 Book 1, Part 1 of Ovid's Metamorphosis. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Linny. Metamorphosis by Publius Ovidius-Nazzo, translated by Brooks Moore. Book 1, Part 1. My soul is wrought to sing of forms transformed to bodies new and strange. Immortal gods inspire my heart, for you have changed yourselves and all things you have changed. O, lead my song in smooth and measured strains from olden days when earth began to this completed time. Before the ocean and the earth appeared, before the skies had overspread them all, the face of nature in a vast expense was not but chaos uniformly waste. It was a rude and undeveloped mass that nothing made except a ponderous weight, and all discordant elements confused were there congested in a shapeless heap. As yet the sun afforded earth no light, nor did the moon renew her crescent horns. The earth was not suspended in the air, exactly balanced by her heavy weight. Not far along the margin of the shores had amphithrite stretched her lengthed arms, for all the land was mixed with sea and air. The land was soft, the sea unfit to sail, the atmosphere opaque to not was given a proper form, and everything was strife and all was mingled in a seeding mass with hot the cold part strove, and wet with dry and soft with hard and weight with empty void. But God, or kindly nature, ended strife. He cut the land from skies, the sea from land, the heavens ethereal from material air, and when were all evolved from that dark mass, he bound the fractious parts in tranquil peace. The fiery element of convex heaven leaped from the mass the void of dragging weight, and chose the summit arch to which the air as next in quality was next in place. The earth, more dense, attracted grosser parts, and moved by gravity sank underneath, and last of all the wide surrounding waves in deeper channels rolled around the globe. And when this God, which one is yet unknown, had carved asunder that discordant mass, had thus reduced it to its elements that every part should equally combine, when time began he rounded out the earth and molded it to form a mighty globe. Then poured he forth the deeps and gave command that they should billow in the rapid winds, that they should compass every shore of earth. He also added fountains, pools and lakes, and bound with shelving banks the slanting streams, which partly are absorbed and partly joined the boundless ocean. Thus received amid the wide expanse of uncontrolled waves, they beat the shores instead of crooked banks. At his command the boundless plains extend, the valleys are depressed, the woods are clothed in green, the stony mountains rise, and as the heavens are intersected on the right by two broad zones, by two that cut the left and by a fifth consumed with ardent heat, with such a number did the careful God mark off the compassed weight and thus the earth received as many climbs. Such heat consumes the middle zone that none may dwell therein, and two extremes are covered with deep snow, and two are placed betwixt the hot and cold, which mixed together give a temperate climb, and overall the atmosphere suspends with weight proportion to the fiery sky, exactly as the weight of earth compares with weight of water. And he ordered mist to gather in the air and spread the clouds. He fixed the thunders that disturb our souls, and brought the lightning on destructive winds that also waft the cold. Nor did the great artificer permit these mighty winds to blow unbounded in the pathless skies, but each discordant brother fixed in space, although his power can scarce restrain the rage to rend the universe. At his command, to far Aurora, Eras took his way, to Naboth, Persia, and that mountain range first gilded by the dawn, and Zephyr's flight was towards the evening star and peaceful shores, warm with the setting sun. And Boria's invaded Scythia and the northern snows, and Oster wafted to the distant south, where clouds and rain encompass his abode. And over these he fixed the liquid sky, the void of weight, and free from earthly dross. And scarcely had he separated these, and fixed their certain balance, when all the stars, which long were pressed and hidden in the mass, began to gleam out from the plains of heaven, and traversed with the gods bright either fields, and lest some part might be bereft of life, the gleaming waves were filled with twinkling fish, the earth was covered with wild animals, the agitated air was filled with birds. But one more perfect and more sanctified, a being capable of lofty thought, intelligent to rule, was wanting still. Man was created. Did the unknown god designing then a better world make man of seed divine? Or did Prometheus take the new soil of earth that still contains some godly element of heaven's life, and use it to create the race of men, first mingling it with water of new streams, so that his new creation, upright men, was made an image of commanding gods? On earth the brute creation bends its gaze, but man was given a lofty countenance, and was commanded to behold the skies, and with an upright face may view the stars. And so it was that shapeless clay put on the form of men till then unknown to earth. First was the golden age, then rectitude spontaneous in the heart prevailed, and faith. Avengers were not seen, for laws unfrained were all unknown and needless. Punishment and fear of penalties existed not, no harsh decrees were fixed on brazen plates, no suppliant multitude the countenance of justice feared, averting, for they dwelt without a judge in peace. Descended not the steeps shorn from its height, the lofty pine, cleaving the treckless ways of alien shores, nor distant realms were known to wandering men. The towns were not entrenched for time of war. They had no brazen trumpets, straight, nor horns of curving brass, nor helmets, shields, nor swords. There was no thought of martial pomp, secure a happy multitude and joy repose. Then, of her own accord, the earth produced a store of every fruit. The hero touched her knot, nor did the plowsher wound her fields. And men, content with given food, and non-compelling, gathered arbued fruits and wild strawberries on the mountain sides, and ripe blackberries clinging to the bush, and corners and sweet acorns on the ground, downfallen from the spreading tree of jove. Eternal string, soft breathing sapphires, soothed and warmly cherished buds and blooms produced without a seed. The valleys, though unplowed, gave many fruits. The fields, though not renewed, white-glistened with the heavy bearded wheat. Rivers flowed milk and nectar. And the trees, the very oak trees, then gave honey of themselves. When Saturn had been banished into night, and all the world was ruled by Joe's supreme, the silver age, though not so good as gold, but still surpassing yellow brass, prevailed. Joe first reduced to ears the primal spring, by him divided into periods four, unequal, summer, autumn, winter, spring, then glowed with tawny heat the parched air, or pendant icicles in winter froze, and men stopped crouching in crude caverns, while he built his homes of tree-rods, bark and twined. Then were the cereals planted in long rows, and bullocks groaned beneath the heavy oak. The third age followed, called the Age of Bronze, when cruel people were inclined to arms, but not to impious crimes, and less of all, the ruthless and hard age of iron prevailed, from which malignant vain great evil sprung, and modesty and faith and truth took flight, and in their steed the seats and snares and frauds and violence and wicked love of gain succeeded. Then the sailors spread his sails to Winsanone, and keels that long had stood on lofty mountains pierced uncharted waves. Surveyors, anxious marked with meats and bounds the lands, created free as light and air. Nor need the rich ground furnish only crops, and give due nourishment by right required. They penetrated to the bowels of earth, and dug up wealth, bad cause of all our ills. Rich ores which long ago the earth had hid, and deep removed to gloomy stigian caves, and soon destructive iron and harmful gold were brought to light. And war, which uses both, came forth, and shook with sanguinary grip his clashing arms. Rapacity broke forth, the guest was not protected from his host, the father-in-law from his own son-in-law. Even brothers seldom could abide in peace. The husband threatened to destroy his wife, and she, her husband. Horrid stab dames mixed the deadly henbane, eager sons inquire their father's ages. Piety was slain, and last of all, the virgin deity Astria vanished from the blood-stained earth. And lest ethereal heights should long remain less troubled than the earth, the throne of heaven was threatened by the giants, and they piled, mountain on mountain, to the lofty stars. But Jove, omnipotent, shot thunderbolts through Mount Olympus, and he overturned from Osa huge, enormous spellion. And while these dreadful bodies lay overwhelmed in their tremendous bulk, so fame reports, the earth was reeking with the copious blood of her gigantic sons. And thus, replete with moisture, she infused the steaming gore with life renewed. So that a monument of such ferocious stock should be retained, she made that offspring in the shape of men. But this new race alight despised the gods, and by the greed of savage slaughter proved the sanguinary birth. When, from his throne supreme, the son of Saturn viewed their deeds, he deeply groaned. And calling to his mind, the loathsome feast Lee Kahn had prepared, a recent deed not common to report, his soul conceived great anger, worthy Jove, and he convened a council. No delay detained the chosen gods. When skies are clear, a path is well-defined on high, which men, because so white, have named the Milky Way. It makes a passage for the deities, and leads to mentions of the Thunder God, to Jove's imperial home. On either side of its wide way, the noble gods are seen, inferior gods in other parts by, but there the potent and renowned of heaven have fixed their homes. It is a glorious place. Our most