"Single, and spouseless liv'd he; long a mate "Press'd not his couch. Meantime the ivory white "With happy skill, and wond'rous art he carv'd; "And form'd a beauteous figure; never maid "So perfect yet was born, and his own work "With love inspir'd him. Of a nymph her face "Was such, you must believe the form to live, "And move, if not by bashfulness restrain'd.

"Thus art his art conceal'd. Pygmalion stares "In admiration; and his breast draws flames "From the feign'd body: oft his hands his work "Approach, if ivory or if flesh to judge; "Nor ivory then will he confess the form.

"Kisses he gives, and thinks each kiss return'd: "He speaks, he grasps her; where he grasps, he thinks "His hands impression leave; and fears to see "On the prest limbs some marks of livid blue.

"Now blandish'd words he uses; now he bears "Those gifts so grateful to a girlish mind; "Pearls, and smooth-polish'd gems, and smallest birds, "With variegated flowers, and lilies fair, "And painted figures, and the Heliads' tears, "Dropt from the weeping tree: with garments gay "Her limbs too he adorns, and jewels gives "To deck her fingers; while a necklace large "Hangs round her neck: her ears light pearls suspend; "And a bright zone is circled round her waist.

"All well became her, yet most beauteous far "She unattir'd appear'd. Her on a couch, "Ting'd with the sh.e.l.l Sidonian, then he laid, "And call'd her partner of his bed; and plac'd "Her head reclin'd, as if with sense endu'd, "On the soft pillow. Now the feast approach'd "Of Venus, through all Cyprus' isle so fam'd, "And snowy-chested heifers, whose bent horns "With gold were gay, receiv'd the deadly blow; "And incense burnt in clouds. Pygmalion stood "Before the altar, with his offer'd gifts: "Timid he spoke,--O ye all-potent G.o.ds!

"Give me a spouse just like my ivory nymph,-- "Give me my ivory nymph--he blush'd to say.

"Bright Venus then, as present at her feast, "Perceiv'd the inmost wishes of his soul; "And gave the omen of a friendly power.

"Thrice blaz'd the fire, and thrice the flame leap'd high.

"Returning, he the darling statue seeks "Of his fair nymph; extends him on the couch; "Kisses, and thinks he feels her lips grow warm: "Applies his lips again, and with his hand "Presses her bosom: prest the ivory yields, "Softening beneath his fingers; nor remains "Its rigid harshness. So Hymettus' wax "Yields to the heat, when tempering thumbs it mould "In various forms; and fit for future use.

"Astonish'd now he joys with trembling soul, "But fears deception; then he loves again, "And with his hands again his wishes proves: "'Twas flesh, the prest pulse leap'd beneath his thumb.

"Then did the Cyprian youth, in words most full "Of grat.i.tude and love, to Venus pray.

"Then to her living lips his lips he join'd, "And then the damsel felt his warm salute: "Blushing she felt it, and her timid eyes "Op'd to the light, and with the light beheld "Her lover. Venus bless'd the match she made; "And when nine times the moon's full orb was seen "Sharpen'd to horns, the damsel Paphos bore; "Whose appellation oft the isle receives.

"She Cinyras too bore; if childless he "A place amongst the happiest might he claim.

"A direful song I sing! be distant far "Ye daughters; distant far, O, parents be!

"Or if of pleasure to your minds my verse "Aught gives, in this at least my truth suspect.

"Believe the deed not: if you must believe, "Mark well the punishment the crime deserv'd.

"Since nature could such heinous deeds permit; "The Thracian realms, my land, I 'gratulate; "And joy this clime at such a distance lies, "From that which could such monstrous acts produce.

"Let Araby be in amomum rich; "And cinnamon, and zedoary produce; "Incense which through the wood exudes; and flowers "Of vary'd teints,--while Myrrha too it bears: "Too great the price which this new tree procur'd.

"Cupid denies, O Myrrha! that his darts "Thee wounded; vindicating from that crime "His weapons. Thee, with Stygian torch most fierce, "And viperous venom furies did enflame.

"Wicked to hate thy parent sure had been, "But thus to love is worse than bitterest hate.

"The choicest n.o.bles come from every part "To gain thee; youths from all the East arrive, "To struggle for thy hand. Chuse, Myrrha, chuse "One from the crowd: one only in the world "Whom chuse thou may'st not. She herself perceiv'd, "And curb'd the baneful pa.s.sion in her mind; "Communing thus:--Ah! whither rove my thoughts?

