Apuleius, Metamorphoses1.1
Thomas Moore /
- Created on 2018-09-10 17:43:36
- Modified on 2018-09-21 16:41:48
- Translated by A.S. Kline
- Aligned by Thomas Moore
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
.
Metamorphoses 4.28
Thomas Moore /
- Created on 2018-09-26 16:39:28
- Modified on 2018-11-12 12:16:23
- Aligned by Thomas Moore
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
Thomas Moore /
- Created on 2018-10-01 16:48:30
- Modified on 2018-10-04 00:09:12
- Aligned by Thomas Moore
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
herflying
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
bylong
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
unsweptand
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
:
Metamorphoses 4.30
Thomas Moore /
- Created on 2018-10-05 17:46:35
- Modified on 2018-10-19 17:00:25
- Aligned by Thomas Moore
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
.
Latin Project v.1
Thomas Moore /
- Created on 2018-10-14 14:28:51
- Modified on 2018-10-15 01:12:12
- Aligned by Thomas Moore
Latin
English
English
Humi sedebat scissili palliastro semiamictus , paene alius lurore , admiseram maciem deformatus , qualia solent fortunaedetrimina [ * ] stipes in triviis erogare . Hunc talem , quamquam necessarium et summe cognitum , tamen dubia mente propius accessi . Hem inquam Mi Socrates , quid istud ? Quae facies ? Quod flagitium ? Atvero domi tuae iam defletus et conclamatus es ; liberis tuis tutoresiuridici provincialis decreto dati ; uxor persolutis inferialibus [ * ] officiis , luctu et maerore diuturno deformata , diffletis paene adextremam captivitatem oculis suis , domus infortunium novarum nuptiarum gaudiis a suis sibi parentibus hilarare compellitur . At tu hic larvale simulacrum cum summo dedecore nostro viseris . Aristomene , inquit [ * ] Ne tu fortunarum lubricas ambages et instabilesincursiones et reciprocas vicissitudines ignoras ! Et cum dicto sutilicentunculo faciem suam iamdudum punicantem prae pudore obtexit , ita ut ab umbilico pube tenus cetera corporis renudaret . Nec deniqueperpessus ego tam miserum aerumnae spectaculum , iniecta manu utassurgat [ * ] [ * ]
enitor .
At ille , ut erat , capite velato Sine , sine inquit Fruatur diutius trophaeoFortuna quod fixit ipsa .
Effeci sequatur et simul unam e duabus laciniis meis exuo eumquepropere vestio dicam an contego , et illico lavacro trado ; quod unctui , quod tersui , ipse praeministro ; sordium enormem eluviem operoseeffrico ; probe curatum , ad hospitium , lassus ipse fatigatum aegerrimesustinens , perduco ; lectulo refoveo , cibo satio , poculo mitigo , fabulispermulceo . Iam allubentia proclivis est sermonis et ioci et scitum etcavillum ; iam dicacitas tinnula , [ * ] cum ille imo de pectore cruciabilemsuspiritum ducens , dextra saeviente frontem replaudens , Me miseruminfit Qui , dum voluptatem gladiatorii spectaculi satis famigcrabilisconsector , in has aerumnas incidi . Nam ut scis optime , secundum quaestum Macedoniam profectus , dum mense decimo ibidem attentus nummatior revortor , modico priusquam Larissam accederem , pertransitum spectaculum obiturus , in quadam avia et lacunosa convallia vastissimis latronibus obsessus atque omnibus privatus tandemevado et , utpote ultime affectus , ad quandam cauponam Meroen , anum sed admodum scitulam , devorto , eique causas et peregrinationis diuturnae et domuitionis anxiae et spoliationisdiuturnae et miserae refero : quae me [ * ]
nimis quam humane tractare adorta cenae gratae atque gratuitae acmox , urigine percita , cubili suo applicat . Et statim miser ut cum illaacquievi , ab unico congressu annosam ac pestilentemluem [ * ] contraho et ipsas etiam lacinias , quas boni latronescontegendo mihi concesserant , in eam contuli , operulas etiam , quasadhuc vegetus saccariam faciens merebam , quoad me ad istamfaciem , quam paulo ante vidisti , bona uxor et mala fortuna perduxit .