audacious verse might designate the palace of high heaven. When the gods were seated, therefore, in its marble halls, the king of all above the throne sat high, and leaning on his ivory scepter, thrice, and once again his shook his awful locks, wherewith he moved the earth and seas and stars, and thus indignantly began to speak. The time when serpent-footed giants strove to fix their hundred arms on captive heaven, not more than this event could cause alarm for my dominion of the universe. Although it was a savage enemy, yet warred we, with a single source derived of one. Now must I utterly destroy this mortal race, wherever ne'erious roars around the world. Ye, by the infernal streams that glide through stitch-and-groves beneath the world, I swear it. Every method has been tried. The knife must cut immedicable wounds, lest melodies infect untainted parts. Beneath my sway are demigods and fawns, nymphs, rustic deities, silvens of the hills, satires. All these, unworthy heavens abode, we should at least permit to dwell on earth, which we to them bequeathed. What think ye gods? Is safety theirs when I, your soul, Lord, the thunderbolt controller, am ensnared by fiercely con? Ardent in their wrath, the astonished gods demand revenge overtake this miscreant, he who dared commit such crimes. It was even thus, when raged that impious band to blot the Roman name in sacred blood of Caesar, sudden apprehensive fears of ruin, absolute astonished men, and all the world convulsed. Nor is the love thy people bear to thee, Augustus, less than these displayed to Jupiter, whose voice and gesture all the murmuring host restrained. And, as indignant clamors seized, suppressed by regnant majesty, Jove once again broke the deep silence with imperial words. Dismiss your cares. He pay the penalty. However, all the crimes of this world all the crime and punishment now learn from this. An infamous report of this unholy age had reached my ears, and wishing it were false, I sloped my course from high Olympus, and, although a god disguised in human form, I view the world. It would delay us to recount the crimes unnumbered, for reports were less than truth. I traversed Manalas, where fearful dents abound, overly kaius, wintry slopes of pine tree groves, across Silenus steep, and as the twilight warned of night's approach, I stopped in that Arcadian tyrant's realms, and entered his inhospitable home. And when I showed his people that a god had come, they lowly prayed and worshipped me, but this lecan mocked their pious vows, and scuffing said, A fair experiment will prove the truth, if this be God or man. And he prepared to slain me in the night, to end my slumbers in the sleep of death. So made he merry with his impious proof, but not content with this, he cut the throat of a Molossian hostage sent to him, and partly softened his still-quivering limbs in boiling water, partly roasted them on fires that burned beneath. And when this flesh was served to me on tables, I destroyed his dwelling and his worthless household gods with thunderbolts avenging. Terror struck, he took to flight, and on the silent plains is howling in his vain attempts to speak. He raised and rages in his gritty jaws, desiring their accustomed slaughter turned against the sheep, still eager for their blood. His vesture separates and shaggy hair, his arms are changed to legs, and as a wolf he has the same gray locks, the same hard face, the same bright eyes, the same ferocious look. Thus fell one house, but not one house alone deserved to perish. Over all the earth ferocious deeds prevail, all men conspire in evil. Let them therefore feel the weight of dreadful penalty, so justly earned, for such half my unchanging will ordained. With exclamation some approved the words of Jove and added fuel to his wrath, while others gave assent. But all deplored and questioned the estates of earth, deprived of mortals. How could offer frankincense upon the altars? Would he suffer earth to be the spoil by hungry beasts of prey? Such idle questions of the state of men, both gods forbade, but granted soon to people earth, with race miraculous unlike the first. And now his thunderbolts would Jove wide scatter, but he feared the flames, unnumbered sacred ether might ignite and burn the axle of the universe. And he remembered, in the scroll of fate, there was a time appointed when the earth and sea and heavens shall melt, and fire destroy the universe of mighty labor wrought. Such weapons by the skill of Cyclops forged, for a different punishment he laid aside. For straight away he preferred to overwhelm the mortal race beneath deep waves and storms from ever-raining sky, and instantly he shut the north wind in Iolean caves and every other wind that might dispel the gathering clouds. He bade the south wind blow. The south wind flies abroad with dripping wings, concealing in the gloom his awful face. The drenching rains descends from his wet beard and hoary locks. Dark clouds are on his brows and from his wings and garments drip the dews. His great hands press the overhanging clouds. Loudly the thunder's roll, the torrents pour. Iris, the messenger of Juno, clad in many-colored raiment, upward draws the streaming moisture to renew the clouds. The standing grain is beaten to the ground. The rustic crops are scattered in the mire. And he bewails the long years fruitless toil. The wrath of Jove was not content with powers that emanate from heaven. He brought to aid his azure brother, lord of flowing waves, who called upon the rivers and the streams. And when they entered his impurled abode, Neptune, their ancient ruler, thus began. A long appeal is needless. Pour ye forth in rage of power. Open up your fountains. Rush over obstacles. Let every stream pour forth in boundless floods. Thus he commands, and none dissenting, all the river gods return, and opening up their fountains, roll tumultuous to the deep, unfruitful sea. And Neptune, with his trident, smote the earth, which trembling with unwanted throes, heaved up the sources of her water's bare. And through her open plains, the rapid rivers rushed, resistlessed, onward bearing the waving grain, the budding groves, the houses, sheep and men, and holy temples and their sacred urns. The mansions that remained, resisting vast and total ruin, deepening waves concealed, and welled their tottering torrents in the flood and roaring gulf. And now, one vast expanse, the land and sea were mingled in the waste of endless waves. A sea, without a shore. One desperate man seized on the nearest hill. Another, sitting in his curved boat, plied the long oar where he was want to plow. Another sailed above his grain, above his hidden dwelling, and another hooked a fish that sported in a leafy elm. Perchance an anchor dropped in verdant fields. Oar-curving keels were pushed through tangled vines. And where the grass had fallen, and where the grass-isle goat enjoyed the grain, unsightly seals were posed. Beneath the waves were wandering naire-eeds, viewing cities, groves and houses. Dolphins darting amid the trees, meshed in the twisted branches, beat against the shaken oak trees. There the sheep, afraid, swim with the frightened wolf. The surging waves float tigers and lions. A veil if not his lightning nor, nor veils the stags fleet-footed speed. The wandering bird, seeking unambiguous groves and hidden veils with wearied pinion, droops into the sea. The waves increasing surge above the hills, and rising waters dash on mountaintops. Myriads by the waves are swept away, and those the water spare, for lack of food, starvation slowly overcomes at last. A fruitful land and fair, but now submerged beneath the wilderness of rising waves. Twixt, Oeta, and Ionia, in focus lies. Where, through the clouds, Parnassus summits, twain point upwards to the stars, unmeasured height, save, which the rolling billows covered all. There, in a small and fragile boat, arrived. Duocallion, and the consort of his couch, prepared to worship the Coracean nymphs, the mountain deities, and Themis kind, who, in that age, revealed in oracles the voice of fate. And as he, no other, lived so good and just, as she, no other, feared the gods. When Jupiter beheld the globe in ruin covered, swept with wasting waves, and when he saw one man of Myriads left, one helpless woman left of Myriads' loan, both innocent in worshiping the gods, he scattered all the clouds. He blew away the great storms by the cold north wind. Once more the earth appeared to heaven, and the skies appeared to earth. The fury of the main abated, for the ocean ruler laid his triton down, and he pacified the waters, and called on azure triton. Triton rose above the waving seas, his shoulders mailed in purple shells. He bade the triton blow, blow in a sounding shell. The wandering streams and rivers to recall with signal known. A hollow wreath trumpeted, tapering wide and slender stemmed. The triton took a mane and wound the pearly shell at midmost sea. Betwixt the rising and the setting suns, the wildered notes resounded, shore to shore, and as it touched his lips, wet with the brine beneath his dripping beard, sounded retreat, and all the waters of the land and sea obeyed. Their fountains hurred and ceased to flow. Their waters subsided. Hidden hills up-rose emerged the shores of ocean. Channels filled with flowing streams. The soil appeared. The land increased its surface as the waves decreased, and after length of days the trees put forth with ooze on bending boughs their naked tops. And all the wasted globe was now restored. But you, the vast and silent world, Duakallian wept and thus Dipirha spoke. O sister, wife, alone of women left, my kindred in descent and origin, dearest companion of my marriage bed, doubly endeared by deepening dangers born, of all the dawn and eve behold of earth. But you and I are left, for the deep sea has kept the rest. And what prevents the tide from overwhelming us? Remaining clouds affright us. How could you endure your fears if you alone were rescued by this fate? And who would then console