Campion: Umbra

foemineos dea quae nigro sub limine manes
occludis, coelo ostentans, iterumque reducens
umbriferum per iter, quanquam crudelis amanti,
sis mihi tu facilis; quanquam non aequa resumis
formosarum animas, festina morte peremptas.

goddess who beneath the black threshold shut the feminine manes
displaying them to heaven, and again conducting back
the shadow-bearing way, though cruel to a lover,
be to me thou propitious; though not equally you restore
the souls of the beautiful, those slain by speedy death.

abreptas solus resonante reducere plectro
Threicius potuit, lucique ostendere amores;
non potuit tamen; ad tristes devolvitur umbras
quicquid formosum est, et non inamabile natum.
o sacra Persephone, liceat tua regna canenti,

Only Threicius alone could restore the snatched ones with his resonant plectrum
and display the loves of light; yet he could not: whatever is beautiful, and not born unlovely,
is hurled down to sorrowful shades. O sacred Persephone, may it be permitted to your realms to the singer,

lucifugasque umbras, aperire abscondita terris
iura, tenebrarumque arcana adoperta silentum.
respice qui viridi radancia tempora lauro
comprimis; insidias, et furtivos hymenaeos,
et nympham canimus, sed quae tibi prodita somno

and the light-fleeing shades, to uncover to the lands the hidden rites,
and the arcana of darkness, the silence veiled and covered.
Look back, you who with green laurel checking the budding seasons
I restrain; the snares, and furtive nuptials,
and we sing a nymph, but one delivered to you by sleep

nupsit, facta parens, etiam sibi credita virgo.
est in visceribus terrae nulli obvia vallis,
concava, picta rosis, variaque ab imagine florum,
fontibus irrorata, et fluminibus lapidosis:
mille specus subter latitant, totidemque virenti

she wedded, made a parent, the maid even entrusted to herself.
there is in the entrails of the earth a valley meeting none,
concave, painted with roses, and varied by the likeness of flowers,
bedewed by springs, and with stony rivers:
a thousand caverns lie hidden beneath, and as many in the verdant

stant textae myrto casulae, quibus anxia turba
nympharum flores pingunt, mireqe colorant.
nec minus intenta est operi Berecynthia mater,
instituens natos frutices quo syderis ortu
aerio credant capita inconstantia coelo.

myrtle-woven little cloaks stand, in which an anxious throng
of nymphs paints flowers, and wondrously they colour them.
no less intent upon the work is the Berecynthian mother,
setting her offspring as shrubs, so that by the rising of the stars
their tops may turn toward the inconstant airy heaven.

admonet immaturae hyemis, gelidaeque pruinae,
imbriferumque Austrorum, horrendisonumque Aquilonum;
grandine concussam Rhodopen, Taurumque nivalem,
concretosque gelu prohibet transcendere montes;
tantum qui placido suspiras ore, Favoni,

he warns of untimely hyems (winter) and of icy hoarfrost,
and of the rain-bearing South and of the dread-sounding Aquilons;
he forbids that Rhodope, shaken by hail, and snowy Taurus,
and mountains concreted in frost be crossed;
only you who sigh with a placid mouth, Favoni,

arboreos tibi commendat dea sedula foetus.
fraga, rosas, violasque iubet latitare sub umbris;
forma rosis animos maiores indidit, ausis
tollere purpureos vultus, et despicere infra.
pallentes odio violas, tectasque pudore.

the attentive goddess entrusts to you arboreal fruits.
she bids strawberries, roses, and violets lurk beneath the shadows;
beauty has bestowed on the roses loftier spirits, daring
to raise their purple faces, and to look down upon those below.
the violets, pale with hatred, and those veiled by modesty.

diva rosas leviter castigat, et admonet aevi
labilis; aspiceres foliis prodire ruborem,
et suspendentes ora annutantia flores.
acclerant nymphae properata ex ordine matri
pensa ostentantes, quarum pulcerrima Iole

the goddess gently chastises the roses, and admonishes of the fleeting age;
you would behold a redness advancing through the leaves,
and the flowers, hanging, nod their agreeing faces.
the nymphs hasten, in ordered procession toward their mother, displaying their spun tasks brought forward,
of whom the most beautiful is Iole

asportat gremio texturas millecolores.
hanc olim ambierat furtim speciosus Apollo,
muneribus tentans, et qua suasisse loquela
posset; saepe adhibet placidam vim, saepe et amantum
blanditias cupidus, sed non cupiente puella.

she bears in her lap cloths of a thousand colours.
Once handsome Apollo had secretly wooed her,
trying with gifts, and by what speech he might persuade;
often he employs a gentle force, often, eager for lovers,
the blandishments of lovers, but not upon a girl unwilling.

brachia circumdat collo, simul illa repellit;
instat hic, illa fugit; duplicant fastidia flammas;
ardet non minus ac rutilo Semeleia proles
cum curru exciderat, totumque incenderat orbem
spes sed ut illusas vidit deus, et nihil horum