"What meditate I? O, ye G.o.ds! I pray, "O piety, O parents' sacred laws, "Forbid this wicked act; oppose a deed "So full of horrid guilt,--if guilt it be!

"But pious nature ne'er such love condemns.

"All animals in undistinguish'd form "Cohabit: shame the heifer never feels "Join'd with her sire; the steed his daughter takes "As partner; with the female flock, who ow'd "To him their being, couples oft the goat; "And birds bring forth to birds who them produc'd.

"Blest those who thus enjoy; but human race "Perversest laws invents: vexatious rules "Forbid what nature grants. Yet am I told, "Nations exist, where mother joins with son, "And daughter with her sire; their pious love "Increas'd more strongly by the double bond.

"Ah, me! unhappy, in such glorious climes "Begotten not; I suffer but from place.

"But why on these ideas dwell? hence far "Forbidden hopes. Well he deserves thy love, "But as a father love him. Wert thou not "Of mighty Cinyras the daughter, then "Thou might'st the couch of Cinyras ascend.

"Now mine he is so much, he is not mine; "Our very nearness is my greatest curse: "More close, a perfect stranger had I been.

"Far hence I would depart; my country leave, "This mischief flying; but curs'd love restrains.

"For, present, Cinyras I may behold; "Touch, speak, my kisses to his face apply, "If nought he'll grant beyond. How! impious maid, "Dar'st thou hope ought beyond? perceiv'st thou not "What laws, what names thou would'st confound? would'st thou "The mother's rival be?--thy father's wh.o.r.e?

"Thy offspring's sister would'st thou then be call'd?

"Thy brother's parent? Fear'st thou not the three, "Whose locks with sable serpents horrid curl?

"Who conscious bosoms pierce with searching eyes, "And hurl their furious torches in the face?

"While yet thy body can resist, no more "Cherish the heinous guilt thus in thy mind; "Nor violate great Nature's sacred law "With l.u.s.t forbidden. Grant I should consent, "The king would me deny: too pious he, "Too dear to him the law. O, that in him "Such furious pa.s.sion rag'd as burns in me!--

"She ended; Cinyras, the worthy crowd "Of suitors held in doubt; herself he ask'd, "As name by name he counted, which as spouse "She most would wish. Silent at first she stood, "Then burning gaz'd on his paternal face, "As the warm tears gush'd in her shining eyes.

"These, Cinyras effects of virgin fear "Believing, chid her and forbade to weep.

"Drying her cheeks, he on them press'd a kiss; "With too much pleasure she the kiss receiv'd: "And when consulted what the spouse must be "She would prefer, she answer'd,--one like you.-- "He witless of her meaning, prais'd her words, "And said,--be such thy pious duty still-- "The sound of piety the virgin's eyes, "With sense of guilt, cast conscious to the ground.

"'Twas now deep night when sleep sooth'd all the cares "Of mortal b.r.e.a.s.t.s. But Myrrha wakeful laid "Consum'd with raging fires; and rolling deep "Her frantic wishes in her wandering mind.

"Despairing now, and now resolv'd to try; "Now shame o'ercomes her, and anon desire: "And undetermin'd how to act she rests.

"A mighty tree thus, wounded by the axe, "Ere yet it feels the final blow, in doubt "Seems where to fall; they fear on every side: "Thus did her stagger'd mind from vary'd force "Waver now here, now there; press'd hard by each, "No ease for love, no rest but death appears.

"Death pleas'd. She rose, and round her throat prepar'd "The cord to fasten; from the topmost beam "She ty'd her girdle, and--farewel!--exclaim'd-- "Dear Cinyras! guess whence my fatal end.-- "Then drew the noose around her pallid neck.

"'Tis said, th' imperfect murmuring of her words, "Reach'd to the faithful nurse's ears, who laid "Before the threshold of her foster-child.

"The matron rose, threw wide the door, and saw "Prepar'd the instrument of death. At once "She scream'd aloud, her bosom tore, deep blows "Gave her own limbs, and from the rescu'd neck "Tore the tight noose. Then had she time to weep, "Then to embrace, then to inquire the cause "Of the dread cord. But dumb the virgin sate "And motionless, her eyes to earth were fix'd; "Griev'd that so check'd her efforts were for death.

"More the nurse presses, bares her silver'd hairs "And wither'd bosom; by the cradle begs, "And the first food she tasted, to confess "To her the cause of sorrow. Myrrha sighs, "But turns her eyes aside as thus she begs.