your bitter grief? O be assured, if you were buried in the waves, that I would follow you and be with you. O would that by my father's art I might restore the people and inspire this clay to take the form of man. Alas, the gods decreed, and only we are living. Thus Duakallion's plaint Dipirha and they wept. And after he had spoken they resolved to ask the aid of sacred oracles. And so they hastened to Cephasian waves which rolled a torbid flood to channels known. Thence when their robes and brows were spinkled well, they turned their footsteps to the goddess's fame. Its gables were befouled with wreaking moss and its altars every fire was cold. But when the twain had reached the temple steps, they fell upon the earth, inspired with awe, and kissed the cold stone with their trembling lips, and said, If righteous prayers appease the gods, and if the wrath of high celestial powers may thus be turned, declare, O thymus, wence in what the art may raise humanity. O gentle goddess, help the dying world. Moved by their supplications, she replied, Depart from me, unveil your brows, ungourd your robes, and cast behind you as you go the bones of your great mother. Long they stood in dumb amazement, Pyrrha, first a voice, refused the mandate, and with trembling lips implored the goddess to forgive, she feared to violate her mother's bones and vex her sacred spirit. Often pondered they the words involved in such obscurity, repeating oft, and thus duakallion to Epimetheus's daughter, uttered speech of soothing import. Oracles are just and urge not evil deeds, or not avails the skill of thought. Our mother is the earth, and I may judge the stones of earth are bones that we should cast behind us as we go. And although Pyrrha, by his words, was moved, she hesitated to comply, both amazed and doubted the purpose of the oracle, but deemed no harm to come of trial. They, descending from the temple, veiled their heads and loosed their robes through some stones behind them. It was much beyond belief we're not receding ages witness, hard and rigid stones, assumed a softer form, enlarging is their brittle nature changed to milder substance, till the shape of man appeared, imperfect and faintly outlined at first, is marble statue chiseled in the rough. The soft moist parts were changed to softer flesh, the hard and brittle substance into bones, the veins retained their ancient name. And now the gods supreme ordained that every stone do a kellion through should take the form of man, and those by Pyrrha cast should women's form assume. And so we are hardy to endure and prove by toil and deeds from what we sprung. And after this the earth spontaneous produced the world of animals, when all remaining moistures of merry fens fermented in the sun, and fruitful seeds in soils nutritious grew to shapes ordained. So, when the seventh streamed Nile from Uzi fields returneth duly to her ancient bed, the sun's ethereal rays impregn the slime, as the peasants turn the soil they find strange animals unknown before, some in the moment of their birth, and some deprived of limbs imperfect, often part alive, and part of slime inanimate, are fashioned in one body. Heat combined with moisture so conceives and life results from those two things. For though the flames may be the foes of water, everything that lives begins in humid vapor and it seems discordant concord is the means of life. When earth, spread over with diluvian ooze, felt heat, ethereal from the glowing sun, unnumbered species to the light she gave, and gave to being many an ancient form, or monster new created. Unwilling she created thus enormous python, thou unheard of serpent spread so far a thwart the side of a vast mountain, didst fill with fear the race of new created man. The god that bears the bow, a weapon used till then only to hunt the deer and agile goat, destroyed the monster with a myriad darts, and almost emptied all his quiver, till in venom gore oozed forth from livid wounds. Lest, in a dark oblivion time, should hide the fame of this achievement, sacred sports are instituted from the python called the Pythian Games. In these the happy youth who proved victorious in the chariot race, running and boxing with an unheard crown of oak leaves was enreadthed. The laurel then was not created, wherefore Phoebus, bright and godlike, beauteous with his flowing hair was wont to wreath his brows with various leaves. Daphne, the daughter of a river god, was first beloved by Phoebus, the great god of glorious light. It was not a cause of chance, but out of Cupid's vengeful spite that she was fated to torment the lord of light. For Phoebus, proud of python's death, beheld that impish god of love upon a time when he was bending his diminished bow, invoicing his contempt and anger said, What, wanton boy, are mighty arms to thee great weapons suited to the needs of war? The bow is only for the use of those large deities of heaven, whose strength may deal wounds mortal to the savage beasts of prey, and who, courageous, overcome their foes? It is a proper weapon to the use of such as slew with arrows python, huge, whose pestilential carcass vast extend covered. Content thee with the flames thy torch incandles, fires too subtle for my thought, and leave to me the glory that is mine. To him, undaunted, Venus's son replied, O Phoebus, thou cannot conquer all the world with thy strong bow and arrows, but with this small arrow I shall pierce thy vaunting breast, and by the measure that thy might exceeds the broken powers of thy defeated foes, so is thy glory less than mine. No more he said, but with his wings expanded, thence flew lightly to Parnassus, lofty peak. There from his quiver he plucked arrow's twain, most curiously wrought of different art. One love exciting, one repelling love. The dart of love was glittering, gold and sharp. The other had a blunted tip of lead, and with that dull lead dart he shot the nymph, but with the keen point of the golden dart he pierced the bone and marrow immediately the one with love was filled. The other, scouting at the thought of love, rejoiced in the deep shadow of the woods, and as the virgin Phoebe, who denies the joys of love, and loves the joys of chase, a maiden's fillet bound her flowing hair, and her pure mind denied the love of man. Beloved and wooed, she wandered secret paths, for never could her modesty endure the glance of man, or listen to his love. Her grieving father spoke to her. Alas, my daughter, I have wished a son-in-law, and now you owe a grandchild to the joy of my old age. But Daphne only hung her head to hide her shame. The nuptial torch seemed criminal to her. She even clung caressing with her arms round his neck, and pled my dearest father, let me live a virgin always, for remember Joved did granted to Diana at her birth. But though her father promised her desire, her loveliness prevailed against their will, for Phobos, when he saw her, waxed distraught, and filled with wonder, his sick fancy raised delusive hopes, and his own oracles deceived him. As the stubble in the fields flared up, or as the stacked wheat is consumed by flames, and kindled from a spark, or torch, the chance pedestrian may neglect at dawn. So was the bosom of the God consumed, and so desire flamed in his stricken heart. He saw her bright hair waving on her neck. How beautiful if properly arranged! He saw her eyes like stars of sprinkling fire, her lips for kissing sweetest, in her hands and fingers, in her arms her shoulders white as ivory. In whatever was not seen, more beautiful must be. Swift as the wind from his pursuing feet, the virgin fled, and neither stopped nor heeded as he called, O nymph, O Daphne, I entreat thee stay, it is no enemy that follows thee. Why, so the lamb leaps from the raging wolf, and from the lion runs the timid fawn, and from the eagle flies the trembling dove. All hasten from their natural enemy, but I alone pursue for my dear love. Alas, if thou shouldest fall in mar thy face, in the bramble thy soft thighs, or should I prove unwilling cause of pain? The wilderness is rough and dangerous, and I beseech thee be more careful, I will follow slowly. Ask of whom thy wilt, and thou shall learn that I am not a churl, I am no mountain-dweller of rude caves, nor clown compelled to watch the sheep and goats, and neither canst thou know from whom thy feet fly fearful, or thou wouldest not leave me thus. The Delphic land, the Pettorian realm, Claros and Tenedos, revere my name, and my immortal sire is Jupiter. The present, past and future are through me, in sacred groves, revealed to man, and from my harp the harmonies of sound are borrowed by their bards to praise the gods. My bow is certain, but a flaming shaft surpassing mine has pierced my heart, untouched before. The art of medicine is my invention in the power of herbs, but though the world declare my useful works there was no herb to medicate my wound, and all the arts that save have failed their lord. But even as he made his plant, the nymph, with timid footsteps, fled from his approach, and left him to his murmurs and his pain. Lovely the virgin seemed as the soft wind exposed her limbs, and as the zeffers fond fluttered her garments, and the breeze fanned lightly in her flowing hair. She seemed most lovely to his fancy in her flight, and mad with love he followed in her steps, and silent hastened his increasing speed. As when the greyhound sees the frightened hair flit over the plain, with eager nose outstretched, impetuous he rushes on his prey and gains upon her till he treads her feet, and almost fastens in her side his fangs. But she, whilst dreading that her end is near, is suddenly delivered from her fright. And so it was with the god and virgin, one with hope pursued, the other fled in fear, and he who followed, born on wings of love, permitted her no rest and gained on her, till his warm breath mingled in her hair. Her strength spent, pale and faint, with pleading eyes she gazed upon her father's waves and prayed, Help me, my father, if thy flowing streams have