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I 
 

 PHAETON 
 

 
 PHAETON. 
 
THE 
 
 FABLE OF PHAETON, 
 
 TRANSLATED FROM OVID. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED BY JOHN BOWYER NICHOLS, 
 
 25, PARLIAMENT-STREET. 
 
 1828. 
 
6«- 
 
 205449 
 3 13 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 It seldom happens that our taste in any work 
 of imagination remains the same through life. 
 What delighted us in the "primrose season of 
 youth " we find, not unfrequently, in our waning 
 years, wild or insipid, and wonder at the admira- 
 tion once excited. But the Fable of Phaeton 
 has with me never lost its charm. I translated it 
 into verse at 16; and when, with those figures 
 reversed in my age, I made the same attempt a 
 second time, it appeared even more beautiful than 
 in the days of youth and enthusiasm : the glowing 
 descriptions had lost none of their splendour, 
 while the tender touches of nature, which time 
 
6 PREFACE, 
 
 alone can teach us fully to understand and appre- 
 ciate, interested more. 
 
 Had I met with any metrical translation that 
 pleased me, I had probably not undertaken the 
 task a second time ; but Addison's, the only one 
 I know (except a very old version, in black let- 
 ter, by Arthur Golding), was written in extreme 
 youth, and has not, therefore, the finish and ele- 
 gance he could afterwards have given it. Mine 
 has, I fear, many faults ; but I am indebted to 
 the kindness of two much-valued friends for the 
 absence of some ; and so pleasant was the em- 
 ployment, — so gratifying have I felt it when I 
 could flatter myself I had succeeded in any pas- 
 sage, that, at least, I have spared no pains. I 
 have been chiefly anxious to render the poem as 
 literal as possible, and to copy, as far as I was 
 able, the style, as well as sense of the author. A 
 few trifling deviations may be here and there dis- 
 covered (as in page 48, when describing the grief 
 of Clymene), but none that change the general 
 meaning ; indeed, there seems to me a peculiar 
 
PREFACE. 7 
 
 beauty in Ovid's delineation of sorrow, as it af- 
 fects the different characters. That of Phcebus is 
 adapted to the majesty of the Deity — it is deep, 
 solemn, and retired from observation. Clymene, 
 who has still more reason than the father for self- 
 reproach, since it was at her suggestion that 
 Phaeton sought the paternal roof* after exhaust- 
 ing every possible lamentation, becomes dis- 
 tracted. The Heliades mourn less franticly, but 
 still with bitterness; while the affliction of Sthe- 
 nelus is a picture of pure melancholy. It is this 
 conformity to character, this consistency, which 
 leads reason captive, and makes even impossibili- 
 ties appear credible. Who but conceives of Ariel 
 and Caliban as real beings, or can help feeling 
 for the weeping sisters of Phaeton during their 
 strange transformation ? 
 
 When the Poem was, at last, completed, unwil- 
 ling so much time and trouble should seem en- 
 tirely thrown away, I was tempted to print a few 
 
 * Si modo fert animus, gradere, et scitabere ab ipso. 
 
8 PREFACE. 
 
 copies, in hopes it might interest, or at least 
 amuse, my friends : at all events, there are some 
 to whom the trifle will be welcome for the writer's 
 sake, if not for its own. 
 
 E. P. WOLFERSTAN. 
 
 Statfold, December 12, 1827. 
 
PHAETON. 
 
In Phaeton's Fable unto sight the Poet doth expresse 
 The natures of ambition blinde, and youthfull wilfuluesse. 
 He farther doth commende the meane : and willeth to beware 
 Of rash and hastie promises, which most pernitious are. 
 
 Preface to Golding's Translation. 
 
 High in the regions of th' etherial clime 
 A Palace rose — magnificent — sublime — 
 The Palace of the Sun ! There opals rolled 
 Their flame-like lustre, and there glittered gold. 
 The roof was smoothest ivory, dazzling white, 
 Sustained by brilliant columns, vast in height. 
 The gates were silver. But the artist more 
 Amazed, delighted, than the radiant ore : 
 'Twas Mulciber. Near their high summits placed, 
 Where the twin portals met — superbly chased — 
 An image of the world was seen to rise, 
 By ocean zoned, and canopied by skies. 
 
Reg i A Solis erat sublimibus alta columnis, 
 Clara micante auro, flammasque imitante pyropo ; 
 Cujus ebur nitidum fastigia summa tenebat ; 
 Argenti bifores radiabant lumine valvae. 
 Materiem superabat opus : nam Mulciber illic 
 iEquora caelarat, medias cingentia terras, 
 Terrarumque orbem, coelumque, quod imminet orbi. 
 
12 PHAETON. 
 
 Cerulean gods, amid the waves that dwell, 
 Proteus, and Triton, with his vocal shell, 
 People the watery plains. His arms on whales, 
 Pressing their monstrous backs, Egeon sails. 
 And Doris, with her filial train, is there ; 
 Some swim the flood, some shining dolphins bear, 
 And others sit on rocks, drying their sea-green hair. 
 Each has, with curious skilly a separate grace ; 
 Yet still may be discerned the sister face. 
 On earth's expanse the wondering view descries 
 Men, cities, rivers ; woods and forests rise, 
 Where rove ferocious beasts, nymphs, rural deities. 
 The heavens' bright vault, o'er-arching all, appears, 
 And six celestial signs each portal bears. ; 
 
 To these dread heights a mortal's steps aspire, 
 Here seeks the son of Clymene his sire — 
 So deemed, at least. At distance, as he trod, 
 With steady gaze he viewed the parent god ; 
 But nearer, stopped ; nor could his earthly sight 
 Endure that visage — too intensely bright. 
 An emerald throne revealed its milder ray, 
 Where, robed in purple, sat the God of Day. 
 
PHAETHON. 13 
 
 Caeruleos habet unda Deos ; Tritona canorum, 
 Proteaque ambiguum, balaenarumque preme ntem 
 iEgaeona suis immania terga lacertis, 
 Doridaque, et natas : quarum pars nare videntur, 
 Pars in mole sedens virides siccare capillos ; 
 Pisce vehi quaedain. Facies non omnibus una, 
 Nee diversa tamen : qualem decet esse sororum. 
 
 Terra viros, urbesque gerit, silvasque, ferasque, 
 
 Fluminaque, et nymphas, et cetera numina ruris. 
 
 Haec super imposita est coeli fulgentis imago; 
 
 Signaque sex foribus dextris, totidemque sinistris. 
 
 Quo simul acclivo Clymene'ia limite proles 
 Venit, et intravit dubitati tecta parentis ; 
 Protinus ad patrios sua fert vestigia vultus ; 
 Consistitque procul ; neque enim propiora ferebat 
 Lumina. Purpurea velatus veste sedebat 
 In solio Phoebus claris lucente smaragdis. 
 
14 PHAETON. 
 
 Days, Months, Years, Ages, held their destined place 
 
 On either hand ; and, ranged at equal space, 
 
 The winged Hours prepared their transient race. 
 
 Young Spring stood there, in all her flowery pride ; 
 
 And panting Summer, who had thrown aside 
 
 Her garments, as the toilsome sheaf she bore ; 
 
 And Autumn, stained with grape ; and Winter, hoar. 
 