He throws his arms around her neck, at once she repels him;
this one presses on, she flees; their disdain doubles the flames;
he burns no less than the ruddy Semeleian offspring
when he had fallen from the chariot, and had set the whole world on fire
but when the god saw hopes deceived, and none of these

virginis aversam potuisse inflectere mentem,
dira subinde vovet pervertens fasque nefasque;
illicitumue parat spreto medicamen amori,
lactucas humectantes gelidumque papaver,
Cyrceiaeque simul stringit terrestia mala

that she could have bent the maiden’s averted mind,
thereupon she vows dire things, perverting right and wrong;
and prepares an illicit medicament for love scorned,
lettuces that moisten and the cold poppy,
and at once she binds together the Circean terrestrial ills

mandragorae, condens sudatos pixide rores.
nox erat, incedit nullo cum murmure Phoebus,
nulli conspiciendus adit spelaea puellae;
illa toro leviter roseo suffulta iacebat,
sola struens flores varia quos finxerat arte.

mandrake, condensed dews sweating in a little casket.
it was night; Phoebus advances with no murmur,
to be seen by no one he approaches the maiden’s grotto;
she lay lightly propped upon a rosy couch,
alone arranging the various flowers which she had fashioned by art.

candida lucebat fax, hanc primum inficit atra
nube, deinde linit medicati aspergine succi
pulvillosque leves et picti strata cubilis;
terque soporiferas demulcet pollice cordas
plectripotens, nectitque Hecateio carmine somnos.

The torch shone clear, a black cloud first besmirches it
then she anoints it with a sprinkling of medicated juice
and light powders and the painted coverings of the couch;
and thrice she soothes the sleep-bringing strings with her thumb,
powerful with the plectrum, and she weaves slumbers with a Hecatean song.

virgineos oculos vapor implicat, excipit artus
alta quies, et membra toro collapsa recumbunt.
vidit et obstupuit deus; inter spemque metumque
accedit, refugitque iterum; suspirat ab imo
pectore; nec pietas, nec siderea ora puellae

a vapor enfolds her virginal eyes, deep quiet receives her limbs,
and the members, collapsed upon the couch, recline.
the god saw and was struck dumb; between hope and fear
he comes near, and again withdraws; he sighs from the inmost
breast; neither piety, nor the girl's starry countenance

plura sinunt; sed amor, sed ineffraenata libido
quod castum in terris intentatumque relinquit?
oscula non referenda serit, tangit, premitque;
illa (quod in somnis solet) ambigua edidit ore
murmura, ploranti similis nec digna ferenti

they permit more; but love, but unbridled desire—
what chaste thing on earth, what thing intended, does she abandon?
she plants kisses not to be returned, she touches and presses;
she (as is wont in dreams) gave forth ambiguous murmurs from her mouth,
murmurs, like one weeping, and not fit to be offered to the mourner

saepe manu urgentem quamvis sopita repellit,
nequidquam, raptor crebris amplexibus haeret,
vimque per insidias fert, indulgetque furori.
nec satis est spectare oculis, tetigisse, fruique,
ingratum est quicquid sceleris latet; illaque turpe

often, though lulled, she thrusts away him pressing with a hand,
in vain — the ravisher clings with frequent embraces,
and brings violence by ambush, and yields to his fury.
nor is it enough to behold with the eyes, to have touched, and to enjoy;
ungrateful is whatever crime lies hidden; and into that snare shameful

quod patitur vitium quia non sensisse videtur,
maestus abit (revocante die) spoliumque pudoris
tanquam invitus habet; semper sibi quod petat ultra
invenit ingeniosus amor, crescitque favendo.
tandem discusso nova nupta sopore resurgit,

that vice which he endures because he seems not to have perceived it,
he goes away sad (the day calling him back) and bears the spoil of modesty
as though unwilling; ingenious love always finds for itself what it seeks beyond,
and increases by favouring. At last the newly wedded bride, shaken from sleep, rises again,

illam sed neque turba vocat, neque clari Hymenaei
illius ante fores iuvenum non inclita pompa
conspicitur, placide charis commista puellis.
omnia muta tacent, pariter tacuisset Iole,
verum nescio quae morborum insignia terrent

but neither does a throng call her, nor is the famed Hymenaeus
of his before the doors—the renowned pomp of youths—not seen,
she placidly mingled with dear girls.
all things are mute and hold their peace; equally Iole would have been silent,
but I know not what tokens of maladies terrify

nec valet a stomacho, nec non tremulum omnia frigus
membra quatit: cubito incumbens sic anxia secum:
"numquid et hoc morbi est? nam quae mutatio sanas
attentat vires? nec enim satis illa placebant,
postrema quae nocte timens insomnia vidi

nor is her stomach strong, nor does the cold not also shake all her trembling limbs:
reclining on her elbow thus anxious to herself:
"and is this too of the disease? for what change attacks sound powers?
for those things were not pleasing enough,
the last ones which, fearing, I saw by night—insomnias

quos ego praeterii fluctus! quae praelia sensi .
in somnis! quantis, o dii, transfixa sub hastis
occubui!

what waves I passed by! what battles I felt.
in dreams! by how many, O gods, transfixed beneath spears
did I fall!

vereor diros ne iratus Apollo
in me condiderit parentia spicula morbos.
sed nec Apollineas pestes, nec respicit iras