virtue, cover me over Mother Earth, destroy the beauty that has injured me, or change the body that destroys my life. Before her prayer was ended, torpor seized on all her body, and a thin bark closed around her gentle bosom, and her hair became as moving leaves. Her arms were changed to waving branches, and her active feet, as clinging roots were fastened to the ground. Her face was hidden within circling leaves. Phobos admired and loved the graceful tree, for still, though changed, her slender form remained, and with his right hand lingering on the trunk he felt her bosom throbbing in the bark. He clung to the trunk and branch as though to twine, his form with hers, and finally kissed the wood that shrank from every kiss, and thus kissed the god. Although thou canest not be my bride, thou shalt be called my chosen tree, and by green leaves, O laurel, shall forever crown my brows, bereaved around my river and my lyre. The Roman heroes shall be crowned with thee, as long processions climb the capital, enchanting throngs proclaim their victories. And as a faithful warden, thou shalt guard the civic crown of oak leaves fixed between thy branches, and before Augustine gates. And as my youthful head is never shorn, so also shalt thou ever bear thy leaves unchanging to thy glory. Here the god, Phobos Apollo, ended his lament, and unto him the laurel bent her bows, and so lately fashioned, and it seemed to him her graceful nod gave answer to his love. End of Book 1, Part 2 Book 1, Part 3 of Ovid's Metamorphosis This is a Librivox recording. All Librivox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librivox.org Metamorphosis by Publius Ovidius Nassau Translated by Brooks Moore Book 1, Part 3 There is a grove in Thessaly enclosed on every side with eggs precipitous, on which a forest grows, and this is called the Vale of Tempe. Through this valley flows the river Pinius, white with foaming waves that issue from the foot of Pindus. Wents with sudden fall up gather steamy clouds that sprinkle mist upon the circling trees, and far away with mighty roar resound. It is the abode, the solitary home, that mighty river loves, where deep in gloom of rocky cavern he resides and rules the flowing waters and the water-nymphs abiding there. All the rivers of that land now hasten thither, doubtful to console or flatter Daphne's parent, poplar crown, Spiricius, Swift and Epius, and Wild and Fyrus, Old Epidannus and Ayos. With all their kindred streams, that wandering maze and wearied seek the ocean. Inacus alone is absent, hidden in his cave obscure, deepening his waters with his tears most wretchedly bewailing, for he deems his daughter Io lost. If she may live or roam a spirit in the nether shades he dares not even guess, but dreads. For Jove not long before had seen her while returning from town. Oh Virgin, worthy of a mortal Jove, although some happy mortals chosen bride, behold these shades of overhanging trees and seek their cool recesses while the sun is glowing in the height of the middle skies. And as he spoke he pointed out the groves. But should the dens of wild beasts frighten you with safety you may enter the deep woods conducted by a god, and not with the god but in the care of him who holds the heavenly scepter in his hands and fulminates the trackless thunderbolts, forsake me not. For while he spoke she fled and swiftly left behind the pasture fields of Lerna and Lirchia's arbors where the trees are planted thickly, but the god called forth the heavy shadow which involved the wide extended earth and stopped her flight and ravished in that cloud her chastity. Meanwhile the goddess Juno gazing down on the earth's expanse with wonder saw the clouds as dark as night enfold those middle fields while day was bright above. She was convinced the clouds were none composed of river mist nor raised from marshy fens. Suspicious now from off detected amours of her spouse she glanced around to find her absent lord and quite convinced that he was far from heaven. She thus exclaimed my mind or Jove has wronged me. From the dome of heaven she glided down and stood upon the earth and bade the clouds recede. But Jove had known the coming of his queen. He had transformed the lovely I.O. so that she appeared a milk white heifer, formed so beautiful and fair that envious Juno gazed on her. She queried whos, what heard, what pasture fields. As if she guessed no knowledge of the truth. And Jupiter, falsely hearted, said the cow was earth begotten, for he feared his queen might make inquiry of the owner's name. Juno implored the heifer as a gift. What then was left the father of the gods would be a cruel thing to sacrifice his cow, beloved to a rival's wrath. Although refusal must imply his guilt, the shame, and the love of her almost prevailed. But if a present of such little worth were now denied, the sharer of his couch, the partner of his birth, to approve indeed the earth-born heifer other than she seemed, and so he gave his mistress up to her. Juno, regardless of Jove's cunning art, lest he might change her to her human form, gave the unhappy heifer to the charge of Argus, Aristodides, whos head was circled with a hundred glowing eyes. Of which but two did slumber in their turn, whist all the others kept on watch and guard. Whichever way he stood his gaze was fixed on Io, even if he turned away his watchful eyes on Io still remained. He let her feed by day, but when the sun was under the deep world he shut her up and tied a rope around her tender neck. She fed upon green leaves and bitter herbs, and on the cold ground slept, too often bare, and she could not find a cushioned couch. She drank the troubled waters. Hoping aid she tried to stretch her employing arms to Argus, but all in vain, for now no arms remained. The sound of bellowing was all she heard, and she was frightened with her proper voice. Where, former days, she left her home in sport, she wandered by the banks of Inacus. There, imaged in the stream, she saw her horns and startled, turned and fled, and Inacus and her sister, Nyads, knew her not, although she followed them, they knew her not, although she suffered them to touch her sides and praise her. When the ancient Inacus gathered sweet herbs and offered them to her, she licked her hands, kissing her father's palms, nor could she more restrain her falling tears. As if words as well as tears would flow, she might implore his aid and tell her name with sad misfortune. But instead she traced in dust the letters of her name, with cloven hoof, and thus her sad estate was known. Ah! wretched me! her father cried, and as he clung around her horns and neck repeated while she groaned, ah wretched me! art thou my daughter salt in every climb? When lost I cannot grieve for thee as now that thou art found. My sighs, instead of words, heave up from thy deep breast. Thy longings give me answer. I prepared the nuptial torch in bridal chamber, in my ignorance since my first hope was for son-in-law, and then I dreamed of children from the match. But now the herd may furnish thee a mate, and all thy issue of the herd must be. Oh! that a righteous death may end my grief. It is a dreadful thing to be a god. Death has shut against me, and my growing grief must last throughout eternity. While thus he moaned, came starry Argus there, and I bore from her lamenting father. Thence he led his charge to other pastors, and removed from her upon a lofty mountain sat, whence he could always watch her undisturbed. The sovereign god no longer could endure to witness Iow's woes. He called his son, Brightest of the Pleiades, brought forth, and bade him slay the star-eyed guard Argus. He seized his sleep, compelling wand, and fastened waving wings upon his swift feet, and deftly fixed his brimmed hat on his head. Lo! Mercury, the favored son of Jove, descending to the earth from heaven's plains, put off his cap and wings. Though he still retained his command, with which he drove through pathless wild some stray she-goats, and as a shepherd fared, piping on oaken reeds melodious tunes. Argus, delighted with the charming sound of this new art, began, whoever thou art, sit with me on this slope, beneath the trees in cooling shade. Wilst browsed the tended flock, abundant herbs, for thou canst see the shade as fit for shepherds. Argus sat down beside the keeper and conversed of various things, passing the laggard hours. Then soothly piped he on the joined reeds to law those ever-watchful eyes asleep. But Argus strove his languor to subdue, and though some drowsy eyes might slumber, still were some that vigil kept. Again he spoke, for the pipes were yet a recent art. I pray thee, tell me what chance discovered these. To him the god. A famous niad, dwelt among the hamadryads, on the cold Arcadian summit, Nanakris, whose name was Syrynx. Often she escaped the gods, that wandered in the groves of silvan shades, and often fled from satyrs that pursued. Vowing virginity in all pursuits she strove to emulate Diana's ways, and as that graceful goddess wears her robe, so ex-girted hers that one might well believe Diana there. Even though her bow were made of horn, Diana's wrought of gold. Yet she may well deceive. Now, chanced at Pan, whose head was girt with prickly pines, espied the nymph returning from the Lycian hill, and these words uttered he. But Mercury refrained from further speech, and Pan's appeals remained untold. Thus he had told it all the tale of Syrynx would have followed thus. But she despised the prayers of Pan, and fled through the pathless wiles, until she had arrived the placid laden sandy stream whose waves prevented her escape. There she implored her sister nymphs to change her form, and Pan, believing he had caught her, held instead some marshy reeds for the body of the nymph. And while he sighed, the moving winds began to utter plaintive music in the reeds. So sweet and voice-like that poor Pan exclaimed, for ever this discovery shall remain a sweet communion binding thee to me. And this explains why reeds of different lengths, when