Part 29

"Saturnian Picus in Ausonia's climes "Was king; delighted still was he to train "Steeds for the fight. The beauty you behold "As man was his. So strong the 'semblance strikes, "His real form in the feign'd stone appears. "His mind his beauty equall'd. Nor as yet, "The games quinquennial Grecian Elis gives, "Four times could he have seen. He, by his face "The Dryad nymphs who on the Latian hills "Were born, attracted. Naiäds, river-nymphs, "Him sought, whom Albula, and Anio bear; "Almo's short course; the rapid stream of Nar; "And Numicus; and Farfar's lovely shades; "With all that Scythian Dian's woody realm "Traverse; and all who haunt the sedgy lakes. "But he, all these despis'd, lov'd one fair nymph, "Whom erst Venilia, fame reports, brought forth "To Janus on Palatiura's mount. When reach'd "The nuptial age, preferr'd before the rest, "Laurentian Picus gain'd the lovely maid. "Wond'rous was she for beauty, wond'rous more "Her art in song, and hence was Canens nam'd. "Wont was her voice forests and rocks to move; "Soothe savage beasts; arrest the course of streams; "And stay the flying birds. While warbling thus "With voice mature her song, Picus went forth "To pierce amid Laurentium's fields the boars, "Their native dwelling; on a fiery steed "He rode; two quivering spears his left hand bore; "His purple vestment golden clasps confin'd. "In the same woods Apollo's daughter came, "And from the fertile hills as herbs she cull'd, "She left the fields, from her Circæan nam'd. "When, veil'd by twigs herself, the youth she saw, "Amaz'd she stood. Down from her bosom dropp'd "The gather'd plants, and quickly through her frame "The fire was felt to shoot. Soon as her mind "Collected strength to curb the furious flame, "She would have told him instant what she wish'd, "But his impetuous steed, and circling crowd "Of followers, kept her far.--Yet shalt thou not, "If I but know my power, me fly; not should "The winds thee bear away; else is the force "Of plants all vanished, and my spells deceive. "She said; and form'd an incorporeal shape "Like to a boar; and bade it glance across "The monarch's sight; and seem itself to hide "In the dense thicket, where the trees grew thick: "A spot impervious to the courser's foot. "'Tis done; unwitting Picus eager seeks "His shadowy prey; leaps from his smoking steed; "And, vain-hop'd spoil pursuing, wanders deep "In the thick woods. She baneful words repeats, "And cursing charms collects. With new-fram'd verse "Invokes strange deities: verse which erst while "Has dull'd the splendid circle of the moon; "And hid with rain-charg'd clouds her father's face. "This verse repeated, instant heaven grew dark, "And mists from earth arose: his comrades roam "Through the dark paths; the king without a guard "Is left. This spot, and time so suiting gain'd, "Thus Circé cry'd--O fairest thou of forms! "By those bright eyes which me enslav'd, by all "Thy beauteous charms which make a goddess sue, "Indulge my flame; accept th' all-seeing sun, "My sire, for thine; nor, rigidly austere, "Titanian Circé spurn.--She ceas'd; he stern "Repuls'd the goddess, and her praying suit; "Exclaiming,--be thou whom thou may'st, yet thine "I am not; captive me another holds; "And fervently, I pray, to lengthen'd years "She still may hold me. Never will I wrong "The nuptial bond with stranger's lawless love, "While Janus' daughter, my lov'd Canens lives.-- "Sol's daughter then (re-iterated prayers "In vain oft try'd) exclaim'd:--Nor shalt thou boast "Impunity; nor e'er returning see "Thy Canens; but learn well what may be done "By slighted, loving woman: Circé loves, "Is woman, and is slighted.--To the west "She turn'd her twice, and turn'd her twice to east; "Thrice with her wand she struck the youth, and thrice "Her charm-fraught song repeated. Swift he fled, "And wondering that more swift he ran than wont, "Plumes on his limbs beheld. Constrain'd to add "A new-form'd 'habitant to Latium's groves, "Angry he wounds the spreading boughs, and digs "The stubborn oak-tree with his rigid beak. "A purple tinge his feathers take, the hue "His garment shew'd; the gold, a buckle once, "Which clasp'd his robe, to feathers too is chang'd; "The shining gold circles his neck around: "Nor aught remains of Picus save the name.