100

hic in corde pudor meus; hoc solamen, Iole,
semper habes, moriare licet, moriere pudica."
assurgit, cingitque operi se, candida fecit
lilia, quae gustare cupit, quia candida fecit:
quidque oculi cernunt animus desiderat; aegrum

here in my heart is my pudor; this solamen, Iole,
you always have — moriare licet, you will die pudica."
assurgit, cingitque operi se; she made the lilia white,
which she desires to taste, because she made them white:
and whatever the eyes cernunt the animus desiderat; aegrum

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pectus ferre moras nescit, votisve carere.
singula quae gravidae possunt ignara ferebat;
torpores lassata graves, fastidia, bilem;
luminaque in morbum veniunt, putat illa fuisse
obtutu nimio; causas ita nectit inanes.

the heart knows not to bear delays, nor to lack vows.
she bore, ignorant, the separate things that pregnant women can bear;
numbings, weary and heavy, disgusts, bile;
and her eyes fall into sickness; she thinks they were from an excessive gaze;
thus she weaves empty causes.

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sed simul atque impleri uterum, sensitque moveri
vivum aliquid, potuitque manu deprendere motus;
exanimata metu nemorum petit avia tecta
tristis, ut expleret miserando pectora planctu.
"crudeles," ait, "et genus implacibile, divi,

but as soon as her womb was filled, and she felt something living move, and was able with her hand to seize the motion;
struck senseless by fear she seeks the remote roofs of the groves, sad, that she might pour out her breast with pitiable lamentation.
"Cruel ones," she says, "and an implacable race, gods,

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quas tandem aerumnas animique et corporis hausi
immerita? assurgunt etiam nova monstra; tumere
coepit uter nobis; iam virgo puerpura fiam;
nec dubitat natura suas pervertere leges
quo magis excrucier possimque horrenda videri,

what, at last, hardships of mind and body have I drained, undeserved? new monsters even rise up; my womb has begun to swell within me; now a virgin I shall become puerperal; nor does Nature hesitate to overturn her own laws, that I may be the more tortured and may appear dreadful.

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demque pudicitiae, sceleris sed nomine, poenas.
quo fugiam? quae nunc umbrae, quae nubila frontem,
vel tumulum hunc defuncti animi tectura cupressus?

and likewise punishments of chastity — yet in name a crime.
Where shall I flee? what shadows now, what clouds my brow,
or will this cypress be the covering of the tomb of a spirit that is dead?

quam bene cum tenebris mihi convenit! horreo solem;
iam culpa possum, sed non caruisse timore

How well it suits me to be with the shadows! I shudder at the sun;
now I can be guilty, but not to have lacked fear

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frangitur ingenuus pudor, et succumbit in ipsa
suspicione mali, scelerisque ab imagine currit,
ceu visis fugiunt procul a pallentibus umbris.
infoelix partus, nisi quid monstrosius illo est,
absque tuo genitore venis, nomenque paternum

native modesty is broken, and yields even in the very
suspicion of evil, and flees from the image of crime,
as if, having seen, they flee far from the pale shades.
ill-fated offspring, unless there is something more monstrous than that,
you come without your father as sire, and the paternal name

130

si quis quearat habes nullum; patrem assere primum,
post tibi succedam gravis atque miserrima mater.
"talia iactantem ventis laeva arbitra risit,
invida populea latitans sub cortice Naias;
laetaque per sentes repit, tenuesque myricas

if anyone should ask, you have none; first assert a father,
afterward I will succeed to you as a heavy and most wretched mother.
"the left-hand mistress, laughing, cast such things to the winds,
the envious Naias hiding beneath poplar bark;
and joyous she crawls through the brambles, and along the slender myricas

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sed simul explicuit se, proditione superba,
praecipitique gradu loca nota perambulat, omnes
suscipiens nymphas, referensque audita, nec illa
per se magna satis, reddit maiora loquendo;
et partes miserantis agit, vultusque stupentes

but at once he revealed himself, with proud treachery,
and with headlong step traverses places well known, taking up all
the nymphs, and reporting what he had heard, and those things
not great enough by themselves, he makes greater by speaking;
and he plays the parts of one pitying, and the stupefied faces

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effingit, monstrumque horret, crimenque veretur.
inde per alternos rumores fama vagatur,
flebiliorque deae tandem florentia tecta
pervenit. illa novo temere conterrita monstro
exiliit, natamque animo indignata requirit.

she shapes it, shudders at the monstrum, and dreads the crimen.
thence through alternating rumours fama wanders,
and more tearful for the goddess at last reaches the flourishing tecta
she, suddenly and rashly terrified by the new monstrum, sprang forth, and, indignant in spirit, sought her natam.

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sed procul ut matrem approperantem vidit Iole
concidit exanimis, gemitus timor exprimit altos,
exortosque utero creat ingeminatque dolores.
continuo silva effulsit velut aurea, et omne
per nemus auditur suave et mirabile murmur.

but as soon as Iole saw her mother drawing near from afar
she fell senseless, a groan, fear forces forth deep sounds,
and the pains that rose from the womb she brings forth and redoubles.
immediately the wood shone forth as if golden, and through the whole
grove is heard a sweet and wondrous murmur.

