LeNae Jones
Apuleius, Metamorphoses 1.1
LeNae Jones /
- Created on 2018-09-07 19:54:31
- Modified on 2018-09-21 20:20:19
- Translated by A. S. Kline
- Aligned by LeNae Jones
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
.
Apuleius, Metamorphoses 4.28 (Kilne)
LeNae Jones /
- Created on 2018-09-24 20:16:40
- Modified on 2018-09-28 19:35:58
- Translated by A.S. Kline
- Aligned by LeNae Jones
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
.
Apuleius, Metamorphoses 4.29
LeNae Jones /
- Created on 2018-09-28 19:37:18
- Modified on 2018-10-01 20:05:00
- Translated by W. Adlington
- Aligned by LeNae Jones
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
:
Apuleius, Metamorphoses 4.30
LeNae Jones /
- Created on 2018-10-01 20:07:48
- Modified on 2018-10-10 19:43:51
- Translated by William Aldington
- Aligned by LeNae Jones
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
.
Apuleius, Metamorphoses 5.11; 5.22-23
LeNae Jones /
- Created on 2018-10-13 23:58:57
- Modified on 2018-10-15 17:50:29
- Aligned by LeNae Jones
Latin
English
English
Placet pro bono duabus malis malum consilium , totisque illis tam pretiosis muneribus absconditis , comam trahentes et proinde ut merebantur ora lacerantes simulatos redintegrant fletus . Ac sic parentes quoque redulcerato prorsum dolore raptim deterrentes , vesania turgidae domus suas contendunt dolum scelestum , immo vero parricidam struentes contra sororem insontem . Interea Psychen maritus ille quem nescit rursum suis illis nocturnis sermonibus sic commonet : Videsne quantum tibi periculum ? Velitatur Fortuna eminus ac , nisi longe firmiter praecaves , mox comminus congredietur . Perfidae lupulae magnis conatibus nefarias insidias tibi comparant , quarum summa est , ut te suadeant meos explorare vultus , quos , ut tibi saepe praedixi , non videbis si videris . Ergo igitur si posthac pessimae illae lamiae noxiis animis armatae venerint—venient autem , scio—neque omnino sermonem conteras et , si id tolerare pro genuina simplicitate proque animi tui teneritudine non potueris , certe de marito nil quicquam vel audias vel respondeas : nam et familiam nostram iam propagabimus et hic adhuc infantilis uterus gestat nobis infantem alium , si texeris nostra secreta silentio , divinum , si profanaveris , mortalem .
Tunc Psyche , et corporis et animi alioquin infirma , fati tamen saevitia subministrante viribus roboratur , et prolata lucerna et arrepta novacula sexum audacia mutatur . Sed cum primum luminis oblatione tori secreta claruerunt , videt omnium ferarum mitissimam dulcissimamque bestiam , ipsum illum Cupidinem formosum deum formose cubantem , cuius aspectu lucernae quoque lumen hilaratum increbruit et acuminis sacrilegi novaculam paenitebat . At vero Psyche tanto aspectu deterrita et impos animi , marcido pallore defecta tremensque desedit in imos poplites et ferrum quaerit abscondere , sed in suo pectore : quod profecto fecisset , nisi ferrum timore tanti flagitii manibus temerariis delapsum evolasset . Iamque lassa , salute defecta dum saepius divini vultus intuetur pulchritudinem , recreatur animi : videt capitis aurei genialem caesariem ambrosia temulentam , cervices lacteas genasque purpureas pererrantes crinium globos decoriter impeditos , alios antependulos , alios retropendulos , quorum splendore nimio fulgurante iam et ipsum lumen lucernae vacillabat : per numeros volatalis dei pinnae roscidae micanti flore candicant et quamvis alis quiescentibus extimae plumulae tenellae ac delicatae tremule resultantes inquieta lasciviunt : ceterum corpus glabellum atque luculentum et quale peperisse Venerem non paeniteret . Ante lectuli pedes iacebat arcus et pharetra et sagittae , magni dei propitia tela ;
quae dum insatiabili animo Psyche , satis et curiosa , rimatur atque pertrectat et mariti sui miratur arma , depromit unam de pharetra sagittam et puncto pollicis extremam aciem periclitabunda frementis etiam nunc articuli nisu fortiore pupugit altius , ut per summam cutem roraverint parvulae sanguinis rosei guttae : sic ignara Psyche sponte in Amoris incidit amorem . Tunc magis magisque cupidine flagrans Cupidinis , prona in eum efflictim inhians , patulis ac petulantibus saviis festinanter ingestis , de somni mensura metuebat . Sed dum bono tanto percita saucia mente fluctuat , lucerna illa , sive perfidia pessima sive invidia noxia sive quod tale corpus contingere et quasi basiare et ipsa gestiebat , evomuit de summa luminis sui stillam ferventis olei super humerum dei dexterum : hem audax et temeraria lucerna et amoris vile ministerium , ipsum ignis totius deum aduris , cum te , scilicet amator aliquis , ut diutius cupitis etiam nocte potiretur primus invenerit ! Sic inustus exiluit deus visaque detectae fidei colluvie prorsus ex osculis et manibus infelicissimae coniugis tacitus avolavit :