"Meantime his comrades vainly Picus call, "Through all the groves; but Picus no where find. "Circé they meet, for now the air was clear'd, "The clouds dispers'd, or by the winds or sun; "Charge her with crimes committed, and demand "Their king; force threaten, and prepare to lift "Their savage spears. The goddess sprinkles round "Her noxious poisons and envenom'd juice; "Invokes old night, and the nocturnal gods, "Chaos, and Erebus; and Hecat's help, "With magic howlings, prays. Woods (wond'rous sight!) "Leap from their seats; earth groans; the neighbouring trees "Grow pale; the grass with sprinkled blood is wet; "Stones hoarsely seem to roar, and dogs to howl; "Earth with black serpents swarms; unmatter'd forms "Of bodies long defunct, flit through the air. "Tremble the crowd, struck with th' appalling scene: "Appall'd, and trembling, on their heads she strikes "Th' envenom'd rod. From the rod's potent touch, "For men a various crowd of furious beasts "Appear'd: his form no single youth retain'd.

"Descending Phoebus had Hesperia's shores "Now touch'd; and Canens with her heart and looks "Sought for her spouse in vain: her servants all, "And all the people roam through every wood, "Bearing bright torches. Not content the nymph "To weep, to tear her tresses, and to beat "Her bosom, though not one of these was spar'd, "She sally'd forth herself; and frantic stray'd "Through Latium's plains. Six times the night beheld, "And six returning suns, her, wandering o'er "The mountain tops, or through the vallies deep, "As chance directed: foodless, sleepless, still. "Tiber at length beheld her; with her toil, "And woe, worn out, upon his chilling banks "Her limbs extending. There her very griefs, "Pour'd with her tears, still musically sound. "Mourning, her words in a soft dying tone "Are heard, as when of old th' expiring swan "Sung his own elegy. Wasted at length "Her finest marrow, fast she pin'd away; "And vanish'd quite to unsubstantial air. "Yet still tradition marks the spot, the muse "Of ancient days, still Canens call'd the place, "In honor of the nymph, and justly too.

"Many the tales like these I heard; and much "Like this I saw in that long tedious year. "Sluggish and indolent for lack of toil, "Thence are we bid to plough the deep again; "Again to hoist the sail. But Circé told "So much of doubtful ways, of voyage vast, "And all the perils of the raging deep "We must encounter; that my soul I own "Trembled. I gain'd this shore, and here remain'd."

Here Macareus finish'd; to Æneäs' nurse Inurn'd in marble, this short verse was given: "Cajeta here, sav'd from the flames of Greece, "Her foster-son, for piety renown'd, "With fires more fitting burn'd." Loos'd are the ropes That bound them to the grassy beach, and far They leave the dwelling of the guileful power; And seek the groves, beneath whose cloudy shade The yellow-sanded Tiber in the main Fierce rushes. Here Æneäs gains the realm, And daughter of Latinus, Faunus' son: But not without a war. Battles ensue With the fierce people. For his promis'd bride Turnus loud rages. All the Tuscans join With Latium, and with doubtful warfare long Is sought the conquest. Either side augment With foreign aid their strength. Rutilians crowds Defend, and crowds the Trojan trenches guard.

Not bootless, suppliant to Evander's roof Æneäs went; though Venulus in vain, To exil'd Diomed's great town was sent. A mighty city Diomed' had rear'd Beneath Apulian Daunus, and possess'd His lands by marriage dower. But when made known By Venulus, the message Turnus sent, Beseeching aid, th' Etolian hero aid Deny'd. For neither was his wish to send His father's troops to fight, nor of his own Had he, which might the strenuous warfare wage.-- "Lest this but feign'd you think," he said, "though grief "The sad relation will once more renew, "Yet will I now th'afflicting tale repeat.