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diva pedem, perculsa soni novitate, repressit,
interea sine ploratu parit, ipsaque tellus
effudit molles puero incunabula flores.
occurit natae Berecynthia, prima nepotem
suscipit; ille niger totus, ni candida solis

the goddess, struck by the novelty of the sound, checked her step,
meanwhile she brings forth without weeping, and the earth itself
poured forth soft flowers as the infant’s cradle-clothes.
Berecynthia, the daughter, runs to meet and first receives the grandson;
he entirely black, were it not for the whiteness of the sun

155

haeserat effigies sub pectore, patris imago.
sed non ambiguo iam personat omnia cantu
Phoebus, et ardentes incendit lumine silvas,
dum sua furta canens miseram solatur Iolen;
obstuptuit dea, nunc lucos, nunc humida natae

An effigy had clung beneath her breast, the image of her father.
But now Phoebus resounds all things with unmistakable song,
and with his light sets the burning woods aflame,
while singing of his thefts he consoles wretched Iolen;
the goddess stood stunned, now (at) the groves, now (at) the moist places of her daughter

160

lumina suspiciens, vultusque pudore solutos.
"proditor," exclamat, "non haec, si Iupiter aequus,
probra mihi vel tecta diu, vel inulta relinquam.
quo fugis? infestum caput inter nubila, Phoebe,
necquicquam involvis; scelus et tua facta patebunt,

beholding his eyes, and his features loosened with shame,
"traitor," she exclaims, "if Jupiter be just, I will not leave these reproaches to me long covered, nor unavenged.
Whither do you flee? Phoebe, you hide your menacing head among the clouds,
in vain you wrap yourself; the crime and your deeds will be laid bare,

165

nec mihi surripiet fuga te, sequar ocior Euris,
maternusque dolor vires dabit, iraque iusta."
nec mora, per nubes summi ad fastigia coeli
contendit; nymphae tristi exanimaeque sorori
circumfusae acres tentant lenire dolores,

nor will flight steal you from me; I will follow swifter than the East Wind,
and maternal grief will give strength, and righteous anger."
nor was there delay: she hastens through the clouds to the summits of the highest heaven
the nymphs, sorrowful and the sister breathless, having poured around her, strive to soothe the keen pains,

170

et placidis dictis tristes subducere curas.
illa amota sedet, tacitoque incensa furore
ardet, et ingenti curarum fluctuat aestu.
"foelices quibus est concessum," ait, "intemerata
virginitate frui! mea iam defloruit aetas

and with placid words to draw away sorrowful cares.
she sits removed, and enflamed with silent fury
burns, and with a mighty swell of cares she fluctuates.
"happy those to whom it is granted," she says, "to enjoy intact
virginity! my season has already been deflowered

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immature; heu maternos sensisse dolores,
gaudia non potui; sed me nec gaudia tangunt;
nec duri, si non infamia iuncta, dolores.
nox et somne, meo pars insidiata pudori,
hos mihi pro meritis partus, haec pulchra dedistis

untimely; ah, I could not taste the maternal joys,
I could not feel gladness; but gladness touches me not;
nor do harsh pains, if not joined with dishonor.
Night and sleep, a part set as a snare against my modesty,
you have given these births to me for merits, these fair ones

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pignora, formosique patris referentia vultus?
nempe ego, Phoebe, tuos amplexus dura refugi,
et simplex, tali quam posses prole beare.
atque utinam caruisse tuo, speciose, liceret
munere! quantumvis indocta et stulta putarer,

pledges, and a face recalling your fair father?
surely I, Phoebe, harshly shrank from your embraces,
and simple, that I might bless you with so noble a progeny.
and would that I could, outwardly, be free of your gift!
however much I might be thought unlearned and foolish,

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non tamen infamis, turpique cupidine laesa,
cogerer ad nigros animam demittere manes."
sic effata, aliquid vultu letale minanti,
deficit, excipiunt nymphae, manibusque levatam
celsa ferunt in tecta deae stratisque reponunt.

not yet infamous, nor, wounded by a shameful desire,
would I be compelled to send down my soul to the black Manes."
thus having spoken, with a countenance threatening something lethal,
she faints; the nymphs receive her, and, lifted in their hands,
they bear her to the lofty halls of the goddess and lay her on the couches.

190

cuncta Iovi interea narraverat ordine Phoebus,
factaque lascivis praetexuit impia verbis;
addiderat cycnumque, et terga natantia tauri,
furtivumque aurum, et duplicatae praemia noctis.
Iupiter officii tanti memor irrita risit.

all things to Jove meanwhile Phoebus had told in order,
and had veiled the deeds with impious, lascivious words;
he had added the swan, and the bull’s swimming flanks,
and the furtive gold, and the prizes of a night doubled.
Jupiter, remembering so great a service, laughed them off as vain.