Tunc Psyche , et corporis et animi alioquin infirma , fati tamen saevitia subministrante viribus roboratur , et prolata lucerna et arrepta novacula sexum audacia mutatur . Sed cum primum luminis oblatione tori secreta claruerunt , videt omnium ferarum mitissimam dulcissimamque bestiam , ipsum illum Cupidinem formosum deum formose cubantem , cuius aspectu lucernae quoque lumen hilaratum increbruit et acuminis sacrilegi novaculam paenitebat . At vero Psyche tanto aspectu deterrita et impos animi , marcido pallore defecta tremensque desedit in imos poplites et ferrum quaerit abscondere , sed in suo pectore : quod profecto fecisset , nisi ferrum timore tanti flagitii manibus temerariis delapsum evolasset . Iamque lassa , salute defecta dum saepius divini vultus intuetur pulchritudinem , recreatur animi : videt capitis aurei genialem caesariem ambrosia temulentam , cervices lacteas genasque purpureas pererrantes crinium globos decoriter impeditos , alios antependulos , alios retropendulos , quorum splendore nimio fulgurante iam et ipsum lumen lucernae vacillabat : per numeros volatalis dei pinnae roscidae micanti flore candicant et quamvis alis quiescentibus extimae plumulae tenellae ac delicatae tremule resultantes inquieta lasciviunt : ceterum corpus glabellum atque luculentum et quale peperisse Venerem non paeniteret . Ante lectuli pedes iacebat arcus et pharetra et sagittae , magni dei propitia tela ;
quae dum insatiabili animo Psyche , satis et curiosa , rimatur atque pertrectat et mariti sui miratur arma , depromit unam de pharetra sagittam et puncto pollicis extremam aciem periclitabunda frementis etiam nunc articuli nisu fortiore pupugit altius , ut per summam cutem roraverint parvulae sanguinis rosei guttae : sic ignara Psyche sponte in Amoris incidit amorem . Tunc magis magisque cupidine flagrans Cupidinis , prona in eum efflictim inhians , patulis ac petulantibus saviis festinanter ingestis , de somni mensura metuebat . Sed dum bono tanto percita saucia mente fluctuat , lucerna illa , sive perfidia pessima sive invidia noxia sive quod tale corpus contingere et quasi basiare et ipsa gestiebat , evomuit de summa luminis sui stillam ferventis olei super humerum dei dexterum : hem audax et temeraria lucerna et amoris vile ministerium , ipsum ignis totius deum aduris , cum te , scilicet amator aliquis , ut diutius cupitis etiam nocte potiretur primus invenerit ! Sic inustus exiluit deus visaque detectae fidei colluvie prorsus ex osculis et manibus infelicissimae coniugis tacitus avolavit :
The two evil women thought well of this wicked plan , and having
hidden all their precious gifts , they tore their hair and clawed their
cheeks ( no more than they deserved ) , renewing their pretence of
mourning . In this way they inflamed their parents’ grief all over
again ; and then , taking a hasty leave of them , they made off to their
homes swollen with mad rage , to devise their wicked - their
murderous - plot against their innocent sister . Meanwhile Psyche’s
mysterious husband once more warned her as they talked together
that night : ‘Don’t you see the danger that threatens you ? Fortune is
now engaging your outposts , and if you do not stand very firmly on
your guard she will soon be grappling with you hand to hand . These
treacherous she-wolves are doing their best to lay a horrible trap for
you ; their one aim is to persuade you to try to know my face - but if
you do see it , as I have constantly told you , you will not see it . So
then if those vile witches come , as I know they will , armed with
their deadly designs , you must not even talk to them ; but if because
of your natural lack of guile and tenderness of heart you are unequal
to that , at least you must refuse to listen to or answer any questions
about your husband . For before long we are going to increase our
family ; your womb , until now a child’s , is carrying a child for us in
its turn - who , if you hide our secret in silence , will be divine , but if you divulge it , he will be mortal .
