"Scarce can my lips now utter forth my pains!-- Volumes of smoke oppress'd her--"See, my hair "Sing'd with the flames! Behold my face,--my eyes, "Scorch'd with hot embers! Is no better boon "Due for the fruits I furnish? Such reward, "Suits it my fertile crops? or cruel wounds "Of harrow, rake, and plough, which through the year "Enforc'd I suffer? For the herds I bring "Green herbs and gra.s.s; bland aliments, ripe fruit "For man; and incense for ye mighty G.o.ds: "Faulty is this? But grant thy wrath deserv'd, "How do the waves, thy brother's realm offend?

"Why does the main, to him by lot decreed, "Shrink and retreat from heaven? Thy brother's weal, "Say it concerns thee not, nor my distress; "Care for thy own paternal heaven may move.

"Thine eyes cast round,--black smoke from either pole "Mounts!--soon the greedy flames your halls will seize.

"Lo! Atlas labors;--scarcely he sustains "The burning load. If earth and ocean flame, "And heaven too perish, all to chaos turn'd, "Confounded we shall sink. s.n.a.t.c.h from the flames "What yet, if ought, remains, and nature save."

No more could Earth, for now thick vapors rose, Her speech obstructing; down she shrunk her head, And shelter'd 'midst the cool Tartarian shades.

Now Jove, the G.o.ds, all witness to the fact Conven'd; ev'n Sol, the donor of the car, That but for him the world in ruins soon Would lie. The loftiest height of heaven he gains, Whence clouds he wont upon the wide-spread earth To shower;--from whence his thunders loud he hurl'd; And quivering lightenings flung: but now nor clouds, Nor showers to rain on earth the sovereign had.

He thunders;--from his right-ear pois'd, the bolt Hurls on the charioteer. Life, and the car, Phaeton quits at once;--his fatal fires, By fires more fierce extinguish'd. Startled prance The steeds confounded; free their fiery necks From the torn reins: here lie the traces broke; There the strong axle, sever'd from the seat; Spokes of the shatter'd wheels are here display'd; And scatter'd far and wide the car's remains.

Hurl'd headlong falls the youth, his golden locks, Flame as he tumbles, swept through empty air, A lengthen'd track he forms: so seems a star In night serene, but only seems, to shoot.

Far from paternal home, the mighty Po Receiv'd his burning corps, and quench'd the flames.

Due rites the nymphs Hesperian gave the limbs From the fork'd lightening flaming. On his tomb This epitaph they grav'd: "Here Phaeton "Intombed rests; the charioteer so bold, "Of Phbus' car, which though he fail'd to rule, "He perish'd greatly daring." Griev'd his sire, Veil'd his sad face; and, were tradition true, One day saw not the sun; the embers blaz'd Sufficient light: thus may misfortune aid.

When Clymene with all that sorrow could To ease her woes give utterance, loud had wail'd In wild lament; all spark of reason fled, Her bosom tearing, through the world she roam'd.

And now his limbs inanimate she sought; Then for his whiten'd bones: his bones she found, On banks far distant from his home inhum'd.

p.r.o.ne on his tomb her form she flung, and pour'd Her tears in floods upon the graven lines: And with her bosom bar'd, the cold stone warm'd.

His sisters' love their fruitless offerings bring, Their griefs and briny droppings; cruel tear Their beauteous bosoms; while they loudly call Phaeton, deaf to all their mournful cries.

Stretch'd on his tomb, by night, by day they call'd.

Till Luna's circle four times fill'd was seen; Their blows still given as 'custom'd, (use had made Their forms of grief as nature). Sudden plain'd Fair Phaethusa, eldest of the three, Of stiffen'd feet; as on the tomb she strove To cast her body p.r.o.ne. Lampetie bright, Rushing in hope to aid, a shooting root Abruptly held. With lifted hands the third Her locks to tear attempted; but green leaves Tore off instead. Now this laments her legs, Bound with thin bark; that mourns to see her arms Shoot in long branches. While they wonder thus, Th' increasing bark their bodies upward veils, Their b.r.e.a.s.t.s, their arms, and hands, with gradual growth: Their mouths alone remain; which loudly call Their mother. What a mother could, she did: What could she do? save, here and there to fly, Where blind affection dragg'd her; and while yet, 'Twas given to join, join with them mouth to mouth.