Pol quidem tu dignus inquam Es extrema sustinere , si quid est tamen novissimo extremius , qui voluptatem veneriam et scortum scorteumLari et liberis praetulisti . At ille , digitum a pollice proximum ori suo admovens et in stuporem attonitus , Tace , tace inquit , etcircumspiciens tutamenta sermonis , Parce inquit ( In feminamdivinam , ne quam tibi lingua intemperante noxam contrahas Aintandem ? inquam Potens illa et regina caupona quid mulieris est ? Sagainquit Et divina , potens caelum deponere , terram suspendere , fontesdurare , montes diluere , manes sublimare , deos infimare , sideraextinguere , Tartarum ipsum illuminare . Oro te inquam Aulaeumtragicum dimoveto et siparium scaenicum complicato et cedo verbis [ * ]
communibus . Vis inquit " Unum vel alterum , immo plurima eiusaudire facta ? Nam ut se ament efflictim non modo incolae , verumetiam In di vel Aethiopes utrique , vel ipsi Antichthones , folia sunt artiset nugae merae . Sed quod in conspectum plurium perpetravit , audi .
Amatorem suum , quod in aliam temerasset , unico verbo mutavit inferam castorem , quod ea bestia captivitati metuens ab insequentibusse praecisione genitalium liberat , ut illi quoque simile , quod venerem habuit in aliam , proveniret . Cauponem quoque vicinum atque ob idaemulum deformavit in ranam et nunc senex ille dolio innatans vini sui adventores pristinos in faece summissus officiosis ronchis raucusappellat . Alium de foro quod adversus eam locutus esset , in arietemdeformavit et nunc aries ille causas agit . Eadem amatoris sui uxoremquod in eam dicacule probrum dixerat , iam in sarcina praegnationisobsaepto utero et repigrato fetu perpetua praegnatione
damnavit et , ut cuncti numerant , iam octo annorum onere misella illa velut elephantum paritura distenditur .
Quae cum subinde ac multis noceret , publicitus indignatiopercrebruit , statutumque ut in eam dic altera severissime saxorumiaculationibus vindicaretur : quod consilium virtutibus cantionumantevortit et , ut illa Medea unius dieculae a Creone impetratis induciistotam eius domum filiamque cum ipso sene flammis coronalibusdeusserat , sic haec devotionibus sepulchralibus in scrobemprocuratis , ut mihi temulenta narravit proxime , cunctos in suis sibidomibus tacita numinum violentia clausit , ut toto biduo non claustraperfringi , non fores evelli , non denique parietes ipsi quiverintperforari , quoad mutua hortatione consone clamitarent , quam sanctissime deierantes sese neque ei manus ad molituros , et si quisaliud cogitant , salutare laturos subsidium : et sic illa propitiata totam civitatem absoluit . At vero coetus illius auctorem nocte intempestacum tota domo , id est parietibus et ipso solo et omni fundamento , uterat , clausa ad centesimum lapidem in aliam civitatem summo vertice montis exasperati sitam , et ob id ad aquas sterilem , transtulit . Et quoniam densa inhabitantium aedificia locum novo hospiti nondabant , ante portam proiecta domo
discessit . "
enitor .
At ille , ut erat , capite velato Sine , sine inquit Fruatur diutius trophaeoFortuna quod fixit ipsa .
Effeci sequatur et simul unam e duabus laciniis meis exuo eumquepropere vestio dicam an contego , et illico lavacro trado ; quod unctui , quod tersui , ipse praeministro ; sordium enormem eluviem operoseeffrico ; probe curatum , ad hospitium , lassus ipse fatigatum aegerrimesustinens , perduco ; lectulo refoveo , cibo satio , poculo mitigo , fabulispermulceo . Iam allubentia proclivis est sermonis et ioci et scitum etcavillum ; iam dicacitas tinnula , [ * ] cum ille imo de pectore cruciabilemsuspiritum ducens , dextra saeviente frontem replaudens , Me miseruminfit Qui , dum voluptatem gladiatorii spectaculi satis famigcrabilisconsector , in has aerumnas incidi . Nam ut scis optime , secundum quaestum Macedoniam profectus , dum mense decimo ibidem attentus nummatior revortor , modico priusquam Larissam accederem , pertransitum spectaculum obiturus , in quadam avia et lacunosa convallia vastissimis latronibus obsessus atque omnibus privatus tandemevado et , utpote ultime affectus , ad quandam cauponam Meroen , anum sed admodum scitulam , devorto , eique causas et peregrinationis diuturnae et domuitionis anxiae et spoliationisdiuturnae et miserae refero : quae me [ * ]
nimis quam humane tractare adorta cenae gratae atque gratuitae acmox , urigine percita , cubili suo applicat . Et statim miser ut cum illaacquievi , ab unico congressu annosam ac pestilentemluem [ * ] contraho et ipsas etiam lacinias , quas boni latronescontegendo mihi concesserant , in eam contuli , operulas etiam , quasadhuc vegetus saccariam faciens merebam , quoad me ad istamfaciem , quam paulo ante vidisti , bona uxor et mala fortuna perduxit .