 When, from the centre of the radiant whole, 
 Sol, with those eyes that look from pole to pole, 
 Beheld the boy transfixed with awe and dread, 
 " What to these roofs," enquired the God, " hath led ? 
 What gift implor'st thou, Phaeton, my son ? 
 For such thou art, my love compels to own." 
 
 To whom the youth : " O thou, supremely bright, 
 Who earth's extremest verge array'st in light ! 
 My father! (if indeed that hallowed name 
 Thou dost permit ; nor, but to veil her shame, 
 Has Clymene affirmed the sacred claim ;) 
 Some pledge parental give, of power to prove 
 My heavenly lineage, and these doubts remove. 
 
 He ceased. The father from his shining hair 
 Took the bright rays — too bright for eye to bear ; 
 
PHAETHON. 15 
 
 A dextra, laevaque Dies, et Mensis, et Annus, 
 Saeculaque, et positae spatiis aequalibus Horae : 
 Verque novum stabat cinctum florente corona ; 
 Stabat nuda JEstas, et spicea serta gerebat ; 
 Stabat et Autumnus, calcatis sordidus uvis ; 
 Et glacialis Hiems, canos hirsuta capillos. 
 
 Inde loco medius, rerum novitate paventem 
 Sol oculis juvenem, quibus aspicit omnia, vidit. 
 " Quaeque vise tibi causa? Quid hac," ait, " arce petisti, 
 Progenies, Pha'ethon, haud inficianda parenti ? " 
 
 llle refert, " O lux immensi publica mundi, 
 Phoebe pater, si das hujus mihi nominis usum, 
 Nee falsa, Clymene culpam sub imagine celat; 
 Pignora da, genitor; per quae tua vera propago 
 Credar ; et hunc animis errorem detrahe nostris." 
 
 Dixerat. At genitor circum caput omne micantes 
 Deposuit radios ; propiusque accedere jussit : 
 
16 PHAETON. 
 
 Then bade the youth advance ; and to his breast, 
 With all a father's love, his offspring prest. 
 " My child," he said, " and worthy of the name, 
 My heart denies thee not the tender claim ; 
 And Clymene with truth affirmed thee mine : 
 Then doubt no more thy origin divine. 
 Ask what thou wilt, 'tis granted. And do thou, 
 Tremendous Styx ! bear witness to my vow !" 
 
 The sire scarce ended, ere the boy begun : — 
 " Then yield to me the Chariot of the Sun ! 
 Be mine the task to guide it for a day ; 
 Me let thy fiery coursers once obey! , ' 
 
 How griev'd the father! Thrice his radiant head 
 He mournful shook. " Alas, rash boy ! " he said ; 
 " My vow is past, nor can I now recall 
 The fatal word : yet this alone, of all, 
 I would deny thee ! Still thy sire may plead 
 (This is permitted him) against the deed. 
 Thou knowest not, Phaeton, the wish how wild : 
 Man's vigorous arm would fail — and thou a child! 
 Thy lot is mortal. What thou darest to ask 
 Befits not mortal — to that fearful task 
 
PHAETHON. 17 
 
 Amplexuque dato, u Nee tu meus esse negari 
 Dignus es ; et Clymene veros," ait, " edidit ortus. 
 Quoque minus dubites, quodvis pete munus ; ut illud, 
 Me tribuente, feras. Promissis testis adesto 
 Dis juranda palus, oculis incognita nostris," 
 
 Vix bene desierat; currus rogat ille paternos, 
 Inque diem alipedum j us et moderamen equorum. 
 
 Poenituit jurasse Patrem, qui terque quaterque 
 Concutiens illustre caput, " Temeraria/ , dixit, 
 " Vox mea facta tua est. Utinam promissa liceret 
 Non dare ! confiteor, solum hoc tibi, nate, negarem. 
 Dissuadere licet : non est tua tuta voluntas. 
 Magna petis, Phaethon; et quae nee viribus istis 
 Munera conveniant, nee tarn puerilibus annis. 
 Sors tua mortalis : non est mortale quod optas. 
 
18 PHAETON. 
 
 Not e'en the Gods have ventured to aspire; 
 Nor would — might each possess his own desire — 
 I, only I, dare guide that car of fire. 
 Olympus' lord, whose awful arm has hurled 
 Resistless thunders o'er a subject world, 
 Stands not that flaming axle-tree above ! 
 Yet what too mighty for imperial Jove ? 
 
 " Arduous the task at first : as dawns the day, 
 Steep the ascent, and difficult the way. 
 High in the highest heavens the midway lies — 
 While from that height the eye at times descries 
 Earth, seas, below, in depth tremendous shown, 
 Till even I have looked with terror down. 
 Last, a precipitous descent remains, 
 That asks a powerful hand, and moveless reins. 
 Tethys, who thence receives me in the deep, 
 Looks on with fear, and shudders at the steep. 
 Nor is this all. The sphere revolving flies, 
 Whirling the stars incessant through the skies. 
 I strain with adverse force ; and, strong though be 
 The meeting vortex, it subdues not me, 
 Against the rolling orb as swift I flee. 
 Conceive the chariot thine. Canst thou command 
 Such strength unyielding ? How shalt thou withstand 
 
PHAETHON. 19 
 
 Plus etiam, quam quod Superis contiugere fas sit, 
 Nescius affectas. Placeat sibi quisque licebit; 
 Non tamen ignifero quisquam consistere in axe 
 Me valet excepto. Vasti quoque rector Olympi, 
 Qui fera terribili jaculatur fulmina dextra, 
 Non agat hos currus ; et quid Jove majus habemus? 
 
 u Ardua prima via est ; et qu& vix mane recentes 
 Enitantur equi ; medio est altissima coelo ; 
 Unde mare et terras ipsi mihi saepe videre 
 Fit timor, et pavida trepidat formidine pectus. 
 Ultima prona via est ; et eget moderamine certo. 
 Tunc etiam, quae me subjectis excipit undis, 
 Ne ferar in praeceps, Tethys solet ipsa vereri. 
 Adde, qu5d assidua rapitur vertigine coelum ; 
 Sideraque alta trahit, celerique volumine torquet. 
 Nitor in adversum; nee me, qui caetera, vincit 
 Impetus ; et rapido contrarius evehor orbi. 
 Finge datos currus. Quid agas ? poterisne rotatis 
 
 b 2 
 
20 PHAETON. 
 
 The rapid motion ; nor its course obey, 
 
 And by the hurrying sphere be borne away ? 
 
 Perchance thou dream'st, enraptured to behold 
 
 Celestial cities, altars heaped with gold, 
 
 And groves all-beauteous ? No, thy path decreed 
 
 Betwixt the Bull's appalling horns will lead ; 
 
 O'er th' Archer's bow, the raging Lion's jaw, 
 
 The twisting Crab, and Scorpion's horrid claw. 
 
 Nor thine the gift, by promptitude of art, 
 
 To curb those coursers — fire in every part ; 
 
 Fire in their breast — in mouth and nostril fire — 
 
 That darts, in arrowy flames, as they respire : 
 
 Me scarcely will they suffer to restrain 
 
 Their speed, as, hotter grown, they scorn the rein. 
 
 O ! then beware, my son, ere yet too late ; 
 
 Forego thy wish, nor bid me seal thy fate ! 
 
 Thou seek'st a pledge, shall to the world avow 
 
 Phcebus thy sire — that pledge I give thee now. 
 