Nor this contents; she strives to tear the rind, Their limbs enwrapping; and the tender boughs Pluck from their hands: but from the rended spot The sanguine drops flow swift. Each suffering nymph Cries,--"Spare me, mother!--spare your wounded child; "I suffer in the tree.--farewell!--farewell!"-- For as they spoke the rind their mouths inclos'd.

From these new branches tears were dropp'd, and shap'd By solar heat, bright amber straight compos'd.

Dropt in the lucid stream, the prize was borne To Latium, and its gayest nymphs adorn'd.

This wonderous change Sthenelian Cycnus saw; To thee, O Phaeton, by kindred join'd, But by affection closer. He his realms, (For o'er Liguria's large and populous towns He reign'd) had then relinquish'd. With his plaints, The Po's wide stream was fill'd; and fill'd the banks With his lamentings; ev'n the woods, whose shade The sister poplars thicken'd. Soon he feels His utterance shrill and weak: his streaming locks Soft snowy plumes displace: high from his chest, His lengthen'd neck extends: a filmy web Unites his ruddy toes: his sides are cloth'd With quills and feathers: where his mouth was seen Expanded, now a blunted beak obtains; And Cycnus stands a bird;--but bird unknown In days of yore. Mistrustful still of Jove, His heaven he shuns; as mindful of the flames From thence unjustly hurl'd. Wide lakes and ponds He seeks to habit now;--indignant shuns What favors fire, and joys in purling streams.

Meantime was Phbus dull, his blaze obscur'd, As when eclips'd his...o...b.. his rays he hates; Himself; and even the day. To grief his soul He gives, and anger to his grief he joins; Depriving earth of all its wonted light.

"Troubled my lot has been," he cry'd, "since first "Was publish'd my existence:--urg'd my toil "Endless,--still unremitted, still unprais'd.

"Now let who will my furious chariot drive "Flammiferous! If every G.o.d shall shrink "Inadequate,--let Jove the task attempt: "Then while my reins he tries, at least those flames, "Which cause parental grief must peaceful rest.

"Then when the fiery flaming coursers strain "His nervous arms, no more he'll judge the youth "Of death deserving, who could less control."

Sol, grieving thus, the deities surround, And suppliant beg that earth may mourn no more, By darkness 'whelm'd. Ev'n Jove concession gave,-- And why his fiery bolts were launch'd explain'd; But threats and prayers majestically mix'd.

The steeds with terror trembling, Phbus seiz'd, Wild from their late affright, and rein'd their jaws; Furious he wields his goad and lash, and fierce He storms, and their impetuous fury blames At every blow, as murderers of his son.

High heaven's huge walls the mighty sire explores, With eye close searching, lest a weakening flaw, Might hurl some part to ruin. All he found Firm in its pristine strength;--then glanc'd his eye Around the earth, and toils of man below.

'Bove all terrestrial lands, Arcadia felt-- His own Arcadia--his preserving care.

Her fountains he restores; her streams not yet To murmur daring; to her fields he gives Seed-corn; and foliage to her spreading boughs; And her scorch'd forests bids again look green.

Through here as oft he journey'd, and return'd, A virgin of Nonacrine he spy'd, And instant inward fire the G.o.d consum'd.

No nymph was she whose skill the wool prepar'd; Nor comb'd with art her tresses seem'd; full plain, Her vest a b.u.t.ton held; a fillet white Careless her hair confin'd. Now pois'd her hand A javelin light, and now a bow she bore: In Dian's train she ran, nor nymph more dear To her the mountain Maenalus e'er trode.

But brief the reign of favor! Sol had now Beyond mid-heaven attain'd; Calistho sought A grove where felling axe had never rung: Here was her quiver from her shoulder thrown; Her slender bow unstrung; and on the ground With soft gra.s.s clad she rested: 'neath her neck Was plac'd the painted quiver. Jove, the maid Weary'd beheld, and from her wonted troop Far distant. "Surely now, my wife," he cries, "This theft can ne'er discover. Should she know, "What is her rage with such a prize compar'd?"

