Georgics — Book 4 — Gadsden Classics

Protinus aerii mellis caelestia dona

Of air-born honey, gift of heaven, I now

exsequar: hanc etiam, Maecenas, adspice partem.

Take up the tale. Upon this theme no less

Admiranda tibi levium spectacula rerum

Look thou, Maecenas, with indulgent eye.

magnanimosque duces totiusque ordine gentis

A marvellous display of puny powers,

5 mores et studia et populos et proelia dicam.

High-hearted chiefs, a nation's history,

In tenui labor; at tenuis non gloria, si quem

Its traits, its bent, its battles and its clans,

numina laeva sinunt auditque vocatus Apollo.

All, each, shall pass before you, while I sing.

Principio sedes apibus statioque petenda,

Slight though the poet's theme, not slight the praise,

quo neque sit ventis aditus—nam pabula venti

So frown not heaven, and Phoebus hear his call.

10 ferre domum prohibent—neque oves haedique petulci

First find your bees a settled sure abode,

floribus insultent aut errans bucula campo

Where neither winds can enter (winds blow back

decutiat rorem et surgentes atterat herbas.

The foragers with food returning home)

Absint et picti squalentia terga lacerti

Nor sheep and butting kids tread down the flowers,

pinguibus a stabulis meropesque aliaeque volucres

Nor heifer wandering wide upon the plain

15 et manibus Procne pectus signata cruentis;

Dash off the dew, and bruise the springing blades.

omnia nam late vastant ipsasque volantes

Let the gay lizard too keep far aloof

ore ferunt dulcem nidis immitibus escam.

His scale-clad body from their honied stalls,

At liquidi fontes et stagna virentia musco

And the bee-eater, and what birds beside,

adsint et tenuis fugiens per gramina rivus,

And Procne smirched with blood upon the breast

20 palmaque vestibulum aut ingens oleaster inumbret,

From her own murderous hands. For these roam wide

ut, cum prima novi ducent examina reges

Wasting all substance, or the bees themselves

vere suo ludetque favis emissa iuventus,

Strike flying, and in their beaks bear home, to glut

vicina invitet decedere ripa calori,

Those savage nestlings with the dainty prey.

obviaque hospitiis teneat frondentibus arbos.

But let clear springs and moss-green pools be near,

25 In medium, seu stabit iners seu profluet umor,

And through the grass a streamlet hurrying run,

transversas salices et grandia conice saxa,

Some palm-tree o'er the porch extend its shade,

pontibus ut crebris possint consistere et alas

Or huge-grown oleaster, that in Spring,

pandere ad aestivum solem, si forte morantes

Their own sweet Spring-tide, when the new-made chiefs

sparserit aut praeceps Neptuno immerserit Eurus.

Lead forth the young swarms, and, escaped their comb,

30 Haec circum casiae virides et olentia late

The colony comes forth to sport and play,

serpylla et graviter spirantis copia thymbrae

The neighbouring bank may lure them from the heat,

floreat inriguumque bibant violaria fontem.

Or bough befriend with hospitable shade.

Ipsa autem, seu corticibus tibi suta cavatis,

O'er the mid-waters, whether swift or still,

seu lento fuerint alvaria vimine texta,

Cast willow-branches and big stones enow,

35 angustos habeant aditus: nam frigore mella

Bridge after bridge, where they may footing find

cogit hiems, eademque calor liquefacta remittit.

And spread their wide wings to the summer sun,

Utraque vis apibus pariter metuenda; neque illae

If haply Eurus, swooping as they pause,

nequiquam in tectis certatim tenuia cera

Have dashed with spray or plunged them in the deep.

spiramenta linunt fucoque et floribus oras

And let green cassias and far-scented thymes,

40 explent collectumque haec ipsa ad munera gluten

And savory with its heavy-laden breath

et visco et Phrygiae servant pice lentius Idae.

Bloom round about, and violet-beds hard by

Saepe etiam effossis, si vera est fama, latebris

Sip sweetness from the fertilizing springs.

sub terra fovere larem, penitusque repertae

For the hive's self, or stitched of hollow bark,

pumicibusque cavis exesaeque arboris antro.

Or from tough osier woven, let the doors

45 Tu tamen et levi rimosa cubilia limo

Be strait of entrance; for stiff winter's cold

ungue fovens circum et raras superinice frondes.

Congeals the honey, and heat resolves and thaws,

Neu propius tectis taxum sine, neve rubentes

To bees alike disastrous; not for naught

ure foco cancros, altae neu crede paludi,

So haste they to cement the tiny pores

aut ubi odor caeni gravis aut ubi concava pulsu

That pierce their walls, and fill the crevices

50 saxa sonant vocisque offensa resultat imago.

With pollen from the flowers, and glean and keep

Quod superest, ubi pulsam hiemem sol aureus egit

To this same end the glue, that binds more fast

sub terras caelumque aestiva luce reclusit,

Than bird-lime or the pitch from Ida's pines.

illae continuo saltus silvasque peragrant

Oft too in burrowed holes, if fame be true,

purpureosque metunt flores et flumina libant

They make their cosy subterranean home,

55 summa leves. Hinc nescio qua dulcedine laetae

And deeply lodged in hollow rocks are found,

progeniem nidosque fovent, hinc arte recentes

Or in the cavern of an age-hewn tree.

excudunt ceras et mella tenacia fingunt.

Thou not the less smear round their crannied cribs

Hinc ubi iam emissum caveis ad sidera caeli

With warm smooth mud-coat, and strew leaves above;

nare per aestatem liquidam suspexeris agmen

But near their home let neither yew-tree grow,

60 obscuramque trahi vento mirabere nubem,

Nor reddening crabs be roasted, and mistrust

contemplator: aquas dulces et frondea semper

Deep marish-ground and mire with noisome smell,

tecta petunt. Huc tu iussos adsperge sapores,

Or where the hollow rocks sonorous ring,

trita melisphylla et cerinthae ignobile gramen,

And the word spoken buffets and rebounds.

tinnitusque cie et Matris quate cymbala circum.

What more? When now the golden sun has put

65 ipsae consident medicatis sedibus, ipsae

Winter to headlong flight beneath the world,

intima more suo sese in cunabula condent.

And oped the doors of heaven with summer ray,

Sin autem ad pugnam exierint, nam saepe duobus

Forthwith they roam the glades and forests o'er,

regibus incessit magno discordia motu,

Rifle the painted flowers, or sip the streams,

continuoque animos vulgi et trepidantia bello

Light-hovering on the surface. Hence it is

70 corda licet longe praesciscere; namque morantes

With some sweet rapture, that we know not of,

Martius ille aeris rauci canor increpat et vox

Their little ones they foster, hence with skill

auditur fractos sonitus imitata tubarum;

Work out new wax or clinging honey mould.

tum trepidae inter se coeunt pennisque coruscant

So when the cage-escaped hosts you see

spiculaque exacuunt rostris aptantque lacertos

Float heavenward through the hot clear air, until

75 et circa regem atque ipsa ad praetoria densae

You marvel at yon dusky cloud that spreads

miscentur magnisque vocant clamoribus hostem.

