‘OXPORD WORLD'S CLASSICS For almest 100 years Oxford World's Classes have brought readers laser tothe world’ gieat literature. Now with over 700 ies—fiom the 4,200-yeat-old myths of Mesopotamia to the entith century's greatest novels—the series makes available leser-bnopn as ell as celebrated writing. ‘The pocket-siced hardback ofthe early years contained introductions by Virginia Woolf T.. Biot, Graham Greene and other literary figures which enriched the experience of reading. day the series recognized for it fine holarship and reliability in texte tha spam world literature, drama and poetry, seligion, philsophy ond politic, Bach dition includes perceptive commentary and exential background information to meet the changing needs of readers. OXFORD WORLD'S CLASSICS OVID Metamorphoses Translated by A.D. MELVILLE With an Insroducton and Notes by E. J. KENNEY OXFORD ‘UNIVERSITY PRESS [9844 DEUCALION AND FYRRHA Lpre Soinharmonious, suits the springs of life ‘Thus when the earth, deep-coated with the ime (Of thelate deluge, glowed again beneath ‘The warm caresses of the shining sun, She brought forth countless species, some restored In ancient forms, some fashioned weird and new. Tindeed the earth, against her wil, produced: A serpent never known before, the huge Python, a terror tomen's new-made tribes, So far it sprawled across the mountainside. ‘The Archer god, whose shafts til then were used Only against wild goats and flecing deer, Destroyed the monster with a thousand arrows, ‘His quiver almost emptied, and the wounds, Black wounds, poured forth their poison, Then to ensure ‘The centuries should have no power todall ‘Thelustre of that deed, Apollo founded ‘The sacred games,* the crowded contests, known As Pythian from that serpent overthrown. ‘Here all whose hand or foot or wheel had won, Received the honour of wreath of oak. Laurels werestill unknown; Apolo then ‘The greenery of any tree would wear for gating hislong ane lovely hax. APOLLO AND DAPHNE Daphne, Peneus’ child, vas the ftstIove® (Of great Apolo, alove not it by chance ‘Unwittig, but by Cupid’ spiteful wrath, ‘The god of Delos* proud in victory, Saw Cupid draw his bow’s taut are, and said: ‘Mischievous boy, what area brave man’s arms Toyou? That gear becomes my shoulders best, My aim issure; [wound my enemies, wound wild beasts; my countless arrows slew But now the bloated Python, whose vast cols ‘Acresso many acres spread their blight. You and your loves! You have yout torch to light thera! Let that content you; never claim my fame!’ hairs APOLLO AND DAPHNE 5 ‘And Venus’ son replied: ‘Your bow, Apollo, May vanquishall but mine shall vanquish you, Asevery creature yields to power divine, Solikewise shall your glory yield to mine.” ‘Then winging through theair his eager way He stood upon Parnassus’ shady peak, ‘And rom hisquiversIaden armoury Hedrew two arrows of pposing power, One shaft thon een oe Chat at it ‘The ist gleams bright with piercing point of golds Theat dll andbane sued ahead” ‘This one he lodged in Daphne's hearts the first Heeshot to pierce Apollo tothe marrow. ‘Atonceheloves; she Bs the name clove, Delighting in the forest's secret depths ‘And trophies ofthe chase, nymph to vie ‘With heaven's virgin huntess, fair Diana; A carelessribbon held her straying hair. Many would woo her she, rejecting al, Manless, aloof, ranged through the untrodden woods ‘Nor cared what love, what marriage rites might mean. (Often her father sid, ‘My dearest daughter, Itismy dueto haves son-indaw. Often her father aia, Teiemy die, Child of my heat, to be given grandchildren” ‘She hated like a crime the bond of wedlock, ‘Ané, bashful blushes tingeing her fair cheeks, ‘With coaxing arms embraced him and replied: “My dear, dear father grant may enjoy Virginity forever this Diana ‘Was granted by her father’ He, indeed, Yielded, but Daphne—why, her loveliness ‘Thwartsher desire, her grace denies her prayer. ‘Apollo saw her, loved her, wanted her— Her for hs bride, and, wanting, hoped—deceived By his own oracles; and, asthe stubble ames in the harvest els ora hedge Catches alight when some late wayfarer ‘Chanees his torch too close or, in the dawn, Discard its smouldering embers, solove’s fireAPOLLO AND DAPHNE 1 astes30 ‘Consumed the god, his whole heart was aflame, And high the hopes that stoked his fruitless passion, ‘He sees the loase disorder of her hait ‘And thinks what if it were neat end elegant! ‘He sees er eyes shining like stars, her hips— But looking’s not enough!—her fingers, hands, Her wrists her half-bare arms—how exquisite! And sure her hidden charms are best! But she Fis swf tanthelighfot wind nor ope ‘To hear him calling ‘Stay, sweet nymph! Oh, sey Tam no foe to feat. Lamas flee from wolves ‘And hinds fom lions, and che uttering doves From eagles; every creature flesits foes. But love spats my pursuit. Oh, you will fall ‘And briars graze your legs—for shame!—and I, ‘Alas, the cause of your distress! The ground You race across is rough. You ran to fast! Check your swift fight, and li not chase so fast. Yet ask who loves you, No rough forester Aim I no unkempt shepherd guarding here His locks and herds. You do not know—you fy, ‘Youmadcap girl, because you donot know. Lam the lord of Delphi: Tenedos ‘And Patara and Claros are my realms, Tam theson of fupiter. By me ‘Things future, past and present are revealed; shape the harmony of song and strings. Sureare my arrows, but one surer still Hasstrack me to the heart, my carefree heat ‘Theart of medicine I gave the world Andall men cal me “healer”; Tposess ‘The power of every herb, Alas! that love No erbcan cure, that skills which help afford Toall mankind fail now to help thei lord!’ ‘Mare he had tried to say, but she in fear led on and lft him and his words unfinished. Enchanting still she looked—her slender limbs Bare in the breeze, her fluttering dress blown back, Heer hai behind her streaming as she ran; ‘And fight enhanced her grace. But the young god, bs APOLLO AND DAPHNE o Could bear no more to waste his blandishments, And (love was driving him) pressed his pursuit. ‘And asa beagle sees across the stubble \ ‘A hateand runs to kill and she for hife— Healmost has her; now, yes now, he's sure ‘She's his; his straining muzzle scrapes her heels; And shebulf thnkoshe's caught at, ashe bites, Suatchesaway; his teh ouch she' gone adhd ear Be,men theings Oflove, ran faster, gave her no respite, Hot on her flying heels and breathing close Upon hershoulgersand her urbling bar Her strength was gone; the travail ofher fight ‘Vanquisled her, and her face was deathly pale, ‘And then shesaw the river, swift Peneus, ‘And called; Help father, help! If mystic power Dulin your waters, changeme and destoy My baleful beauty that has pleased too well.” ‘Scarce had she made her prayer when through her limbs ‘A cdiagging languor spread, her tender bosom ‘Was wrapped in thin smooth bark, her slender sems ‘Were changed to branchesand her hair to leaves; Heer feet but now co swift were anchored fast JInnumb stiff rots her face and head became ‘Thecrown ofa green tre;all that remained Of Daphne was her shining loveliness. still Apollo loved her; on the trunk He placed his hand and felt beneath the bark Her heart still beating, held in hisembrace Her branches, pressed his kisses on the wood; Yet from his kisses till the wood recoiled. “My bride’, he std, ‘since you can never be, Atleast, sweet laurel, you shall be my tree. My lyre, my locks, my quiver you shall wreathe; You shall attend the conquering lords of Rome ‘When joy shouts triumph and the Capitol ‘Welcomes the long procession; you shall stand Beside Augustus’ gates, sure sentinel ‘Oneither side, guarding the oak* between,APOLLO AND DAPHNE bsbeot My brow is ever young,imy locks unshorn; ‘So keep your leaves’ proud glory ever green.” ‘Thus spoke the god; thelaurel in assent Inclined her newe-made branches and bent down, Or seemed to bend, her head, her leafy crown. 10 ‘There jsa vale in Thessaly, enclosed ‘With hanging forests, steep on every sie; Men nameit empe Here Peaeus rolls At towering Pindus’ fot his foaming course, ‘And from his mighty fal the swirling ouds ‘Of mist drift down in vain upon the trees, ‘And far the waters’ wearying roar resounds. Here isthe home, the mansion, the retreat Of chat majesticriver; seated here ‘Within a rock-hewn caver he dispensed Justice to all his watersand their nymphs. “ther assemble rst the neighbouring streans, Restless Enipeus, old Apidanus, ‘Spercheus poplar-fringed, gentle Amphrysus ‘Rod Aess daubtil whether toconsele Daphne's fond parent or congratulace. Sounotherrverscome, whose course low Where'er thei currentsdrive and lead atast ‘Thole wandering waters weary fo the sea Bus one is absent, Inachas, withdrawn Desp in his cave and weeping tears that swell His current, as he mourasin bitter grief To, bis daughter ost, Hecannot tell ‘Whether she lives or dwell among the shades, ‘And finding her nowhere thinks she must be Nowhere and fear feeds fear when knowledge fails* {returning from her father'sstream Had caught ove'seye- "You harming esa “Well worthy of Jove's love, happy ishe, Whoe’er he be, that wins you fr his be. Goto the deep woods shade’—he pointed to ‘The shady wood—'the hour ishot; thes 1b sorsas 10 » : ‘Shines in his zenith, If you fear alone ‘Toxisk the wild beasts’ lairs, a god will guard: I Antintiedoqeetoraticopseu ste Aaa et tesneef es Ismine to hold in my almighty hand; wield at will the roaming thanderbolis— Nestea oad an ‘Through Lerna's meadows and the forest lands Of high Lyrceus she sped until the god OT ee ey ‘The world and stayed her flight and ravished her. Juno meanwhile observed the land of Argos: Aid wondered that the floating clouds had wrought ‘These were no river mists! No clouds like these ‘The humid earth exhaled! She looked around Teint puedhach neues ‘So often had caught him in his escapades, ‘And searched the sky in vain, ‘If I'm not wrong’, From i height ‘icigtielon ae And bade the dlouds disperse. Jove had fore-sensed ee eee Although a cow). Juno, against her will, aoe ee eae was, And whence she came and to what herd belong Pretending not to know the truth. He lied— rane ee feats ict ‘Questions about her birth. Then Juno begged ‘The heifer as a gift. What should he do? Rocnelogeindaig Rr Suspicious; shame persuades but love dissuades. Love would have won; but then—if he refused His wife (his sister too) soslight a gift, ‘Accow, it well might seem no cow at all! ‘The goddess won her rival, but distrust Lingered and still she feared her husband's tricks, ‘Till, for safe-keeping, she had given the cow To Argus—Argus of the hundred eyes,