The Carmina of Caius Valerius Catullus Part 20

MARRIAGE OF PELEUS AND THETIS.

(Fragment of an Epos.)

Pine-trees gendered whilme upon soaring Peliac summit Swam (as the tale is told) through liquid surges of Neptune Far as the Phasis-flood and frontier-land aeetean; Whenas the youths elect, of Argive vigour the oak-heart, Longing the Golden Fleece of the Colchis-region to harry, 5 Dared in a p.o.o.p swift-paced to span salt seas and their shallows, Sweeping the deep blue seas with sweeps a-carven of fir-wood.

She, that governing G.o.ddess of citadels crowning the cities, Builded herself their car fast-flitting with lightest of breezes, Weaving plants of the pine conjoined in curve of the kelson; 10 Foremost of all to imbue rude Amphitrite with s.h.i.+p-lore.

Soon as her beak had burst through wind-rackt s.p.a.ces of ocean, While th'oar-tortured wave with spumy whiteness was blanching, Surged from the deep abyss and h.o.a.r-capped billows the faces Seaborn, Nereids eyeing the prodigy wonder-smitten. 15 There too mortal orbs through softened spendours regarded Ocean-nymphs who exposed bodies denuded of raiment Bare to the breast upthrust from h.o.a.r froth capping the sea-depths.

Then Thetis Peleus fired (men say) a-sudden with love-lowe, Then Thetis nowise spurned to mate and marry wi' mortal, 20 Then Thetis' Sire himself her yoke with Peleus sanctioned.

Oh, in those happier days now fondly yearned-for, ye heroes Born; (all hail!) of the G.o.ds begotten, and excellent issue Bred by your mothers, all hail! and placid deal me your favour.

Oft wi' the sound of me, in strains and spells I'll invoke you; Thee too by wedding-torch so happily, highly augmented, 25 Peleus, Thessaly's ward, whomunto Jupiter's self deigned Yield of the freest gree his loves though gotten of G.o.dheads.

Thee Thetis, fairest of maids Nereian, vouchsafed to marry?

Thee did Tethys empower to woo and wed with her grandchild; Nor less Ocea.n.u.s, with water compa.s.sing th' Earth-globe? 30 But when ended the term, and wisht-for light of the day-tide Uprose, flocks to the house in concourse mighty convened, Thessaly all, with glad a.s.sembly the Palace fulfilling: Presents afore they bring, and joy in faces declare they.

Scyros desert abides: they quit Phthiotican Tempe, 35 Homesteads of Crannon-town, eke bulwarkt walls of Larissa; Meeting at Pharsalus, and roof Pharsalian seeking.

None will the fields now till; soft wax all necks of the oxen, Never the humble vine is purged by curve of the rake-tooth, Never a pruner's hook thins out the shade of the tree-tufts, 41 Never a bull up-plows broad glebe with bend of the coulter, 40 Over whose point unuse displays the squalor of rust-stain.

But in the homestead's heart, where'er that opulent palace Hides a retreat, all s.h.i.+nes with splendour of gold and of silver.

Ivory blanches the seats, bright gleam the flagons a-table, 45 All of the mansion joys in royal riches and grandeur.

But for the Diva's use bestrewn is the genial bedstead, Hidden in midmost stead, and its polisht framework of Indian Tusk underlies its cloth empurpled by juice of the dye-sh.e.l.l.

This be a figured cloth with forms of manhood primeval 50 Showing by marvel-art the gifts and graces of heroes.

Here upon Dia's strand wave-resonant, ever-regarding Theseus borne from sight outside by fleet of the fleetest, Stands Ariadne with heart full-filled with furies unbated, Nor can her sense as yet believe she 'spies the espied, 55 When like one that awakes new roused from slumber deceptive, Sees she her hapless self lone left on loneliest sandbank: While as the mindless youth with oars disturbeth the shallows, Casts to the windy storms what vows he vainly had vowed.

Him through the sedges afar the sad-eyed maiden of Minos, 60 Likest a Bacchant-girl stone-carven, (O her sorrow!) 'Spies, a-tossing the while on sorest billows of love-care.