"Determin'd still to know, the nurse persists "And not content her secrecy alone "To promise, says--yet tell me, and my aid "Allow me to afford thee. Not yet slow, "Though aged. Is it love? with charms and plants "I know thy love to cure. Have envious eyes "Thee harm'd? with magic rites their charm I'll spoil.

"Are the G.o.ds angry? with appeasing rites "Their anger we will soothe. What ill beside "Can be conjectur'd? Lo! thy house secure, "And safe thy fortune; both in prosperous train.

"Yet lives thy mother, and thy father lives.-- "Her father's name when Myrrha heard she drew "Deep from her breast a mournful sigh; nor yet "The nurse suspected guilt was in her soul: "But saw that love disturb'd her. In her aim "Inflexible; again she urg'd to know "The grief whate'er it prov'd; and lull'd her head "Upon her aged lap, and clasp'd her form "In her own feeble arms, as thus she spoke;-- "I see thou lovest; banish far thy fear, "My diligence in this shall aid thee; nay "Not e'en thy father shall the secret know.-- "Madly she bounded from the lap, and cry'd, "While press'd the couch her face,--I beg thee go!

"And spare my grievous shame.--More pressing still-- "Or go--she said--or ask not why I mourn: "What thou so seek'st to know is shameful guilt.-- "With horror struck, the ancient dame holds forth "Her hands, which equal shook with fear and age; "Then suppliant at her foster-daughter's feet "Fell. Now she coaxes; now she threatens loud; "If not made privy, threatens to declare "The cord's adventure, and half-finish'd death: "And offers aid once more her love to gain.

"She rais'd her head, and fill'd her nurse's breast "With sudden gushing tears. And oft she strove "All to confess; as oft her tongue was mute; "And in her garments hid her blushing face.-- "Then,--happy mother in thy spouse!--she said; "No more, but groan'd. Through her cold limbs and bones, "The ancient nurse a shivering tremor felt, "And her white hairs all o'er her head, erect "Like bristles stood; for all the truth she saw.

"Much did she urge the direful flame to drive "Far from her soul, if that could be. The maid "Knows all is just she argues, yet is fix'd "For death, unless her lover is obtain'd.

"Then she;--O live, enjoy thy--silent there, "Enjoy thy parent--she not dar'd to say: "Yet by a sacred oath her promise bound.

"Now Ceres' annual feast, the pious dames "All solemniz'd: in snowy robes enwrapt, "They offer'd wheaten wreaths, and primal fruits.

"The rites of Venus, and the touch of man, "For thrice three nights forbidden things they held.

"The monarch's spouse Cenchres, 'mid the crowd "Forth went to celebrate the secret feast: "And while the couch its legal partner lack'd, "The ill-officious nurse the king espy'd "Oppress'd with wine, and told the tale of love, "Beneath a fictious name, and prais'd her charms.

"The virgin's years he asks.--Equal her age "To Myrrha's--she replies.--Desir'd to bring "The damsel, she returns:--Rejoice!--she cries, "Rejoice! our point is gain'd.--The hapless nymph "Felt not a general joy; presaging pangs "Shot through her bosom; still she joy'd: her mind "Such discord tore. Now was the silent hour; "Bootes 'mid the Triones had bent "His wain with sloping pole; when Myrrha came "To her flagitious crime. Bright Luna fled "The skies; black clouds the lurking stars o'erspread; "The night saw not its fires. Thou, Icarus, "Thy face first hidst; and thou, Erigone "Hallow'd for thy parental love so pure.

"Thrice was she warn'd by stumbling feet, and thrice "The owl funereal utter'd her death-note.

"Yet on she went; darkness and sable night "Her shame diminish'd. Fast her left hand grasps "Her nurse, the other waves t'explore the way.

"The threshold of the nuptial chamber now "She touches; now she gently opes the door; "Now enters. Then her trembling knees loose shook "Beneath her bending hams; her color fled: "Her blood flow'd back; and all her wishes sunk.

"The nearer was her crime approach'd, the more "With horror she beheld it, and sore mourn'd "Her daring; anxious to return unknown.

"The h.o.a.ry dame, her, lingering thus, dragg'd on, "And when presented at the lofty couch, "Said--Cinyras receive her, she's thine own!-- "And the devoted bodies gave to join.

"The sire his proper bowels, on the bed "Obscene, receiv'd; her virgin terrors calm'd, "And sooth'd her trembling. Haply too, he said-- "My daughter,--from her age; and haply she-- "My sire,--lest names were wanting to their crime.

"Fill'd with her father from the bed she rose, "Bearing in her dire womb the impious fruit; "Carrying her crime conceiv'd. Th' ensuing night "Her incest she repeats, nor ends she here.