Then Psyche , though naturally weak in body , rallied her strength
with cruel Fate reinforcing it , produced the lamp , seized the blade ,
and took on a man’s courage . But as soon as the light was brought out
and the secret of their bed became plain , what she saw was of all wild
beasts the most soft and sweet of monsters , none other than Cupid
himself , the fair god fairly lying asleep . At the sight the flame of the
lamp was gladdened and flared up , and her blade began to repent its
blasphemous edge . Psyche , unnerved by the wonderful vision , was
no longer mistress of herself : feeble , pale , trembling and powerless ,
she crouched down and tried to hide the steel by burying it in her
own bosom ; and she would certainly have done it , had not the steel in
fear of such a crime slipped and flown out of her rash hands . Now ,
overcome and utterly lost as she was , yet as she gazed and gazed on
the beauty of the god’s face , her spirits returned . She saw a rich head
of golden hair dripping with ambrosia , a milk-white neck , and rosy
cheeks over which there strayed coils of hair becomingly arranged ,
some hanging in front , some behind , shining with such extreme
brilliance that the lamplight itself flickered uncertainly . On the
shoulders of the flying god there sparkled wings , dewy-white with
glistening sheen , and though they were at rest the soft delicate down
at their edges quivered and rippled in incessant play . The rest of the
god’s body was smooth and shining and such as Venus need not be
ashamed of in her son . At the foot of the bed lay a bow , a quiver , and
arrows , the gracious weapons of the great god .
Curious as ever , Psyche could not restrain herself from examining
and handling and admiring her husband’s weapons . She took one of
the arrows out of the quiver and tried the point by pricking her
thumb ; but as her hands were still trembling she used too much
force , so that the point went right in and tiny drops of blood bedewed
her skin . Thus without realizing it Psyche through her own act fell in
love with Love . Then ever more on fire with desire for Desire she
hung over him gazing in distraction and devoured him with quick
sensuous kisses , fearing all the time that he might wake up . Carried
away by joy and sick with love , her heart was in turmoil ; but
meanwhile that wretched lamp , either through base treachery , or in
jealous malice , or because it longed itself to touch such beauty and as
it were to kiss it , disgorged from its spout a drop of hot oil on to the
right shoulder of the god . What ! Rash and reckless lamp , lowly
instrument of love , to burn the lord of universal fire himself , when it
must have been a lover who first invented the lamp so that he could
enjoy his desires for even longer at night ! The god , thus burned , leapt
up , and seeing his confidence betrayed and sullied , flew off from the
loving embrace of his unhappy wife without uttering a word .
hidden all their precious gifts , they tore their hair and clawed their
cheeks ( no more than they deserved ) , renewing their pretence of
mourning . In this way they inflamed their parents’ grief all over
again ; and then , taking a hasty leave of them , they made off to their
homes swollen with mad rage , to devise their wicked - their
murderous - plot against their innocent sister . Meanwhile Psyche’s
mysterious husband once more warned her as they talked together
that night : ‘Don’t you see the danger that threatens you ? Fortune is
now engaging your outposts , and if you do not stand very firmly on
your guard she will soon be grappling with you hand to hand . These
treacherous she-wolves are doing their best to lay a horrible trap for
you ; their one aim is to persuade you to try to know my face - but if
you do see it , as I have constantly told you , you will not see it . So
then if those vile witches come , as I know they will , armed with
their deadly designs , you must not even talk to them ; but if because
of your natural lack of guile and tenderness of heart you are unequal
to that , at least you must refuse to listen to or answer any questions
about your husband . For before long we are going to increase our
family ; your womb , until now a child’s , is carrying a child for us in
its turn - who , if you hide our secret in silence , will be divine , but if you divulge it , he will be mortal .