Pol quidem tu dignus inquam Es extrema sustinere , si quid est tamen novissimo extremius , qui voluptatem veneriam et scortum scorteumLari et liberis praetulisti . At ille , digitum a pollice proximum ori suo admovens et in stuporem attonitus , Tace , tace inquit , etcircumspiciens tutamenta sermonis , Parce inquit ( In feminamdivinam , ne quam tibi lingua intemperante noxam contrahas Aintandem ? inquam Potens illa et regina caupona quid mulieris est ? Sagainquit Et divina , potens caelum deponere , terram suspendere , fontesdurare , montes diluere , manes sublimare , deos infimare , sideraextinguere , Tartarum ipsum illuminare . Oro te inquam Aulaeumtragicum dimoveto et siparium scaenicum complicato et cedo verbis [ * ]
communibus . Vis inquit " Unum vel alterum , immo plurima eiusaudire facta ? Nam ut se ament efflictim non modo incolae , verumetiam In di vel Aethiopes utrique , vel ipsi Antichthones , folia sunt artiset nugae merae . Sed quod in conspectum plurium perpetravit , audi .
Amatorem suum , quod in aliam temerasset , unico verbo mutavit inferam castorem , quod ea bestia captivitati metuens ab insequentibusse praecisione genitalium liberat , ut illi quoque simile , quod venerem habuit in aliam , proveniret . Cauponem quoque vicinum atque ob idaemulum deformavit in ranam et nunc senex ille dolio innatans vini sui adventores pristinos in faece summissus officiosis ronchis raucusappellat . Alium de foro quod adversus eam locutus esset , in arietemdeformavit et nunc aries ille causas agit . Eadem amatoris sui uxoremquod in eam dicacule probrum dixerat , iam in sarcina praegnationisobsaepto utero et repigrato fetu perpetua praegnatione
damnavit et , ut cuncti numerant , iam octo annorum onere misella illa velut elephantum paritura distenditur .
Quae cum subinde ac multis noceret , publicitus indignatiopercrebruit , statutumque ut in eam dic altera severissime saxorumiaculationibus vindicaretur : quod consilium virtutibus cantionumantevortit et , ut illa Medea unius dieculae a Creone impetratis induciistotam eius domum filiamque cum ipso sene flammis coronalibusdeusserat , sic haec devotionibus sepulchralibus in scrobemprocuratis , ut mihi temulenta narravit proxime , cunctos in suis sibidomibus tacita numinum violentia clausit , ut toto biduo non claustraperfringi , non fores evelli , non denique parietes ipsi quiverintperforari , quoad mutua hortatione consone clamitarent , quam sanctissime deierantes sese neque ei manus ad molituros , et si quisaliud cogitant , salutare laturos subsidium : et sic illa propitiata totam civitatem absoluit . At vero coetus illius auctorem nocte intempestacum tota domo , id est parietibus et ipso solo et omni fundamento , uterat , clausa ad centesimum lapidem in aliam civitatem summo vertice montis exasperati sitam , et ob id ad aquas sterilem , transtulit . Et quoniam densa inhabitantium aedificia locum novo hospiti nondabant , ante portam proiecta domo
discessit . "
" Suddenly I caught sight of my old friend Socrates , sitting on the ground , half-concealed in a ragged old cloak , so pale I hardly knew him , sadly thin and shrunken , like one of those Fate discards to beg at street corners . In that state , even though I knew him well , I approached him with doubt in my mind : ‘Well , Socrates , my friend , what’s happened ? How dreadful you look ! What shame ! Back home they’ve already mourned , and given you up for dead . By the provincial judge’s decree guardians have been appointed for your children ; and your wife , the funeral service done , her looks marred by endless tears and grief , her sight nearly lost from weeping , is being urged by her parents to ease the family misfortune with the joy of a fresh marriage . And here you are , looking like a ghost , to our utter shame ! ’ ‘Aristomenes , ’ he said , ‘you can’t know the slippery turns of Fortune ; the shifting assaults ; the string of reverses . ’ With that he threw his tattered cloak over a face that long since had blushed with embarrassment , leaving the rest of himself , from navel to thighs , bare . I could endure the sight of such terrible suffering no longer , grasped him and tried to set him on his feet . But he remained as he was ; his head shrouded , and cried : ‘No , no , let Fate have more joy of the spoils she puts on display ! ’ I made him follow me , and removing one or two of my garments clothed him hastily or rather hid him , then dragged him off to the baths in a trice . I myself found what was needed for oiling and drying ; and with effort scraped off the solid layers of dirt ; that done , I carried him off to an inn , tired myself , supporting his exhausted frame with some effort . I laid him on the bed ; filled him with food ; relaxed him with wine , soothed him with talk . Now he was ready for conversation , laughter , a witty joke , even some modest repartee , when suddenly a painful sob rose from the depths of his chest , and he beat his brow savagely with his hand . ‘Woe is me , ’ he cried , ‘I was chasing after the delights of a famous gladiatorial show , when I fell into this misfortune . For , as you know well , I’d gone to Macedonia on a business trip , and after nine months labouring there I was on my way back 9 home a wealthier man . Just before I reached Larissa , where I was going to watch the show by the way , walking along a rough and desolate valley , I was attacked by fierce bandits , and stripped of all I had . At last I escaped , weak as I was , and reached an inn belonging to a mature yet very attractive woman named Meroe , and told her about my lengthy journey , my desire for home , and