
weeping
?
Why
exhaust
your
life’s
breath
,
which
is
my
own
,
with
this
constant
wailing
?
Why
drown
in
vain
tears
those
faces
I
love
?
Why
wound
my
eyes
by
wounding
your
own
?
Why
tear
your
white
hair
?
Why
beat
the
breasts
that
fed
me
?
Let
this
be
your
glorious
reward
for
my
famous
beauty
.
Too
late
you
see
the
blow
that
falls
is
dealt
by
wicked
Envy
.
When
nations
and
countries
granted
me
divine
honours
,
when
with
one
voice
they
named
me
as
the
new
Venus
,
that’s
when
you
should
have
mourned
,
and
wept
,
and
grieved
as
if
I
were
dead
.
I
know
now
,
I
realise
that
her
name
alone
destroys
me
.
Lead
me
now
to
that
cliff
the
oracle
appointed
.
I
go
swiftly
towards
this
fortunate
marriage
,
I
go
swiftly
to
meet
this
noble
husband
of
mine
.
Why
delay
,
why
run
from
the
coming
of
one
who’ll
be
born
for
the
whole
world’s
ruin
?
"
Metamorphosis 4.35
Allyson Stevens /
- Created on 2018-11-30 18:01:09
- Modified on 2018-12-07 18:18:36
- Aligned by Allyson Stevens
Latin
English
urn:cts:latinLit:phi1212.phi002.perseus-lat1:4.35
qui totius orbis exitio natus est ? Sic profata virgo conticuit ingressuque iam valido pompae populi prosequentis sese miscuit . Itur ad constitutum scopulum montis ardui , cuius in summo cacumine statutam puellam cuncti deserunt , taedasque nuptiales , quibus praeluxerant , ibidem lacrimis suis extinctas relinquentes deiectis capitibus domuitionem parant , et miseri quidem parentes eius tanta clade defessi clausae domus abstrusi tenebris perpetuae nocti sesededidere . Psychen autem paventem ac trepidam et in ipso scopuli vertice deflentem mitis aura molliter spirantis Zephyri , vibratis hinc inde laciniis et reflato sinu , sensim levatam suo tranquillo spiritui vehens paulatim per devexa rupis excelsae , vallis subditae florentis caespitis gremio leniter delapsam reclinat .
With
this
,
the
girl
fell
silent
,
and
went
steadfastly
on
,
accompanied
by
the
throng
of
citizens
around
her
.
They
came
to
the
steep
mountain
crag
decreed
,
and
placed
the
girl
,
as
commanded
,
on
its
very
top
,
then
deserted
her
,
one
and
all
.
They
left
behind
the
bridal
torches
,
lighted
on
the
way
,
and
now
extinguished
by
their
tears
,
and
heads
bent
low
began
their
journey
home
,
where
her
unhappy
parents
,
exhausted
by
this
dreadful
blow
,
shut
themselves
in
the
darkness
of
their
room
,
and
resigned
themselves
to
endless
night
.
Meanwhile
Psyche
,
on
the
topmost
summit
,
frightened
,
trembling
,
and
in
tears
,
was
lifted
by
a
gentle
breeze
,
a
softly
whispering
Zephyr
,
stirring
her
dress
around
her
and
causing
it
to
billow
,
its
tranquil
breath
carrying
her
slowly
down
the
high
cliff
slopes
to
the
valley
below
,
where
it
laid
her
tenderly
on
a
bed
of
flowering
turf
.
Odyssey 9.105-115
Allyson Stevens /
- Created on 2019-02-15 14:51:37
- Modified on 2019-02-21 15:19:56
- Aligned by Allyson Stevens
English
Ἑλληνική
English
" Thence we sailed on , grieved at heart , and we came to the land of the Cyclopes , an overweening and lawless folk , who , trusting in the immortal gods , plant nothing with their hands nor plough ; but all these things spring up for them without sowing or ploughing , wheat , and barley , and vines , which bear the rich clusters of wine , and the rain of Zeus gives them increase . Neither assemblies nor council have they , nor appointed laws , but they dwell on the peaks of lofty mountains in hollow caves , and each one is lawgiver to his children and his wives , and they reck nothing one of another . "
ἔνθεν δὲ προτέρω πλέομεν ἀκαχήμενοι ἦτορ :
Κυκλώπων δ᾽ ἐς γαῖαν ὑπερφιάλων ἀθεμίστων
ἱκόμεθ᾽ , οἵ ῥα θεοῖσι πεποιθότες ἀθανάτοισιν
οὔτε φυτεύουσιν χερσὶν φυτὸν οὔτ᾽ ἀρόωσιν ,
ἀλλὰ τά γ᾽ ἄσπαρτα καὶ ἀνήροτα πάντα φύονται ,
110πυροὶ καὶ κριθαὶ ἠδ᾽ ἄμπελοι , αἵ τε φέρουσιν
οἶνον ἐριστάφυλον , καί σφιν Διὸς ὄμβρος ἀέξει .
τοῖσιν δ᾽ οὔτ᾽ ἀγοραὶ βουληφόροι οὔτε θέμιστες ,
ἀλλ᾽ οἵ γ᾽ ὑψηλῶν ὀρέων ναίουσι κάρηνα
ἐν σπέσσι γλαφυροῖσι , θεμιστεύει δὲ ἕκαστος
115παίδων ἠδ᾽ ἀλόχων , οὐδ᾽ ἀλλήλων ἀλέγουσιν .
Κυκλώπων δ᾽ ἐς γαῖαν ὑπερφιάλων ἀθεμίστων
ἱκόμεθ᾽ , οἵ ῥα θεοῖσι πεποιθότες ἀθανάτοισιν
οὔτε φυτεύουσιν χερσὶν φυτὸν οὔτ᾽ ἀρόωσιν ,
ἀλλὰ τά γ᾽ ἄσπαρτα καὶ ἀνήροτα πάντα φύονται ,
110πυροὶ καὶ κριθαὶ ἠδ᾽ ἄμπελοι , αἵ τε φέρουσιν
οἶνον ἐριστάφυλον , καί σφιν Διὸς ὄμβρος ἀέξει .
τοῖσιν δ᾽ οὔτ᾽ ἀγοραὶ βουληφόροι οὔτε θέμιστες ,
ἀλλ᾽ οἵ γ᾽ ὑψηλῶν ὀρέων ναίουσι κάρηνα
ἐν σπέσσι γλαφυροῖσι , θεμιστεύει δὲ ἕκαστος
115παίδων ἠδ᾽ ἀλόχων , οὐδ᾽ ἀλλήλων ἀλέγουσιν .
We sailed on , our morale sinking ,
And we came to the land of the Cyclopes ,
Lawless savages who leave everything
Up to the gods . These people neither plow nor plant ,
But everything grows for them unsown :
Wheat , barley , and vines that bear
Clusters of grapes , watered by rain from Zeus .
They have no assemblies or laws but live
In high mountain caves , ruling their own
Children and wives and ignoring each other .
And we came to the land of the Cyclopes ,
Lawless savages who leave everything
Up to the gods . These people neither plow nor plant ,
But everything grows for them unsown :
Wheat , barley , and vines that bear
Clusters of grapes , watered by rain from Zeus .
They have no assemblies or laws but live
In high mountain caves , ruling their own
Children and wives and ignoring each other .