Then Dian's face and form the G.o.d conceal'd; Loud calling,--"Where, O virgin, hast thou stray'd?

"What hills, my comrade, hast thou crost in chase?"

Light springing from the turf, the nymph reply'd,-- "Hail G.o.ddess, greater, if with me the palm, "Than Jove himself, though Jove himself should hear."

The feign'd Diana smil'd, and joy'd to hear Him to himself preferr'd; then press'd her lips With kisses, such as virgins never give To virgins. Her, prepar'd to tell the woods Where late she hunted, with a warm embrace He hinder'd; and his crime the G.o.d disclos'd.

Hard strove the nymph,--and what could female more?

(O Juno, hadst thou seen her, less thy ire!) Long she resists, but what can nymph attain, Or any mortal, when to Jove oppos'd?

Victor the G.o.d ascends th' ethereal court.

The groves and forests, conscious of the deed, Calistho hates; so swift she flies the spot, Her quiver, and her darts, and slender bow Suspended on the tree, through eager haste Were nigh forgotten. Lo! Diana comes, By cl.u.s.tering nymphs attended, o'er the hills Of lofty Maenalus, from slaughter'd beasts, Proudly triumphant. She Calistho sees, And calls her;--as the G.o.ddess calls she flies, Fearing another Jove disguis'd to meet.

But when th' attendant virgin-troop appear'd, Fraud she no more suspected, but the train Join'd fearless. Hard the countenance to form, And not betray a perpetrated crime!

Scarce from the ground she dar'd her looks to raise; Nor with her wonted ardor press'd before, First of the throng, close to Diana's side.

Silent she moves; her blushes prove a wound Her modesty had felt. E'en Dian' might, (But that a virgin,) all the truth have known.

By numerous proofs and strong. Nay, fame reports Her sister-nymphs had long her shame perceiv'd.

Nine times had Luna now her orb renew'd, When Dian' from the chase retreating faint By Phbus' rays, had gain'd a forest cool, Where flow'd a limpid stream with murmuring noise, The shining sand upturning. Much the spot The G.o.ddess tempted, and her feet she dipp'd Light in the waves, as to the nymphs she cry'd:-- "Hence far each prying eye, we'll dare unrobe "And lave beneath the stream." Calistho blush'd;-- Quick while the other nymphs their bodies bare, Protracting she undresses. From her limbs, Suspicious they the garments rend, and view Her body naked, and her fault is plain.

To her, confus'd, whose trembling hands essay'd Her shame to hide, Diana spoke;--"Hence fly,-- "Far hence, nor more these sacred streams pollute."

And drove her instant from her spotless train.

Long time the mighty thunderer's queen had known Calistho's state; but curb'd her furious ire Till ripe occasion suited: longer now Delay were needless; now the nymph produc'd Arcas; whom Juno more enrag'd beheld.

With savage mind, and furious look she ey'd The boy, and spoke;--"Adulteress! this alone "Was wanting! fruitful, harlot, hast thou prov'd?

"Must by this birth my wrongs in public glare?

"And what dishonor I from Jove receive "Be palpable to sight. Expect not thou "Impunity to find. Thy form I'll change,-- "To thee so pleasing, and so dear to Jove."

She said; and on the flowing tresses seiz'd Which o'er her forehead stream'd, and prostrate dragg'd The nymph to earth. She rais'd her suppliant hands,-- With black hairs cover'd, rough her arms appear'd; Bent were her hands, and, with her lengthen'd nails To claws transform'd, press'd on the ground as feet; Her mouth so beauteous, late of Jove admir'd, Yawn'd wide deformity;--and lest soft prayers And flowing words, might pity move, no power To speak she left. Now through her hoa.r.s.e throat sounds An angry threatening voice that fear instills; A bear becoming, though her sense the same: Her sufferings proving by her constant groans.