the wretched robbery . She treated me more than kindly , with a welcome and generous meal , and quickly aroused by lust , steered me to her bed . At once I was done for , the moment I slept with her ; that one bout of sex infected me with a long and pestilential relationship ; she’s even had the clothes those kind robbers left me , and the meagre wages I’ve earned heaving sacks while I still could , until at last evil Fortune and my good ‘wife’ reduced me to the state you saw not long ago . ’ " By Pollux ! " I said " You deserve the worst , if there’s anything worse than what you got , for preferring the joys of Venus and a wrinkled whore to your home and kids . " " But shocked and stunned he placed his index finger to his lips : " Quiet , quiet ! " he said then glancing round , making sure it was safe to speak : " Beware of a woman with magic powers , lest your intemperate speech do you a mischief . " " Really ? " I said , " What sort of a woman is this high and mighty innkeeper ? " " A witch " he said , " with divine powers to lower the sky , and halt the globe , make fountains stone , and melt the mountains , raise the ghosts and summon the gods , extinguish the stars and illuminate Tartarus itself . " " Oh come , " said I , " dispense with the melodrama , away with stage scenery ; use the common tongue . " " Do you , " he replied " wish to hear one or two , or more , of her doings ? Because the fact she can make all men fall for her , and not just the locals but Indians , and the Ethiopian savages of orient and occident , and even men who live on the opposite side of the Earth , that’s only a tithe of her art , the merest bagatelle . Just listen to what she’s perpetrated in front of witnesses . One of her lovers had misbehaved with someone else , so with a single word she changed him into a beaver , a creature that , fearing capture , escapes from the hunters by biting off its own testicles to confuse the hounds with their scent , and she intended the same for him , for having it off with another woman . Then there was another innkeeper , nearby , in 10 competition , and she changed him into a frog ; now the old man swims in a vat of his own wine , hides in the dregs , and calls out humbly to his past customers with raucous croaks . And because he spoke against her she turned a lawyer into a sheep , and now as a sheep he pleads his case . When the wife of a lover of hers , who was carrying at the time , insulted her wittily , she condemned her to perpetual pregnancy by closing her womb to prevent the birth , and according to everyone’s computation that poor woman’s been burdened for eight years or more and she’s big as an elephant ! As it kept happening , and many were harmed , public indignation grew , and the people decreed the severest punishment , stoning to death next day . But with the power of her chanting she thwarted their plan . Just as Medea , in that one short day she won from Creon , consumed his daughter , his palace , and the old king himself in the flames from the golden crown , so Meroe , by chanting necromantic rites in a ditch , as she told me herself when she was drunk , shut all the people in their houses , with the dumb force of her magic powers . For two whole days not one of them could break the locks , rip open the doors , or even dig a way through the walls , until at last , at everyone’s mutual urging , they called out , swearing a solemn oath not to lay hands on her themselves , and to come to her defence and save her if anyone tried to do so . Thus propitiated she freed the whole town . But as for the author of the original decree , she snatched him up in the dead of night with his whole house – that’s walls and floor and foundations entire – and shifted them , the doors still locked , a hundred miles to another town on the top of a rugged and arid mountain ; and since the densely-packed homes of those folk left no room for the new guest , she dropped the house in front of the gates and vanished . " " What you relate is marvellous , dear Socrates , " I said , " and wild . In short you’ve roused no little anxiety , even fear , in me too . I’m struck with no mere pebble here , but a spear , lest with the aid of those same magic forces that old woman might have heard our conversation . So let’s go to bed early , and weariness relieved by sleep , leave before dawn and get as far away as we can . "
Wherefore towards night being very weary , I went to the Baines to refresh my selfe , and behold , I fortuned to espy my companion Socrates sitting upon the ground , covered with a torn and course mantle ; who was so meigre and of so sallow and miserable a countenance , that I scantly knew him : for fortune had brought him into such estate and calamity , that he verily seemed as a common begger that standeth in the streets to crave the benevolence of the passers by . Towards whom ( howbeit he was my singular friend and familiar acquaintance , yet half in despaire ) I drew nigh and said , Alas my Socrates , what meaneth this ? how faireth it with thee ? What crime hast thou committed ? verily there is great lamentation and weeping for thee at home : Thy children are in ward by decree of the Provinciall Judge : Thy wife ( having ended her mourning time in lamentable wise , with face and visage blubbered with teares , in such sort that she hath well nigh wept out both her eyes ) is constrained by her parents to put out of remembrance the unfortunate losse and lacke of thee at home , and against her will to take a new husband . And dost thou live here as a ghost or hogge , to our great shame and ignominy ?
