395-398 d.C.
CLAUDIANO, Il ratto di Proserpina, I-II
Testo tratto da: http://www.intratext.com/X/LAT0225.htm
PRAEFATIO
Inventa secuit primus qui nave profundum,
et rudibus remis sollicitavit aquas,
qui dubiis ausus committere flatibus alnum,
quas natura negat, praebuit arte vias.
Tranquillis primum trepidus se credidit undis,
litora securo tramite summa legens:
mox longos temptare sinus et linquere terras
et leni coepit pandere vela Noto.
Ast ubi paulatim praeceps audacia crevit
cordaque languentem dedidicere metum,
iam vagus irrumpit pelagus caelumque secutus
Aegaeas hiemes Ioniumque domat.
LIBER PRIMUS
Inferni raptoris equos afflataque curru
sidera Taenario caligantesque profundae
Iunonis thalamos audaci promere cantu
mens congesta iubet. Gressus removete, profani.
Iam furor humanos nostro de pectore sensus
expulit et solum spirant praecordia Phoebum.
Iam mihi cernuntur trepidis delubra moveri
sedibus et claram dispergere limina lucem
adventum testata Dei. Iam magnus ab imis
auditur fremitus terris templumque remugit
Cecropium sanctasque faces extollit Eleusis.
Angues Triptolemi strident et squamea curvis
colla levant attrita iugis lapsuque sereno
erecti roseas tendunt ad carmina cristas.
Ecce procul ternis Hecate variata figuris
exoritur laetusque simul procedit Iacchus
crinali florens hedera, quem Parthica velat
tigris et auratos in nodum colligit ungues.
Ebria Maeonius firmat vestigia thyrsus.
Di, quibus innumerum vacui famulantur Averni
vulgus iners, opibus quorum donatur avaris
quidquid in orbe perit, quos Styx liventibus ambit
interfusa vadis et quos fumantia torquens
aequora gurgitibus Phlegethon perlustrat anhelis;
vos mihi sacrarum penetralia pandite rerum
et vestri secreta poli: qua lampade Ditem
flexit Amor, quo ducta ferox Proserpina raptu
possedit dotale Chaos, quantasque per oras
sollicito genetrix erraverit anxia cursu:
unde datae populis fruges et glande relicta
cesserit inventis Dodonia quercus aristis.
Dux Erebi quondam tumidas exarsit in iras
proelia moturus superis, quod solus egeret
conubiis sterilesque diu consumeret annos,
impatiens nescire torum nullasque mariti
inlecebras nec dulce patris cognoscere nomen.
Iam quaecumque latent ferali monstra barathro
in turmas aciemque ruunt contraque Tonantem
coniurant Furiae crinitaque sontibus hydris
Tisiphone, quatiens infausto lumine pinum,
armatos ad castra vocat pallentia Manes.
Paene reluctatis iterum pugnantia rebus
rupissent elementa fidem penitusque revulso
carcere laxatis pubes Titania vinclis
vidisset caeleste iubar rursusque cruentus
Aegaeon positis aucto de corpore nodis
obvia centeno vexasset fulmina motu.
Sed Parcae vetuere minas orbique timentes
ante pedes soliumque ducis fudere severam
canitiem genibusque suas cum supplice fletu
admovere manus, quarum sub iure tenentur
omnia, quae seriem fatorum pollice ducunt,
longaque ferratis evolvunt saecula fusis.
Prima fero Lachesis clamabat talia regi
incultas dispersa comas: "O maxime noctis
arbiter umbrarumque potens, cui nostra laborant
stamina, qui finem cunctis et semina praebes
nascendique vices alterna morte rependis,
qui vitam letumque regis (nam quidquid ubique
gignit materies, hoc te donante creatur
debeturque tibi, certis ambagibus aevi
rursus corporeos animae mittuntur in artus),
ne pete firmatas pacis dissolvere leges,
quas dedimus nevitque colus, neu foedera fratrum
civili converte tuba. Cur impia tollis
signa? Quid incestis aperis Titanibus auras?
Posce Iovem: dabitur coniunx." Vix ille pepercit
erubuitque preces animusque relanguit atrox,
quamvis indocilis flecti: ceu turbine rauco
cum gravis armatur Boreas glacieque nivali
hispidus et Getica concretus grandine pennas
disrumpit, pelagus, silvas camposque sonoro
flamine rapturus, si forte adversus aenos
Aeolus obiciat postes, vanescit inanis
impetus et fractae redeunt in claustra procellae.