And lengthens on the wind, then mark them well;

Ergo ubi ver nactae sudum camposque patentes,

For then 'tis ever the fresh springs they seek

erumpunt portis; concurritur, aethere in alto

And bowery shelter: hither must you bring

fit sonitus, magnum mixtae glomerantur in orbem

The savoury sweets I bid, and sprinkle them,

80 praecipitesque cadunt; non densior aere grando,

Bruised balsam and the wax-flower's lowly weed,

nec de concussa tantum pluit ilice glandis.

And wake and shake the tinkling cymbals heard

ipsi per medias acies insignibus alis

By the great Mother: on the anointed spots

ingentes animos angusto in pectore versant,

Themselves will settle, and in wonted wise

usque adeo obnixi non cedere, dum gravis aut hos

Seek of themselves the cradle's inmost depth.

85 aut hos versa fuga victor dare terga subegit.

But if to battle they have hied them forth—

Hi motus animorum atque haec certamina tanta

For oft 'twixt king and king with uproar dire

pulveris exigui iactu compressa quiescent.

Fierce feud arises, and at once from far

Verum ubi ductores acie revocaveris ambo,

You may discern what passion sways the mob,

deterior qui visus, eum, ne prodigus obsit,

And how their hearts are throbbing for the strife;

90 dede neci; melior vacua sine regnet in aula.

Hark! the hoarse brazen note that warriors know

Alter erit maculis auro squalentibus ardens;

Chides on the loiterers, and the ear may catch

nam duo sunt genera: hic melior, insignis et ore

A sound that mocks the war-trump's broken blasts;

et rutilis clarus squamis, ille horridus alter

Then in hot haste they muster, then flash wings,

desidia latamque trahens inglorius alvum.

Sharpen their pointed beaks and knit their thews,

95 Ut binae regum facies, ita corpora plebis.

And round the king, even to his royal tent,

Namque aliae turpes horrent, ceu pulvere ab alto

Throng rallying, and with shouts defy the foe.

cum venit et sicco terram spuit ore viator

So, when a dry Spring and clear space is given,

aridus; elucent aliae et fulgore coruscant

Forth from the gates they burst, they clash on high;

ardentes auro et paribus lita corpora guttis.

A din arises; they are heaped and rolled

100 Haec potior suboles, hinc caeli tempore certo

Into one mighty mass, and headlong fall,

dulcia mella premes, nec tantum dulcia, quantum

Not denselier hail through heaven, nor pelting so

et liquida et durum Bacchi domitura saporem.

Rains from the shaken oak its acorn-shower.

At cum incerta volant caeloque examina ludunt

Conspicuous by their wings the chiefs themselves

contemnuntque favos et frigida tecta relinquunt,

Press through the heart of battle, and display

105 instabiles animos ludo prohibebis inani.

A giant's spirit in each pigmy frame,

Nec magnus prohibere labor: tu regibus alas

Steadfast no inch to yield till these or those

eripe; non illis quisquam cunctantibus altum

The victor's ponderous arm has turned to flight.

ire iter aut castris audebit vellere signa.

Such fiery passions and such fierce assaults

Invitent croceis halantes floribus horti

A little sprinkled dust controls and quells.

110 et custos furum atque avium cum falce saligna

And now, both leaders from the field recalled,

Hellespontiaci servet tutela Priapi.

Who hath the worser seeming, do to death,

Ipse thymum pinosque ferens de montibus altis

Lest royal waste wax burdensome, but let

tecta serat late circum, cui talia curae;

His better lord it on the empty throne.

ipse labore manum duro terat, ipse feraces

One with gold-burnished flakes will shine like fire,

115 figat humo plantas et amicos inriget imbres.

For twofold are their kinds, the nobler he,

Atque equidem, extremo ni iam sub fine laborum

Of peerless front and lit with flashing scales;

vela traham et terris festinem advertere proram,

That other, from neglect and squalor foul,

forsitan et, pingues hortos quae cura colendi

Drags slow a cumbrous belly. As with kings,

ornaret, canerem, biferique rosaria Paesti,

So too with people, diverse is their mould,

120 quoque modo potis gauderent intiba rivis

Some rough and loathly, as when the wayfarer

et virides apio ripae, tortusque per herbam

Scapes from a whirl of dust, and scorched with heat

cresceret in ventrem cucumis; nec sera comantem

Spits forth the dry grit from his parched mouth:

narcissum aut flexi tacuissem vimen acanthi

The others shine forth and flash with lightning-gleam,

pallentesque hederas et amantes litora myrtos.

Their backs all blazoned with bright drops of gold

125 Namque sub Oebaliae memini me turribus arcis,

Symmetric: this the likelier breed; from these,

qua niger umectat flaventia culta Galaesus,

When heaven brings round the season, thou shalt strain

Corycium vidisse senem, cui pauca relicti

Sweet honey, nor yet so sweet as passing clear,

iugera ruris erant, nec fertilis illa iuvencis

And mellowing on the tongue the wine-god's fire.

nec pecori opportuna seges nec commoda Baccho.

But when the swarms fly aimlessly abroad,

130 Hic rarum tamen in dumis olus albaque circum

Disport themselves in heaven and spurn their cells,

lilia verbenasque premens vescumque papaver

Leaving the hive unwarmed, from such vain play

regum aequabat opes animis seraque revertens

Must you refrain their volatile desires,

nocte domum dapibus mensas onerabat inemptis.

Nor hard the task: tear off the monarchs' wings;

Primus vere rosam atque autumno carpere poma,

While these prove loiterers, none beside will dare

135 et cum tristis hiems etiamnum frigore saxa

Mount heaven, or pluck the standards from the camp.

rumperet et glacie cursus frenaret aquarum,

Let gardens with the breath of saffron flowers

ille comam mollis iam tondebat hyacinthi

Allure them, and the lord of Hellespont,

aestatem increpitans seram Zephyrosque morantes.

Priapus, wielder of the willow-scythe,

Ergo apibus fetis idem atque examine multo

Safe in his keeping hold from birds and thieves.

140 primus abundare et spumantia cogere pressis

And let the man to whom such cares are dear

mella favis; illi tiliae atque uberrima pinus,

Himself bring thyme and pine-trees from the heights,

quotque in flore novo pomis se fertilis arbos

And strew them in broad belts about their home;

induerat, totidem autumno matura tenebat.