Then he answered he to me and said , O my friend Aristomenus , now perceive I well that you are ignorant of the whirling changes , the unstable forces , and slippery inconstancy of Fortune : and therewithall he covered his face ( even then blushing for very shame ) with his rugged mantle insomuch that from his navel downwards he appeared all naked .
But I not willing to see him any longer in such great miserie and calamitie , took him by the hand and lifted him up from the ground : who having his face covered in such sort , Let Fortune ( quoth he ) triumph yet more , let her have her sway , and finish that which shee hath begun . And therewithall I put off one of my garments and covered him , and immediately I brought him to the Baine , and caused him to be anointed , wiped , and the filthy scurfe of his body to be rubbed away ; which done , though I were very weary my selfe , yet I led the poore miser to my Inne , where he reposed his body upon a bed , and then I brought him meat and drinke , and so wee talked together : for there we might be merry and laugh at our pleasure , and so we were , untill such time as he ( fetching a pittifull sigh from the bottom of his heart , and beating his face in miserable sort ) , began to say .
How Socrates in his returne from Macedony to Larissa was spoyled and robbed , and how he fell acquainted with one Meroe a Witch .
Alas poore miser that I am , that for the onely desire to see a game of triall of weapons , am fallen into these miseries and wretched snares of misfortune . For in my returne from Macedonie , wheras I sould all my wares , and played the Merchant by the space of ten months , a little before that I came to Larissa , I turned out of the way , to view the scituation of the countrey there , and behold in the bottom of a deep valley I was suddenly environed with a company of theeves , who robbed and spoiled me of such things as I had , and yet would hardly suffer me to escape . But I beeing in such extremity , in the end was happily delivered from their hands , and so I fortuned to come to the house of an old woman that sold wine , called Meroe , who had her tongue sufficiently instructed to flattery : unto whom I opened the causes of my long peregrination and careful travell , and of myne unlucky adventure : and after that I had declared to her such things as then presently came to my remembrance , shee gently entertained mee and made mee good cheere ; and by and by being pricked with carnall desire , shee brought me to her own bed chamber ; whereas I poore miser the very first night of our lying together did purchase to my selfe this miserable face , and for her lodging I gave to her such apparel as the theeves left to cover me withall .
The I understanding the cause of his miserable estate , sayd unto him , In faith thou art worthy to sustaine the most extreame misery and calamity , which hast defiled and maculated thyne owne body , forsaken thy wife traitorously , and dishonoured thy children , parents , and friends , for the love of a vile harlot and old strumpet . When Socrates heard mee raile against Meroe in such sort , he held up his finger to mee , and as halfe abashed sayd , Peace peace I pray you , and looking about lest any body should heare , I pray you ( quoth he ) I pray you take heed what you say against so venerable a woman as shee is , lest by your intemperate tongue you catch some harm . Then with resemblance of admiration , What ( quoth I ) is she so excellent a person as you name her to be ? I pray you tell me . Then answered hee , Verily shee is a Magitian , which hath power to rule the heavens , to bringe downe the sky , to beare up the earth , to turne the waters into hills and the hills into running waters , to lift up the terrestrial spirits into the aire , and to pull the gods out of the heavens , to extinguish the planets , and to lighten the deepe darknesse of hell . Then sayd I unto Socrates , Leave off this high and mysticall kinde of talke , and tell the matter in a more plaine and simple fashion . Then answered he , Will you hear one or two , or more of her facts which she hath done , for whereas she enforceth not onely the inhabitants of the countrey here , but also the Indians and the Ethiopians the one and the other , and also the Antictons , to love her in most raging sort , such as are but trifles and chips of her occupation , but I pray you give eare , and I will declare of more greater matters , which shee hath done openly and before the face of all men .