Tum Maia genitum, qui fervida dicta reportet,
imperat acciri. Cyllenius astitit ales
somniferam quatiens virgam tectusque galero.
Ipse rudi fultus solio nigraque verendus
maiestate sedet. Squalent immania foedo
sceptra situ; sublime caput maestissima nubes
asperat et dirae riget inclementia formae.
Terrorem dolor augebat. Tunc talia celso
ore tonat (tremefacta silent dicente tyranno
atria; latratum triplicem compescuit ingens
ianitor et presso lacrimarum fonte resedit
Cocytos tacitisque Acheron obmutuit undis
et Phlegethonteae requierunt murmura ripae):
"Atlantis Tegeaee nepos, commune profundis
et superis numen, qui fas per limen utrumque
solus habes geminoque facis commercia mundo,
i celer et proscinde Notos et iussa superbo
redde Iovi: tantumne tibi, saevissime frater,
in me iuris erit? Sic nobis noxia vires
cum caelo Fortuna tulit? Num robur et arma
perdidimus, si rapta dies? An forte iacentes
ignavosque putas, quod non Cyclopia tela
stringimus aut vanas tonitru deludimus auras?
Nonne satis visum, quod grati luminis expers
tertia supremae patior dispendia sortis
informesque plagas, cum te laetissimus ornet
signifer et vario cingant splendore Triones?
Sed thalamos etiam prohibes? Nereia glauco
Neptunum gremio complectitur Amphitrite.
Te consanguineo recipit post fulmina fessum
Iuno sinu. Quid enim narrem Latonia furta?
Quid Cererem magnamque Themin? Tibi tanta creandi
copia, te felix natorum turba coronat.
Ast ego deserta maerens inglorius aula
implacidas nullo solabor pignore curas?
Non adeo toleranda quies. Primordia testor
noctis et horrendae stagna intemerata paludis,
si dictis parere negas, patefacta ciebo
Tartara, Saturni veteres laxabo catenas,
obducam tenebris solem, compage soluta
lucidus umbroso miscebitur axis Averno."
Vix ea fatus erat, iam nuntius astra tenebat.
Audierat mandata pater secumque volutat
diversos ducens animos, quae tale sequatur
coniugium Stygiosque velit pro sole recessus.
Certa requirenti tandem sententia sedit.
Hennaeae Cereri proles optata virebat
unica, nec tribuit subolem Lucina secundam
fessaque post primos haeserunt viscera partus
infecunda quidem; sed cunctis altior exstat
matribus et numeri damnum Proserpina pensat.
Hanc fovet, hanc sequitur: vitulam non blandius ambit
torva parens, pedibus quae nondum proterit arva
nec nova lunatae curvavit germina frontis.
Iam matura toro plenis adoleverat annis
virginitas, tenerum iam pronuba flamma pudorem
sollicitat mixtaque tremit formidine votum.
Personat aula procis: pariter pro virgine certant
Mars clipeo melior, Phoebus praestantior arcu.
Mars donat Rhodopen, Phoebus largitur Amyclas
et Delon Clariosque Lares. Hinc aemula Iuno,
hinc poscit Latona nurum. Despexit utrumque
flava Ceres raptusque timens (heu caeca futuri!)
aethera deseruit; furtim sua pignora terris
commendat fidis Siculasque relegat in oras,
ingenio confisa loci. Trinacria quondam
Italiae pars una fuit, sed pontus et aestus
mutavere situm. Rupit confinia Nereus
victor et abscissos interluit aequore montes
parvaque cognatas prohibent discrimina terras.
Nunc illam socia ruptam tellure trisulcam
opposuit natura mari. Caput inde Pachyni
respuit Ionias praetentis rupibus iras,
hinc latrat Gaetula Thetis Lilybaeaque pulsat
brachia consurgens; hinc indignata teneri
concutit obiectum rabies Tyrrhena Pelorum.
In medio scopulis se porrigit Aetna perustis:
Aetna Giganteos numquam tacitura triumphos,
Enceladi bustum, qui saucia terga revinctus
spirat inexhaustum flagranti vulnere sulphur,
et quotiens detractat onus cervice rebelli
in laevum dextrumque latus, tunc insula fundo
vertitur et dubiae nutant cum moenibus urbes.
Aetnaeos apices solo cognoscere visu,
non aditu temptare licet. Pars cetera frondet
arboribus, teritur nullo cultore cacumen.