"When lofty Ilium was consum'd,--the towers "Of Pergamus a prey to Grecian flames, "The Locrian Ajax, for the ravish'd maid, "Drew vengeance on us all; which he alone "Deserv'd from angry Pallas. Scatter'd wide, "And swept by tempests through the foaming deep, "The Grecians, thunders, rains, and darkness bore, "All heaven's and ocean's rage; and all to crown, "On the Capharean rocks the fleet was dash'd. "But not to tire you with each mournful scene "In order; Greece might then the tears have drawn "Ev'n from old Priam. Yet Minerva's care "Snatch'd me in safety from the surge. Again "From Argos, my paternal land, I'm driven; "Bright Venus bearing still in mind the wound "Of former days. Upon th'expanded deep "Such toils I bore excessive; on the land "So in stern combat strove, that oft those seem'd "To me most blest, who in the common wreck, "Caphareus sunk beneath the boisterous waves; "A fate I anxious wish'd I'd with them shar'd. "Now all my comrades, of the toilsome main, "And constant warfare weary; respite crav'd "From their long wanderings. Not was Agmon so, "Fierce still his bosom burn'd; and now he rag'd "From his misfortunes fiercer, as he cry'd-- "What, fellows! can remain which now to bear "Your patience should refuse? What, though she would, "Possesses Cythereä to inflict? "When worse is to be dreaded, is the time "For prayers: but when our state the worst has seen "Fear should be spurn'd at; in our depth of woe "Secure. Let she herself hear all my words; "And let her hate, as hate she does, each man "Who follows Diomed'! Yet will we all "Her hatred mock, and stand against her power "So mighty, with a no less mighty breast.-- "With words like these Etolian Agmon goads "Th' already raging goddess, and revives "Her ancient hate. Few with his boldness pleas'd; "Far most my friends his daring speech condemn. "Aiming at words respondent, straight his voice "And throat are narrow'd; into plumes his hair "Is alter'd; plumes o'er his new neck are spread; "And o'er his chest, and back; his arms receive "Long pinions, bending into light-form'd wings; "Most of his feet is cleft in claws; his mouth "Hardens to horn, and in a sharp beak ends. "Lycus, Rhetenor, Nycteus, Abas, stare With wonder, and while wondering there they stand "The same appearance take; and far the most "Of all my troop on wings up fly: and round "The ship the air resounds with clapping wings. "If what new shape those birds so sudden form'd "Distinguish'd, you would know: swans not to be, "Nought could the snowy swan resemble more. "Son now to Daunus, my diminish'd host "Scarce guards this kingdom, and those barren fields."

Thus far Diomedes; and Venulus Th' Apulian kingdom left, Calabria's gulf Pass'd, and Messapia's plains, where he beheld Caverns with woods deep shaded, with light rills Cool water'd: here the goatish Pan now dwelt; Once tenanted by wood-nymphs. From the spot Them, Appulus, a shepherd drove to flight; Alarm'd at first by sudden dread, but soon, Resum'd their courage, his pursuit despis'd, They to the measur'd notes their agile feet Mov'd in the dance. The clown insults them more, Mimics their motions in his boorish steps, To coarse abusing adding speech obscene: Nor ceas'd his tongue 'till bury'd in a tree. Well may his manner from the fruit be known; For the wild olive marks his tongue's reproach, In berries most austere: to them transferr'd The rough ungrateful sharpness of his words.