Lifting to heaven such hands as lift she could, Jove she ungrateful found, but Jove to call Ungrateful, strove in vain. Alas! how oft In woods and solitudes, to sleep afraid, She roam'd around the house and fertile fields Of late her own!---Alas, how oft thence driven By yelping hounds o'er craggy steeps she fled!

Thou dread'st the hunters though an huntress thou!

Oft was her form forgotten, and in fear From beasts she crouch'd conceal'd: the s.h.a.ggy bear Shudder'd to see the bears upon the hills; And at the wolves she trembled, though with wolves Her sire Lycaon howl'd. Now Arcas comes; Arcas, her son, unconscious of his race.

Near fifteen suns the youth had seen revolv'd; And while the game he chases, while he seeks Thickets best suited for his sports, and round The Erymanthean woods his toils he sets, He meets his mother:--at his sight she stay'd, The well-known object viewing. Arcas fled Trembling, unconscious why those eyes were fix'd On him immoveably. His spear, prepar'd To pierce his mother's breast, as near she draws The youth protends. But Jove the deed prevents: Both bears away, and stays the matricide.

Swept through the void of heaven by rapid whirl They're borne, and neighbouring constellations made, Loud Juno rag'd, to see the harlot shine, Amid the stars; and 'neath the deep descends, To h.o.a.ry Tethys, and her ancient spouse; Where reverence oft the host of heaven had shewn.

And thus to them, who anxious seek the cause, Why there she journeys. "Wish ye then to know "Why I the queen of heaven, my regal seat "Now leave? Another fills my lofty throne!

"Nor false I speak,--for when gray night shall spread "O'er all,--new constellations shall you see "Me irking,--on the utmost bounds of heaven, "Where the last shorten'd zone the axis binds.

"Now surely none, t' insult shall rashly dare "The thunderer's spouse, but tremble at her frown; "For she who most offends is honor'd most!

"Much has my power perform'd!--vast is my sway!

"Her human form I chang'd,--and lo! she shines "A G.o.ddess;--thus the guilty feel my ire!

"Thus potent I. Why not her form restore, "And change that beastly shape, as Io once "In Argolis, the same indulgence felt.

"Why drives he not his consort from his bed, "Calistho placing there;--for sire-in-law "The wolf Lycaon chusing? If to you "Your foster-daughter's insults ought import, "Forbid these stars to touch the blue profound: "Repel those constellations, plac'd in heaven, "Meed of adultery; lest the harlot dip "In your pure waves."--The G.o.ds their promise gave And through the liquid air Saturnia flies, Borne in her chariot by her peac.o.c.ks bright; Their coats gay studded from fall'n Argus' eyes.

Less beauteous was the change, loquacious crow, Thy plumage suffer'd,--snowy white to black.

With silvery brightness once his feathers shone; Unspotted doves outvying; nor to those Preserving birds the capital whose voice So watchful sav'd;--nor to the stream-fond swans, Inferior seem'd his covering: but his tongue, His babbling tongue his ruin wrought; and chang'd His hue from splendid white to gloomy black.

No fairer maid all Thessaly contain'd, Than young Coronis,--to the Delphic G.o.d Most dear while chaste, or while her fault unknown.

But Corvus, Phbus' watchman, spy'd the deed Adulterous;--and inexorably bent To tell the secret crime, his flight directs To seek his master. Him the daw pursues, On plumes quick waving, curious all to learn.

His errand heard, she cries;--"Thy anxious task, "A journey vain, pursue not: mark my words;-- "Learn what I have been;--see what now I am; "And hear from whence my change: a fault you'll find "Too much fidelity, which wrought my woe.

"Time was, when Pallas, Ericthonius took, "Offspring created motherless, and close "In basket twin'd with Attic twigs conceal'd.

"The charge to keep, three sister-maids she chose, "Daughters of Cecrops double-form'd, but close, "Conceal'd what lodg'd within; and strict forbade "All prying, that her secret safe might rest.

"On a thick elm, behind light leaves conceal'd, "I mark'd their actions. Two their sacred charge "Hold faithful; Pandrosos, and Herse they: "Aglauros calls her sisters cowards weak; "The twistings with bold hand unloosening, sees "Within an infant, and a dragon stretch'd.