 The sure affinity these terrors prove : 
 
 A father's fears bespeak a father's love. 
 
 Behold me. Is there no unerring trace 
 
 Of inward feeling written on the face ? 
 
 Would thou hadst power to penetrate my breast! 
 
 There, there indeed the parent stands confest. 
 
PHAETHON. 21 
 
 Obvius ire polis, ne te citus auferat axis ? 
 Forsitan et lucos illic, urbesque Deorum 
 Concipias ammo ; delubraque ditia donis 
 Esse. Per insidias iter est, formasque ferarum. 
 Utque viam teneas, nulloque errore traharis ; 
 Per tamen adversi gradieris cornua Tauri, 
 Haemoniosque arcus, violentique ora Leonis, 
 Saevaque circuitu curvantem brachia longo 
 Scorpion, atque aliter curvantem brachia Cancrum. 
 Nee tibi quadrupedes animosos ignibus illis, 
 Quos in pectore habent, quos ore et naribus efflant, 
 In promptu regere est. Vix me patiuntur, ut acres 
 Incaluere animi ; cervixque repugnat habenis. 
 At tu, funesti ne sim tibi muneris auctor, 
 Nate, cave : dum resque sinit, tua corrige vota. 
 Scilicet, ut nostro genitum te sanguine credas, 
 Pignora certa petis. Do pignora certa timendo ; 
 Et patrio pater esse metu probor. Aspice vultus 
 Ecce meos ; utinamque oculos in pectora posses 
 Inserere, et patrias intus deprendere curas ! 
 
22 PHAETON. 
 
 And now look round thee — what the world has fair, 
 
 Rich, noble, prized, magnificent, or rare ; 
 
 In earth, in ocean, in the heavens divine, — 
 
 Name but the boon, the treasure shall be thine : 
 
 This one I deprecate, since this would prove 
 
 A mark of hatred, Phaeton, not love. 
 
 Why round my neck thy arms so fondly tvvin'd ? 
 
 My foolish boy ! — What doubts possess thy mind ? 
 
 I yield to thee whatever thou implore, 
 
 (By the dark waves of awful Styx I swore,) 
 
 Ask but more wisely — I exact no more." 
 
 The warning ceased ! Alas ! the youth still spurned 
 The counsel kind, and for the chariot burned. 
 
 And now the sire, with lingering step, and loth, 
 Since hope was vain, and terrible the oath, 
 Led to the lofty car — rich work of art, 
 By Vulcan given — and gold in every part, 
 Save the wheels' radiate spokes — of silver they — 
 While o'er the harness many a roseate ray, 
 From Phoebus emanating, sparkled bright, 
 In studs, alternate gem and chrysolite. 
 
PKAETHON. 23 
 
 Denique quidquid habet dives, circumspice, mundus : 
 Eque tot ac tantis coeli terraeque marisque 
 Posce bonis aliquid : nullam patiere repulsam. 
 Deprecor hoc unura; quod vero nomine poena, / 
 
 Non honor est. Pcenam, Phae'thon, pro munere, poscis. 
 Quid mea colla tenes blandis, ignare, lacertis ? 
 Ne dubita ; dabitur (Stygias juravimus undas) 
 Quodcunque optaris : sed tu sapieutius opta." 
 
 Finierat monitus. Dictis tamen ille repugnat : 
 Propositumque tenet : flagratque cupidine eurrus. 
 
 Ergo, qua licuit genitor cunctatus, ad altos 
 Deducit juvenem, Vulcania inunera, eurrus. 
 Aureus axis erat, temo aureus, aurea summae 
 Cuvatura rotae ; radiorum argenteus ordo. 
 Per juga chrysolithi, positaeque ex ordine gemmae, 
 Clara repercusso reddebant lumina Phoebo. 
 
24 PHAETON. 
 
 But while undaunted Phaeton surveys 
 The wondrous work with transport and amaze, 
 Behold — Aurora, to her office true, 
 Opes, in the East, her purple gates anew, 
 Her courts, with roses filled, displays to view. 
 The stars are flying ; latest of the host 
 Bright Lucifer forsakes his heavenly post. 
 Titan, at length, who saw the world below, 
 Catch from the crimson dawn a kindred glow, 
 Saw the pale moon already half withdrawn, 
 And the tip vanished from each fading horn, 
 Bade the swift Goddesses, the Hours, prepare 
 To yoke the fiery steeds — and yoked they were. 
 From their high stall the winged coursers came, 
 Filled with ambrosial juice, and snorting flame. 
 The father next, with heavenly essence pure, 
 Sprinkled his son — thence fitted to endure 
 Th' o'erwhelming splendour of that dazzling blaze ; 
 His ringlets, then, encircled with the rays : 
 But, as he placed the lustrous crown, he sighed, 
 And with sad heart, and mournful presage, cried : 
 " If yet thou canst parental warnings hear, 
 Be cautious, boy, amid thy wild career. 
 Urge not the steeds 7- with all thy force restrain — 
 They little need the goad, but much the rein. 
 
PHAETHON. 25 
 
 Dumque ea magnanimus Phaethon miratur, opusque 
 Perspicit : ecce vigil rutilo patefecit ab ortu 
 Purpureas Aurora fores, et plena rosarum 
 Atria. Diffugiunt stellae : quarum agmine cogit 
 Lucifer, et cceli statione novissimus exit. 
 At pater, ut terras mundumque rubescere vidit, 
 Cornuaque extrema? velut evanescere Lunae; 
 Jungere equos Titan velocibus imperat Horis. 
 Jussa Deae celeres peragunt : ignemque vomentes, 
 Ambrosiae succo saturos, praesepibus altis 
 
 Quadrupedes ducunt; adduntque sonantia fraena. 
 Turn pater ora sui sacro medicamine nati 
 
 Contigit ; et rapidae fecit patientia flammae. 
 
 Imposuitque comae radios : praesagaque luctus 
 
 Pectore sollicito repeteus suspiria, dixit : 
 
 " Si potes hie saltern monitis parere paternis ; 
 
 Parce, puer, stimulis ; et fortius utere loris. 
 
 Sponte sua properant: labor est inhibere volentes. 
 
26 PHAETON. 
 
 Point not thy way direct, nor wildly swerve ; 
 
 Mid the three zones, with easy winding, curve: 
 
 Within that line all hope of safety lies ; 
 
 Too low the earth were scorched, too high the skies. 
 
 Shun either pole alike : thy best resource 
 
 To mark the track, the chariot's wonted course. 
 
 An Altar to the left thou wilt discern, 
 
 And to the right a Snake ; to neither turn : 
 
 Steer thou between. The rest to Fortune's will 
 
 1 leave — guide surer than, alas ! thy skill. 
 
 But while I parley, humid Night has gained 
 
 The limits of the West, the goal attained. 
 
 We must away. The world our presence craves ; 
 
 Aurora shines, and Darkness seeks her caves. 
 
 Here — take the reins — or yet, if aught can shake 
 
 Thy mad resolve, rather our counsel take : 
 
 Now — while thou may'st — ere in the car thou be. 
 
 Aye — view it if thou wilt — so thou art free 
 
 From thine ill-fated wish to light the world for me." 
 