Then Psyche , though naturally weak in body , rallied her strength
with cruel Fate reinforcing it , produced the lamp , seized the blade ,
and took on a man’s courage . But as soon as the light was brought out
and the secret of their bed became plain , what she saw was of all wild
beasts the most soft and sweet of monsters , none other than Cupid
himself , the fair god fairly lying asleep . At the sight the flame of the
lamp was gladdened and flared up , and her blade began to repent its
blasphemous edge . Psyche , unnerved by the wonderful vision , was
no longer mistress of herself : feeble , pale , trembling and powerless ,
she crouched down and tried to hide the steel by burying it in her
own bosom ; and she would certainly have done it , had not the steel in
fear of such a crime slipped and flown out of her rash hands . Now ,
overcome and utterly lost as she was , yet as she gazed and gazed on
the beauty of the god’s face , her spirits returned . She saw a rich head
of golden hair dripping with ambrosia , a milk-white neck , and rosy
cheeks over which there strayed coils of hair becomingly arranged ,
some hanging in front , some behind , shining with such extreme
brilliance that the lamplight itself flickered uncertainly . On the
shoulders of the flying god there sparkled wings , dewy-white with
glistening sheen , and though they were at rest the soft delicate down
at their edges quivered and rippled in incessant play . The rest of the
god’s body was smooth and shining and such as Venus need not be
ashamed of in her son . At the foot of the bed lay a bow , a quiver , and
arrows , the gracious weapons of the great god .
Curious as ever , Psyche could not restrain herself from examining
and handling and admiring her husband’s weapons . She took one of
the arrows out of the quiver and tried the point by pricking her
thumb ; but as her hands were still trembling she used too much
force , so that the point went right in and tiny drops of blood bedewed
her skin . Thus without realizing it Psyche through her own act fell in
love with Love . Then ever more on fire with desire for Desire she
hung over him gazing in distraction and devoured him with quick
sensuous kisses , fearing all the time that he might wake up . Carried
away by joy and sick with love , her heart was in turmoil ; but
meanwhile that wretched lamp , either through base treachery , or in
jealous malice , or because it longed itself to touch such beauty and as
it were to kiss it , disgorged from its spout a drop of hot oil on to the
right shoulder of the god . What ! Rash and reckless lamp , lowly
instrument of love , to burn the lord of universal fire himself , when it
must have been a lover who first invented the lamp so that he could
enjoy his desires for even longer at night ! The god , thus burned , leapt
up , and seeing his confidence betrayed and sullied , flew off from the
loving embrace of his unhappy wife without uttering a word .
This wicked scheme greatly pleased the two wicked sisters . They hid all the costly gifts , and tearing their hair and lacerating their cheeks , as they deserved to do , falsely renewed their lamentations . They soon frightened their parents into reopening the wound of their sorrow also . Then swollen
with venom , they hastened home to plan their crime against an innocent sister , even to murder . Meanwhile her unseen husband , on his nightly visit , warned Psyche once more : " See how much danger you’re in . Fortune is plotting at a distance , but soon , unless you take firm precautions , she’ll be attacking you face to face . Those treacherous she-wolves are working hard to execute some evil act against you , by tempting you to examine my features . But do so and , as I’ve told you , you’ll never see me again . So if those foul harpies armed with their noxious thoughts return , as I know they will , you must hold no conversation with them . And if in your true innocence and tender- heartedness you can’t bear that , then at least , if they speak of me , don’t listen , or if you must don’t answer . You see our family will increase , and your womb , a child’s , must bear another child , who if you keep our secret silently will be divine , though if you profane it , mortal . "
Then Psyche , though lacking strength and courage , was empowered by cruel fate , and unveiling the lamp , seized the razor , acting a man’s part in her boldness . Yet , as the light shone clear and the bed’s mysteries were revealed , she found her savage beast was the gentlest and sweetest creature of all , that handsome god Cupid , handsome now in sleep . At the sight , even the lamp’s flame quickened in joy , and the razor regretted its sacrilegious stroke . But Psyche , terrified at the marvellous vision , beside her self with fear , and overcome with sudden weariness , sank pale , faint and trembling to her knees . She tried to conceal the weapon , in her own breast ! She would indeed have done so if the gleaming blade had not flown from her reckless hands , in horror at her dreadful intent . Exhausted now by the sense of release , she gazed again and again at the beauty of that celestial face , and her spirits revived . She saw the glorious tresses , drenched with ambrosia , on his golden brow , the neatly tied locks straying over his rosy cheeks and milk-white neck , some hanging delicately in front others behind , and the splendour of their shining brilliance made the lamplight dim . Over the winged god’s shoulders white plumage glimmered like petals in the morning dew , and though his wings were at rest , soft little feathers at their edges trembled restlessly in wanton play . The rest of his body was smooth and gleaming , such that Venus had no regrets at having borne such a child . At the foot of the bed lay his bow , and his quiver full of arrows , the graceful weapons of the powerful god .