Now no more on her blood-hued hair fine fillets retains she, No more now light veil conceals her bosom erst hidden, Now no more smooth zone contains her milky-hued paplets: 65 All gear dropping adown from every part of her person Thrown, lie fronting her feet to the briny wavelets a sea-toy.

But at such now no more of her veil or her fillet a-floating Had she regard: on thee, O Theseus! all of her heart-strength, All of her sprite, her mind, forlorn, were evermore hanging. 70 Ah, sad soul, by grief and grievance driven beside thee, Sowed Erycina first those brambly cares in thy bosom, What while issuing fierce with will enstarkened, Theseus Forth from the bow-bent sh.o.r.e Piraean putting a-seawards Reacht the Gortynian roofs where dwelt th' injurious Monarch. 75 For 'twas told of yore how forced by pestilence cruel, Eke as a blood rite due for th' Androgeonian murthur, Many a chosen youth and the bloom of damsels unmarried Food for the Minotaur, Cecropia was wont to befurnish.

Seeing his narrow walls in such wise vexed with evils, 80 Theseus of freest will for dear-loved Athens his body Offered a victim so that no more to Crete be deported Lives by Cecropia doomed to burials burying nowise; Then with a swifty s.h.i.+p and soft breathed breezes a-stirring, Sought he Minos the Haughty where homed in proudest of Mansions. 85 Him as with yearning glance forthright espied the royal Maiden, whom pure chaste couch aspiring delicate odours Cherisht, in soft embrace of a mother comforted all-whiles, (E'en as the myrtles begot by the flowing floods of Eurotas, Or as the tincts distinct brought forth by breath of the springtide) 90 Never the burning lights of her eyes from gazing upon him Turned she, before fierce flame in all her body conceived she Down in its deepest depths and burning amiddle her marrow.

Ah, with unmitigate heart exciting wretchedmost furies, Thou, Boy sacrosanct! man's grief and gladness commingling, 95 Thou too of Golgos Queen and Lady of leafy Idalium, Whelm'd ye in what manner waves that maiden phantasy-fired, All for a blond-haired youth suspiring many a singulf!

Whiles how dire was the dread she dreed in languis.h.i.+ng heart-strings; How yet more, ever more, with golden splendour she paled! 100 Whenas yearning to mate his might wi' the furious monster Theseus braved his death or sought the prizes of praises.

Then of her gifts to G.o.ds not ingrate, nor profiting naught, Promise with silent lip, addressed she timidly vowing.

For as an oak that shakes on topmost summit of Taurus 105 Its boughs, or cone-growing pine from bole bark resin exuding, Whirlwind of pa.s.sing might that twists the stems with its storm-blasts, Uproots, deracinates, forthright its trunk to the farthest, p.r.o.ne falls, shattering wide what lies in line of its downfall,-- Thus was that wildling flung by Theseus and vanquisht of body, 110 Vainly tossing its horns and goring the wind to no purpose.

Thence with abounding praise returned he, guiding his footsteps, Whiles did a fine drawn thread check steps in wander abounding, Lest when issuing forth of the winding maze labyrinthine Baffled become his track by in.o.bservable error. 115 But for what cause should I, from early subject digressing, Tell of the daughter who the face of her sire unseeing, Eke her sister's embrace nor less her mother's endearments, Who in despair bewept her hapless child that so gladly Chose before every and each the lively wooing of Theseus? 120 Or how borne by the s.h.i.+p to the yeasting sh.o.r.e-line of Dia Came she? or how when bound her eyes in bondage of slumber Left her that chosen mate with mind unmindful departing?

Often (they tell) with heart inflamed by fiery fury Poured she shrilling of shrieks from deepest depths of her bosom; 125 Now she would sadly scale the broken faces of mountains, Whence she might overglance the boundless boiling of billows, Then she would rush to bestem the salt-plain's quivering wavelet And from her ankles bare the dainty garment uplifting, Spake she these words ('tis said) from sorrow's deepest abysses, 130 Whiles from her tear-drencht face outburst cold s.h.i.+vering singulfs.

"Thus fro' my patrial sh.o.r.e, O traitor, hurried to exile, Me on a lonely strand hast left, perfidious Theseus?

Thus wise farest, despite the G.o.dhead of Deities spurned, (Reckless, alas!) to thy home convoying perjury-curses? 135 Naught, then, ever availed that mind of cruelest counsel Alter? No saving grace in thee was evermore ready, That to have pity on me vouchsafed thy pitiless bosom?