 Lo ! in the chariot now the slender boy ! 
 He stands erect : with looks of eager joy 
 Receives the reins ; and his reluctant sire 
 Thanks as he takes them : while with restless ire 
 
PHAETHON. 27 
 
 Nee tibi directos placeat via quinque per arcus. 
 Sectus in obliquum est lato curvamine limes, 
 Zonal umque trium contentus fine; polumque 
 Effugito australem, juuetamque aquilonibus Aicton. 
 Hac sit iter : manifesta rota? vestigia cernes. 
 Utque ferant equos et ccelum et terra calores, 
 Nee preme, nee summuai molire per aethera currum. 
 Altius egressus, coelestia tecta cremabis ; 
 Inferius, terras : medio tutissimus ibis. 
 Neu te dexterior tortum declinet in Anguem, 
 Neve sinisterior pressam rota ducat ad Aram. 
 Inter utrumque tene. Fortunae cetera mando ; 
 Quae juvet, et melius, quam tu tibi, consular., opto. 
 Dum loquor, Hesperio positas in littore metas 
 Humida Nox tetigit. Non est mora libera nobis : 
 Poscimur. Effulget tenebris Aurora fugatis. 
 Corripe lora manu : vel, si mutabile pectus 
 Est tibi, consiliis, non curribus, utere nostris : 
 Dum potes ; et solidis etiamnum sedibus adstas ; 
 Dumque male optatos nondum premis iuscius axes; 
 Quae tutus spectes, sine me dare lumina terris." 
 
 Occupat ille levem juvenili corpore currum : 
 Statque super ; manibusque datas contingere habenas 
 Gaudet, et invito grates agit inde parenti. 
 
28 PHAETON. 
 
 The horses of the sun endure delay, 
 And strike the barriers that impede their way. 
 Hot with impatience neighs each winged steed : 
 iEthon for strength renowned, Ebus speed ; 
 Proud Pyroeis, Phlegon the untamed — 
 Till all the air around them is inflamed. 
 Tethys (unknown the perils of that day) 
 Drew back the bolts, and gave the coursers way. 
 They pass the barrier with the Eastern wind, 
 But leave the rapid Euros far behind ; 
 And, darting to the Westward, cleave, in wrath, 
 With fiery foot, the clouds that cross their path. 
 Amazed they feel no weight retard their course; 
 The yoke restrains not with its wonted force. 
 While th' unpoised chariot reels from side to side ; 
 Tost, as a vessel that would brave the tide 
 Without her ballast — rocking to and fro — 
 Now mounted up aloft, now sinking low. 
 The horses, startled, feel the chariot shake, 
 Rush forward, and the beaten path forsake. 
 Meantime the boy, alarmed, beholds them range 
 Where track is none, in way tumultuous, strange : 
 Yet knows not where to guide them — how to guide- 
 His feeble arm, even if he knew, defied. 
 
PHAETHON. 29 
 
 Interea volucres Pyroeis, et Eous, et iEthon, 
 Solis equi, quartusque Phlegon, hinnitibus auras 
 Flammiferis implent, pedibusque repagula pulsant. 
 Quae postquam Tethys, fatorum ignara nepotis, 
 Repulit ; et facta est immensi copia mundi ; 
 Corripuere viam, pedibusque per aera motis 
 Obstantes findunt nebulas, pennisque levati 
 Praetereunt ortos isdem de partibus Euros. 
 Sed leve pondus erat ; nee quod cognoscere possent 
 Solis equi: solitaque jugum gravitate carebat. 
 Utque labant curvae justo sine pondere naves, 
 Perque mare instabiles nimia levitate feruntur ; 
 Sic onere assueto vacuos dat in aera saltus, 
 Succutiturque alte; similisque est currus inani, 
 Quod simul ac sensere, ruunt, tritumque relinquunt 
 Quadrijugi spatium : nee, quo prius, ordine currunt. 
 Ipse pavet ; nee qua commissas flectat habenas, 
 Nee scit, qua sit iter ; nee, si sciat, imperet illis. 
 
30 PHAETON. 
 
 Then did the cold Triones first sustain 
 The sunbeam's raging fervour ; and in vain 
 Essayed to plunge in the forbidden main. 
 The polar Serpent then that harmless lay, 
 Woke from his torpor, madden'd with the ray : 
 And thou, slow-paced Bootes! fame hath said, 
 Spite of thy wain, precipitately fled. 
 
 But now unhappy Phaeton has caught 
 A glimpse of earth, as late his father taught, 
 From that etherial summit — horror-fraught. 
 Trembling and pale, his knees each other smite, 
 And all seems darkness from excess of light. 
 Too late he wishes never to have seen 
 The horses of the sun — that still had been 
 Unknown his race divine — his suit unvvon — 
 How welcome now the name of Merops' son ! 
 Driven as a ship that raging tempests tear 
 When sailors leave the helm, and trust to prayer ; 
 Where shall he turn ? — Much of the heavens is past, 
 More yet remains— and, as his eyes are cast 
 Now on the West, (which he shall never reach !) 
 Now backward on the East, — he measures each — 
 Till all-perplexed, bewildered, he remains ; 
 And, though he drops not, scarcely holds the reins. 
 
PHAETHON. 31 
 
 Turn prinuvm radiis gelidi caluere Triones, 
 
 Et vetito frustra tentarunt aequore tingi. 
 
 Quaeque polo posita est glaciali proxima Serpens, 
 
 Frigore pigra prius, nee formidabilis ulli ; 
 
 Incaluit: sumsitque novas fervoribus iras. 
 
 Te qucque turbatum memorant fugisse, Boote ; 
 
 Quamvis tardus eras, et te tua plaustra tenebant. 
 Ut verb summo despexit ab aethere terras 
 
 Infelix Phaethon, penitus penitusque patentes, 
 
 Palluit, et subito genua intremuere timore : 
 
 Suntque oculis tenebrae per tantum lumen obort*. 
 Et jam mallet equos nunquam tetigisse paternos : 
 
 Jamque agnosse genus piget, et valuisse rogando : 
 
 Jam Meropis dici cupiens; ita fertur, ut acta 
 Praecipiti pinus Borea, cui victa remisit 
 Fraena suus rector, quam Dis votisque reliquit. 
 Quid faciat? multum coeli post terga relictura : 
 Ante oculos plus est. Animo metitur utrumque. 
 Et modo, quod illi fato contingere non est, 
 Prospicit occasus : interdum respicit ortus. 
 Quidque agat ignarus, stupet : et nee fraena remittit, 
 
32 PHAETON. 
 
 Knew he how named the steeds, that well-known word, 
 
 When force avails not, might, perchance, be heard. 
 
 Then, too, the heavens a fearful aspect wear ; 
 
 Strange shapes of unimagined things are there, 
 
 And giant forms of beasts ferocious glare. 
 
 A place there is, where, as the Scorpion throws 
 
 His branching arms around, he forms two bows ; 
 
 And, though his long and forked tail he bends, 
 
 Far as two signs his hideous limbs extends. 
 
 Here came the boy : and O ! with what dismay 
 
 He saw that pointed sting oppose his way, 
 
 Wet with black venom, as it threatening lay ! 
 
 His senses failed him, and he dropped the reins. 
 
 The horses feel them on their backs. Now strains 
 
 W 7 ith fury, all-unchecked, each fiery steed! 
 