No hand but his the blistering task should ply,

Ille etiam seras in versum distulit ulmos

Plant the young slips, or shed the genial showers.

145 eduramque pirum et spinos iam pruna ferentes

And I myself, were I not even now

iamque ministrantem platanum potantibus umbras.

Furling my sails, and, nigh the journey's end,

Verum haec ipse equidem spatiis exclusus iniquis

Eager to turn my vessel's prow to shore,

praetereo atque aliis post me memoranda relinquo.

Perchance would sing what careful husbandry

Nunc age, naturas apibus quas Iuppiter ipse

Makes the trim garden smile; of Paestum too,

150 addidit, expediam, pro qua mercede canoros

Whose roses bloom and fade and bloom again;

Curetum sonitus crepitantiaque aera secutae

How endives glory in the streams they drink,

Dictaeo caeli regem pavere sub antro.

And green banks in their parsley, and how the gourd

Solae communes natos, consortia tecta

Twists through the grass and rounds him to paunch;

urbis habent magnisque agitant sub legibus aevum,

Nor of Narcissus had my lips been dumb,

155 et patriam solae et certos novere penates,

That loiterer of the flowers, nor supple-stemmed

venturaeque hiemis memores aestate laborem

Acanthus, with the praise of ivies pale,

experiuntur et in medium quaesita reponunt.

And myrtles clinging to the shores they love.

Namque aliae victu invigilant et foedere pacto

For 'neath the shade of tall Oebalia's towers,

exercentur agris; pars intra saepta domorum

Where dark Galaesus laves the yellowing fields,

160 Narcissi lacrimam et lentum de cortice gluten

An old man once I mind me to have seen—

prima favis ponunt fundamina, deinde tenaces

From Corycus he came—to whom had fallen

suspendunt ceras: aliae spem gentis adultos

Some few poor acres of neglected land,

educunt fetus, aliae purissima mella

And they nor fruitful' neath the plodding steer,

stipant et liquido distendunt nectare cellas.

Meet for the grazing herd, nor good for vines.

165 Sunt quibus ad portas cecidit custodia sorti,

Yet he, the while his meagre garden-herbs

inque vicem speculantur aquas et nubila caeli

Among the thorns he planted, and all round

aut onera accipiunt venientum aut agmine facto

White lilies, vervains, and lean poppy set,

ignavum fucos pecus a praesepibus arcent.

In pride of spirit matched the wealth of kings,

Fervet opus, redolentque thymo fragrantia mella.

And home returning not till night was late,

170 ac veluti lentis Cyclopes fulmina massis

With unbought plenty heaped his board on high.

cum properant, alii taurinis follibus auras

He was the first to cull the rose in spring,

accipiunt redduntque, alii stridentia tingunt

He the ripe fruits in autumn; and ere yet

aera lacu; gemit impositis incudibus Aetna;

Winter had ceased in sullen ire to rive

illi inter sese magna vi bracchia tollunt

The rocks with frost, and with her icy bit

175 in numerum versantque tenaci forcipe ferrum:

Curb in the running waters, there was he

non aliter, si parva licet componere magnis,

Plucking the rathe faint hyacinth, while he chid

Cecropias innatus apes amor urget habendi,

Summer's slow footsteps and the lagging West.

munere quamque suo. Grandaevis oppida curae

Therefore he too with earliest brooding bees

et munire favos et daedala fingere tecta.

And their full swarms o'erflowed, and first was he

180 At fessae multa referunt se nocte minores,

To press the bubbling honey from the comb;

crura thymo plenae; pascuntur et arbuta passim

Lime-trees were his, and many a branching pine;

et glaucas salices casiamque crocumque rubentem

And all the fruits wherewith in early bloom

et pinguem tiliam et ferrugineos hyacinthos.

The orchard-tree had clothed her, in full tale

Omnibus una quies operum, labor omnibus unus:

Hung there, by mellowing autumn perfected.

185 mane ruunt portis; nusquam mora; rursus easdem

He too transplanted tall-grown elms a-row,

vesper ubi e pastu tandem decedere campis

Time-toughened pear, thorns bursting with the plum

admonuit, tum tecta petunt, tum corpora curant;

And plane now yielding serviceable shade

fit sonitus, mussantque oras et limina circum.

For dry lips to drink under: but these things,

Post, ubi iam thalamis se composuere, siletur

Shut off by rigorous limits, I pass by,

190 in noctem fessosque sopor suus occupat artus.

And leave for others to sing after me.

Nec vero a stabulis pluvia impendente recedunt

Come, then, I will unfold the natural powers

longius aut credunt caelo adventantibus Euris,

Great Jove himself upon the bees bestowed,

sed circum tutae sub moenibus urbis aquantur,

The boon for which, led by the shrill sweet strains

excursusque breves temptant et saepe lapillos,

Of the Curetes and their clashing brass,

195 ut cumbae instabiles fluctu iactante saburram,

They fed the King of heaven in Dicte's cave.

tollunt, his sese per inania nubila librant.

Alone of all things they receive and hold

Illum adeo placuisse apibus mirabere morem,

Community of offspring, and they house

quod neque concubitu indulgent nec corpora segnes

Together in one city, and beneath

in Venerem solvunt aut fetus nixibus edunt:

The shelter of majestic laws they live;

200 verum ipsae e foliis natos, e suavibus herbis

And they alone fixed home and country know,

ore legunt, ipsae regem parvosque Quirites

And in the summer, warned of coming cold,

sufficiunt aulasque et cerea regna refigunt.

Make proof of toil, and for the general store

saepe etiam duris errando in cotibus alas

Hoard up their gathered harvesting. For some

attrivere ultroque animam sub fasce dedere:

Watch o'er the victualling of the hive, and these

205 tantus amor florum et generandi gloria mellis.

By settled order ply their tasks afield;

Ergo ipsas quamvis angusti terminus aevi

And some within the confines of their home

excipiat, neque enim plus septima ducitur aestas,

Plant firm the comb's first layer, Narcissus' tear,

at genus immortale manet multosque per annos

And sticky gum oozed from the bark of trees,

stat fortuna domus et avi numerantur avorum.

Then set the clinging wax to hang therefrom.

210 Praeterea regem non sic Aegyptus et ingens

Others the while lead forth the full-grown young,

Lydia nec populi Parthorum aut Medus Hydaspes

Their country's hope, and others press and pack

observant. Rege incolumi mens omnibus una est;

The thrice repured honey, and stretch their cells

amisso rupere fidem constructaque mella

To bursting with the clear-strained nectar sweet.

diripuere ipsae et crates solvere favorum.