"But Cinyras eager at length to know, "After such frequent converse, who him lov'd; "At once his daughter and his sin beheld, "By lamps brought sudden. Grief repress'd all words; "But from the sheath he s.n.a.t.c.h'd his glittering sword.

"Quick Myrrha fled; darkness and favoring night "Sav'd her from death. O'er wide-spread fields she roam'd; "Through Araby palm-bearing, and the lands "Panchaea holds. Nine times returning light "Had fill'd the horns of Luna, still she stray'd: "Then weary rested in Sabaea's fields; "While scarce she bore the burden of her womb.

"Then what to ask uncertain, 'twixt the fear "Of death and weariness of hated life; "In words like these she utter'd forth her prayers,-- "Ye powers, if those who guilt confess are heard, "A punishment exemplar I deserve; "I shrink not from it. Yet the living race "Lest I contaminate, if left to live; "Or lest I mix prophane with shades below, "Drive me from either realm; from life and death "Debar me, into some new shape transform'd.-- "The penitent some G.o.d propitious heard; "Her final prayer at least success obtain'd: "For as she spoke rose round her legs the earth; "The lofty tree's foundation, crooked roots "Shot from her spreading toes; hard wood her bones "Became; the marrow in the midst remain'd "As pith; as sappy juice still flow'd her blood: "Her arms large boughs were spread; her fingers chang'd "To slender twigs; rough bark her skin became.

"The growing tree press'd hard the gravid womb; "Invested next her breast, and o'er her neck "Threaten'd to spread. Impatient of delay "She shrunk below to meet th' approaching wood, "And hid beneath the rising bark her face.

"Human sensation with her change of shape "She lost, yet still she weeps; and from the tree "Warm drops yet fall, and much the tears are priz'd.

"The myrrh which oozes from the bark still holds "Its mistress' name, well known in every age.

"Meantime the misbegotten infant grew "Within the trunk, and press'd to find a way "To push to light, and leave the parent womb.

"Within the tree the gravid womb swell'd large, "Stretch'd was the mother with the load, but mute "Were all her woes; nor in travailing voice "Lucina could she call. Yet hard to strain "She seem'd; thick groans oft gave the bending bole, "And tears flow'd copious. Mild Lucina came, "And stood before the groaning boughs, and gave "a.s.sisting help, and spoke the spellful words.

"Cleft is the tree, and through the fissur'd bark "A living burthen comes: the infant cries, "Who on soft gra.s.s plac'd. The Naad nymphs "Him bathe in tears maternal: such a face "Ev'n Envy could not blame. As painters form "The naked Cupid's beauty, such had he; "And that their dress no help to guess may give, "This the light quiver take, or that resign.

"Quick pa.s.sing time unheeded glides along "Deceiving: nought than years more quickly flies.

"The child, of sister and of grandsire born, "Late in the tree confin'd, late thence reliev'd; "Just seen most beauteous of the infant tribe, "Now youth, now man appears, more beauteous still: "Now Venus charm'd, his mother's pangs aveng'd.

"As kisses sweet the quiver-bearing boy "Press'd on his mother's lips, he witless raz'd "Slightly her bosom, with a dart that stood "Protruding. Venus, wounded, angry push'd "Her son far from her; light the wound appear'd; "At first even her deceiving. With the blaze "Of manly beauty caught, she now contemns "The Cytherean sh.o.r.es; nor Paphos seeks, "Girt by profoundest seas; Cnidos, so fam'd "For fish; nor Amathus with metals rich.

"Heaven too, she quits, to heaven she now prefers "Adonis: him she follows, him attends; "Whose sole employ was loitering in the shade, "In anxious study to increase her charms.

"Bare to the knee, her robe, like Dian's train "High-girt, o'er hills, through woods, and brambly rocks "She roves: exhorts the dogs, and drives such game "As threaten not with danger; fearful hares, "High-antler'd stags, and rapid-flying deer.

"Fierce boars she shuns, and shuns the robber-wolf, "Strong-talon'd bears, and lions slaughter-gorg'd.

"Thou too, Adonis, admonition heardst "These to avoid, if admonition ought "With thee could weigh:--Be brave,--the G.o.ddess said-- "To those who fly thee; courage 'gainst the bold "To danger drags. Dear youth, thy heart is brave; "Indulge not to my hazard, nor provoke "Fierce beasts by nature arm'd, nor seek for fame.

"Nor youth nor beauty, such as Venus move, "Will move the lion, or the bristly boar: "Their eyes and b.r.e.a.s.t.s untouch'd by brightest charms.