With insatiable curiosity Psyche examined , touched , wondered at her husband’s weapons . She drew an arrow from the quiver , testing the point against her thumb-tip , but her hand was still trembling and pressing too hard she pricked the surface , so that tiny drops of crimson blood moistened the skin . Thus without knowing it Psyche fell further in love with Love himself , so that now inflamed with desire for Desire , she leaned over Cupid , desperate for him . She covered him eagerly with passionate impetuous kisses till she feared she might wake him . Then as her wounded heart beat with the tremor of such bliss , the lamp , in wicked treachery , or malicious jealousy , or simply longing to touch and kiss , in some fashion , that wondrous body , shed a drop of hot oil from the depths of its flame on to the god’s right shoulder . O bold and careless lamp , a poor servant to Love , scorching the god of flame himself , though a lover it was who first invented you so as to enjoy , even at night , an endless sight of his beloved ! Scalded like this the god leapt up , and realising his secret had been betrayed , flew swiftly and silently from his unhappy wife’s kisses and embrace .
with venom , they hastened home to plan their crime against an innocent sister , even to murder . Meanwhile her unseen husband , on his nightly visit , warned Psyche once more : " See how much danger you’re in . Fortune is plotting at a distance , but soon , unless you take firm precautions , she’ll be attacking you face to face . Those treacherous she-wolves are working hard to execute some evil act against you , by tempting you to examine my features . But do so and , as I’ve told you , you’ll never see me again . So if those foul harpies armed with their noxious thoughts return , as I know they will , you must hold no conversation with them . And if in your true innocence and tender- heartedness you can’t bear that , then at least , if they speak of me , don’t listen , or if you must don’t answer . You see our family will increase , and your womb , a child’s , must bear another child , who if you keep our secret silently will be divine , though if you profane it , mortal . "
Then Psyche , though lacking strength and courage , was empowered by cruel fate , and unveiling the lamp , seized the razor , acting a man’s part in her boldness . Yet , as the light shone clear and the bed’s mysteries were revealed , she found her savage beast was the gentlest and sweetest creature of all , that handsome god Cupid , handsome now in sleep . At the sight , even the lamp’s flame quickened in joy , and the razor regretted its sacrilegious stroke . But Psyche , terrified at the marvellous vision , beside her self with fear , and overcome with sudden weariness , sank pale , faint and trembling to her knees . She tried to conceal the weapon , in her own breast ! She would indeed have done so if the gleaming blade had not flown from her reckless hands , in horror at her dreadful intent . Exhausted now by the sense of release , she gazed again and again at the beauty of that celestial face , and her spirits revived . She saw the glorious tresses , drenched with ambrosia , on his golden brow , the neatly tied locks straying over his rosy cheeks and milk-white neck , some hanging delicately in front others behind , and the splendour of their shining brilliance made the lamplight dim . Over the winged god’s shoulders white plumage glimmered like petals in the morning dew , and though his wings were at rest , soft little feathers at their edges trembled restlessly in wanton play . The rest of his body was smooth and gleaming , such that Venus had no regrets at having borne such a child . At the foot of the bed lay his bow , and his quiver full of arrows , the graceful weapons of the powerful god .