 On, on they rush, with wild and maddened speed — 
 
 Along the air of unknown regions fly, 
 
 Where never being ranged the trackless sky — 
 
 Now to heaven's heights tremendous drag the car, 
 
 And often, reckless, strike against a star : 
 
 Now with intense rapidity descend, 
 
 And near to earth their course terrific bend ; 
 
 While the Moon marvels by what change unknown 
 
 Her brother's horses are beneath her own. 
 
PHAETHON. 33 
 
 Nee retinere valet : nee nomina novit equorum. 
 Sparsa quoque in vario passim miracula ccelo, 
 Vastarumque videt trepidus simulacra ferarum. 
 Est locus, in geminos ubi brachia concavat arcus 
 Scorpios ; et cauda flexisque utrinque lacertis, 
 Porrigit in spatium signorum membra duorum. 
 Hunc puer ut nigri madidum sudore veneni 
 Vulnera curvata minitantem cuspide vidit, 
 Mentis inops, gelida formidine lora remisit. 
 Quae postquam summum tetigere jacentia tergum, 
 Expatiantur equi : nulloque inhibente per auras 
 Ignotae regionis eunt ; quaque impetus egit, 
 Hac sine lege ruunt, altoque sub aethere flxis 
 Incursant stellis, rapiuntque per avia currum. 
 Et modo summa petunt, modo per decliva, viasque 
 Praecipites spatio terrae propiore feruntur. 
 Inferiusque suis fraternos currere Luna 
 Admiratur equos : ambustaque nubila fumant. 
 
34 PHAETON. 
 
 The scorched clouds smoke : and Earth, where she presumes 
 
 To point towards the skies, the heat consumes. 
 
 Trees, gay with foliage, burn. With many a cleft 
 
 Yawns the parched earth, no genial moisture left. 
 
 White grows the herbage. Fields of golden grain, 
 
 Feeding themselves the fire, lay waste the plain. 
 
 I dwell on trifles. Cities perished then — 
 
 And heaps of ashes lie — once living men. 
 
 Forests were burned, and mountains. Athos shared 
 
 The common fate : not Tmolus, iEta spared ; 
 
 Nor yet Cilician Taurus. Blazing shone 
 
 The Muses' flowery hill, fair Helicon; 
 
 And thou, Parnassus, double-headed mountain ; 
 
 And Ida, thou, though sparkled many a fountain 
 
 Erewhile thy paths among. CEagrius' flame 
 
 Made Thracia tremble — Haemos, then, its name. 
 
 In flames were Eryx, Cynthus, Othrys, ye ; 
 
 Citheron, sacred to the Deity, 
 
 And Mimas, Dindyma, and Mycale. 
 
 Then from thy bowels sprang redoubled fire, 
 
 Prodigious iEtna ! never to expire. 
 
 Then, Rhodope, th' amazing day arose, 
 
 When thy vast summit lost a century's snows. 
 
PHAETHON. 35 
 
 Corripitur flammis, at quaeque altissima, tellus ; 
 Fissaque agit rirnas, et succis aret ademtis. 
 Pabula canescunt : cum frondibus uritur arbos : 
 Materiamque suo praebet seges arida damno. 
 Parva queror. Magna? pereunt cum moenibus urbes : 
 Cumque suis totas populis incendia gentes 
 In cinerem vertunt. Silvae cum montibus ardent. 
 Ardet Athos, Taurusque Cilix, et Tmolus, et CEte ; 
 Et nunc sicca, prius celeberrima fontibus, Ide; 
 Virgineusque Helicon, et nondum CEagrius Haemos. 
 Ardet in immensum geminatis ignibus iEtne, 
 Parnassusque biceps, et Eryx, et Cynthus, et Othrys. 
 Et tandem Rhodope nivibus caritura, Mimasque, 
 Dindymaque, et Mycale, natusque ad sacra Cythaeron. 
 
 c 2 
 
36 PHAETON. 
 
 Not all the rigours of a frozen clime 
 Saved Caucasus : not Pindus' frown sublime, 
 Nor Ossa's him : and, towering o'er them all, 
 Thrice-great Olympus was decreed to fall : 
 E'en on his brow the flame terrific shines ; 
 Upon th' aerial Alps, and cloud-capt Appenines. 
 
 Now Phaeton the burning orb beholds. 
 And now a new and fearful view unfolds — 
 His chariot burns ! The heat is dreadful. Seems 
 To him some furnace vast emits the streams 
 Of air he breathes. Cinders, that fervid glow, 
 Thrown from the conflagrated world below, 
 And pitchy smoke surround him. Where to go, 
 Or where he now may be, he knows not — still 
 Borne on, impetuous, at the horses' will. 
 Then, Ethiopia, if the tale be true, 
 Did first thy sons acquire their sable hue. 
 The blood (so deem they) rushing from within, 
 With its dark dye imbued th' absorbing skin. 
 Then Lybia lost her streams, where wont to play 
 The blue-eyed water-nymphs in frolic gay : 
 In other realms her rivers wind their way. 
 No urn on Corinth's land Pirene pours. 
 Boeotia Dirce mourns. Argos deplores 
 
 i 
 
PHAETHON. 37 
 
 Nee prosunt Scythiae sua frigora: Caucasus ardet, 
 Ossaque cum Pindo, majorque ambobus Olympus : 
 Aeriaeque Alpes, et nubifer Apenninus. 
 
 Tunc vero Phaethon cunctis e partibus orbem 
 Aspicit accensum : nee tantos sustinet aestus : 
 Ferventesque auras, velut e fornace profunda, 
 Ore trahit, currusque suos candescere sentit. 
 Et neque jam cineres ejectatamque favillam 
 Ferre potest : calidoque involvitur undique fumo. 
 Quoque eat, aut ubi sit, picea caligine tectus 
 Nescit ; et arbitrio volucrum raptatur equorum. 
 Sanguine turn credunt in corpora summa vocato, 
 iEthiopum populos nigrum traxisse colorem. 
 Turn facta est Libye, raptis humoribus aestu, 
 Arida ; turn Nymphae passis fontesque lacusque 
 Deflevere comis. Queritur Bceotia Dircen, 
 
38 PHAETON. 
 
 Her Amymone. Not a river saves 
 
 His flood, though far apart the banks he laves: 
 
 The mighty Tanais smokes amid his waves. 
 
 Time-honoured Peneus, nought thy years availed ! 
 
 Ca'icus' stream, and swift Ismenos failed ; 
 
 Phoca'ic Erymanthus. Then return 
 
 Thy sorrows, Xanthus; doomed again to burn. 
 
 Golden Lycormas, and Meander gay, 
 
 Who playful winds his undulating way, 
 
 With Melas, glory of Mygdonius' coast, 
 
 All burned ; Eurotas, too, Taenarius' boast. 
 
 Orontes felt the flames his waves upon, 
 
 They blazed o'er thy Euphrates, Babylon! 
 
 The Ganges, Phasis, Ister ; and no more 
 
 Thermodon waters Amazonia's shore : 
 
 Along those shores the fire terrific rolled — 
 
 While Tagus' sands are streams of liquid gold. 
 
 Alpheos boils. Spercheos sees the fire 
 
 Along his * tree- crowned banks in flames aspire; 
 
 Cayster's blaze, where throng the feathered quire. 
 
 But what availed their melody of song ! 
 
 His swans were burned, their very waves among. 
 
 * Populifer Spercheos. 
 