"Thunder and lightning in his bended tusks "The fierce boar carries; rapid is the force "The tawny lion, (hated race!) exerts: "My cause of hatred when to thee disclos'd, "Will raise thy wonder at the monstrous crime, "In days of yore committed. Now hard toil "Unwonted tires me. Lo! the poplar's shade "So opportune invites; and the green turf "A couch presents. Upon the ground with thee "I'll rest:--she spoke, and as she stretch'd along, "She press'd the gra.s.s, and press'd the lovely youth: "Smiling, her head upon his breast reclin'd, "'Midst intermingling kisses, thus she spoke.--

"Perhaps thou'st heard of that renowned maid, "Whose fleetness in the race the swiftest man's "Surpa.s.s'd. Not fabulous the tale you heard: "She vanquish'd all. And hard it was to say, "If praise for swiftness, or for beauteous form, "She most deserv'd. To her, who once enquir'd "Of marriage, fate-predicting Phbus said-- "A spouse would, Atalanta, be thy bane; "Avoid an husband's couch. Yet wilt thou not "An husband's couch avoid; but lose thyself, "Thyself yet living.--Terror-struck to hear "The sentence of the G.o.d, maiden she lives "Amid the thickest woods; driving severe "The throngs of pressing suitors from her far, "By hard conditions.--Ne'er can I be gain'd-- "She said--till vanquish'd in the race. With me "Your swiftness try: the conqueror in the strife, "Shall gain me spouse, and gain a genial couch; "But death must him who lags behind reward.

"Such be the laws of trial.--Pitiless "The law appear'd; but (such is beauty's power) "Crowds of rash lovers to the law agreed.

"There sat Hippomenes to view the race "Unequal; and exclaim'd,--are there so mad, "As seek a wife through peril so immense?-- "And the blind love of all the youths condemn'd.

"But when her face he saw, and saw her limbs "Bar'd for the contest, (limbs like mine, or thine, "Were thine of female mould,) amaz'd he look'd "With uprais'd hands, and cry'd;--forgive my fault, "Ye whom but now I blam'd; the great reward "For which you labor, then to me unknown!-- "Thus praising, fire he feels, and hopes no youth "More swift will run, and envious fears their speed-- "But why the fortune of this contest leave, "Untry'd--he said,--myself? Heaven helps the bold.-- "While musing thus Hippomenes remarks "The virgin's flying pace. Though not less swift "Th' Aonian youth beheld her, than the dart "Shot from the Scythian bow; her beauty more "Ravish'd his eyes, and speed her charms increas'd.

"Th' opposing breeze, which met her rapid feet, "Blew back the ribbons which her sandals bound; "Her tresses floated down her ivory back; "And loosely flow'd her garment o'er her knees, "With painted border gay: a purple bloom "With virgin whiteness mixt, her body shew'd; "As when the snow-white hall a deepen'd tinge "From purple curtains shews. While this the guest "Intently notes, the utmost goal is pa.s.s'd: "Victorious Atalanta with the wreath "Is crown'd: the vanquish'd sigh, and meet the doom "Agreed. He, by the youths' untimely fate "Deterr'd not, forward stood, and on the nymph "Fix'd full his eyes, and said;--Why seek you thus "An easy conquest, vanquishing the weak?

"With me contend. So potent am I born "You need not blush to such high rank to yield.

"Megareus was my sire, Onchestius his, "Grandson to Neptune; thus the fourth I boast "From Ocean's sovereign. Nor beneath my race "Stoops aught my valor; should success me crown, "A lofty and an everlasting fame, "Hippomenes your conqueror, would you gain.-- "As thus he spoke, with softening eyes the maid "Beheld him, doubtful which 'twere best to wish, "To vanquish or be vanquish'd. While she thus "Utter'd her thoughts--What G.o.d, an envious foe "To beauty would destroy him: urg'd to seek "My bed, by risking thus his own dear life?

"I cannot sure so great a prize be thought!

"His beauty melts me not; though yet I own "Such beauty well might melt. But such a youth "He seems, he moves me not but from his years.

"What courage in him reigns! his soul unaw'd "By death. He springs the fourth from Ocean's king!

"Then how he loves! and prizes so my hand, "That should hard fortune keep me from his arms, "He'd perish. Stranger, while thou may'st, depart; "Avoid the b.l.o.o.d.y nuptials. Marriage, I "Too cruel make. No maid would thee refuse; "And soon may'st thou a wiser nymph select.