joined together by cementing wax, derived the name of Syrynx from the maid. Such words the bright God Mercury would say, but now perceiving Argus's eyes were his doze. He hushed his voice, and touched the dripping eyelids with his magic wand, compelling slumber. Then without delay he struck the sleeper with his crescent sword, where neck and head unite, and hurled his head, blood dripping down the rocks and rugged cliff. Low lies Argus. Dark is the light of all his hundred eyes, his many orbed lights extinguished in the sounds. But Saturn's daughters spread their glister on the feathers of her bird, emblazoned its tail with starry gems. Juno made haste, inflamed with towering rage to vent her wrath on Io, and she raised in thought and vision of the Grecian girl a dreadful fury. Stings invisible and pitiless she planted in her breast, and drove her wandering throughout the globe. The utmost limit of her labored way, still thou didst remain. Which having reached and placed her tired knees on that river's edge she laid there, and as she raised her neck upward to the stars and groaned and wept and mournfully bellowed, trying thus to plead by all the means she had that Jupiter might end her miseries, repentant Jove embraced his consort and entreated her to end the punishment. Fear not, he said, for she shall trouble thee no more. He spoke and called on bitter sticks to hear his oath. And now Imperial Juno, pacified, permitted Io to resume her form, and once the hair fell from her snowy sides. The horns absorbed, her dilate orbs decreased, the opening of her jaws contracted, hands appeared and shoulders, and each transformed hoof became five nails. And every mark or form that gave the semblance of a heifer changed, except her fair white skin, and the glad nymph was raised erect and stood upon her feet. But long the very thought of speech that she might bellow as a heifer filled her mind with terror, till the words so long forgot for some sufficient cause were tried once more. And since that time the linen wearing throng of Egypt have adored her as a god, for they believe the seed of Jove prevailed, and since that time was due she bore to him a son called Epaphis, who also dwells in temples with his mother in that land. Now Phython, whose father was the son, was equal to his rival Epaphis in mind and years, and he was glad to boast of wonders, nor would yield to Epaphis for pride of Phoebus, his reputed sire. Unable to endure it, Io's son thus mocked him, and his mother speaks. You are so puffed up with the fond conceit of your imagined sire, the Lord of Day. Shamed, crimsoned in his cheeks, but Phython, withholding rage, reported all the taunts of Epaphis to Climony, his mother. To a grievous mother, I, the bold and free, was silent, and it shames me to report that dark reproach remains unchallenged. To face divine, give me proof of that illustrious descent, and claim my right to heaven. Around his mother's neck he drew his arms, and by the head of Marops, and by his own, and by the nuptial torch of his beloved sisters, he implored for some true token of his origin. Or moved by Phython's important words, or by grievous charge whom I declare. Phython said, I swear to you by yonder orb, so radiant and bright, which both beholds and hears us while we speak, that you are his begotten son. You are the child of that great light which sways the world, and if I have not spoken what is true, let not mine eyes behold his countenance, and let this fatal moment be the last that I shall look upon the light of day. And he was dwelling for the very place where he appears at dawn as near our land. Go, if it please you, and the very truth learn from your father. Instantly, spring forth exultant Phython, overjoyed with words so welcome, he imagined he could leap and touch the skies. And so he passed his land of Ethiopia, in the Indies, hot beneath the Tani sun, and of Book 1, Part 3. Glowing with gold, flaming with carbuncles on stately columns raised, refulgent shone the palace of the sun, with polished dome of ivory gleaming, and with portals twain of burnished silver. And the workmanship exceeded all the wealth of gems and gold, for there had Mochiber engraved the seas encircling middle earth, the round of earth and heaven impending over the land. And there, amid the waves, were azure deities, melodious Triton and elusive Proteus, there Egeon pressing with his arms the backs of monstrous whales and Doris in the sea and all her daughters, some amid the waves and others sitting on the bank to dry their sea green hair and others born about by fishes. Each was made to show a fair resemblance to her sisters, yet not one appearance was assigned to all. They seemed as near alike as sisters should in truth. And men and cities, woods and savage beasts and streams and nymphs and Sylvan deities were carved upon the land and over these an image of the glittering sky was fixed. Six signs were on the right, six on the left. Here, when audacious Phython arrived by steep ascending paths, without delay he entered in the shining palace gates of his reputed parent making haste to stand in his paternal presence. There, unable to endure the dazzling light, he waited at a distance. Phoebus sat, arrayed in royal purple, on a throne that glittered with the purest emeralds. There, to the left and right, day, month and year, time and the hours at equal distance stood and vernal spring stood crowned with wreath flowers, and naked summer stood with sheaves of wheat, and autumn stood besmeared with trodden grapes, and icy winter rough with hoary hair. And from the midst, with orbs that view the world, Phoebus beheld the trembling youth fearstruck in mute amazement, and he said, declare the reason of thy journey, what wilt thou in this my palace Phython my child beloved? And to him replied the youth, O universal light of all the world, my father Phoebus, if thy name be mine, if Climene has not concealed her sin beneath some pretext, give to me, my sire, a token to declare thy fatherhood which may establish my assured descent, and leave no dark suspicions in our minds. Then Phoebus, from his shining brows, cast down his circling rays, called Phython to him, and as he held him to his breast, replied, O child most worthy of my sire, the truth was told thee by thy mother, wherefore doubts to dissipate consider thy desire, and ask of me that I may freely give, yea, let the nether lake beyond our view, which is the oath of gods and violet, be witness to my word. When this was said, the happy youth at once began to plead command and guidance of his father's steeds, wing footed, and his chariot for a day. But Phoebus much repented that he swear, and thrice and four times shook his radiant head, ah, would I might refuse my plighted word, and oh, that it were lawful to deny the promised boon, for I confess, O son, this only I should keep from thee, and yet, tis lawful to dissuade. It is unsafe to satisfy thy will. It is a great request, O Phython, which neither suits thy utmost strength nor tender years, for thou art mortal, and thou hast aspired to things immortal. Ignorance has made thy thought transcend the province of the gods. I want no vain exploits, but only I can stand securely on the flame-fraught axle tree. Even the ruler of Olympian gods, who hurls fierce lightnings with his great right hand, may never dare to drive this chariot, and what art thou to equal mighty jove? The opening path is steep and difficult, for scarcely can the steeds, refreshed at dawn, climb up the steeps, and when it has reached the height, extreme of midmost heaven, and sea and earth are viewed below, my trembling breast is filled with fearful apprehensions, and requires the last precipitous descent a sure command. Then, also, Tethys, who receives me in her subject waves, is want to fear, lest I should fall disastrous. And around the hasting sky revolves in constant whirl, drawing the lofty stars with rapid twist. I struggle on. The force that overcomes the heavenly bodies overwhelms me not, and I am born against that rapid globe. Suppose the chariot thine, what canst thou do? Canst thou drive straight against the twisted pole and not be carried from the lofty path by the swift car? Art thou deceived to think there may be groves in cities of the gods, and costly temples wondrously endowed? The journey is beset with dreadful snares in shapes of savage animals. If thou shouldst hold upon thy way without mistake, yet must thy journey be through Taurus's horns, and through the bow Hymonion, and the jaws of the fierce lion, and the cruel arms of Scorpion bent throughout a vast expanse, and cancer's curving arms reversely bent. It is no easy task for thee to rule the meddled four-foot steeds, inflamed in fires that kindle in their breasts, forth issuing in breathings from their mouths and nostrils hot. I scarce restrain them as their struggling necks pull in the harness when their heated fires are thus aroused. And, O my son, lest I may be the author of a baneful gift beware, and as the time permits, recall thy rash request. For sooth thou hast besought undoubted signs of thy descent from me. My fears for thee are certain signs that thou art of my race, by my eternal fears, to his manifest I am thy father. Lo, behold my countenance, and O that thou couldst even pierce my bosom with thine eyes, and so discover my paternal cares. Look round thee on the treasured world's delights, and ask the greatest blessing of the sky or sea or land, and thou shalt suffer no repulse, but only this I must deplore, which rightly named would be truly, and not an honor. Thou hast made request of punishment, and not a gift indeed. O witless boy, why dost thou hold my neck with thy caressing arms? For doubt it not, as I have sworn it by the Stygian waves, whatever thou shalt wish, it shall be given, but thou shouldst wish more wisely. So were all his admonitions said, availing not, for Phython resisted his advice, and urged again his claim, and eagerly burned to use the chariot. Wherefore, Phybus, long delaying