How Meroe the Witch turned divers persons into miserable beasts .
In faith Aristomenus to tell you the truth , this woman had a certaine Lover , whom by the utterance of one only word she turned into a Bever , because he loved another woman beside her : and the reason why she transformed him into such a beast is , for that it is his nature , when hee perceiveth the hunters and hounds to draw after him , to bite off his members , and lay them in the way , that the hounds may be at a stop when they find them , and to the intent it might so happen unto him ( for that he fancied another woman ) she turned him into that kind of shape .
Semblably she changed one of her neighbours , being an old man and one that sold wine , into a Frog , in that he was one of her occupation , and therefore she bare him a grudge , and now the poore miser swimming in one of his pipes of wine , and well nigh drowned in the dregs , doth cry and call with an hoarse voice , for his old guests and acquaintance that pass by . Like wise she turned one of the Advocates of the Court ( because he pleaded and spake against her in a rightful cause ) into a horned Ram , and now the poore Ram is become an Advocate . Moreover she caused , that the wife of a certain lover that she had should never be delivered of her childe , but according to the computation of all men , it is eight yeares past since the poore woman first began to swell , and now shee is encreased so big , that shee seemeth as though she would bring forth some great Elephant : which when it was knowne abroad , and published throughout all the towne , they tooke indignation against her , and ordayned that the next day shee should most cruelly be stoned to death . Which purpose of theirs she prevented by the vertue of her inchantments , and as Medea ( who obtained of King Creon but one days respit before her departure ) did burn all his house , him , and his daughter : so she , by her conjurations and invocations of spirits , ( which she useth in a certaine hole in her house , as shee her selfe declared unto me the next day following ) closed all the persons in the towne so sure in their houses , and with such violence of power , that for the space of two dayes they could not get forth , nor open their gates nor doore , nor break downe their walls , whereby they were inforced by mutuall consent to cry unto her , and to bind themselves strictly by oaths , that they would never afterwards molest or hurt her : and moreover , if any did offer her any injury they would be ready to defend her . Whereupon shee , mooved by their promises , and stirred by pitty , released all the towne . But shee conveyed the principal Author of this ordinance about midnight , with all his house , the walls , the ground , and the foundation , into another towne , distant from thence an hundred miles , scituate and beeing on the top of an high hill , and by reason thereof destitute of water , and because the edifices and houses were so nigh built together , that it was not possible for the house to stand there , she threw it downe before the gate of the towne . Then I spake and said O my friend Socrates you have declared unto me many marvellous things and strange chances , and moreover stricken me with no small trouble of minde , yea rather with great feare , lest the same old woman using the like practice , should fortune to heare all our communication . Wherefore let us now sleepe , and after that we have taken our rest , let us rise betimes in the morning , and ride away hence before day , as far as we can possible .
Then he answered he to me and said , O my friend Aristomenus , now perceive I well that you are ignorant of the whirling changes , the unstable forces , and slippery inconstancy of Fortune : and therewithall he covered his face ( even then blushing for very shame ) with his rugged mantle insomuch that from his navel downwards he appeared all naked .
But I not willing to see him any longer in such great miserie and calamitie , took him by the hand and lifted him up from the ground : who having his face covered in such sort , Let Fortune ( quoth he ) triumph yet more , let her have her sway , and finish that which shee hath begun . And therewithall I put off one of my garments and covered him , and immediately I brought him to the Baine , and caused him to be anointed , wiped , and the filthy scurfe of his body to be rubbed away ; which done , though I were very weary my selfe , yet I led the poore miser to my Inne , where he reposed his body upon a bed , and then I brought him meat and drinke , and so wee talked together : for there we might be merry and laugh at our pleasure , and so we were , untill such time as he ( fetching a pittifull sigh from the bottom of his heart , and beating his face in miserable sort ) , began to say .
How Socrates in his returne from Macedony to Larissa was spoyled and robbed , and how he fell acquainted with one Meroe a Witch .