Some, too, the wardship of the gates befalls,

215 Ille operum custos, illum admiruntur et omnes

Who watch in turn for showers and cloudy skies,

circumstant fremitu denso stipantque frequentes

Or ease returning labourers of their load,

et saepe attollunt umeris et corpora bello

Or form a band and from their precincts drive

obiectant pulchramque petunt per vulnera mortem.

The drones, a lazy herd. How glows the work!

His quidam signis atque haec exempla secuti

How sweet the honey smells of perfumed thyme

220 esse apibus partem divinae mentis et haustus

Like the Cyclopes, when in haste they forge

aetherios dixere; deum namque ire per omnes

From the slow-yielding ore the thunderbolts,

terrasque tractusque maris caelumque profundum.

Some from the bull's-hide bellows in and out

Hinc pecudes, armenta, viros, genus omne ferarum,

Let the blasts drive, some dip i' the water-trough

quemque sibi tenues nascentem arcessere vitas;

The sputtering metal: with the anvil's weight

225 scilicet huc reddi deinde ac resoluta referri

Groans Etna: they alternately in time

omnia nec morti esse locum, sed viva volare

With giant strength uplift their sinewy arms,

sideris in numerum atque alto succedere caelo.

Or twist the iron with the forceps' grip—

Si quando sedem angustam servataque mella

Not otherwise, to measure small with great,

thesauris relines, prius haustu sparsus aquarum

The love of getting planted in their breasts

230 ora fove fumosque manu praetende sequaces.

Goads on the bees, that haunt old Cecrops' heights,

Bis gravidos cogunt fetus, duo tempora messis,

Each in his sphere to labour. The old have charge

Taygete simul os terris ostendit honestum

To keep the town, and build the walled combs,

Pleas et Oceani spretos pede reppulit amnes,

And mould the cunning chambers; but the youth,

aut eadem sidus fugiens ubi Piscis aquosi

Their tired legs packed with thyme, come labouring home

235 tristior hibernas caelo descendit in undas.

Belated, for afar they range to feed

Illis ira modum supra est, laesaeque venenum

On arbutes and the grey-green willow-leaves,

morsibus inspirant et spicula caeca relinquunt

And cassia and the crocus blushing red,

adfixae venis animasque in vulnere ponunt.

Glue-yielding limes, and hyacinths dusky-eyed.

Sin duram metues hiemem parcesque futuro

One hour for rest have all, and one for toil:

240 contunsosque animos et res miserabere fractas,

With dawn they hurry from the gates—no room

at suffire thymo cerasque recidere inanes

For loiterers there: and once again, when even

quis dubitet? nam saepe favos ignotus adedit

Now bids them quit their pasturing on the plain,

stellio et lucifugis congesta cubilia blattis

Then homeward make they, then refresh their strength:

immunisque sedens aliena ad pabula fucus

A hum arises: hark! they buzz and buzz

245 aut asper crabro imparibus se immiscuit armis,

About the doors and threshold; till at length

aut dirum tiniae genus, aut invisa Minervae

Safe laid to rest they hush them for the night,

laxos in foribus suspendit aranea casses.

And welcome slumber laps their weary limbs.

Quo magis exhaustae fuerint, hoc acrius omnes

But from the homestead not too far they fare,

incumbent generis lapsi sarcire ruinas

When showers hang like to fall, nor, east winds nigh,

250 complebuntque foros et floribus horrea texent.

Confide in heaven, but 'neath the city walls

Si vero, quoniam casus apibus quoque nostros

Safe-circling fetch them water, or essay

vita tulit, tristi languebunt corpora morbo—

Brief out-goings, and oft weigh-up tiny stones,

quod iam non dubiis poteris cognoscere signis:

As light craft ballast in the tossing tide,

continuo est aegris alius color, horrida vultum

Wherewith they poise them through the cloudy vast.

255 deformat macies, tum corpora luce carentum

This law of life, too, by the bees obeyed,

exportant tectis et tristia funera ducunt;

Will move thy wonder, that nor sex with sex

aut illae pedibus conexae ad limina pendent,

Yoke they in marriage, nor yield their limbs to love,

aut intus clausis cunctantur in aedibus, omnes

Nor know the pangs of labour, but alone

ignavaeque fame et contracto frigore pigrae.

From leaves and honied herbs, the mothers, each,

260 Tum sonus auditur gravior, tractimque susurrant,

Gather their offspring in their mouths, alone

frigidus ut quondam silvis immurmurat Auster,

Supply new kings and pigmy commonwealth,

ut mare sollicitum stridit refluentibus undis,

And their old court and waxen realm repair.

aestuat ut clausis rapidus fornacibus ignis:

Oft, too, while wandering, against jagged stones

hic iam galbaneos suadebo incendere odores

Their wings they fray, and 'neath the burden yield

265 mellaque harundineis inferre canalibus, ultro

Their liberal lives: so deep their love of flowers,

hortantem et fessas ad pabula nota vocantem.

So glorious deem they honey's proud acquist.

Proderit et tunsum gallae admiscere saporem

Therefore, though each a life of narrow span,

Arentesque rosas aut igni pinguia multo

Ne'er stretched to summers more than seven, befalls,

defruta vel psithia passos de vite racemos

Yet deathless doth the race endure, and still

270 Cecropiumque thymum et grave olentia centaurea.

Perennial stands the fortune of their line,

Est etiam flos in pratis, cui nomen amello

From grandsire unto grandsire backward told.

fecere agricolae, facilis quaerentibus herba;

Moreover, not Aegyptus, nor the realm

namque uno ingentem tollit de caespite silvam,

Of boundless Lydia, no, nor Parthia's hordes,

aureus ipse, sed in foliis, quae plurima circum

Nor Median Hydaspes, to their king

275 funduntur, violae sublucet purpura nigrae;

Do such obeisance: lives the king unscathed,

saepe deum nexis ornatae torquibus arae

One will inspires the million: is he dead,

asper in ore sapor; tonsis in vallibus illum

Snapt is the bond of fealty; they themselves

pastores et curva legunt prope flumina Mellae.

Ravage their toil-wrought honey, and rend amain

Huius odorato radices incoque Baccho

Their own comb's waxen trellis. He is the lord

280 pabulaque in foribus plenis adpone canistris.

Of all their labour; him with awful eye

Sed siquem proles subito defecerit omnis,

They reverence, and with murmuring throngs surround,

nec genus unde novae stirpis revocetur habebit,

In crowds attend, oft shoulder him on high,

tempus et Arcadii memoranda inventa magistri

Or with their bodies shield him in the fight,

pandere, quoque modo caesis iam saepe iuvencis

And seek through showering wounds a glorious death.

285 insincerus apes tulerit cruor. Altius omnem

Led by these tokens, and with such traits to guide,

expediam prima repetens ab origine famam.