PHAETHON. 39 
 
 Argos Amymonen, Ephyre Pirenidas undas. 
 Nee sortita loco distantes flumina ripas 
 Tuta manent : mediis Tanai's fumavit in undis, 
 Peneosque senex, Teuthranteiisque Caicus, 
 Et celer Ismenos, cum Phocai'co Erymantho, 
 Arsurusque iterum Xanthus, flavusque Lycormas, 
 Quique recurvatis ludit Maeandros in undis ; 
 Mygdoniusque Melas, et Taenarius Eurotas. 
 Arsit et Euphrates Babylonius, arsit Orontes, 
 Thermodonque citns, Gangesque, et Phasis, et Ister, 
 iEstuat Alpheos : ripae Sperchei'des ardent : 
 Quodque suo Tagus amne vehit, fluit ignibus, aurum. 
 Et, quae Maeonias celebrarant carmine ripas, 
 Flumineae volucres medio caluere Caystro. 
 
40 PHAETON. 
 
 Then Nile to earth's profoundest centre fled, 
 
 And veiled for ever his mysterious head. 
 
 Seven harbours, gay so late with painted sails, 
 
 O'erspread with dust, are now seven streamless vales. 
 
 Strymon, Hesperian Hebros — both are gone — 
 
 The Western floods — the Po, the Rhine, the Rhone, 
 
 And Tiber, though decreed th' imperial throne. 
 
 All earth 's in clefts ; light through the chinks is seen 
 
 In hell ! and terrifies the monarch and his queen. 
 
 Ocean itself is shrunk : where late the main 
 
 Rolled its blue waters, is an arid plain. 
 
 Mountains arise from rocks concealed by seas, 
 
 And swell the tide of scattered Cyclades. 
 
 Fishes the deepest water seek ; nor dare 
 
 A dolphin raise his curving form in air ; 
 
 And seals, that wont their panting sides to steep, 
 
 Turned on their backs, are floating on the deep. 
 
 While Nereus, Doris, and their filial flock, 
 
 'Tis said, lay hidden in their coolest rock. 
 
 Three times, with visage stern, did Neptune cast 
 
 His arm above the wave — three times, aghast, 
 
 Drew back, choked with the suffocating blast. 
 
 But Earth, of all below the nurse and stay, 
 From circling ocean, where she tortured lay, 
 
PHAETHON. 41 
 
 Nilus in extremum fugit perterritus orbem, 
 Occuluitque caput, quod adhuc latet. Ostia septem 
 Pulverulenta vacant septem sine flumine valles: 
 Sors eadem Ismarios Hebrum cum Strymone siccat, 
 Hesperiosqueamnes, Rhenum, Rhodanumque, Padumque, 
 Cuique fuit rerum promissa potentia, Tybrin. 
 Dissilit omne solum ; penetratque in Tartara rimis 
 Lumen, et infernum terret cum conjuge regem. 
 Et mare contrahitur: siccaeque est campus arenae, 
 Quod modo pontus erat : quosque altum texerat aequor, 
 Exsistunt montes, et sparsas Cycladas augent. 
 Ima petunt pisces : nee se super aequora curvi 
 Tollere consuetas audent delphines in auras. 
 Corpora phocarum summo resupina profundo 
 Exanimata natant. Ipsum quoque Nerea, fama est, 
 Doridaque, et natas, tepidis latuisse sub antris. 
 Ter Neptunus aquis cum torvo brachia vultu 
 Exserere ausus erat : ter non tulit aeris aestus. 
 
 Alma tamen Tellus, ut erat circumdata ponto, 
 Inter aquas pelagi, contractosque undique fontes 
 
42 PHAETON. 
 
 ( Each flood and stream to her dark entrails driven,) 
 Raised her dry head, and turned her face to Heaven ; 
 Then, shading with lier hand her burning brow, 
 A little sank her wonted height below. 
 All nature trembled with convulsive shake, 
 While her dread voice, in awful murmur, spake : 
 
 " If 'tis thy will, and I deserve this lot, 
 Ruler omnipotent ! why strike me not 
 With thy own thunders ? If the doom be mine 
 By fire to perish, let it be by thine ! 
 Scarce can rny voice give utterance to my prayer." 
 (Here vapours choked her.) " See my scorching hair ! 
 Cinders are heaped upon my fervid head ; 
 O'er my hot lips and burning eyeballs spread. — 
 And is this all the recompence decreed ; 
 Of all my faithful service this the meed? — 
 When know I rest the changeful seasons round ? 
 By turns the crooked plough, the harrow, wound. 
 Yet my beneficence all nature suits ; 
 Gives cattle herbage, man his corn and fruits ; 
 And doth thy consecrated shrines supply 
 With incense, grateful to the Deity. 
 But if my guilt a just destruction craves, 
 Why in my fate involve thy brother's waves ? 
 
PHAETHON. 43 
 
 Qui se condiderant in opacae viscera matris, 
 Sustulit omniferos collo tenus arida vultus : 
 Opposuitque manum fronti : magnoque tremore 
 Omnia coneutiens paullum subsedit, et infra, 
 Quam solet esse, fuit : siccaque ita voce locuta est : 
 
 " Si placet hoc, meruique, quid 6 tua fulmina cessant, 
 Summe Deiim ? liceat periturae viribus ignis, 
 Igne perire tuo ; clademque auctore levare. 
 Vix equidem fauces haec ipsa in verba resolvo." 
 (Presserat ora vapor : ) " Tostos en aspice crines, 
 Inque oculis fumum : volitant super ora favillae. 
 Hosne mihi fructus, hunc fertilitatis honorem 
 Officiique refers ; quod adunci vulnera ai atri, 
 Rastrorumque fero, totoque exerceor anno ? 
 Quod pecori frondes, alimentaque mitia, fruges 
 Humano generi, vobis quod thura ministro : 
 Sed tamen exitium fac me meruisse : quid undae, 
 
44 PHAETON. 
 
 What is his crime ? Why are his waters driven 
 
 (His own by lot) more distant, thus, from heaven? 
 
 Behold, how Atlas labours ! mark his pain! 
 
 His shoulders scarce the heated orb sustain. 
 
 But if nor earth, nor sea, thy pity move, 
 
 At least compassionate the skies above ! 
 
 Lo ! clouds of smoke from either pole ascend ! 
 
 If perish they, where shall the ruin end? 
 
 The very heavens, thy throne itself shall fall — 
 
 Sea, earth, sky blend, and Chaos vanquish all. 
 
 O then, yet snatch us from a watery grave, 
 
 And save the world, while aught remains to save!" 
 
 She ceased, no longer able to command 
 Her failing voice, the stifling blast withstand ; 
 Then to her own deep caves withdrew her head, 
 Nearer the regions of the spectred dead. 
 
 But now the Sire of Gods, resistless Jove, 
 Appealed to all th' immortal host above — 
 To Phoebus' self appealed— that, if impelled 
 By aught of pity, he the bolt withheld, 
 All were destroyed. Indignant then the God 
 Sought the high summit of his dread abode — 
 
PHAETHON. 45 
 
 Quid meruit frater ? cur illi tradita sorte 
 iEquora decrescunt, et ab aethere longius absunt? 
 Quod si nee fratris, nee te mea gratia tangit ; 
 At cceli miserere tui. Circumspice utrumque ; 
 Fumat uterque polus : quos si vitiaverit ignis, 
 Atria vestra ruent. Atlas en ipse laborat: 
 Vixque suis humeris candentem sustinet axem. 
 Si freta, si terras pereunt, si regia cceli ; 
 In chaos antiquum confundimur. Eripe flammis, 
 Si quid adhuc superest : et rerum consule summae." 
 