Alas poore miser that I am , that for the onely desire to see a game of triall of weapons , am fallen into these miseries and wretched snares of misfortune . For in my returne from Macedonie , wheras I sould all my wares , and played the Merchant by the space of ten months , a little before that I came to Larissa , I turned out of the way , to view the scituation of the countrey there , and behold in the bottom of a deep valley I was suddenly environed with a company of theeves , who robbed and spoiled me of such things as I had , and yet would hardly suffer me to escape . But I beeing in such extremity , in the end was happily delivered from their hands , and so I fortuned to come to the house of an old woman that sold wine , called Meroe , who had her tongue sufficiently instructed to flattery : unto whom I opened the causes of my long peregrination and careful travell , and of myne unlucky adventure : and after that I had declared to her such things as then presently came to my remembrance , shee gently entertained mee and made mee good cheere ; and by and by being pricked with carnall desire , shee brought me to her own bed chamber ; whereas I poore miser the very first night of our lying together did purchase to my selfe this miserable face , and for her lodging I gave to her such apparel as the theeves left to cover me withall .
The I understanding the cause of his miserable estate , sayd unto him , In faith thou art worthy to sustaine the most extreame misery and calamity , which hast defiled and maculated thyne owne body , forsaken thy wife traitorously , and dishonoured thy children , parents , and friends , for the love of a vile harlot and old strumpet . When Socrates heard mee raile against Meroe in such sort , he held up his finger to mee , and as halfe abashed sayd , Peace peace I pray you , and looking about lest any body should heare , I pray you ( quoth he ) I pray you take heed what you say against so venerable a woman as shee is , lest by your intemperate tongue you catch some harm . Then with resemblance of admiration , What ( quoth I ) is she so excellent a person as you name her to be ? I pray you tell me . Then answered hee , Verily shee is a Magitian , which hath power to rule the heavens , to bringe downe the sky , to beare up the earth , to turne the waters into hills and the hills into running waters , to lift up the terrestrial spirits into the aire , and to pull the gods out of the heavens , to extinguish the planets , and to lighten the deepe darknesse of hell . Then sayd I unto Socrates , Leave off this high and mysticall kinde of talke , and tell the matter in a more plaine and simple fashion . Then answered he , Will you hear one or two , or more of her facts which she hath done , for whereas she enforceth not onely the inhabitants of the countrey here , but also the Indians and the Ethiopians the one and the other , and also the Antictons , to love her in most raging sort , such as are but trifles and chips of her occupation , but I pray you give eare , and I will declare of more greater matters , which shee hath done openly and before the face of all men .
How Meroe the Witch turned divers persons into miserable beasts .
In faith Aristomenus to tell you the truth , this woman had a certaine Lover , whom by the utterance of one only word she turned into a Bever , because he loved another woman beside her : and the reason why she transformed him into such a beast is , for that it is his nature , when hee perceiveth the hunters and hounds to draw after him , to bite off his members , and lay them in the way , that the hounds may be at a stop when they find them , and to the intent it might so happen unto him ( for that he fancied another woman ) she turned him into that kind of shape .
Semblably she changed one of her neighbours , being an old man and one that sold wine , into a Frog , in that he was one of her occupation , and therefore she bare him a grudge , and now the poore miser swimming in one of his pipes of wine , and well nigh drowned in the dregs , doth cry and call with an hoarse voice , for his old guests and acquaintance that pass by . Like wise she turned one of the Advocates of the Court ( because he pleaded and spake against her in a rightful cause ) into a horned Ram , and now the poore Ram is become an Advocate . Moreover she caused , that the wife of a certain lover that she had should never be delivered of her childe , but according to the computation of all men , it is eight yeares past since the poore woman first began to swell , and now shee is encreased so big , that shee seemeth as though she would bring forth some great Elephant : which when it was knowne abroad , and published throughout all the towne , they tooke indignation against her , and ordayned that the next day shee should most cruelly be stoned to death . Which purpose of theirs she prevented by the vertue of her inchantments , and as Medea ( who obtained of King Creon but one days respit before her departure ) did burn all his house , him , and his daughter : so she , by her conjurations and invocations of spirits , ( which she useth in a certaine hole in her house , as shee her selfe declared unto me the next day following ) closed all the persons in the towne so sure in their houses , and with such violence of power , that for the space of two dayes they could not get forth , nor open their gates nor doore , nor break downe their walls , whereby they were inforced by mutuall consent to cry unto her , and to bind themselves strictly by oaths , that they would never afterwards molest or hurt her : and moreover , if any did offer her any injury they would be ready to defend her . Whereupon shee , mooved by their promises , and stirred by pitty , released all the towne . But shee conveyed the principal Author of this ordinance about midnight , with all his house , the walls , the ground , and the foundation , into another towne , distant from thence an hundred miles , scituate and beeing on the top of an high hill , and by reason thereof destitute of water , and because the edifices and houses were so nigh built together , that it was not possible for the house to stand there , she threw it downe before the gate of the towne . Then I spake and said O my friend Socrates you have declared unto me many marvellous things and strange chances , and moreover stricken me with no small trouble of minde , yea rather with great feare , lest the same old woman using the like practice , should fortune to heare all our communication . Wherefore let us now sleepe , and after that we have taken our rest , let us rise betimes in the morning , and ride away hence before day , as far as we can possible .