Some say that unto bees a share is given

Nam qua Pellaei gens fortunata Canopi

Of the Divine Intelligence, and to drink

accolit effuso stagnantem flumine Nilum

Pure draughts of ether; for God permeates all—

et circum pictis vehitur sua rura phaselis,

Earth, and wide ocean, and the vault of heaven—

290 quaque pharetratae vicinia Persidis urget,

From whom flocks, herds, men, beasts of every kind,

et viridem Aegyptum nigra fecundat harena,

Draw each at birth the fine essential flame;

et diversa ruens septem discurrit in ora

Yea, and that all things hence to Him return,

usque coloratis amnis devexus ab Indis

Brought back by dissolution, nor can death

omnis in hac certam regio iacit arte salutem.

Find place: but, each into his starry rank,

295 Exiguus primum atque ipsos contractus in usus

Alive they soar, and mount the heights of heaven.

eligitur locus; hunc angustique imbrice tecti

If now their narrow home thou wouldst unseal,

parietibusque premunt artis et quattuor addunt,

And broach the treasures of the honey-house,

quattuor a ventis obliqua luce fenestras.

With draught of water first toment thy lips,

Tum vitulus bima curvans iam cornua fronte

And spread before thee fumes of trailing smoke.

300 quaeritur; huic geminae nares et spiritus oris

Twice is the teeming produce gathered in,

multa reluctanti obstruitur, plagisque perempto

Twofold their time of harvest year by year,

tunsa per integram solvuntur viscera pellem.

Once when Taygete the Pleiad uplifts

Sic positum in clauso linquunt et ramea costis

Her comely forehead for the earth to see,

subiciunt fragmenta, thymum casiasque recentes.

With foot of scorn spurning the ocean-streams,

305 Hoc geritur Zephyris primum impellentibus undas,

Once when in gloom she flies the watery Fish,

ante novis rubeant quam prata coloribus, ante

And dips from heaven into the wintry wave.

garrula quam tignis nidum suspendat hirundo.

Unbounded then their wrath; if hurt, they breathe

Interea teneris tepefactus in ossibus umor

Venom into their bite, cleave to the veins

aestuat et visenda modis animalia miris,

And let the sting lie buried, and leave their lives

310 trunca pedum primo, mox et stridentia pennis,

Behind them in the wound. But if you dread

miscentur tenuemque magis magis aera carpunt,

Too rigorous a winter, and would fain

donec, ut aestivis effusus nubibus imber,

Temper the coming time, and their bruised hearts

erupere aut ut nervo pulsante sagittae,

And broken estate to pity move thy soul,

prima leves ineunt si quando proelia Parthi.

Yet who would fear to fumigate with thyme,

315 Quis deus hanc, Musae, quis nobis extudit artem?

Or cut the empty wax away? for oft

Unde nova ingressus hominum experientia cepit?

Into their comb the newt has gnawed unseen,

Pastor Aristaeus fugiens Peneia Tempe,

And the light-loathing beetles crammed their bed,

amissis, ut fama, apibus morboque fameque,

And he that sits at others' board to feast,

tristis ad extremi sacrum caput adstitit amnis

The do-naught drone; or 'gainst the unequal foe

320 multa querens atque hac adfatus voce parentem:

Swoops the fierce hornet, or the moth's fell tribe;

“Mater, Cyrene mater, quae gurgitis huius

Or spider, victim of Minerva's spite,

ima tenes, quid me praeclara stirpe deorum,

Athwart the doorway hangs her swaying net.

si modo, quem perhibes, pater est Thymbraeus Apollo,

The more impoverished they, the keenlier all

invisum fatis genuisti? aut quo tibi nostri

To mend the fallen fortunes of their race

325 pulsus amor? quid me caelum sperare iubebas?

Will nerve them, fill the cells up, tier on tier,

En etiam hunc ipsum vitae mortalis honorem,

And weave their granaries from the rifled flowers.

quem mihi vix frugum et pecudum custodia sollers

Now, seeing that life doth even to bee-folk bring

omnia temptanti extuderat, te matre relinquo.

Our human chances, if in dire disease

Quin age et ipsa manu felices erue silvas,

Their bodies' strength should languish—which anon

330 fer stabulis inimicum ignem atque interfice messes,

By no uncertain tokens may be told—

ure sata et validam in vites molire bipennem,

Forthwith the sick change hue; grim leanness mars

tanta meae si te ceperunt taedia laudis.”

Their visage; then from out the cells they bear

At mater sonitum thalamo sub fluminis alti

Forms reft of light, and lead the mournful pomp;

sensit. Eam circum Milesia vellera Nymphae

Or foot to foot about the porch they hang,

335 carpebant hyali saturo fucata colore,

Or within closed doors loiter, listless all

drymoque Xanthoque Ligeaque Phyllodoceque,

From famine, and benumbed with shrivelling cold.

caesariem effusae nitidam per candida colla,

Then is a deep note heard, a long-drawn hum,

Nesaee Spioque Thaliaque Cymodoceque,

As when the chill South through the forests sighs,

Cydippeque et flava Lycorias, altera virgo,

As when the troubled ocean hoarsely booms

340 altera tum primos Lucinae experta labores,

With back-swung billow, as ravening tide of fire

Clioque et Beroe soror, Oceanitides ambae,

Surges, shut fast within the furnace-walls.

ambae auro, pictis incinctae pellibus ambae,

Then do I bid burn scented galbanum,

atque Ephyre atque Opis et Asia Deiopea

And, honey-streams through reeden troughs instilled,

et tandem positis velox Arethusa sagittis.

Challenge and cheer their flagging appetite

345 Inter quas curam Clymene narrabat inanem

To taste the well-known food; and it shall boot

Vulcani Martisque dolos et dulcia furta,

To mix therewith the savour bruised from gall,

aque Chao densos divum numerabat amores

And rose-leaves dried, or must to thickness boiled

carmine quo captae dum fusis mollia pensa

By a fierce fire, or juice of raisin-grapes

devolvunt, iterum maternas impulit aures

From Psithian vine, and with its bitter smell

350 luctus Aristaei, vitreisque sedilibus omnes

Centaury, and the famed Cecropian thyme.

obstipuere; sed ante alias Arethusa sorores

There is a meadow-flower by country folk

prospiciens summa flavum caput extulit unda

Hight star-wort; 'tis a plant not far to seek;

et procul: “O gemitu non frustra exterrita tanto,

For from one sod an ample growth it rears,

Cyrene soror, ipse tibi, tua maxima cura,

Itself all golden, but girt with plenteous leaves,

355 tristis Aristaeus Penei genitoris ad undam

Where glory of purple shines through violet gloom.

stat lacrimans et te crudelem nomine dicit.”