Return'd the legates, and the message told, Th' Etolians' aid deny'd; without their help Wage the Rutilians now the ready war: And streams of blood from either army flow. Lo! Turnus comes, and greedy torches brings To fire the cover'd ships; the flames they fear Whom tempests spar'd. And now the fire consum'd The pitch, the wax, with all that flame could feed; Then, mounting up the lofty mast, assail'd The canvas; and the rowers' benches smok'd. This saw the sacred mother of the gods, And mindful that from Ida's lofty top The pines were hew'd, with clash of tinkling brass, And sounds of hollow box, fill'd all the air. Then borne through ether by her lions tam'd, She said; "Those flames with sacrilegious hand "Thou hurl'st in vain: I will them snatch away. "Ne'er will I calmly view the greedy fire "Aught of the forests, which are mine consume." Loud thunders rattled as the goddess spoke; And showery floods with hard rebounding hail, The thunder follow'd. In the troubled air The blustering brethren rag'd, and swell'd the main: The billows furious clash'd. The mother us'd One blast's exerted force; the cables burst, Which bound the Phrygian vessels to the shore; Them swiftly swept along, and in the deep Low plung'd them. Straight the rigid wood grows soft The timber turns to flesh; the crooked prows To heads are chang'd: the oars to floating legs, And toes; while what were ribs, as ribs remain; The keels, deep in the vessels sunk, become The spinal bones; in soft long tresses flows The cordage; into arms the sailyards change: The hue of all cerulean as before. And now the Naiäds of the ocean sport With girlish play, amid those very waves Ere while so dreaded: sprung from rugged hills They love the gentle main; nor aught their birth Their bosoms irks. Yet mindful still what risks Themselves encounter'd on the raging main, Oft with assisting hand the high-tost bark They aid; save Greeks the hapless bark contains. Mindful of Iliüm's fall, they still detest The Argives; and with joyful looks behold The shatter'd fragments of Ulysses' ship: With joy behold the bark Alcinous gave Harden to rock, stone growing from the wood.

'Twas hop'd, the fleet transform'd to nymphs marine, The fierce Rutilians, struck with awe, might cease The war; but stubborn either side persists. Each have their gods, and each have godlike souls. Nor seek they now, so much the kingdom dower, Latinus' sceptre, or Lavinia! thee, As conquest: waging war through shame to cease. Venus at last beholds, brave Turnus slain, Her son's victorious arms; and Ardea falls, A mighty town when Turnus yet was safe: It cruel flames destroy'd; and every roof The smoking embers hid; up from the heap Of ruins, sprung a bird unknown before, And beat the ashes with its sounding wings: Its voice, its leanness, pallid hue, and all, Suit well a captur'd city; and the name Retaining still, with beating wings it wails.

Now had Æneäs' virtues, all the gods, Ev'n Juno, forc'd to cease their ancient hate. The young Iülus' growing empire fixt On firm foundations, ripe was then for heaven The Cytheréan prince. Venus besought That favor of the gods; round her sire's neck Her arms she clasp'd--"O, father!"--she exclaim'd-- "Indulgent still, be more than ever kind: "Grant that a deity, though e'er so low, "Æneäs may become! who through my blood "Claims thee as grandsire; something let him gain. "Let it suffice, that he has once beheld "The dreary realm; and once already past "The Stygian stream."--The deities consent: Nor does the heavenly queen, her forehead stern Retain, consenting with a cheerful mien. Then spoke the sire. "Both, daughter, merit well "The boon celestial: what thou ask'st receive, "Since thou desir'st it, and since he deserves." He ceas'd. O'erjoy'd, she grateful thanks returns; And by yok'd turtles borne through yielding air, She seeks Laurentum's shore, where gently creep Numicius' waters 'midst a reedy shade Into the neighbouring main. She bids him cleanse All of Æneäs that to death was given; And bear him silent floating to the sea. The horned god, what Venus bade perform'd: All that Æneäs had of mortal mould He purg'd away, and wash'd him with his waves. His better part remain'd. Odours divine, O'er his lustrated limbs, the mother pour'd; And with ambrosia and sweet nectar touch'd His lips, and perfect is the new-made god: Whom Indiges, the Roman people call, Worship with altars, and in temples place.

Alba, and Latium then beneath the rule Of young Iülus, call'd Ascanius, came. Him Sylvius follow'd. Then Latinus held The ancient sceptre, with his grandsire's name. Alba to fam'd Latinus was the next. Then Epitus; Capetus; Capys reign'd: Capys before Capetus. After these The realm was sway'd by Tiberinus; sunk Beneath the billows of the Tuscan stream, The waters took his name. His sons were two, Fierce Remulus, and Acrota; the first Pre-eminent in years, the thunder mock'd; And by the thunder dy'd. Of meeker mind His brother, to brave Aventinus left The throne; who bury'd 'neath the self-same hill Where once he reign'd, gave to the hill a name; And Procas now the Latian people rul'd.