195

vota deae, iustumque odium in ludibria vertit.
illa sed ingenti luctu confusa recedit,
conqueriturque fidem divum, saevoque ululatu
indefessa diu languentes suscitat iras;
at nulla in terris tanti vis nata doloris

she turned the votive prayers to the goddess and just hatred into derision.
but she, overwhelmed with immense grief, withdraws confused,
and the faith of the gods is lamented, and with a savage ululation
unwearied she for a long time awakens the languishing wrath;
but no force born on the earth of so great a sorrow

200

quam non longa dies per amica oblivia solvat.
iamque puer, tacite praeter labentibus annis,
paulatim induerat iuveniles corpore vultus;
cui quamvis nullo variantur membra colore,
multus inest tamen ore lepos, tinctosque per artus

which not even a long day dissolves through friendly forgetfulness.
And now the boy, silently with the years slipping by,
had gradually put on a youthful face in his body;
to whom, although no parts are changed in colour,
yet much charm is in his mouth, and his limbs are tinged through

205

splendescit mira nivitate illecta venustas.
si niger esset Amor, vel si modo candidus ille,
iurares in utroque deum; non dulcior illo
ipsa Venus, Charitesque, et florida turba sororum.
huic olim nymphae nomen fecere Melampo,

her beauty gleams, drawn by wondrous whiteness.
if Love were black, or if that one were only radiant white,
you would swear by the god in either case; not sweeter than he
are Venus herself, the Charites, and the flowery throng of sisters.
to him once the nymphs gave the name Melampo,

210

lucentesque comis gemmas, laterique pharetram
aptarunt, qualem cuperet gestare Cupido
ille levem tenera sectatur arundine praedam .
Aurorae ut primo rarescit lumine coelum;
mox fervente aestu viridantes occupat umbras,

they fitted gems to her shining locks, and a quiver at her side
such as that Cupid would wish to bear;
that Cupid pursues the light prey with a tender reed.
As at first the sky grows thin with the light of Aurora;
soon, with fervent heat, he takes possession of the greenening shades,

215

aut ab euntis aquae traducit murmure somnum.
tempus erat placidis quo cuncta animalia terris
solverat alta quies, solita cum Morpheus arte
(somnia vera illi nullo mandante deorum)
florigeram penetrat vallem, sopitaque ludit

or by the murmur of the flowing water he conveys sleep.
it was the hour in which deep rest had loosened all creatures on the peaceful lands,
when Morpheus with his customary art
(true dreams to him, without any mandate of the gods)
enters the flower-bearing valley, and sports among the soporific

220

pectora nympharum, portentaque inania fingit,
horribilesque metus; mox laetis tristia mutat,
inducitque leves choreas, convivia, lusus,
secretosque toros, simulataque gaudia amoris;
saepe alias satyro informi per devia turpes

he fashions the breasts of nymphs and empty portents,
and dreadful fears; soon he turns sad things to joyful for the glad,
and induces light choruses, banquets, pastimes,
and secret beds, and simulated delights of love;
often again he turns others into an unsightly satyr by devious, shameful paths

225

tradit in amplexus, alias tibi, pulcher Adoni,
aut, Hyacynthe, tibi per dulcia vincula nectit.
sic deus effigies varias imitatus, opaca
dum loca percurrit, sopitum forte Melampum
cernit odorato densoque in flore iacentem:

he gives into embraces, at other times to you, fair Adonis,
or, Hyacinthus, binds you to him with sweet bonds.
thus the god, having imitated various effigies, while he runs through shady
places, by chance sees Melampus sleeping, lying in a fragrant and dense flower:

230

accedit prope, spectanti dat Cynthia lumen.
"et quid," ait, "mira nostram dulcedine mentem
percellit? meve illudis, formose Cupido?

She draws near, and Cynthia gives light to him who watches.
"And why," he says, "does she overwhelm my mind with wondrous sweetness?
or do you mock me, fair Cupido?"

sideream nigra frontem cur inficis umbra?
iam placet iste color? vilescunt lilia?

why do you stain a starry brow with black shadow?
does that hue now please? do the lilies grow vile?

sordent

they grow foul

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materni flores? sed ubi nunc arcus et auro
picta pharetra tibi? cui tu, lascive, sororum
hac struis arte malum?

maternal flowers? but where now are your bow and quiver painted with gold for you?
to which of the sisters do you, lascive one, with this art contrive mischief?

tua quam nova captat imago?
at si non Amor es, quis es? an furtiva propago
atrigenae Noctis? num crescit gratia tanta

what new image of you does she seize?
but if you are not Amor, who are you? or a furtive progeny
of black-born Night? can so great a grace increase

240

e tenebris, iucunde, tibi? tam vividus unde
ridet in ore lepos? tale et sine lumine lumen?

From the shadows, sweet one, to you? from whence so vivid
does charm smile upon the mouth? such a light, and a light without light?

ut decet atra manus, somno quoque mollior ipso,
qui te sed leviter tangi sinit, aptus amori!
o utinam quae forma tuos succenderet ignes

as becomes a dark hand, softer even than sleep itself,
which yet allows you to be touched lightly, fit for love!
O that she whose beauty would kindle your fires

245

cognorim! puer illa foret, seu foemina, seu vir;
quam cupide species pro te mutarer in omnes!
utcunque experiar, spes nulla sequetur inertes."
induit ex illo facies sibi mille decoras,
versat et aetates sexumque, cuilibet aptans

"let me know!"—that one would be a boy, whether a woman, whether a man;
what shape I would eagerly change into all for you!
however I try, no hope will follow the inert."
from that one she puts on for herself a thousand fair faces,
and she turns through ages and sex, fitting each to any one

250

ornatus varios; nequicquam, immobilis haeret
spiritus, et placido pueri mens dedita somno est.
iamque fatigatus frustratum deflet amorem
Morpheus, indulgens animo pronoque furori.
luce sub obscura procul hinc telluris in imo