and reluctant, took the youth to view the spacious chariot, gift of Vulcan. Gold was the axel, and the beam was gold, the great wheel had a golden tire, and spokes of silver, chrysalites and diamonds reflected from the spangled yoke, the light of Phybus. While following Phython admired the glittering chariot and its workmanship, the vigilant Aurora opened forth her purple portals from the ruddy east, disclosing halls replete with roses. All the stars took flight, while Lucifer, the last to quit his vigil, gathered that great host and disappeared from his celestial watch. And when his father, Phybus, Titan, saw the earth and the wide universe in glowing tints arrayed, as waned the moon's diminished horns far distant, then he bade the nimble hours to yoke the steeds. At once the deities accomplished his commands, and led the steeds, ambrosia fed and snorting flames from out their spacious stalls, and fixed their sounding bits. Then, with a hallowed drug, the father touched the stripling's face to make him proof of the rapid flame, and wrought around his hair the sun rays. But for boating grief, he said, while many a sigh heaved from his anxious breast, a foul canst only heed thy father's voice, besparing of the whip, and use with nerve the reins, for of their own accord the steeds will hasten. Difficult are they to check in full career. Thou must not drive the car directly through five circles, so the track takes a wide curve obliquely, and is bound by the extreme edge of three zones. It avoids the southern pole, and it avoids the bear that roams around the north. The way is plain, the traces of the wheel are manifest. Observe with care that both the earth and sky have their appropriate heat. Drive not too low, nor urge the chariot through the highest plain. For if thy course attain the height, thou wilt consume the mansions of the sky, and if too low the land will scorch with heat. Take thou the middle plain where all is safe. Nor let the wheel turn over to the right, and bear thee to the twisted snake. Nor let it take thee to the altar on the left, so close to earth, but steer the middle course. To fortune I commit thy fate, whose care for thee, so reckless I pray. While I am speaking, humid night has touched the margin of hisperian shores. It is not for us to idle. We are called away. When bright aurora shines, the darkness flies. Take up the reins, but if thy stubborn breast be capable of change, use not our car, but heed my counsel while the time permits, and while thy feet are on a solid base, but not, according to thy foolish wish, pressing the axle. Rather let me light the world beneath thy safe and wandering gaze. But Phython, with youthful vigor leaped, and in the light-made chariot lightly stood, and he rejoiced, and with the reins in hand, thanked his reluctant parent. Instantly, Eos, Ithon, Pyrois, and Phlegon, the winged horses of the sun, gave vent to flame-like rays that filled the shaking air. They pawed the barriers with their shining hoofs. Then Tethys, witless of her grandson's fate, let back the barriers, and the universe was theirs to traverse. Taking the well-known road, and moving through the air with winged feet, they pierced resisting clouds, and spreading wide their pinions, soared upon the eastern wind, far wafted from that realm. But Phython, so easy of their yoke, lost all control, and the great car was tossed, as tapered ships, when lightened of their ballast, toss and heave unsteady in the surging seas. The car leaped lightly in the air, and in the heights was tossed unsteady as an empty shell. Soon as the steeds perceived it, with a rush impetuous, they left the beaten track, regardless of all order and control, and Phython, with fear, knew not to guide with trusted rains, nor where the way might be, nor, if he knew, could he control their flight. Warmed in the sunshine, never felt before, the jellied treonies attempted vain to bathe in the seas for bid. The serpent, cold and torpid, by the frozen pole, too cold for contest, warmed, and rage assumed from the heat booties, troubled by the heat, took flight, impeded by his wane. And as from skies of utmost height, unhappy Phython beheld the earth receding from his view, a pallor spread his cheeks with sudden fear. His knees began to quake, and through the flare, a vast effulgence darkness closed his eyes. Now vainly he regrets he ever touched his father's steeds, and he has stunned with grief that so entreating he prevailed through descent, he rather would be called the son of Merobs. As a ship is tossed by raging Boreus, when the conquered helm has been abandoned, and the pilot leaves the vessel to his vows and to the gods, so helpless he is born along the sky. What can he? Much of heaven remains behind, a longer distance is in front of him. Each way is measured in his anxious mind. At first his gaze is fixed on the west, which fate has destined he shall never reach, and then his eyes turn backward to the east. So stupefied and dazed, he neither dares to lose the bits, nor tighten on the reins, and he is ignorant of the horse's names. He sees horrific wonders scattered round, and images of hideous animals, and there is a spot where Scorpion bends his claws in double circles, and with tail and arms on either side stretches his limbs throughout the space of two celestial signs. And when the lad beheld him steeped in oozing slime of venom, swat, and threatening to strike grim wounds with jagged spear points, he was lost, and fixed in chills of horror dropped the reins. When these they fell upon their rising backs the startled steeds sprang forth with, and unchecked, through atmospheres of regions unexplored, then scoted by their unchecked violence broke through the lawful bounds, and rushed upon the high fixed stars. They dragged the chariot through devious ways, and soared amid the heights, dashed down deep pathways, far precipitous and gained a level near the scorching earth. Phoebe is wondering that her brother's steeds run lower than her own, and sees the smoke of scorching clouds. The highest altitudes are caught in flames, and as their moistures dry they crack in chasms. The grass is blighted, trees are burnt up with their leaves, the ripe brown crops give fuel for self-destruction. Oh, what small complaints! Great cities perish with their walls, and peopled nations are consumed to dust. The forests and the mountains are destroyed. Soliton, Taurus, Athos, and Timolus, and Uita are burning. And the far-famed Aida, and all her cooling rills, are dry and burning. And Virgin Helicon, and Huymos, later Oyagrias called, and Etna, with tremendous redoubled flames, and double-peaked Parnassus, Sicilian Erics, Quintus, Athyrus, Pineclad, and Rotipae deprived his snowy mantle. And Dindima, and Mycalae, and Mimas, and Mount Kitheron, famed for sacred rites. And Skithia, though a land of frost is burning, and Caucasus, and Ossa burns with Pindus, and greater than those two, Olympus burns, the lofty Alps, the cloud-topped Apennines. And Phython, as he inhaled the air, burning and scorching as a furnace blast, and saw destruction on the flaming world, and his great chariot, wreathed in quenchless fires, was suddenly unable to endure the heat, the smoke, and the cinders, and he swooned away. If he had known the way, those winged steeds would rush as wild unguided. Then the skin of Ethiopians took a swarthy hue, the hot blood tingling to the surface. Then the shivelled, the lorn nymphs lamenting, sought for all their emptied springs and lakes in vain. Boioshia wailed for Dursi's cooling wave, and Argus wailed for Emimini's stream, and even Corinth for the clear Pyrenee. Not savor from the flames were distant streams. The Taneis in middle stream was steaming, and old Peneis, and Tuth ranchin Caicus, Rapid and Arcadian Urimanthus, and even Xanthus destined for a second burning, and Tanei waved Lycormas, and Meander turning and twisting, and Thracian Melis burns, and the Laconian Eurotus burns, the mighty Babylonian Euphrates, Orontes, and the Ganges, Swift Thermodon, Istor, and Thassus, and Alphaeus boil. The banks of Sperchius burn, the gold of Tagus is melting in the flames. The swans whose songs enhance the beauties of Myonian banks are scalded in the Kyster's middle wave. The Nile, affrighted, fled to parts remote, and hid his head forever from the world. Now empty are his seven mouths, and dry without, or wave or stream, and also dry is Menian Simon, and the streams of Hesperland, the rivers Rhine, and Rhone, and Po, and Tiber, ruler of the world. And even as the ground asunder burst, the light amazed in gloomy Tartarus, the king infernal, and his spouse, the sea contracted, and his level waist became a sandy desert. The huge mountaintops, once covered by the ocean's waves, reared up, in which the scattered cyclides increased, even the fishes sought for deeper pools. The crooked dolphins did not skip the waves, the lifeless sea calves floated on the top, and it is even famed that Nereus hid with Doris and her daughters, deep below, in seething caverns. With a dauntless mane thrice Neptune tried to thrust his arms above the waters, thrice the heated air overcame his courage. Then the genial earth, although surrounded by the waters of the sea, was parched and dry, for all her streams had hid deep in the darkness of her winding caves. She lifted her productive countenance up to a rounded neck, and held her palms on her sad brows, and as the mountains huge trembled and tottered, beneath her wanted plane declined she for a space and thus began with parched voice. If this is thy decree, oh highest of the gods, if I have sinned, why do thy lightnings linger? For if doomed by fires consuming, I to perish must, let me now die in thy celestial flames hurled by thine arm and thus alleviate by thine omnipotence this agony. How difficult to open my parched mouth and speak thy words, the vapors choking her. Behold my scorching hair, and see the clouds of ashes falling on my blinded eyes and on my features. What a recompense for my fertility. How