Natheless not in past time such were the promises wordy Lavished; nor such hopes to me the hapless were bidden; 140 But the glad married joys, the longed-for pleasures of wedlock.

All now empty and vain, by breath of the breezes bescattered!

Now, let woman no more trust her to man when he sweareth, Ne'er let her hope to find or truth or faith in his pleadings, Who whenas l.u.s.tful thought forelooks to somewhat attaining, 145 Never an oath they fear, shall spare no promise to promise.

Yet no sooner they sate all lewdness and lecherous fancy, Nothing remember of words and reck they naught of fore-swearing.

Certes, thee did I s.n.a.t.c.h from midmost whirlpool of ruin Deadly, and held it cheap loss of a brother to suffer 150 Rather than fail thy need (O false!) at hour the supremest.

Therefor my limbs are doomed to be torn of birds, and of ferals Prey, nor shall upheapt Earth afford a grave to my body.

Say me, what lioness bare thee 'neath lone rock of the desert?

What sea spued thee conceived from out the spume of his surges! 155 What manner Syrt, what ravening Scylla, what vasty Charybdis?

Thou who for sweet life saved such meeds art lief of returning!

If never willed thy breast with me to mate thee in marriage, Hating the savage law decreed by primitive parent, Still of your competence 'twas within your household to home me, 160 Where I might serve as slave in gladsome service familiar, Laving thy snow-white feet in clearest chrystalline waters Or with its purpling gear thy couch in company strewing.

Yet for what cause should I 'plain in vain to the winds that unknow me, (I so beside me with grief!) which ne'er of senses endued 165 Hear not the words sent forth nor aught avail they to answer?

Now be his course well-nigh engaged in midway of ocean, Nor any mortal shape appears in barrens of seawrack.

Thus at the latest hour with insults over-sufficient E'en to my plaints fere Fate begrudges ears that would hear me. 170 Jupiter! Lord of All-might, Oh would in days that are bygone Ne'er had Cecropian p.o.o.ps toucht ground at Gnossian foresh.o.r.e, Nor to th' unconquered Bull that tribute direful conveying Had the false Seaman bound to Cretan island his hawser, Nor had yon evil wight, 'neath shape the softest hard purpose 175 Hiding, enjoyed repose within our mansion beguested!

Whither can wend I now? What hope lends help to the lost one?

Idomenean mounts shall I scale? Ah, parted by whirlpools Widest, yon truculent main where yields it power of pa.s.sage?

Aid of my sire can I crave? Whom I willing abandoned, 180 Treading in tracks of a youth bewrayed with blood of a brother!

Can I console my soul wi' the helpful love of a helpmate Who flies me with pliant oars, flies overbounding the sea-depths?

Nay, an this Coast I quit, this lone isle lends me no roof-tree, Nor aught issue allows begirt by billows of Ocean: 185 Nowhere is path for flight: none hope shows: all things are silent: All be a desolate waste: all makes display of destruction.

Yet never close these eyne in latest languor of dying, Ne'er from my wearied frame go forth slow-ebbing my senses, Ere from the G.o.ds just doom implore I, treason-betrayed, 190 And with my breath supreme firm faith of Celestials invoke I.

Therefore, O ye who 'venge man's deed with penalties direful, Eumenides! aye wont to bind with viperous hair-locks Foreheads,--Oh, deign outspeak fierce wrath from bosom outbreathing, Hither, Oh hither, speed, and lend ye all ear to my grievance, 195 Which now sad I (alas!) outpour from innermost vitals Maugre my will, sans help, blind, fired with furious madness.

And, as indeed all spring from veriest core of my bosom, Suffer ye not the cause of grief and woe to evanish; But wi' the Will wherewith could Theseus leave me in loneness, 200 G.o.ddesses! bid that Will lead him, lead his, to destruction."

E'en as she thus poured forth these words from anguish of bosom, And for this cruel deed, distracted, sued she for vengeance, Nodded the Ruler of G.o.ds Celestial, matchless of All-might, When at the gest earth-plain and horrid s.p.a.ces of ocean 205 Trembled, and every sphere rockt stars and planets resplendent.