Arrayed in various ornaments; in vain the spirit clings motionless
and the boy’s mind is given to placid sleep.
And now Morpheus, wearied, bewails the love frustrated,
indulging in a spirit prone and in frenzy.
beneath obscure light far hence in the low depths of the earth

255

Persephones patet atra domus, sed pervia nulli;
quam prope secretus, muro circundatus aereo,
est hortus, cuius summum provecta cacumen
haud superare die potuit Iovis ales in uno.
immensis intus spaciis se extendit ab omni

Persephone's black house lies open, but passable by none;
near it, withdrawn and circled by an airy wall, is a garden,
whose highest, loftily advanced top the bird of Jove in a single day
was not able to overtake. Within it stretches itself with immense spaces from all

260

parte, nec Elisiis dignatur cedere campis,
finibus haud minor, at laetarum errore viarum
deliciisque loco longe iucundior omni.
et merito, his umbrae nam diversantur in hortis
quot nunc pulchrarum sunt, saeclo quotve fuere

in part, nor does it deign to yield to the Elysian fields,
not lesser in bounds, but by the maze of joyous ways
and as a place of delights far more pleasant than any.
and rightly, for the shades are here distributed in these gardens
as many as there are now of the beautiful, or as many as have been to the age

265

primo, quotve aliis posthac visentur in annis.
vallem vulgus amat, quarum peragendaque sylvi
fabula sit, liquidis spectant in fontibus ora,
aut varias nectunt vivo de flore corollas;
at quibus urbanae debetur turgida vitae

first, or how many others hereafter shall be seen in years.
the crowd loves the valley, and of whose woods to be traversed a tale may be;
they gaze upon the clear banks of springs,
or weave various garlands from the living flower;
but to whom the swollen pomp of urban life is owed

270

mollities, studiis aliis, alioque nitori
assuescunt animos, nil simplicitatis habentes.
altior, et longe secretior heroinis
contingit sedes, Parnasso suavior ipso;
gemmarum locus, atque oculorum lumine lucet.

softness, by other studies and to another polish
accustoms their minds, having nothing of simplicity.
a higher, and far more secret seat for heroines
befalls them, Parnassus itself the more delightful;
a place of gems, and it shines with the light of eyes.

275

non huc fas cuiquam magnum penetrare deorum;
soli sed Morpheo, cui nil sua fata negarunt,
concessum est, pedibus quamvis incedere lotis:
illum durus amor, sibi nil spondente salutis
arte sua, tandem his languentem compulit hortis,

it is not lawful for any to penetrate here into the great secrets of the gods;
but to Morpheus alone, to whom his fates denied nothing,
it was granted, although with feet washed, to walk:
a harsh love compelled him, his own art promising him no pledge of safety,
at last languishing, to these gardens,

280

tot puero ex formis ut fingat amabile spectrum.
primo fons aditu stat molli fultus arena,
intranti, gradibus variisque sedilibus aptus.
hic se cum redeunt, labem si traxerat ullam
vita, lavant, purae remeantque penatibus umbrae.

so that from the boy’s forms he might fashion a lovable spectrum.
at the first approach a spring stands, supported by soft sand,
fit for the entrant, furnished with steps and divers seats.
here, when they return, if life had drawn any stain,
they wash it off, and pure shades may return to the Penates.

285

Morpheus hac untrumque pedem ter mersit in unda,
et toties mistis siccat cum floribus herbis;
inde vias licitas terit, et velatus opaca
nube, lubens saturat iucundis lumina formis.
aspicit has tacita sua mutua fata sub umbra

Morpheus here thrice plunged each foot into the wave,
and as often with mingled flowers and herbs he dries them;
thence he treads the lawful paths, and, veiled by a shadowing cloud,
willingly fills the eyes with pleasant forms.
he beholds these mutual fates, silent, beneath his shade

290

narrantes, choreis certantes mollibus illas
quas olim didicere, vel ignes voce canentes
quales senserunt dum lubrica vita manebat.
sed deus obliquo species sibi lumine notas
praeterit, Antiopam Nycteida, Deiphilemque,

telling them, contending in tender choruses those things
which once they learned, or even singing of fires with voice
such as they felt while slippery life remained.
but the god, by oblique light, passes by forms known to him,—Antiope, daughter of Nycteus, and Deiphile

295

Tyndaridemque Helenam, desponsatamque priori
Hermionem, calido dotatam sanguine nuptam;
Argiam, et Rhodopen, victoris et Hippodamiam
expositam thalamis, pomis captasque puellas,
Roxanamque, Hieramque, ut cognita sydera spectans

and Tyndarid Helen, and Hermione betrothed to the former,
a bride endowed with warm blood in wedlock;
Argia, and Rhodope, and Hippodamia — the victor’s —
displayed in bridal-chambers, with apples and seized girls,
and Roxana and Hiera, as one gazing upon the known stars

300

negligit, innumerasque pari candora micantes.
hinc dorsum sublime petit per amoena roseta
evectus, picta et multo viridaria flore.
undanti circum locus est velut insula valle
inclusus, formis aptus privusque Britannis,

he neglects them, and countless ones gleaming with equal candor.
thence he seeks a lofty back through a pleasant little rosette,
raised, painted, and a garden rich in much bloom.
round it the place is like an island enclosed by a swelling valley,
fitted in shape and private to the Britons,