With insatiable curiosity Psyche examined , touched , wondered at her husband’s weapons . She drew an arrow from the quiver , testing the point against her thumb-tip , but her hand was still trembling and pressing too hard she pricked the surface , so that tiny drops of crimson blood moistened the skin . Thus without knowing it Psyche fell further in love with Love himself , so that now inflamed with desire for Desire , she leaned over Cupid , desperate for him . She covered him eagerly with passionate impetuous kisses till she feared she might wake him . Then as her wounded heart beat with the tremor of such bliss , the lamp , in wicked treachery , or malicious jealousy , or simply longing to touch and kiss , in some fashion , that wondrous body , shed a drop of hot oil from the depths of its flame on to the god’s right shoulder . O bold and careless lamp , a poor servant to Love , scorching the god of flame himself , though a lover it was who first invented you so as to enjoy , even at night , an endless sight of his beloved ! Scalded like this the god leapt up , and realising his secret had been betrayed , flew swiftly and silently from his unhappy wife’s kisses and embrace .
Apuleius, Metamorphoses 4.32
LeNae Jones /
- Created on 2018-10-27 20:18:48
- Modified on 2018-11-09 19:49:26
- Aligned by LeNae Jones
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
:
Apuleius, Metamorphoses 4.33
LeNae Jones /
- Created on 2018-11-09 18:41:29
- Modified on 2018-11-14 20:12:58
- Aligned by LeNae Jones
Latin
English
‘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 .
"
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 .
Apuleius, Metamorphoses 4.34
LeNae Jones /
- Created on 2018-11-14 20:16:01
- Modified on 2018-12-05 19:44:13
- Aligned by LeNae Jones
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 qui totius orbis exitio natus est ?
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
?
"
Metamorphoses, Apuleius 2.1
LeNae Jones /
- Created on 2018-11-22 23:44:06
- Modified on 2018-11-24 23:27:04
- Aligned by LeNae Jones
Latin
English
urn:cts:latinLit:phi1212.phi002.perseus-lat1:2.1
Ut primum nocte discussa sol novus diem fecit , et somno simul emersus et lectulo , anxius alioquin et nimis cupidus cognoscendi quae rara miraque sunt , reputansque me media Thessaliae loca tenere , quo artis magicae nativa contamina totius orbis consona ore celebrentur , fabulamque illam optimi comitis Aristomenis de situ civitatis huius exortam , suspensus alioquin et voto simul et studio , curiose singula considerabam . Nec fuit in illa civitate quod aspiciens id esse crederem quod esset , sed omnia prorsus ferali murmure in aliam effigiem translata , ut et lapides quos offenderem de homine duratos , et aves quas audirem indidem plumatas , et arbores quae pomerium ambirent similiter foliatas , et fontanos latices de corporibus humanis fluxos crederem . Iam statuas et imagines incessuras , parietes locuturos , boves et id genus pecua dicturus praesagium , de ipso vero caelo et iubaris orbe subito venturum oraculum .
The
moment
the
sun
put
the
darkness
to
flight
and
ushered
in
a
new
day
,
I
woke
up
and
arose
at
once
.
Being
in
any
case
an
all
too
eager
student
of
the
remarkable
and
miraculous
,
and
remembering
that
I
was
now
in
the
heart
of
Thessaly
,
renowned
the
whole
world
over
as
the
cradle
of
magic
arts
and
spells
,
and
that
it
was
in
this
very
city
that
my
friend
Aristomenes’
story
had
begun
,
I
examined
attentively
everything
I
saw
,
on
tenterhooks
with
keen
anticipation
.
There
was
nothing
I
looked
at
in
the
city
that
I
didn’t
believe
to
be
other
than
what
it
was
:
I
imagined
that
everything
everywhere
had
been
changed
by
some
infernal
spell
into
different
shape
–
I
thought
the
very
stones
I
stumbled
against
must
be
petrified
human
beings
,
I
thought
the
birds
I
heard
singing
and
the
trees
growing
around
the
city
walls
had
acquired
their
feathers
and
leaves
in
the
same
way
,
and
I
thought
the
fountains
were
liquefied
human
bodies
.
I
expected
statues
and
pictures
to
start
walking
,
walls
to
speak
,
oxen
and
other
cattle
to
utter
prophecies
,
and
oracles
to
issue
suddenly
from
the
very
sky
or
from
the
bright
sun
.
Apuleius, Metamorphoses 4.35
LeNae Jones /
- Created on 2018-12-07 17:57:32
- Modified on 2018-12-07 19:17:01
- Aligned by LeNae Jones
Latin
English
urn:cts:latinLit:phi1212.phi002.perseus-lat1:4.35
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
.