 Dixerat haec Tellus ; neque enim tolerare vaporem 
 Ulterius potuit, nee dicere plura : suumque 
 Retulit os in se, proprioraque manibus antra. 
 
 At Pater omnipotens Superos testatus, et ipsum 
 Qui dederat currus, nisi opem ferat, omnia fato 
 Interitura gravi ; summum petit arduus arcem ; 
 Unde solet latis nubes inducere terris ; 
 
46 PHAETON. 
 
 Th' amazing summit, whence, to every part, 
 
 Roll his hoarse thunders, and his lightnings dart ; 
 
 Where he the light clouds spreads, and gives them powers 
 
 To veil the sunbeams, or descend in showers : 
 
 Though now, alas, no gentle cloud was there, 
 
 To pour its healing stream, and soothe the air! 
 
 The Godhead thunders. His right hand severe 
 
 The lightning flings, and strikes the charioteer. 
 
 Life, and the object of his rash desire 
 
 Were lost at once — but fire extinguished fire. 
 
 The horses, mad with terror, backward start, 
 
 And from the yoke, their necks wild shaking, part; 
 
 Then leave the broken reins, and furious fly : 
 
 While on the starry pavement of the sky, 
 
 The scattered ruins of the chariot lie. 
 
 There you might see the pole, snapped short — a spoke 
 
 Here tossed, and there the axle, broke. 
 
 But Phaeton, with blazing hair, is hurled, 
 
 Through depths of ether, to a distant world ; 
 
 (As from the heavens, serene and tranquil all, 
 
 The shining meteor falls, or seems to fall,) 
 
 Till great Eridanus receives, and laves 
 
 His seared and lifeless body in his waves. 
 
PHAETHON. 47 
 
 Unde movet tonitrus, vibrataque fulmina jactat. 
 Sed neque, quas posset terris inducere nubes 
 Tunc habuit: nee, quos ccelo dimitteret, imbres. 
 Intonat : et dextra libratum fulmen ab aure 
 Misit in aurigam : pariterque animaque rotisque 
 Expulit, et saevis compescuit ignibus ignes. 
 Consternuntur equi : et saltu in contraria facto, 
 Colla jugo excutiunt, abruptaque lora reliquunt. 
 Illic fraena jacent, illic temone revulsus 
 Axis ; in hac radii fractarum parte rotarum : 
 Sparsaque sunt late laceri vestigia currus. 
 At Phaeton, rutilos flamma populante capillos, 
 Volvitur in praeceps, longoque per aera tractu 
 Fertur ; ut interdum de coelo stella sereno, 
 Etsi non cecidit, potuit cecidisse videri. 
 Quern prpcul a patri& diverso maximus orbe 
 Excipit Eridanus : spumantiaque abluit ora. 
 
48 PHAETON. 
 
 Around his poor remains the Naiads flock, 
 
 And with their tridents hollow out a tomb ; 
 Engraving, on an adamantine rock, 
 
 This short memorial of his early doom : 
 " Here rests the boy, whose ardour dared essay 
 
 " To drive his father's Chariot of the Sun : 
 " He failed. But ages long to come shall say, 
 
 " Th' attempt was noble, though the youth undone." 
 
 CONTINUATION. 
 
 The afflicted father, for an awful space, 
 Plunged in the deepest sorrow, veiled his face ; 
 And, wondrous though it be, traditions say, 
 No sun illumed the world one fearful day : 
 Light, from the burning universe, alone, 
 (Woe mitigating woe) still faintly shone. 
 
 But Clymene by wailings sad exprest 
 Her bitter grief, and tore her sobbing breast ; 
 Then wandered through the world, in anguish wild, 
 To seek the relics of her lifeless child : 
 
PHAETHON. 49 
 
 Naiades Hesperiae trifida fumantia flamma 
 Corpora dant tumulo: signantque hoc carmine saxum, 
 " Hie situs est Phaeton, currus auriga paterni : 
 Quem si non tenuit, magnis tamen excidit ausis." 
 
 Nam Pater obductos, luctu miserabilis aegro, 
 Condiderat vultus : et, si modo credimus, unum 
 Isse diem sine sole fe'runt. Incendia lumen 
 Praebebant : aliquisque malo fuit usus in illo. 
 
 At Clymene, postquam dixit, quaecunque fuerunt 
 In tantis dicenda malis ; lugubris et amens, 
 Et laniata sinus, totum percensuit orbem : 
 Exanimesque artus primo, mox ossa requirens, 
 
 D 
 
50 PHAETON. 
 
 Till, on the margin of a foreign flood, 
 
 She found his bones enshrined — a tablet stood— 
 
 And there, the graven legend seen at last, 
 
 On the bare earth her faded form she cast ; 
 
 Wept o'er his name, upon the marble shown, 
 
 And with her naked bosom warmed the stone. 
 
 Nor less the daughters of the Sun consume 
 Their nights and days in grief beside the tomb. 
 They pour their tears, (vain gifts, that fruitless fall !) 
 And strike their bosoms, and incessant call 
 On Phaeton, insensible to all. 
 
 Four times the Moon had seen her horns unite, 
 Four times her centre filled with silver light, 
 When, as the sorrowing maids their plaints renew, 
 (For by long use their grief to habit grew), 
 Sad Phaethusa, eldest of the train, 
 Would rest her weary frame— but strives in vain, 
 And speaks of stiffened feet, that motionless remain. 
 Beauteous Lampetie, with a sister's love, 
 Would fly to succour hei — but cannot move 
 Fixed on a.sudden to the spot, her foot 
 Is held beneath, and fastened by a root. 
 
PHAETHON. 51 
 
 Reperit ossa tamen peregrina condita ripa. 
 Incubuitque loco : nomenque in marmore lectum 
 Perfudit lachrymis, et aperto pectore fovit 
 
 Nee minus Heliades fletus, et, inania morti 
 Munera, dant lachrymas : et caesae pectora palmis 
 Non auditurum miseras Pha'ethonta querulas 
 Nocte dieque vocant : adsternunturque sepulchro. 
 
 Luna quater jnnctis implerat cornibus orbem: 
 Illae more suo (nam morem fecerat usus) 
 Plangoremque dederant : e quis Pha'ethusa sororum 
 Maxima, cum vellet terrae procumbere, questa est 
 Diriguisse pedes : ad quam conata venire 
 Candida Lampetie, subita, radice, retenta est. 
 
52 PHAETON. 
 
 A third, in agony, their fate perceives, 
 
 And tears her hair — but fills her hand with leaves. 
 
 One feels within a hollow tree inurned, 
 
 And one bewails her arms, to branches turned. 
 
 But all their indurating forms apace 
 
 The bark envelopes, save, as yet, the face ; 
 
 And still the voice of each astonished maid 
 
 Calls on her mother, and implores her aid. 
 
 Alas ! what can their mother ? saving go, 
 
 Now here, now there, and kisses fond bestow, 
 
 While yet those living lips the pressure know ? 
 
 Yet she would more in frantic love essay : 
 
 She strives to snatch them from the trunks away ; 
 
 Then with her hands tears off the shoots around — 
 
 But blood-drops fall, as flowing from a wound; 
 
 And shrieks of pain, and plaintive cries resound : 
 
 " Spare, dearest mother ! O ! in pity, spare ! 
 