305

densis effulgens tanquam via lactea stellis .
prima suo celerem tenui Rosamunda decore
ingenti, cui Shora comes rutilantibus ibat
admiranda oculis, gravis utraque conscia sortis.
inde Geraldinam coelesti suspicit ore

densingly shining, like the Milky Way with stars.
first, Rosamunda, swift in her slender grace,
resplendent in great splendour, to whom Shora, companion, went with glittering ornaments,
wonderful to the eyes, each solemn and conscious of their lot.
then he regards Geraldina with a celestial countenance

310

fulgentem, Aliciamque caput diademate cinctam,
casti constantisque animi lucente trophaeo.
nec tamen his contentus abit deus, altius ardet
accelerare pedem, fulgor procul advocat ingens
apparens oculis, maioraque sidera spondet.

shining, and Alicia with her head girded by a diadem,
and a trophy gleaming of chaste and steadfast soul.
nor yet content with these the god goes off, he burns to quicken his foot higher,
a vast brightness summons from afar, appearing to the eyes, and pledges greater stars.

315

emicat e viridi myrteto stella Britanna,
Penelope, Astrophili quae vultu incendet amores
olim, et voce ducem dulci incantabit Hybernum.
constitit eximiae captus dulcedine formae
Morpheus, atque uno miratur corpore nasci

A British star flashes forth from the green myrtle-grove,
Penelope, who once will kindle Astrophil’s loves with her face,
and with sweet voice will charm Hybernum as leader.
Morpheus stood, seized by the sweetness of that distinguished form,
and marvels to be born from one body.

320

tot veneres, memori quas omnes mente recondit.
proxima Fransciscae divina occurrit imago,
eiaculans oculis radios, roseisque labellis
suave rubens, magni senis excipienda cubili.
mollis odiferis prope Catherina sedebat

so many Venuses, all of which he stores in his remembering mind.
next, to Franscisca, a divine image appears,
shooting rays from her eyes, and with rosy little lips
sweetly flushing, to be received in the great old man’s bed.
soft Catherine, fragrant, sat nearby

325

fulta rosis, tacitam minitantur lumina fraudem,
chara futura viro, toto spectabilis orbe.
coniugibus laetae minus huic speciosa Brigetta
succedit, radiis et pulchris Lucia fervens.
formam forma parit, nova spectantemque voluptas

supported by roses, their eyes menace a silent fraud,
destined-to-be dear to the man, a spectacle to the whole orb.
Brigetta, comely though less joyful to married women, succeeds her,
and Lucia, fervent with rays and beauty, follows.
beauty begets beauty, and a new delight gazes upon the gazer

330

decipit oblitum veteris, placidaeque figurae.
utque satur conviva deus rediturus, apricam
planitiem duo forte inter nemora aurea septam
cernit, et in medio spaciantem, corpore celso,
egregiam speciam, magnae similemque Dianae.

she deceives, having forgotten her ancient and placid figure.
and as, sated, the god, about to return as a guest, by chance
sees a sunny plain, enclosed between two golden groves,
and in the middle walking, with a noble body,
an outstanding aspect, and resembling great Diana.

335

nube sed admota propius dum singula spectat,
digna sorore Iovis visa est, aut coniuge; sola
maiestate levis superans decora omnia formae,
haec comitata suis loca iam secreta pererrat,
conscia fatorum, dicetur et Anna Britanna

a cloud, yet drawn nearer as she watches each particular,
she seemed worthy to be sister of Jove, or his consort; alone
in majesty, lightly surpassing all the adornments of form,
this one, having accompanied her own, now wanders through secret places,
knowing of the fates, and shall be called Anna Britanna

340

olim, fortunae summa ad fastigia surgens.
altera subsequitur foelix, et amabilis umbra,
cui Rheni imperium, et nomen debetur Elizae.
Morpheus hic haeret, capiunt hae denique formae
formarum artificem, nec se iam proripit ultra.

Once, rising to the highest summits of fortune.
Another follows, fortunate, and a lovable shade,
to whom the empire of the Rhine and the name are owed, to Eliza.
Here Morpheus clings; these shapes at last seize
the artificer of shapes, nor now does he fling himself beyond.

345

gratia, nec venus ulla fugit, congesta sed unam
aptat in effigiem, Policleto doctior ipso.
sic redit ornatus, tenero metuendus amico,
cuius in amplexus ruit, haud renuente puello.
quo non insignis trahis exuperantia formae

grace, nor does any Venus flee, but gathered and fitted into a single form
he sets it in an effigy, more learned than Polyclitus himself.
thus the ornament returns, to be dreaded by the tender friend,
into whose embraces he rushes, the boy not refusing at all.
from whom you draw no insignificant surplus of beauty

350

humanum genus? hac fruitur, Iunonis ut umbra
Ixion, falso delusus amore Melampus.
sed patris adventu, somno iam luce fugato,
gaudia vanescunt, atque experrectus amata
spectra puer quaerit necquicquam, brachia nudum

the human race? Ixion enjoys this, as Juno’s shade, Melampus deceived by a false love.
but at his father’s arrival, sleep now with the light driven off, the joys vanish, and having waked he seeks the loved phantoms in vain, the boy reaches forth his bare arms

355

aera circundant, nil praeter lumina cernunt.
saepe repercussis coelo connivet ocellis,
amissi cupidus visi, dulcisque soporis;
et caput inclinat, sed acutas undique spinas
curae supponunt tristes, arcentque quietem.

airs surround them, they discern nothing except lights.
often, with the sky reflected, he winks with his eyes,
eager for the lost sight perceived, and for sweet sleep;
and the head bows, but sad cares set sharp thorns on every side,
and keep at bay all quiet.