"The deed I tell to Pallas, and from her "My service this remuneration finds: "Driven from her presence, she my place supplies "Of favorite with the gloomy bird of night.

"All other birds my fate severe may warn, "To seek not danger by officious tales.

"Pallas, perhaps you think, but lightly lov'd "One whom she thus so suddenly disgrac'd.

"But ask of Pallas;--she, though much enrag'd "Will yet my truth confirm. A regal maid "Was I,--of facts to all well-known I speak: "Coroneus n.o.ble, of the Phocian lands "As sire I claim. Me wealthy suitors sought-- "Contemn me not,--my beauty was my bane.

"While careless on the sandy sh.o.r.e I roam'd, "With gentle pace as wont, the ocean's G.o.d "Saw me and lov'd: persuasive words in vain "Long trying, force prepar'd, and me pursu'd.

"I fled; the firm sh.o.r.e left, and tir'd my limbs "Vainly, upon the light soft sinking sand.

"There to a.s.sist me men and G.o.ds I call'd; "Deaf to the sound was every mortal ear: "But by a virgin's cries a virgin mov'd, "a.s.sistance gave. Up to the skies my arms "I stretch'd; and black my arms began to grow, "With waving pinions. From my shoulders, back "My robes I strove to fling,--my robes were plumes; "Deep in my skin the quills were fix'd: I try'd "On my bare bosom with my hands to beat; "Nor hands nor naked bosom now were found: "I ran; the sand no longer now retain'd "My feet, but lightly o'er the ground I skimm'd; "And soon on pinions through the air was borne; "And Pallas' faultless favorite I became.

"What now avail to me my pure deserts?

"Nyctimene, whose horrid crime deserv'd "Her transformation, to my place succeeds.

"The deed so wide through s.p.a.cious Lesbos known, "Ere this has reach'd thee;--how Nyctimene-- "Her father's bed defil'd,--a bird became.

"Conscious of guilt, she shuns the sight of man; "Flies from the day, and in nocturnal shades "Conceals her shame; by every bird a.s.sail'd "And exil'd from the skies." The crow in rage To her still chattering, cry'd;--"May each delay "Thy babbling causes, prove to thee a curse.

"I scorn thy foolish presages,"--and flew His journey urging. When his master found, He told him where Coronis he had seen Claspt by a young Thessalian. Down he dropp'd His laurel garland, when the crime he heard Of her he lov'd;--his harp away he flung; His countenance fell, and pale his visage grew.

Now with fierce rage his swelling bosom fires; His wonted arms he seizes; draws his bow, Bent to the horns; and through that breast so oft Embrac'd,--th' inevitable weapon drove.

Deep groan'd the wounded nymph, and tearing out The arrow from her breast, a purple flood Gush'd o'er her shining limbs. She sighing cry'd,-- "This fate, O Phbus, I deserv'dly meet, "Were but thy infant born;--two now in one "Thy dart has slain!"--She spoke,--her vital blood Fast flow'd, and stay'd her voice. A deadly chill Seiz'd all her members, now of life bereft.

Too late, alas! her sorrowing lover mourns His cruel vengeance; and himself he hates, Too credulous listening, and too soon enflam'd: The bird he hates, who first betray'd the deed And caus'd him first to grieve: his bow he hates; His bowstring; arm; and with his arm the dart, Shot vengeful. Fond he clasps her fallen form; And strives by skill, by skill too late apply'd To conquer fate:--his healing arts he tries,-- All unavailing. Fruitless he beholds His each attempt, and sees the pile prepar'd; And final flames her limbs about to burn.

Then from his deepest bosom burst his groans; (For tears on cheeks celestial ne'er are seen,) Such groans are utter'd when the heifer sees, The weighty mallet, from the right ear pois'd, Crush down the forehead of her suckling calf.

And now his useless odors in her breast He pour'd; embrac'd her; to her last rites gave Solemnization due. The greedy fires His offspring were not suffer'd to consume.