Nunc movet indigenas nimbos piceaque gravatum
foedat nube diem, nunc motibus astra lacessit
terrificis damnisque suis incendia nutrit.
Sed quamvis nimio fervens exuberet aestu,
scit nivibus servare fidem pariterque favillis.
Durescit glacies tanti secura vaporis,
arcano defensa gelu fumoque fideli
lambit contiguas innoxia flamma pruinas.
Quae scopulos tormenta rotant? Quae tanta cavernas
vis glomerat? quo fonte ruit Vulcanius amnis?
Sive quod obicibus discurrens ventus opertis
offenso rimosa furit per saxa meatu,
dum scrutatur iter, libertatemque reposcens
putria multivagis populatur flatibus antra;
seu mare sulphurei ductum per viscera montis
oppressis ignescit aquis et pondera librat.
Hic ubi servandum mater fidissima pignus
abdidit, ad Phrygios tendit secura Penates
turrigeramque petit Cybelen sinuosa draconum
membra regens, volucri qui pervia nubila tractu
signant et placidis humectant frena venenis.
Frontem crista tegit, pingunt maculosa virentes
terga notae, rutilum squamis intermicat aurum.
Nunc spiris Zephyros tranant, nunc arva volatu
inferiora secant. Cano rota pulvere labens
sulcatam fecundat humum. Flavescit aristis
orbita. Surgentes condunt vestigia fruges,
vestit iter comitata seges. Iam linquitur Aetna
totaque decrescit refugo Trinacria visu.
Heu quotiens praesaga mali violavit oborto
rore genas! Quotiens oculos ad tecta retorsit
talia voce movens: "Salve, gratissima tellus,
quam nos praetulimus caelo: tibi gaudia nostri
sanguinis et caros uteri commendo labores.
Praemia digna manent. Nullos patiere ligones
et nullo rigidi versabere vomeris ictu,
sponte tuus florebit ager. Cessante iuvenco
ditior oblatas mirabitur incola messes."
Sic ait et fulvis tetigit serpentibus Idam.
Hic sedes augusta Deae templique colendi
religiosa silex, densis quam pinus obumbrat
frondibus, et nulla lucos agitante procella
stridula coniferis modulatur carmina ramis.
Terribiles intus thiasi vesanaque mixto
concentu delubra gemunt. Ululatibus Ide
bacchatur; timidas inclinant Gargara silvas.
Postquam visa Ceres, mugitum tympana frenant,
conticuere chori: Corybas non impulit ensem,
non buxus, non aera sonant blandasque leones
submisere iubas. Adytis gavisa Cybebe
exilit et pronas extendit ad oscula turres.
Viderat haec dudum summa speculatus ab arce
Iuppiter ac Veneri mentis penetralia pandit:
"Curarum, Cytherea, tibi secreta fatebor.
Candida Tartareo nuptum Proserpina regi
iam pridem est decreta dari. Sic Atropos urget,
sic cecinit longaeva Themis. Nunc matre remota
rem peragi tempus. Fines invade Sicanos
et Cereris prolem patulis illudere campis,
crastina puniceos cum lux detexerit ortus,
coge tuis armata dolis, quibus urere cuncta,
me quoque saepe, soles. Cur ultima regna quiescunt?
Nulla sit immunis regio nullumque sub umbris
pectus inaccensum Veneri. Iam tristis Erinys
sentiat ardores, Acheron Ditisque severi
ferrea lascivis mollescant corda sagittis."
Accelerat praecepta Venus iussuque parentis
Pallas et inflexo quae terret Maenala cornu
addunt se comites. Divino semita gressu
claruit, augurium qualis laturus iniquum
praepes sanguineo dilabitur igne cometes
prodigiale rubens: non illum navita tuto,
non impune vident populi, sed crine minaci
nuntiat aut ratibus ventos aut urbibus hostes.
Devenere locum, Cereris quo tecta nitebant
Cyclopum firmata manu: stant ardua ferro
moenia, ferrati postes immensaque nectit
claustra chalybs. Nullum tanto sudore Pyragmon
nec Steropes construxit opus; non talibus umquam
spiravere Notis animae nec flumine tanto
incoctum maduit lassa cervice metallum.
Atria cingit ebur; trabibus solidatur aenis
culmen et in celsas surgunt electra columnas.