often I have suffered from the wounds of crooked plows and rending heros, tortured year by year. For this I give to cattle juicy leaves and fruits to man and frankincense to thee. The destruction is my just award. What have the waters and thy brother done? Why should thy brother's cooling waves decrease and thus recede so distant from the skies? If not thy brother's good, nor mine may touch thy mercy, let the pity of thy heaven for lo the smoking poles on either side attest, if flames consume them or destroy the ruin of thy palace. Atlas, huge with the rest of shoulders, hardly can support thy burning heavens. If the seas and lands together perish and thy palace fall, the universe confused will plunge once more to ancient chaos. Save it from this wreck if anything survive the fury of the flames. So made the tortured earth an end of speech, and she was feigned to hide her countenance in caves that border on the earth. But now the almighty father having called to witness all the gods of heaven, and him who gave the car that else his power be shown must perish all in dire confusion, high he mounted to the altitude from which he spreads the mantling clouds and fulminates his dreadful thunders and swift lightning bolts terrific. Clouds were none to find on the earth and the surrounding skies were void of rain. Jove, having reached that summit, stood and poised in his almighty hand a flashing dart and hurling it deprived of life and seat the youthful charioteer and struck with fire the raging flames. And by the same great force those flames enveloping the earth were quenched and he who caused their fury lost his life. Frantic in their affright the horses running across the bounded way and cast their yolks and through the tangled harness lightly leaped. And here the scattered harness lay and there the shattered axle wrenched from off the pole and various portions of the broken car spokes of the broken wheel were scattered round and far fell Phython with flaming hair as happily from the summer sky appears a falling star although it never drops to startled earth. Far distant from his home the deep aridanus received the lad and bathed his foaming face. His body charred by triple flames asperian niads bore still smoking to a tomb and this engraved upon the stone. Here Phython's remains lie buried. He who drove his father's car and fell although he made a great attempt. Filled with consuming woe his father hid his countenance which grief had overcast and now surpassing our belief they say a day passed over with no glowing sun but light affording flames appeared to change disaster to the cause of good. Amazed the woeful climax when she had moaned in grief amid her lamentations tore her bosom as across the world she roamed to seek his lifeless corpse and then his bones. She wandered to that distant land and found at last his bones and sepulchred. There cling to the grave she fell and bathed with many tears his name on marble carved and with her bosom warmed the freezing stone. And all the daughters of the sun went there giving their tears alas a useless gift they wept and beat their breasts day and night called Phython who heard not any sound of their complaint and there they lay for done all scattered round the tomb. The silent moon had four times joined her horns and filled her disc while they according to an ancient rite made lamentation. Prone upon the ground the eldest Phythusa would arise from there but found her feet were growing stiff and uttered moan. Ampetia wished to aid her sister but was hindered by new roots. A third when she would tear her hair plucked forth but leaves. Another wail to find her legs were fastened in a tree. Another moan to find her arms to branches had been changed. And while they wandered bark enclosed their thighs and covered their smooth bellies and their breasts and shoulders and their hands but left their lips that called upon their mother's name. What can she do for them hither she runs and thither runs wherever frenzy leads she kisses them alas while yet she may but not content with this she tried to hail their bodies from the trees and she would tear the tender branches with her hands but lo the blood oozed out as from a bleeding wound and as she wounded them she tweaked aloud spare me oh mother spare me in the tree my flesh is torn farewell farewell farewell and as they spoke the bark enclosed their lips their tears flow forth and from the new formed boughs amber distills and slowly hardens in the sun and far from there upon the waves is born to deck the Latin women. Keekness the eternal house akin to Phaethon and thrice by love be held this wonderful event he left his kingdom of Liguria and all its people's cities to lament where the sad sisters had increased the woods beside the green banks of Eridanus. There as he made complaint his manly voice began to pipe a treble shrill and long gray plumes concealed his hair a slender neck extended from his breast and reddening toes were joined together by a membrane. Wings grew from his sides and from his mouth was made a blunted beak. Now Keekness is a swan and yet he fears to trust the skies and jove for he remembers fires unjustly sent and therefore shuns the heat that he abhors and haunts the spacious lakes and pools and streams to quench the fires. In squalid garb meanwhile and destitute of all his rays the sire of Phaethon as dark as when eclipse bedims his wheel abhors himself and hates the light shuns the bright day gives up his mind to grief adds passion to his woe denies the earth his countenance and thus laments my lot was ever restless from the dawn of time I am weary of this labor void and endless therefore let who will urge forth my car light bearing and if none may dare when all the gods of heaven acknowledge it let jove himself assay the task perchance when he takes up the reins he may forget his dreadful lightning the bereaves of child a father's love and as he tries the strength of those flame footed steeds in truth the lad who failed to guide my chariot deserved not death but all the deities encircle Phoebus as he makes complaint and with their supplications they entreat him not to plunge the world in darkness jove would find excuses for the lightning bolt hurled from his hand and adds imperious threats to his entreaties Phoebus calls his steeds frenzied with their maddening fires and breaks their fury as he vents with sting lash his rage upon them and in passion lays on them the death of Phython, his son. Recording by Bologna Times Now, after Phython had suffered death for the vast ruin brought by scorching flames all the great walls of heaven's circumference unmeasured views the father of the gods with searching care impaired by heat may fall in ruins well assured they stand in self-sustaining strength his view at last on all the mundane works of men is turned his loving gaze long resting on his own Arcadia and he starts the streams and springs that long have feared to flow paints the wide earth with burdened fields covers the trees with leaves in their green while wandering in the world he stopped amazed when he beheld the lovely nymph Callisto and fires of love were kindled in his breast Callisto was not clothed in sumptuous robes nor did she deck her hair in artful coils but with a buckle she would gird her robe and bind her long hair with a fillet white or held the curving bow and thus in arms as chased Diana none of minimalist was loved by that fair goddess more than she but everything must change when bright the sun rolled down the sky beyond his middle course she pierced a secret thicket known to her and having slipped the quiver from her arm she loosed the bended bow and softly down upon the velvet turf reclining pressed her white neck on the quiver while she slept when Jupiter beheld her negligent and beautiful he argued thus how can my consort Juno learn of this and yet if chance should give her knowledge what care I let gain offset the scolding of her tongue this said the god transformed himself and took Diana's form assumed Diana's dress and imitating her awoke the maid and spoke in gentle tones what mountain slope a virgin of my train hath been thy chase which having heard Calisto rose and said hail goddess greater than Celestial Jove I would declare it though he heard the words Jove heard and smiled well pleased to be preferred above himself and kissed her many times and strained her in his arms while she began to tell the varied fortunes of her hunt but when his ardent love was known to her she struggled to escape from his embrace ah, how could she a tender maid resist almighty Jove be sure, Saturnia if thou hadst only but thy heart had shown more pity Jupiter on wings transcendent sought his glorious heights but she, in haste departing from that grove almost forgot her quiver and her bow behold Diana with her virgin train when hunting on the slopes of Manilis amidst the pleasures of exciting sport has spied the nymph and called her who, afraid that Jove this guy's deceit drew backward for a moment till appeared to her the lovely nymphs that followed thus assured deceit was none she ventured near alas! how difficult to hide disgrace she could not raise her vision from the ground nor as the leader of the hunting nymphs as was her want walk by the goddess's side her silence and her blushes were the signs of injured honor ah Diana thou, if thou were not a virgin wouldst perceive and pity her unfortunate distress the moon's bent horns were rising from their ninth sojourn when fainting from Apollo's flames the goddess of the chase observed a cool umbrageous grove from which a murmuring stream ran babbling gently over its golden sands when she approved the spot lightly she struck her foot against the ripples of the stream and praising it began far from the gaze of all the curious we may bathe our limbs and sport in this clear water quickly they undid their garments but Callisto hid behind the others till they knew her state Diana and a rage exclaimed away thou must not desecrate sacred springs and she was driven