With chaplets woven hereof full oft are decked

Huic percussa nova mentem formidine mater,

Heaven's altars: harsh its taste upon the tongue;

“duc, age, duc ad nos; fas illi limina divum

Shepherds in vales smooth-shorn of nibbling flocks

tangere,” ait. Simul alta iubet discedere late

By Mella's winding waters gather it.

360 flumina, qua iuvenis gressus inferret. At illum

The roots of this, well seethed in fragrant wine,

curvata in montis faciem circumstetit unda

Set in brimmed baskets at their doors for food.

accepitque sinu vasto misitque sub amnem.

But if one's whole stock fail him at a stroke,

Iamque domum mirans genetricis et umida regna

Nor hath he whence to breed the race anew,

speluncisque lacus clausos lucosque sonantes

'Tis time the wondrous secret to disclose

365 ibat et ingenti motu stupefactus aquarum

Taught by the swain of Arcady, even how

omnia sub magna labentia flumina terra

The blood of slaughtered bullocks oft has borne

spectabat diversa locis, Phasimque Lycumque

Bees from corruption. I will trace me back

et caput, unde altus primum se erumpit Enipeus

To its prime source the story's tangled thread,

unde pater Tiberinus et unde Aniena fluenta

And thence unravel. For where thy happy folk,

370 saxosusque sonans Hypanis Mysusque Caicus,

Canopus, city of Pellaean fame,

et gemina auratus taurino cornua vultu

Dwell by the Nile's lagoon-like overflow,

Eridanus, quo non alius per pinguia culta

And high o'er furrows they have called their own

in mare purpureum violentior effluit amnis.

Skim in their painted wherries; where, hard by,

Postquam est in thalami pendentia pumice tecta

The quivered Persian presses, and that flood

375 perventum et nati fletus cognovit inanes

Which from the swart-skinned Aethiop bears him down,

Cyrene, manibus liquidos dant ordine fontes

Swift-parted into sevenfold branching mouths

germanae tonsisque ferunt mantelia villis;

With black mud fattens and makes Aegypt green,

pars epulis onerant mensas et plena reponunt

That whole domain its welfare's hope secure

pocula, Panchaeis adolescunt ignibus arae;

Rests on this art alone. And first is chosen

380 et mater, “Cape Maeonii carchesia Bacchi:

A strait recess, cramped closer to this end,

Oceano libemus,” ait. Simul ipsa precatur

Which next with narrow roof of tiles atop

Oceanumque patrem rerum Nymphasque sorores

'Twixt prisoning walls they pinch, and add hereto

centum quae silvas, centum quae flumina servant.

From the four winds four slanting window-slits.

Ter liquido ardentem perfundit nectare Vestam,

Then seek they from the herd a steer, whose horns

385 ter flamma ad summum tecti subiecta reluxit.

With two years' growth are curling, and stop fast,

Omine quo firmans animum sic incipit ipsa:

Plunge madly as he may, the panting mouth

“Est in Carphatio Neptuni gurgite vates

And nostrils twain, and done with blows to death,

caeruleus Proteus, magnum qui piscibus aequor

Batter his flesh to pulp i' the hide yet whole,

et iuncto bipedum curru metitur equorum.

And shut the doors, and leave him there to lie.

390 Hic nunc Emathiae portus patriamque revisit

But 'neath his ribs they scatter broken boughs,

Pallenen, hunc et Nymphae veneramur et ipse

With thyme and fresh-pulled cassias: this is done

grandaevus Nereus; novit namque omnia vates,

When first the west winds bid the waters flow,

quae sint, quae fuerint, quae mox ventura trahantur;

Ere flush the meadows with new tints, and ere

quippe ita Neptuno visum est, immania cuius

The twittering swallow buildeth from the beams.

395 armenta et turpes pascit sub gurgite phocas.

Meanwhile the juice within his softened bones

Hic tibi, nate, prius vinclis capiendus, ut omnem

Heats and ferments, and things of wondrous birth,

expediat morbi causam eventusque secundet.

Footless at first, anon with feet and wings,

Nam sine vi non ulla dabit praecepta, neque illum

Swarm there and buzz, a marvel to behold;

orando flectes; vim duram et vincula capto

And more and more the fleeting breeze they take,

400 tende; doli circum haec demum frangentur inanes.

Till, like a shower that pours from summer-clouds,

Ipsa ego, te, medios cum sol accenderit aestus,

Forth burst they, or like shafts from quivering string

cum sitiunt herbae et pecori iam gratior umbra est,

When Parthia's flying hosts provoke the fray.

in secreta senis ducam, quo fessus ab undis

Say what was he, what God, that fashioned forth

se recipit, facile ut somno adgrediare iacentem.

This art for us, O Muses? of man's skill

405 Verum ubi correptum manibus vinclisque tenebis,

Whence came the new adventure? From thy vale,

tum variae eludent species atque ora ferarum

Peneian Tempe, turning, bee-bereft,

Fiet enim subito sus horridus atraque tigris

So runs the tale, by famine and disease,

squamosusque draco et fulva cervice leaena,

Mournful the shepherd Aristaeus stood

aut acrem flammae sonitum dabit atque ita vinclis

Fast by the haunted river-head, and thus

410 excidet, aut in aquas tenues dilapsus abibit.

With many a plaint to her that bare him cried:

Sed quanto ille magis formas se vertet in omnes,

“Mother, Cyrene, mother, who hast thy home

tanto, nate, magis contende tenacia vincla,

Beneath this whirling flood, if he thou sayest,

donec talis erit mutato corpore, qualem

Apollo, lord of Thymbra, be my sire,

videris, incepto tegeret cum lumina somno.”

Sprung from the Gods' high line, why barest thou me

415 Haec ait et liquidum ambrosiae defundit odorem,

With fortune's ban for birthright? Where is now

quo totum nati corpus perduxit; at illi

Thy love to me-ward banished from thy breast?

dulcis compositis spiravit crinibus aura

O! wherefore didst thou bid me hope for heaven?

atque habilis membris venit vigor. Est specus ingens

Lo! even the crown of this poor mortal life,

exesi latere in montis, quo plurima vento

Which all my skilful care by field and fold,

420 cogitur inque sinus scindit sese unda reductos,

No art neglected, scarce had fashioned forth,

deprensis olim statio tutissima nautis;

Even this falls from me, yet thou call'st me son.

intus se vasti Proteus tegit obice saxi.

Nay, then, arise! With thine own hands pluck up

Hic iuvenem in latebris aversum a lumine Nympha

My fruit-plantations: on the homestead fling

collocat; ipsa procul nebulis obscura resistit.