Meanwhile Theseus himself, obscured in blindness of darkness As to his mind, dismiss'd from breast oblivious all things Erewhile enjoined and held hereto in memory constant, Nor for his saddened sire the gladness-signals uphoisting 210 Heralded safe return within sight of the Erechthean harbour.

For 'twas told of yore, when from walls of the Virginal Deess aegeus speeding his son, to the care of breezes committed, Thus with a last embrace to the youth spake words of commandment: "Son! far nearer my heart (sole thou) than life of the longest, 215 Son, I perforce dismiss to doubtful, dangerous chances, Lately restored to me when eld draws nearest his ending, Sithence such fortune in me, and in thee such boiling of valour Tear thee away from me so loath, whose eyne in their languor Never are sated with sight of my son, all-dearest of figures. 220 Nor will I send thee forth with joy that gladdens my bosom, Nor will I suffer thee show boon signs of favouring Fortune, But fro' my soul I'll first express an issue of sorrow, Soiling my h.o.a.ry hairs with dust and ashes commingled; Then will I hang stained sails fast-made to the wavering yard-arms, 225 So shall our mourning thought and burning torture of spirit Show by the dark sombre-dye of Iberian canvas spread.

But, an grant me the grace Who dwells in Sacred Itone, (And our issue to guard and ward the seats of Erechtheus Sware She) that be thy right besprent with blood of the Man-Bull, 230 Then do thou so-wise act, and stored in memory's heart-core Dwell these mandates of me, no time their traces untracing.

Dip, when first shall arise our hills to gladden thy eye-glance, Down from thine every mast th'ill-omened vestments of mourning, Then let the twisten ropes upheave the whitest of canvas, 235 Wherewith splendid shall gleam the tallest spars of the top-mast, 235b These seeing sans delay with joy exalting my spirit Well shall I wot boon Time sets thee returning before me."

Such were the mandates which stored at first in memory constant Faded from Theseus' mind like mists, compelled by the whirlwind, Fleet from aerial crests of mountains h.o.a.ry with snow-drifts. 240 But as the sire had sought the citadel's summit for outlook, Wasting his anxious eyes with tear-floods evermore flowing, Forthright e'en as he saw the sail-gear darkened with dye-stain, Headlong himself flung he from the sea-cliff's pinnacled summit Holding his Theseus lost by doom of pitiless Fortune. 245 Thus as he came to the home funest, his roof-tree paternal, Theseus (vaunting the death), what dule to the maiden of Minos Dealt with unminding mind so dree'd he similar dolour.

She too gazing in grief at the kelson vanis.h.i.+ng slowly, Self-wrapt, manifold cares revolved, in spirit perturbed. 250

ON ANOTHER PART OF THE COVERLET.

But fro' the further side came flitting bright-faced Iacchus Girded by Satyr-crew and Nysa-reared Sileni Burning wi' love unto thee (Ariadne!) and greeting thy presence.

Who flocking eager to fray did rave with infuriate spirit, "Evoe" phrensying loud, with heads at "Evoe" rolling. 255 Brandisht some of the maids their thyrsi sheathed of spear-point, Some s.n.a.t.c.ht limbs and joints of sturlings rended to pieces, These girt necks and waists with writhing bodies of vipers, Those wi' the gear enwombed in crates dark orgies ordained-- Orgies that ears prophane must vainly l.u.s.t for o'er hearing-- 260 Others with palms on high smote hurried strokes on the cymbal, Or from the polisht bra.s.s woke thin-toned tinkling music, While from the many there boomed and blared hoa.r.s.e blast of the horn-trump, And with its horrid skirl loud shrilled the barbarous bag-pipe, Showing such varied forms, that richly-decorate couch-cloth 265 Folded in strait embrace the bedding drapery-veiled.

This when the Thessalan youths had eyed with eager inspection Fulfilled, place they began to provide for venerate G.o.dheads, Even as Zephyrus' breath, seas couching placid at dawn-tide, Roughens, then stings and spurs the wavelets slantingly fretted-- 270 Rising Aurora the while 'neath Sol the wanderer's threshold-- Tardy at first they flow by the clement breathing of breezes Urged, and echo the sh.o.r.es with soft-toned ripples of laughter, But as the winds wax high so waves wax higher and higher, Flas.h.i.+ng and floating afar to outswim morn's purpurine splendours,-- 275 So did the crowd fare forth, the royal vestibule leaving, And to their house each wight with vaguing paces departed.