dense ere this transpired observed the concert of the thunder god her altered man but she for ripening time withheld severe resentment now delay was needless for a distracted Juno heard Callisto of the god of heaven had borne a boy called Arcus full of jealous rage her eyes and thoughts and the candle as she cried and only this was wanting to complete your wickedness that you should bear a son and flaunt abroad the infamy of jove unpunished you shall not escape for I will spoil the beauty that has made you proud and dazzled Jupiter with wanton art so saying by her foreheads tresses seized the goddess on her rival and she dragged her roughly to the ground raised her sublime arms and begged for mercy while she pled black hair spread over her white limbs her hands were lengthened into feet and claws long curving tipped them snarling jaws deformed the mouth that jove had kissed and lest her prayers in piteous words might move some listening god and give remembrance speech was so denied from her throat came angry growls now uttered hoarse and threatening still remains her understanding though her body thus transformed makes her appear a savage bear her sorrows are expressed and many a groan repeated as she lifts her hands if we may call them so repeated as she lifts them towards the stars and skies ungrateful joe regarding but her voice accuses not afraid to rest in unfrequented woods she wandered in the fields that once were hers around her well-known dwelling over crags in terror she was driven by the cries of hounds and many a time she fled in fear a huntress from the hunters or she hid from savage animals forgetting her transformed condition changed into a bear she fled a frighted from the bears that haunt the rugged mountains and she feared and fled the wolves although her father was a wolf when thrice five birthdays rounded out youth of arkus offspring of lycian's child he hunted in the forest of his choice where hanging with his platid nets the trees of aramanthian forest he aspired his transformed mother but he knew her not no one had told him of his parentage knowing her child she stood with level gaze amazed and mute as he began approach but arkus frightened at the sight drew back to pierce his mother's breast with wounding spear but not permitting it the god of heaven averted and removed them from that crime he in a mighty wind through vacant space brought them to the dome of starry heaven and fixed them constellations bright amid the starry host juno on high beheld calisto crowned with glory great with rage her bosom heaved she flew across the sea to hoary tethys and to old oceanus whom all the gods revere and thus to them an answer to their words she made address and is it wondered that the gods comes hither from ethereal abodes my rival sits upon the throne of heaven yea, when the wing of night has darkened let my fair word be deemed of no repute if you behold not in the height of heaven those new made stars now honored to my shame conspicuous fixed in the highest dome of space that circles the utmost axis of the world who then should hesitate to put a front on juno matchless goddess each offense redowns in benefit who dreads her rage oh boundless powers oh unimagined deeds my enemy assumes a goddess's form when my decree deprives her human shape and thus the guilty rue their chastisement now let high jove to human shape transform this hideous beast as once before he changed his loa from heifer let him now divorce his juno and insort with her and lead calisto to his couch and take that wolf lycean for a father-in-law oh if an entry to me your child may move your pity drive the seven stars from water's crystalline and azure tent and your domain debar from those that shine in heaven rewarded for jove's wickedness say the knot a concubine in water's pure the gods of ocean granted her request high in her graceful chariot through the air translucent wins the goddess glorious child of saturd with her peacocks many hewed her peacocks by the death of argus limp so gay were made when black as midnight turned thy wings oh chattering raven white of your for long ago the ravens were not black their plumage then was white as any dove white feathered snow white as the geese that guard with watchful cries the capital as white as swans that haunt the streams disgrace reversed the ravens' hue from white to black because a fence was given by his chattering tongue oh glorious fevis dutiful to thee coronas of Larissa ferris made of all pia was a grateful charm a joy to thee whilst faithful to thy love while none defend her chastity but when the raven bird of fevis learned the nymph had been unfaithful mischief bent that bird spreading his white wings hastened to impart the sad news to his master after him the prat wing crow followed with flapping wins eager to learn what caused the ravens haste nothing with his busy tongue the raven gave the scandal to that bird and unto him the prat wing crow replied a fruitless errand has befooled thy wits take timely warning of my fateful cries consider what I was and what I am was justice done towards my fidelity that caused my downfall for it came to pass within a basket fashioned of small twigs that spawn begot without a mother Erykthonius which to the wardship of three virgins born of double-natured sickrops she consigned with this injunction look ye not therein nor learn the secret but I saw their deeds while hidden in the leaves of great tree two of the sisters Hirsts and Pandrosos observed the charge the third, Aglarus with her nimble hands untied the knotted cords and there disclosed a serpent and an infant this I told Minerva but in turn she took away her long protection and degraded me beneath the boulding owl my punishment should warn the birds how many dangers they incur from chattering tongues not my desire impelled me to report to her nor did I crave crave protection which if thou wilt ask Minerva though enraged she must confirmed and when is told to thee what lately fame established thou wilt not despise the crow begot by Karonius who was lord of all the land of Phosas I was once a royal virgin sought by suitors rich and powerful but beauty proved the cause of my misfortune for it came to pass as I was slowly walking on the sands skirt the merge of ocean where was oft my want to Rome the god of ocean gazed impassioned and with honeyed words implored my love but finding that I paid no heed and all his words despise he filmed oath rage and followed me I fled from that seashore to fields of shifting sands that all my steps delayed upon the gods and all mankind I called for aid but I was quite alone and helpless presently the chaste Minerva me a virgin heard and me assistance gave for as my arms implored the heavens downy feathers grew from out the flesh and as I tried to cast my mantle from my shoulders wings appeared upon my tender sides and as I strove to beat my naked bosom with my hands nor hands remained nor naked breast to beat I ran and as I sped the sands no more delayed me I was soaring from the ground and as I winged the air Minerva chose me for a life companion but alas although my life was blameless fate or chance deprived me of Minerva's loving aid for soon Nick Timini succeeded me to her protection and deserved esteem it happened in this way Nick Timini committed the most wicked crimes for which Minerva changed her to the bird of night and ever since has claimed her as her own instead of me and this despite the deed for which she shuns the glorious light of day and conscious of her crime conceals her shame in the dark night Minerva's owl now called all the glad birds of day indignant shun and chase her from the skies but now replied the raven to the crow that talks so much a mischief fall upon your prating head for this detention of my flight your words and warnings I despise with which retort he winged upon his journey swiftly thence in haste despite the warnings to inform his patron Phebus how he saw the fair Coronas with a lad of Thessaly and when Apollo Phebus heard the tale the busy raven made such haste to tell he dropped his plectrum and his laurel reed and his bright countenance went white with rage he seized his trusted arms and having bent his certain bow pierced with a deadly shaft that bosom which so often he had pressed against his own Coronas moaned in pain and as she drew the keen shaft from the wound her snow-white limbs were bent in purple blood and thus she wailed ah Phebus punishment is justly mine but wherefore dits thou not await the hour of birth for by my death an innocent is slain this said her soul expired with her life blood and death congealed her drooping form sadly the lovelore god repents his jealous deed regrets too late his ready credence to the raven's tale mourning his thoughtless deed blaming himself he vents his rage upon the talking bird he hates his bow, the string his own right hand the fateful arrow as a last resource and thus to overcome her destiny he strove to cherish her beloved form for vain were all his medicinal arts but when he saw upraised the funeral pyre where wreath in flames her body should be burnt the sorrow of his heart welled forth in size but tearless orbit for no celestial face may tide of woe be due so grieves the poor dam when swinging from his right the flashing axe the butcher with a sounding blow divides the hollow temples of her sucking calf yet after Phebus poured the fragrant sweet perfumes on her breast that now once more against his own he pressed and after all the prematurely hastened rites were done he would not suffer the offspring of his loins to mingle with her ashes but he plucked from out the flames forth from the mother's thighs his child unborn and carried to the cave of double-natured Chiron then to him he called the silly raven high in hopes of large requital due for all his words but angry with his meddling ways the god turned the white feathers of that bird to black and then forbade forevermore to perch among the favored birds whose plumes are white End of Book 2, Part 2