Pitiless fire; make havoc of my crops;

425 Iam rapidus torrens sitientes Sirius Indos

Burn the young plants, and wield the stubborn axe

ardebat, caelo et medium sol igneus orbem

Against my vines, if there hath taken the

hauserat; arebant herbae et cava flumina siccis

Such loathing of my greatness.”

faucibus ad limum radii tepefacta coquebant:

But that cry,

cum Proteus consueta petens e fluctibus antra

Even from her chamber in the river-deeps,

430 ibat; eum vasti circum gens umida ponti

His mother heard: around her spun the nymphs

exsultans rorem late dispergit amarum.

Milesian wool stained through with hyaline dye,

Sternunt se somno diversae in litore phocae.

Drymo, Xantho, Ligea, Phyllodoce,

Ipse, velut stabuli custos in montibus olim,

Their glossy locks o'er snowy shoulders shed,

vesper ubi e pastu vitulos ad tecta reducit,

Cydippe and Lycorias yellow-haired,

435 auditisque lupos acuunt balatibus agni,

A maiden one, one newly learned even then

considit scopulo medius numerumque recenset.

To bear Lucina's birth-pang. Clio, too,

Cuius Aristaeo quoniam est oblata facultas,

And Beroe, sisters, ocean-children both,

vix defessa senem passus componere membra

Both zoned with gold and girt with dappled fell,

cum clamore ruit magno manicisque iacentem

Ephyre and Opis, and from Asian meads

440 occupat. Ille suae contra non immemor artis

Deiopea, and, bow at length laid by,

omnia transformat sese in miracula rerum,

Fleet-footed Arethusa. But in their midst

ignemque horribilemque feram fluviumque liquentem.

Fair Clymene was telling o'er the tale

Verum ubi nulla fugam reperit fallacia, victus

Of Vulcan's idle vigilance and the stealth

in sese redit atque hominis tandem ore locutus:

Of Mars' sweet rapine, and from Chaos old

445 “Nam quis te, iuvenum confidentissime, nostras

Counted the jostling love-joys of the Gods.

iussit adire domos? Quidve hinc petis?” inquit. At ille:

Charmed by whose lay, the while their woolly tasks

“Scis, Proteu, scis ipse; neque est te fallere quicquam

With spindles down they drew, yet once again

sed tu desine velle. Deum praecepta secuti

Smote on his mother's ears the mournful plaint

venimus hinc lapsis quaesitum oracula rebus.”

Of Aristaeus; on their glassy thrones

450 Tantum effatus. Ad haec vates vi denique multa

Amazement held them all; but Arethuse

ardentes oculos intorsit lumine glauco

Before the rest put forth her auburn head,

et graviter frendens sic fatis ora resolvit.

Peering above the wave-top, and from far

“Non te nullius exercent numinis irae;

Exclaimed, “Cyrene, sister, not for naught

magna luis commissa: tibi has miserabilis Orpheus

Scared by a groan so deep, behold! 'tis he,

455 haudquaquam ob meritum poenas, ni fata resistant,

Even Aristaeus, thy heart's fondest care,

suscitat et rapta graviter pro coniuge saevit.

Here by the brink of the Peneian sire

Illa quidem, dum te fugeret per flumina praeceps,

Stands woebegone and weeping, and by name

immanem ante pedes hydrum moritura puella

Cries out upon thee for thy cruelty.”

servantem ripas alta non vidit in herba.

To whom, strange terror knocking at her heart,

460 At chorus aequalis Dryadum clamore supremos

“Bring, bring him to our sight,” the mother cried;

implerunt montes; flerunt Rhodopeiae arces

“His feet may tread the threshold even of Gods.”

altaque Pangaea et Rhesi mavortia tellus

So saying, she bids the flood yawn wide and yield

atque Getae atque Hebrus et Actias Orithyia.

A pathway for his footsteps; but the wave

Ipse cava solans aegrum testudine amorem

Arched mountain-wise closed round him, and within

465 te, dulcis coniunx, te solo in litore secum,

Its mighty bosom welcomed, and let speed

te veniente die, te decedente canebat.

To the deep river-bed. And now, with eyes

Taenarias etiam fauces, alta ostia Ditis,

Of wonder gazing on his mother's hall

et caligantem nigra formidine lucum

And watery kingdom and cave-prisoned pools

ingressus manesque adiit regemque tremendum

And echoing groves, he went, and, stunned by that

470 nesciaque humanis precibus mansuescere corda.

Stupendous whirl of waters, separate saw

At cantu commotae Erebi de sedibus imis

All streams beneath the mighty earth that glide,

umbrae ibant tenues simulacraque luce carentum,

Phasis and Lycus, and that fountain-head

quam multa in foliis avium se milia condunt

Whence first the deep Enipeus leaps to light,

vesper ubi aut hibernus agit de montibus imber,

Whence father Tiber, and whence Anio's flood,

475 matres atque viri defunctaque corpora vita

And Hypanis that roars amid his rocks,

magnanimum heroum, pueri innuptaeque puellae,

And Mysian Caicus, and, bull-browed

impositique rogis iuvenes ante ora parentum,

'Twixt either gilded horn, Eridanus,

quos circum limus niger et deformis harundo

Than whom none other through the laughing plains

Cocyti tardaque palus inamabilis unda

More furious pours into the purple sea.

480 alligat et noviens Styx interfusa coercet.

Soon as the chamber's hanging roof of stone

Quin ipsae stupuere domus atque intima Leti

Was gained, and now Cyrene from her son

tartara caeruleosque implexae crinibus angues

Had heard his idle weeping, in due course

Eumenides, tenuitque inhians tria Cerberus ora

Clear water for his hands the sisters bring,

atque Ixionii vento rota constitit orbis.

With napkins of shorn pile, while others heap

485 Iamque pedem referens casus evaserat omnes;

The board with dainties, and set on afresh

redditaque Eurydice superas veniebat ad auras,

The brimming goblets; with Panchaian fires

pone sequens, namque hanc dederat Proserpina legem,

Upleap the altars; then the mother spake,

cum subita incautum dementia cepit amantem,

“Take beakers of Maconian wine,” she said,

ignoscenda quidem, scirent si ignoscere manes.

“Pour we to Ocean.” Ocean, sire of all,

490 Restitit Eurydicenque suam iam luce sub ipsa

She worships, and the sister-nymphs who guard

immemor heu! victusque animi respexit. Ibi omnis

The hundred forests and the hundred streams;

effusus labor atque immitis rupta tyranni

Thrice Vesta's fire with nectar clear she dashed,

foedera, terque fragor stagnis auditus Avernis.

Thrice to the roof-top shot the flame and shone:

Illa, “Quis et me,” inquit, “miseram et te perdidit, Orpheu,

Armed with which omen she essayed to speak:

495 quis tantus furor? En iterum crudelia retro

“In Neptune's gulf Carpathian dwells a seer,

Fata vocant, conditque natantia lumina somnus.