 You rend our bodies as the trees you tear. 
 
 Farewell, farewell. " The encrusting surface grew, 
 
 And hushed the accents of that last adieu. 
 
 Tears, that from thence, in trickling current, run, 
 
 To drops of amber hardened in the sun, 
 
 Fall in the limpid stream ; and, by the tide 
 
 Transported hither, deck the Latian bride. 
 
PHAETHON. 53 
 
 Tertia cum crinem manibus laniare pararet, 
 
 Avellit frondes. Hasc stipite crura teneri, 
 
 Ilia dolet fieri longos sua brachia ramos. 
 
 Dumque ea mirantur, complectitur inguina cortex ; 
 
 Perque gradus uterum, pectusque, humerosque, manusque 
 
 Ambit : et exstabant tantum ora vocantia matrem. 
 
 Quid faciat mater ? nisi, quo trahat impetus illam, 
 
 Hue eat, atque illuc ? et dum licet, oscula jungat ? 
 
 Non satis est : truncis avellere corpora tentat, 
 
 Et teneros manibus ramos abrumpere : at inde 
 
 Sanguineae manant, tanquam de vulnere, guttae. 
 
 " Parce, precor, mater, quaecunque est saucia," clamat. 
 
 " Parce, precor : nostrum laniatur in arbore corpus. 
 
 Jamque vale." Cortex in verba novissima venit. 
 
 Inde fluunt lachrymae : stillataque sole rigescunt 
 
 De ramis electra novis : quag lucidus amnis 
 
 Excipit, et nuribus mittit gestanda Latinis. 
 
54 PHAETON. 
 
 The son of Sthenelus was near, and saw 
 The marvellous event. By nature's law 
 Though close united, Phaeton, to thee ; 
 Still, by the ties of tender amity, 
 More than a mother's blood, was Cycnus bound. 
 He left his realms — Liguria's land renowned — 
 And, near Eridanus' translucid stream, 
 Incessant poured the melancholy theme. 
 
 While echoing plain and wood his woes relate, 
 (That wood augmented by his sisters' fate) 
 His voice is changed. The accents of despair 
 Become more shrill. Grey feathers shade his hair. 
 In waving arch ascends his lengthened neck ; 
 His arms are wings, his lips a blunted beak ; 
 A membrane spreads his scarlet toes between ; 
 And lo ! a Swan — now first beheld — is seen. 
 Mindful of Jove's relentless thunders there, 
 He dares not trust the regions of the air ; 
 But hastes his new-imparted form to lave 
 In the still pool, or river's buoyant wave : 
 And, fire detesting, source of all his pains, 
 In its opposing element remains. 
 
PHAETHON. 55 
 
 Adfuit huic monstro proles Sthenele'ia Cycnus, 
 Qui tibi materno quamvis a sanguine junctus, 
 Mente tamen, Pha'ethon, proprior fuit. llle relicto 
 (Nam Ligurum populos, etmagnas rexerat urbes,) 
 Imperio ripas virides, amnemque querelis 
 Eridanum implerat, sylvamque sororibus auctam : 
 Cum vox est tenuata viro ; canaeque capillos 
 Dissimulant plumae ; collumque a pectore longum 
 Porrigitur, digitosque ligat junctura rubentes. 
 Penna latus vestit : tenet os sine acumine rostrum : 
 Fit nova Cycnus avis: nee se coeloque Jovique 
 Credit, ut injuste missi memor ignis ab illo. 
 Stagna petit, patulosque lacus : ignemque perosus, 
 Quae colat, elegit contraria flumina flam mis. 
 
56 PHAETON, 
 
 Meantime, the Sire of Phaeton, his face 
 Still wrapped in gloom, has lost each radiant grace, 
 As when eclipsed, his glories fade away, 
 He hates himself, the daylight, and the day : 
 Gives vent to sorrow — mingles rage with woe — 
 Nor will again the light of heaven bestow. 
 " Since time began," he cries, " my lot unblest 
 Has never known the luxury of rest ; 
 And I repent me of the ceaseless pain, 
 So little honoured, and, to me, so vain. 
 Others shall give the day ! If no one dare — 
 No other God — let Him ascend the car! 
 Then shall we see his flaming bolts forborne, 
 Nor fathers for their murdered offspring mourn : 
 Then, when his mighty hand has tried the rein, 
 And strove to curb the fiery steeds in vain ; 
 Then will he own, that death indeed has been 
 Too dire a vengeance for so small a sin. 
 
 Around the Sun the Deities appear — 
 Confess the act too terribly severe, 
 And humbly supplicate the source of light 
 To veil no more the suffering world in night : 
 E'en Jove himself extenuates the deed, 
 But, king- like, threatens, while he stoops to plead. 
 
PHAETHON. 57 
 
 Squalidus interea genitor Pha'ethontis, et expers 
 Ipse sui decoris, qualis, cum deficit orbem, 
 Essesolet: lucemque odit, seque ipse, diemque: 
 Datque animum in luctus ; et luctibus adjicit iram : 
 Officiumque negat mundo. " Satis," inquit, 6< ab aevi 
 Sors mea principiis fuit irrequieta : pigetque 
 Actorum sine fine mihi, sine honore, laborum. 
 Quilibet alter agat portantes lumina currus. 
 Si nemo est, omnesque Dei non posse fatentur; 
 Ipse agat: ut saltern, dum nostras tentat habenas, 
 Orbatura patres aliquando fulmina ponat. 
 Tunc sciet, ignipedum vires expertns equorum, 
 Non meruisse necem, qui non bene rexerit illos." 
 
 Talia dicentem circumstant omnia Solem 
 Numina ; neve velit tenebras inducere rebus, 
 Supplice voce rogant. Missos quoque Jupiter ignes 
 Excusat, precibusque minas regaliter addit. 
 
58 PHAETON. 
 
 The steeds at length, still trembling with dismay, 
 Phoebus again commands, and gives the day. 
 But on their reckless course his fury falls : 
 He lashes, goads, and them the murderers calls. 
 
 Round the celestial walls the heavenly Sire, 
 Lest aught were injured by the raging fire, 
 Observant goes : and, all in safety there, 
 To earth descending, with paternal care 
 Restores the beauty of their former plan, 
 Alike to works of nature, and of man : 
 But chief to thee, his loved Arcadia, brings 
 Thy winding rivers, and thy silver springs; 
 Those sparkling waters that had crept below, 
 And, fearful yet, had not begun to flow. 
 He clothes the woods with leaves, the fields with grain, 
 Pours the soft shower, and all things smile again. 
 
PHAETHON. 59 
 
 Colligit amentes, et adhuc terrore paventes, 
 Phoebus equos, stimuloque domans et verbere, saevit: 
 Saevit enim, natumque objectat, et imputat illis. 
 
 At Pater omnipotens ingentia moenia coeli 
 Circuit : et, ne quid labefactum viribus ignis 
 Corruat, explorat. Quae postquam firma, suique 
 Roboris esse videt : terras, hominumque labores 
 Perspicit. Arcadiae tamen est impensior illi 
 Cura suae, fontesque, et nondum audentia labi 
 Flumina restituit : dat terrae gramina, frondes 
 Arboribus, laesasque jubet revirescere silvas. 
 

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