Ipsa domum tenero mulcens Proserpina cantu
irrita texebat rediturae munera matri.
Hic elementorum seriem sedesque paternas
insignibat acu: veterem qua lege tumultum
discrevit Natura parens et semina iussis
discessere locis: quidquid leve, fertur in altum,
in medium graviora cadunt, incanduit aer,
legit flamma polum, fluxit mare, terra pependit.
Nec color unus erat: stellas accendit in auro,
ostro fundit aquas. Attollit litora gemmis
filaque mentitos iam iam caelantia fluctus
arte tument. Credas inlidi cautibus algam
et raucum bibulis inserpere murmur harenis.
Addit quinque plagas. Mediam subtegmine
rubro obsessam fervore notat; squalebat inustus
limes et assiduo sitiebant stamina sole:
vitales utrimque duas, quas mitis oberrat
temperies habitanda viris; in fine supremo
torpentes traxit geminas brumaque perenni
foedat et aeterno contristat frigore telas.
Nec non et patrui pingit sacraria Ditis
fatalesque sibi Manes. Nec defuit omen;
praescia nam subitis maduerunt fletibus ora.
Coeperat et vitreis summo iam margine texti
Oceanum sinuare vadis; sed cardine verso
cernit adesse deas imperfectumque laborem
deserit et niveos infecit purpura vultus
per liquidas succensa genas castaeque pudoris
illuxere faces. Non sic decus ardet eburnum,
Lydia Sidonio quod femina tinxerit ostro.
Merserat unda diem; sparso nox umida somno
languida caeruleis invexerat otia bigis,
iamque viam Pluto superas molitur ad auras
germani monitu. Torvos invisa iugales
Allecto temone ligat, qui pascua mandunt
Cocyti pratisque Erebi nigrantibus errant
stagnaque tranquillae potantes marcida Lethes
aegra soporatis spumant oblivia linguis.
Orphnaeus crudele micans Aethonque sagitta
ocior et Stygii sublimis gloria Nycteus
armenti Ditisque nota signatus Alastor
stabant ante fores iuncti saevumque fremebant
crastina venturae spectantes gaudia praedae.
PRAEFATIO
Otia sopitis ageret cum cantibus Orpheus
neglectumque diu deposuisset opus,
lugebant erepta sibi solatia Nymphae,
quaerebant dulces flumina maesta modos.
Saeva feris natura redit metuensque leonem
implorat citharae vacca tacentis opem.
Illius et duri flevere silentia montes
silvaque Bistoniam saepe secuta chelyn.
Sed postquam Inachiis Alcides missus ab Argis
Thracia pacifero contigit arva pede
diraque sanguinei vertit praesepia regis
et Diomedeos gramine pavit equos,
tunc patriae festo laetatus tempore vates
desuetae repetit fila canora lyrae
et resides levi modulatus pectine nervos
pollice festivo nobile duxit ebur.
Vix auditus erat: venti frenantur et undae,
pigrior astrictis torpuit Hebrus aquis,
porrexit Rhodope sitientes carmina rupes,
excussit gelidas pronior Ossa nives.
Ardua nudato descendit populus Haemo
et comitem quercum pinus amica trahit,
Cirrhaeasque dei quamvis despexerit artes,
Orpheis laurus vocibus acta venit.
Securum blandi leporem fovere molossi
vicinumque lupo praebuit agna latus.
Concordes varia ludunt cum tigride dammae,
Massylam cervi non timuere iubam.
Ille novercales stimulos actusque canebat
Herculis et forti monstra subacta manu,
qui timidae matri pressos ostenderit angues
intrepidusque fero riserit ore puer.
"Te neque Dictaeas quatiens mugitibus urbes
taurus nec Stygii terruit ira canis,
non leo sidereos caeli rediturus ad axes,
non Erymanthei gloria montis aper.
Solvis Amazonios cinctus, Stymphalidas arcu
appetis, occiduo ducis ab orbe greges
tergeminique ducis numerosos deicis artus
et totiens uno victor ab hoste redis.
Non cadere Antaeo, non crescere profuit Hydrae,
nec cervam volucres eripuere pedes.
Caci flamma perit, rubuit Busiride Nilus,
prostratis maduit nubigenis Pholoe.
Te Libyci stupuere sinus, te maxima Tethys
horruit, imposito cum premerere polo.
Firmior Herculea mundus cervice pependit,
lustrarunt umeros Phoebus et astra tuos."