Caerulean Proteus, he who metes the main

Iamque vale: feror ingenti circumdata nocte

With fish-drawn chariot of two-footed steeds;

invalidasque tibi tendens, heu non tua, palmas!”

Now visits he his native home once more,

dixit et ex oculis subito, ceu fumus in auras

Pallene and the Emathian ports; to him

500 commixtus tenues, fugit diversa, neque illum,

We nymphs do reverence, ay, and Nereus old;

prensantem nequiquam umbras et multa volentem

For all things knows the seer, both those which are

dicere, praeterea vidit, nec portitor Orci

And have been, or which time hath yet to bring;

amplius obiectam passus transire paludem.

So willed it Neptune, whose portentous flocks,

Quid faceret? Quo se rapta bis coniuge ferret?

And loathly sea-calves 'neath the surge he feeds.

505 Quo fletu Manis, quae numina voce moveret?

Him first, my son, behoves thee seize and bind

Illa quidem Stygia nabat iam frigida cumba.

That he may all the cause of sickness show,

Septem illum totos perhibent ex ordine menses

And grant a prosperous end. For save by force

rupe sub aeria deserti ad Strymonis undam

No rede will he vouchsafe, nor shalt thou bend

flesse sibi et gelidis haec evolvisse sub antris

His soul by praying; whom once made captive, ply

510 mulcentem tigres et agentem carmine quercus;

With rigorous force and fetters; against these

qualis populea maerens philomela sub umbra

His wiles will break and spend themselves in vain.

amissos queritur fetus, quos durus arator

I, when the sun has lit his noontide fires,

observans nido implumes detraxit; at illa

When the blades thirst, and cattle love the shade,

flet noctem ramoque sedens miserabile carmen

Myself will guide thee to the old man's haunt,

515 integrat et maestis late loca questibus implet.

Whither he hies him weary from the waves,

Nulla Venus, non ulli animum flexere hymenaei.

That thou mayst safelier steal upon his sleep.

Solus Hyperboreas glacies Tanaimque nivalem

But when thou hast gripped him fast with hand and gyve,

arvaque Rhipaeis numquam viduata pruinis

Then divers forms and bestial semblances

lustrabat raptam Eurydicen atque inrita Ditis

Shall mock thy grasp; for sudden he will change

520 dona querens; spretae Ciconum quo munere matres

To bristly boar, fell tigress, dragon scaled,

inter sacra deum nocturnique orgia Bacchi

And tawny-tufted lioness, or send forth

discerptum latos iuvenem sparsere per agros.

A crackling sound of fire, and so shake of

Tum quoque marmorea caput a cervice revulsum

The fetters, or in showery drops anon

gurgite cum medio portans Oeagrius Hebrus

Dissolve and vanish. But the more he shifts

525 volveret, Eurydicen vox ipsa et frigida lingua

His endless transformations, thou, my son,

“ah miseram Eurydicen!” anima fugiente vocabat:

More straitlier clench the clinging bands, until

“Eurydicen” toto referebant flumine ripae.”

His body's shape return to that thou sawest,

Haec Proteus, et se iactu dedit aequor in altum,

When with closed eyelids first he sank to sleep.”

quaque dedit, spumantem undam sub vertice torsit.

So saying, an odour of ambrosial dew

530 At non Cyrene; namque ultro adfata timentem:

She sheds around, and all his frame therewith

“Nate, licet tristes animo deponere curas.

Steeps throughly; forth from his trim-combed locks

Haec omnis morbi causa; hinc miserabile Nymphae,

Breathed effluence sweet, and a lithe vigour leapt

cum quibus illa choros lucis agitabat in altis,

Into his limbs. There is a cavern vast

exitium misere apibus. Tu munera supplex

Scooped in the mountain-side, where wave on wave

535 tende petens pacem et faciles venerare Napaeas;

By the wind's stress is driven, and breaks far up

namque dabunt veniam votis irasque remittent.

Its inmost creeks—safe anchorage from of old

Sed modus orandi qui sit, prius ordine dicam.

For tempest-taken mariners: therewithin,

Quattuor eximios praestanti corpore tauros,

Behind a rock's huge barrier, Proteus hides.

qui tibi nunc viridis depascunt summa Lycaei,

Here in close covert out of the sun's eye

540 delige et intacta totidem cervice iuvencas.

The youth she places, and herself the while

Quattuor his aras alta ad delubra dearum

Swathed in a shadowy mist stands far aloof.

constitue et sacrum iugulis demitte cruorem,

And now the ravening dog-star that burns up

corporaque ipsa boum frondoso desere luco.

The thirsty Indians blazed in heaven; his course

Post, ubi nona suos Aurora ostenderit ortus,

The fiery sun had half devoured: the blades

545 inferias Orphei Lethaea papavera mittes

Were parched, and the void streams with droughty jaws

et nigram mactabis ovem lucumque revises:

Baked to their mud-beds by the scorching ray,

placatam Eurydicen vitula venerabere caesa.”

When Proteus seeking his accustomed cave

Haud mora; continuo matris praecepta facessit;

Strode from the billows: round him frolicking

ad delubra venit, monstratas excitat aras,

The watery folk that people the waste sea

550 quattuor eximios praestanti corpore tauros

Sprinkled the bitter brine-dew far and wide.

ducit et intacta totidem cervice iuvencas.

Along the shore in scattered groups to feed

Post, ubi nona suos Aurora induxerat ortus,

The sea-calves stretch them: while the seer himself,

inferias Orphei mittit lucumque revisit.

Like herdsman on the hills when evening bids

Hic vero subitum ac dictu mirabile monstrum

The steers from pasture to their stall repair,

555 adspiciunt, liquefacta boum per viscera toto

And the lambs' bleating whets the listening wolves,

stridere apes utero et ruptis effervere costis,

Sits midmost on the rock and tells his tale.

immensasque trahi nubes, iamque arbore summa

But Aristaeus, the foe within his clutch,

confluere et lentis uvam demittere ramis.

Scarce suffering him compose his aged limbs,

Haec super arvorum cultu pecorumque canebam

With a great cry leapt on him, and ere he rose

560 et super arboribus, Caesar dum magnus ad altum

Forestalled him with the fetters; he nathless,

fulminat Euphraten bello victorque volentes

All unforgetful of his ancient craft,

per populos dat iura viamque adfectat Olympo.

Transforms himself to every wondrous thing,

Illo Vergilium me tempore dulcis alebat

Fire and a fearful beast, and flowing stream.

Parthenope studiis florentem ignobilis oti,

But when no trickery found a path for flight,

565 carmina qui lusi pastorum audaxque iuventa,

Baffled at length, to his own shape returned,

Tityre, te patulae cecini sub tegmine fagi.

With human lips he spake, “Who bade thee, then,