4.32
Thomas Moore /
- Created on 2018-10-31 16:59:52
- Modified on 2018-11-12 18:05:43
- Aligned by Thomas Moore
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
:
4.33
Thomas Moore /
- Created on 2018-11-12 18:08:19
- Modified on 2018-11-16 18:21:34
- Aligned by Thomas Moore
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 .
4.34
Thomas Moore /
- Created on 2018-11-19 17:43:35
- Modified on 2018-11-19 18:19:48
- Aligned by Thomas Moore
Latin
English
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 nuptias sed 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
?
"
Latin Project 2: 5.27
Thomas Moore /
- Created on 2018-11-23 23:13:55
- Modified on 2018-11-25 20:47:07
- Aligned by Thomas Moore
Latin
English
Necdum sermonem Psyche finierat ; illa vesanae libidinis et invidiae noxiae stimulis agitata , e re concinnato mendacio fallens maritum , quasi de morti parentum aliquid comperisset , statim navem ascendi ! et ad illum scopulum protinus pergit , et quamvis alio flante vento , caeca spe tamen inhians , Accipe me dicens Cupido , dignam te coniugem et tu , Zephyre ,
suscipe dominam ! saltu se maximo praecipitem dedit Nec tamen adillum locum vel saltem mortua pervenire potuit : nam per saxa cautiummembris iactatis atque dissipatis et proinde ut merebatur laceratavisceribus suis alitibus bestiisque obvium ferens pabulum interiit . Necvindictae sequentis poena tardavit nam Psyche rursus errabundo gradupervenit ad civitatem aliam , in qua pari modo soror morabatur alia . Nec setius et ipsa fallacie germanitatis inducta , et in sororis sceleratasnuptias aemula , festinavit ad scopulum inque simile mortis exitiumcecidit .
suscipe dominam ! saltu se maximo praecipitem dedit Nec tamen adillum locum vel saltem mortua pervenire potuit : nam per saxa cautiummembris iactatis atque dissipatis et proinde ut merebatur laceratavisceribus suis alitibus bestiisque obvium ferens pabulum interiit . Necvindictae sequentis poena tardavit nam Psyche rursus errabundo gradupervenit ad civitatem aliam , in qua pari modo soror morabatur alia . Nec setius et ipsa fallacie germanitatis inducta , et in sororis sceleratasnuptias aemula , festinavit ad scopulum inque simile mortis exitiumcecidit .
Psyche
had
barely
finished
speaking
before
her
sister
spurred
on
by
raging passion and venomous jealousy had conceived a tale to deceive her
husband . Pretending she had just had news of her parents’ deaths , she took
ship , and travelled to the cliff-edge . Though an adverse wind was blowing ,
filled with desire and in blind hope she cried : " Accept a wife worthy of
you , Cupid : carry your mistress to him , Zephyr ! And she took a headlong
leap . Yet even in death she could not reach her goal . Her body was broken
and torn on the jagged rocks , as she deserved , and her lacerated corpse
provided a ready banquet for the wild beasts and carrion birds .
Nor was the second sister’s punishment slow in arriving . Psyche
wandered on to the city where her other sibling lived in similar style , who
likewise roused by her sister’s story , eager to supplant her wickedly in
marriage , rushed to the cliff and met the selfsame end .
raging passion and venomous jealousy had conceived a tale to deceive her
husband . Pretending she had just had news of her parents’ deaths , she took
ship , and travelled to the cliff-edge . Though an adverse wind was blowing ,
filled with desire and in blind hope she cried : " Accept a wife worthy of
you , Cupid : carry your mistress to him , Zephyr ! And she took a headlong
leap . Yet even in death she could not reach her goal . Her body was broken
and torn on the jagged rocks , as she deserved , and her lacerated corpse
provided a ready banquet for the wild beasts and carrion birds .
Nor was the second sister’s punishment slow in arriving . Psyche
wandered on to the city where her other sibling lived in similar style , who
likewise roused by her sister’s story , eager to supplant her wickedly in
marriage , rushed to the cliff and met the selfsame end .
4.35
Thomas Moore /
- Created on 2018-11-30 18:05:38
- Modified on 2018-12-07 18:09:38
- Aligned by Thomas Moore
Latin
English
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 sese dedidere . 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
.