After their wending, the first, foremost from Pelion's summit, Chiron came to the front with woodland presents surcharged: Whatso of blooms and flowers bring forth Thessalian uplands 280 Mighty with mountain crests, whate'er of riverine lea flowers Reareth Favonius' air, bud-breeding, tepidly breathing, All in his hands brought he, unseparate in woven garlands, Whereat laughed the house as soothed by pleasure of perfume.

Presently Peneus appears, deserting verdurous Tempe-- 285 Tempe girt by her belts of greenwood ever impending, Left for the Mamonides with frequent dances to wors.h.i.+p-- Nor is he empty of hand, for bears he tallest of beeches Deracinate, and bays with straight boles lofty and stately, Not without nodding plane-tree nor less the flexible sister 290 Fire-slain Phaeton left, and not without cypresses airy.

These in a line wide-broke set he, the Mansion surrounding, So by the soft leaves screened, the porch might flourish in verdure.

Follows hard on his track with active spirit Prometheus, Bearing extenuate sign of penalties suffer'd in bygones. 295 Paid erewhiles what time fast-bound as to every member, Hung he in carkanet slung from the Scythian rock-tor.

Last did the Father of G.o.ds with his sacred spouse and his offspring, Proud from the Heavens proceed, thee leaving (Phoebus) in loneness, Lone wi' thy sister twin who haunteth mountains of Idrus: 300 For that the Virgin spurned as thou the person of Peleus, Nor Thetis' nuptial torch would greet by act of her presence.

When they had leaned their limbs upon snowy benches reposing, Tables largely arranged with various viands were garnisht.

But, ere opened the feast, with infirm gesture their semblance 305 Shaking, the Parcae fell to chaunting veridique verses.

Robed were their tremulous frames all o'er in m.u.f.fle of garments Bright-white, purple of hem enfolding heels in its edges; Snowy the fillets that bound heads aged by many a year-tide, And, as their wont aye was, their hands plied labour unceasing. 310 Each in her left upheld with soft fleece clothed a distaff, Then did the right that drew forth thread with upturn of fingers Gently fas.h.i.+on the yarn which deftly twisted by thumb-ball Speeded the spindle poised by thread-whorl perfect of polish; Thus as the work was wrought, the lengths were trimmed wi' the fore-teeth, 315 While to their thin, dry lips stuck wool-flecks severed by biting, Which at the first outstood from yarn-hanks evenly fine-drawn.

Still at their feet in front soft fleece-flecks white as the snow-flake Lay in the trusty guard of wickers woven in withies.

Always a-carding the wool, with clear-toned voices resounding 320 Told they such lots as these in song divinely directed, Chaunts which none after-time shall 'stablish falsehood-convicted.

1.

O who by virtues great all highmost honours enhancest, Guard of Emathia-land, most famous made by thine offspring, Take what the Sisters deign this gladsome day to disclose thee, 325 Oracles soothfast told,--And ye, by Destiny followed, Speed ye, the well-spun woof out-drawing, speed ye, O Spindles.

2.

Soon to thy sight shall rise, their fond hopes bringing to bridegrooms, Hesperus: soon shall come thy spouse with planet auspicious, Who shall thy mind enbathe with a love that softens the spirit, 330 And as thyself shall prepare for sinking in languorous slumber, Under thy neck robust, soft arms dispreading as pillow.

Speed ye, the well-spun woof out-drawing, speed ye, O Spindles.

3.

Never a house like this such loves as these hath united, Never did love conjoin by such-like covenant lovers, 335 As th'according tie Thetis deigned in concert wi' Peleus.

Speed ye, the well-spun woof out-drawing, speed ye, O Spindles.

4.

Born of yon twain shall come Achilles guiltless of fear-sense, Known by his forceful breast and ne'er by back to the foeman, Who shall at times full oft in doubtful contest of race-course 340 Conquer the fleet-foot doe with slot-tracks smoking and burning.

Speed ye, the well-spun woof out-drawing, speed ye, O Spindles.

5.