Thracius haec vates. Sed tu Tirynthius alter,
Florentine, mihi, tu mea plectra moves
antraque Musarum longo torpentia somno
excutis et placidos ducis in orbe choros.
LIBER SECUNDUS
Impulit Ionios praemisso lumine fluctus
nondum pura dies, tremulis vibratur in undis
ardor et errantes ludunt per caerula flammae.
Iamque audax animi fidaeque oblita parentis
fraude Dionaea riguos Proserpina saltus
(sic Parcae voluere) petit. Ter cardine verso
praesagum cecinere fores, ter conscia fati
flebile terrificis gemuit mugitibus Aetna.
Nullis illa tamen monstris nulloque tenetur
prodigio; comites gressum iunxere sorores.
Prima dolo gaudens et tanti conscia voti
it Venus et raptus metitur corde futuros,
iam durum flexura Chaos, iam Dite subacto
ingenti famulos Manes ductura triumpho.
Illi multifidos crinis sinuatur in orbes
Idalia divisus acu; sudata marito
fibula purpureos gemma suspendit amictus.
Candida Parrhasii post hanc regina Lycei
et Pandionias quae cuspide protegit arces,
utraque virgo, ruunt: haec tristibus aspera bellis,
haec metuenda feris. Tritonia casside fulva
caelatum Typhona gerit, qui summa peremptus
ima parte viget moriens et parte superstes,
hastaque terribili surgens per nubila ferro
instar erat silvae; tantum stridentia colla
Gorgonis obtentu pallae fulgentis inumbrat.
At Triviae lenis species et multus in ore
frater erat Phoebique genas et lumina Phoebi
esse putes, solusque dabat discrimina sexus.
Brachia nuda nitent, levibus proiecerat auris
indociles errare comas arcuque remisso
otia nervus agit; pendent post terga sagittae.
Crispatur gemino vestis Gortynia cinctu
poplite fusa tenus, motoque in stamine Delos
errat et aurato trahitur circumflua ponto.
Quas inter Cereris proles, nunc gloria matris,
mox dolor, aequali tendit per gramina passu,
nec membris nec honore minor, potuitque videri
Pallas, si clipeum ferret, si spicula, Phoebe.
Collectae tereti nodantur iaspide vestes.
Pectinis ingenio numquam felicior artis
contigit eventus, nulli sic consona telae
fila nec in tantum veri duxere figuras.
Hic Hyperionio Solem de semine nasci
fecerat et pariter Lunam, sed dispare forma,
aurorae noctisque duces. Cunabula Tethys
praebet et infantes gremio solatur anhelos
caeruleusque sinus roseis radiatur alumnis.
Invalidum dextro portat Titana lacerto
nondum luce gravem nec pubescentibus alte
cristatum radiis. Primo clementior aevo
fingitur et tenerum vagitu despuit ignem.
Laeva parte soror vitrei libamina potat
uberis et parvo signatur tempora cornu.
Tali luxuriat cultu. Comitantur euntem
Naides et socia stipant utrimque caterva,
quae fontes, Crinise, tuos et saxa rotantem
Pantagiam nomenque Gelam qui praebuit urbi,
concelebrant, quas pigra vado Camerina palustri,
quas Arethusaei latices, quas advena nutrit
Alpheus; Cyane totum supereminet agmen.
Qualis Amazonidum peltis exsultat ademptis
pulchra cohors, quotiens Arcton populata virago
Hippolyte niveas ducit post proelia turmas,
seu flavos stravere Getas, seu forte rigentem
Thermodontiaca Tanaim fregere securi:
aut quales referunt Baccho sollemnia Nymphae
Maeoniae, quas Hermus alit, ripasque paternas
percurrunt auro madidae; laetatur in antro
amnis et undantem declinat prodigus urnam.
Viderat herboso sacrum de vertice vulgus
Henna parens florum curvaque in valle sedentem
compellat Zephyrum: Pater o gratissime veris,
qui mea lascivo regnas per prata meatu
semper et adsiduis inroras flatibus annum,
respice Nympharum coetus et celsa Tonantis
germina per nostros dignantia ludere campos.
Nunc adsis faveasque, precor, nunc omnia fetu
pubescant virgulta velis, ut fertilis Hybla
invideat vincique suos non abnuat hortos.