Beneath this monarch fair Pomona liv'd, Than whom amongst the Hamadryad train None tended closer to her garden's care; None o'er the trees' young fruit more anxious watch'd; And thence her name. In rivers, she, and woods, Delighted not, for fields were all her joy; And branches bending with delicious loads. Nor grasps her hand a javelin, but a hook, With which she now luxurious boughs restrains, And prunes the stragglers, when too wide they spread: Now she divides the rind, and in the cleft Inserts a scion, and supporting juice Affords th' adopted stranger. Ne'er she bears That drought they feel, but oft with flowing streams Waters the crooked fibres of their roots: This all her love, this all her care, for man She heeded not. Yet of the lawless force Of rustics fearful, she her orchard round Well fenc'd, and every part from access barr'd, And fled from all mankind. What was there left Untry'd, by satyrs, by the wanton fawns, Or pine-crown'd Pan; Sylvanus, ever youth; Or him whose sickle frights nocturnal thieves To gain her? These Vertumnus all excell'd In passion; but not happier he than they. How oft a basket of ripe grain he bore, Clad like a hardy reaper, and in form A real reaper seem'd! Oft with new hay His temples bound, who turns the fresh cut grass He might be thought. Oft in his horny hand He bears a goad; then might you swear, that now The weary oxen he had just unyok'd. Arm'd with a pruning hook, he one appears Who lops the vines. When he the ladder lifts, Apples about to pluck he seems. His sword Shews him a soldier; and his trembling reed An angler. Thus a thousand shapes he tries, T' enjoy the pleasure of her beauteous sight. Now leaning on a staff, his temples clad In painted bonnet, he an ancient dame, With silver locks thin scatter'd o'er her head, Would seem; and in the well-trimm'd orchard walks; Admires the fruit--"But, O! how far beyond "Are these;"--he said, and kiss'd the lips he prais'd: No ancient dame such kisses e'er bestow'd. Then rested on the swelling turf, and view'd The branches bending with th' autumnal load.

An elm there stood right opposite, full spread With swelling grapes, which, with its social vine, He prais'd;--"Yet should that trunk there single stand"-- Said he,--"without its vine, nought but the leaves "Desirable would seem. As well the vine "Which rests now safe upon its wedded elm, "If not so join'd, were prostrate on the ground. "Yet does the tree's example move not thee. "Thou fly'st from marriage; fly'st from nuptial joys; "Would they could charm thy soul. Not Helen e'er "Such crowds of wooers sought; not her who mov'd "The Lapithæan war; nor the bright queen "Of Ithacus, still 'gainst the coward brave, "As would pursue thee. Now, though all thou fly'st, "Thy suitors scorning, thousands seek thy hand, "Both demi-gods and gods, whoever dwell "Of deities on Alba's lofty hills. "Yet wisely would'st thou act, and happy wed, "Attend my aged counsel (thee I love "More than all these, and more than thou'dst believe) "Reject such vulgar offers, and select "Vertumnus for the consort of thy bed: "And for his worth accept of me as pledge. "For to himself not better is he known "Than me. No truant through the earth he roves; "These spots he dwells in, and in these alone, "Nor loves he, like thy wooer's greatest share, "Instant whate'er he sees. Thou his first flame "Shalt be, and be his last. He will devote "His every year to thee, and thee alone. "Add too his youth, and nature's bounteous gifts "Which decorate him; and that changed with ease, "He every form can take, and those the best "That thou may'st like, for all thou may'st command. "Are not your pleasures both the same? the fruits "Thou gatherest first, are they not given to him? "Who takes thy offerings with a grateful hand. "But now he seeks not fruits pluck'd from thy trees, "Nor herbs thy garden feeds with mellow juice, "Nor aught, save thee. Have pity on his flame: "Think 'tis himself that sues; think that he prays "Through me. O fear the vengeance of the gods! "Affronted Venus' unrelenting rage; "And fear Rhamnusia's still vindictive mind. "That these you more may dread, I will relate "(For age has much to me made known) a fact "Notorious through all Cyprus which may urge "Your soul more quickly to relent and love.