360

nusquam quod petit apparet, nec praemia noctis
permittit constare dies, ut inania tollit.
saevit at introrsum furor, et sub pectore flammas
exacuit, subditque novas; inimica dolori
lux est, oblectat nox, et loca lumine cassa.

nowhere does what he seeks appear, nor does day permit the rewards of night to endure, as it lifts away inanities.
but madness rages inwardly, and under the breast sharpens flames,
and implants new ones; light is hostile to grief,
night delights, and places deprived of light.

365

silvarum deserta subit, clausosque recessus
insanus puer, et dubio marcescit amore;
sperat et in tenebris aliquid, terraque soporem
porrectus varie captat; tum murmure leni
"Somne, veni," spirat; "prodi, o lepidissime divum

he enters the deserted woods, and the insane boy the closed recesses
and with uncertain love languishes; he hopes also for something in the dark, and on the earth
stretched out he seizes sleep in various ways; then with a gentle murmur
he breathes, "Sleep, come;" "advance, O most charming of the gods"

370

et mihi redde meam," prope sponsam dixerat amens;
"redde mihi quaecunque fuit, vel virgo, vel umbra,
qualiscunque meo placuit, semperque placebit
infoelici animo; veri, vel ficti hymenaei
quid refert? vitae domina est mens unica nostrae,

"and give me back my own," he had cried, mad, his almost-bride;
"give me back whatever she was, whether maiden or shade,
of whatever sort pleased my heart, and will always please
this unhappy mind; of true or feigned hymenaei
what matters? One single mind is mistress of our life,

375

sed non talis erat quem vidi vultus inanis,
quod sensi corpus certe fuit, oscula labris
fixa meis haerent; si quid discriminis hoc est,
nunc frigent, eadem cum praebuit illa calebant.
illa, quid illa? miser quod amo iam nescio quid sit:

but the face I saw was not such—a hollow visage,
for certainly I sensed it was a body, its kisses
fixed to my lips they cling; if this be any distinction,
now they are cold, the same when she offered them burned hot.
she—what of her? wretched that I love, now I know not what she is:

380

hoc tantum scio, conceptu formosius omni est.

this only I know, by conception it is more beautiful than all.

terra sive lates, suspensa vel aere pendes,
vel coelum, quod credo magis, speciosa petisti;
pulchra redi, et rursus te amplexibus insere nostris.
pollicita es longum, nec me mens fallit, amorem.

earth or hiding-places, suspended or hanging by the air,
or heaven, which I believe more, you sought as more beautiful;
return, fair one, and again insert yourself into our embraces.
you promised a long love, nor does my mind deceive me.

385

dic ubi pacta fides nunc? nondum oblita recentis
esse potes voti cum me fugis, et revocari
a charo non laetaris, quem spernis, amante.
"sic varias longo perdit sermone querelas,
atque eadem repetit, nec desinit; igne liquescit

tell me where now is the faith of the pacts? Not yet can you be forgetful of the recent vow when you flee me, and are you not glad to be recalled from the dear one whom you spurn, while loving.
"thus she wastes varied complaints in a long speech,
and repeats the same things, nor ceases; she melts with fire

390

totus, et ardenti cedit vis victa dolori.
mente sed ereptam vigili dum quaeritat umbram,
umbrae fit similis; tenui de corpore sanguis
effluit, et paulatim excussus spritus omnis
deserit exanimum pectus, motusque recedit

wholly, and strength, conquered, yields to burning grief.
but in his mind, while he searches for the stolen shade of the wakeful one,
he becomes like a shade; from his thin body blood
flows away, and gradually, all spirit having been shaken off,
abandoning the lifeless breast, movement departs

395

optatumque diu fert mors, sed sera, soporem.
corpus at inventum terrae mandare parabant
lugentes nymphae, flores, herbasque ferentes
funereas plenis calathis; quae vidit Apollo
omnia, et iratus puero hunc invidit honorem:

and death brings the long-desired sleep, but late, a tardy slumber.
but they prepared to consign the found body to the earth
the mourning nymphs, bearing flowers and herbs
funereal in full baskets; Apollo saw all these things, and angry, begrudged this honor to the boy:

400

utque erat in manibus nympharum non grave pondus,
labitur, obscuram sensim resolutus in umbram;
et fugit aspectum solis, fugietque per omne
tempus perpetuo damnatus luminis exul.

and as the weight in the hands of the nymphs was not heavy,
he slips away, gradually dissolved into a shadow darkened;
and he flees the sight of the sun, and shall flee through all
time, perpetually condemned, an exile of light.