Quidquid turiferis spirat Panchaia silvis,
quidquid odoratus longe blanditur Hydaspes,
quidquid ab extremis ales longaevus harenis
colligit optato repetens exordia saeclo,
in venas disperge meas et flamine largo
rura fove. Merear divino pollice carpi
et nostris cupiant ornari numina sertis."
Dixerat. Ille novo madidantes nectare pennas
concutit et glebas fecundo rore maritat,
quaque volat, vernus sequitur rubor. Omnis in herbas
turget humus medioque patent convexa sereno;
sanguineo splendore rosas, vaccinia nigro
induit et dulci violas ferrugine pingit.
Parthica quae tantis variantur cingula gemmis
regales vinctura sinus? Quae vellera tantum
ditibus Assyrii spumis fuscantur aeni?
Non tales volucer pandit Iunonius alas,
nec sic innumeros arcu mutante colores
incipiens redimitur hiems, cum tramite flexo
semita discretis interviret umida nimbis.
Forma loci superat flores: curvata tumore
parvo planities et mollibus edita clivis
creverat in collem. Vivo de pumice fontes
roscida mobilibus lambebant gramina rivis
silvaque torrentes ramorum frigore soles
temperat et medio brumam sibi vindicat aestu:
apta fretis abies, bellis accommoda cornus,
quercus amica Iovi, tumulos tectura cupressus,
ilex plena favis, venturi nuntia laurus.
Fluctuat hic denso crispata cacumine buxus,
hic hederae serpunt, hic pampinus induit ulmos.
Haud procul inde lacus (Pergum dixere Sicani)
panditur et nemorum frondoso margine cinctus
vicinis pallescit aquis; admittit in altum
cernentes oculos et late pervius humor
ducit inoffensos liquido sub flumine visus,
imaque perspicui prodit secreta profundi.
[Huc elapsa cohors gaudet per florida rura].
Hortatur Cytherea legant: "Nunc ite, sorores,
dum matutinis praesudat solibus aer,
dum meus humectat flaventes Lucifer agros,
roranti praevectus equi." Sic fata doloris
carpit signa sui. Varios tum cetera saltus
invasere cohors. Credas examina fundi
Hyblaeum raptura thymum, cum cerea reges
castra movent fagique cava dimissus ab alvo
mellifer electis exercitus obstrepit herbis.
Pratorum spoliatur honos: haec lilia fuscis
intexit violis, hanc mollis amaracus ornat,
haec graditur stellata rosis, haec alba ligustris.
Te quoque flebilibus maerens, Hyacinthe, figuris
Narcissumque metunt, nunc inclita germina veris,
praestantes olim pueros. Tu natus Amyclis,
hunc Helicon genuit. Disci te perculit error,
hunc fontis decepit amor. Te fronte recussa
Delius, hunc fracta Cephisus harundine luget.
Aestuat ante alias avido fervore legendi
frugiferae spes una deae. Nunc vimine texto
ridentes calathos spoliis agrestibus implet,
nunc sociat flores seseque ignara coronat,
augurium fatale tori. Quin ipsa tubarum
armorumque potens dextram, qua fortia turbat
agmina, qua stabiles portas et moenia vellit,
iam levibus laxat studiis hastamque reponit
insuetisque docet galeam mitescere sertis.
Ferratus lascivit apex horrorque recessit
Martius et cristae pacato fulgure vernant.
Nec quae Parthenium canibus scrutatur odoris
aspernata choros libertatemque comarum
iniecta voluit tantum frenare corona.
Talia virgineo passim dum more geruntur,
ecce repens mugire fragor, confligere turres
pronaque vibratis radicibus oppida verti.
Causa latet. Dubios agnovit sola tumultus
diva Paphi mixtoque metu perterrita gaudet.
Iamque per anfractus animarum rector opacos
sub terris quaerebat iter gravibusque gementem
Enceladum calcabat equis. Immania findunt
membra rotae pressaque Gigas cervice laborat
Sicaniam cum Dite ferens temptatque moveri
debilis et fessis serpentibus impedit axem:
fumida sulphureo praelabitur orbita dorso.
Ac velut occultus securum pergit in hostem
miles et effossi subter fundamina campi
transilit inclusos arcano limite muros,
turbaque deceptas victrix erumpit in arces
terrigenas imitata viros: sic tertius heres
Saturni latebrosa vagis rimatur habenis
devia fraternum cupiens exire sub orbem.
Ianua nulla patet; prohibebant undique rupes
oppositae duraque deum compage tenebant.
Non tulit ille moras indignatusque trabali
saxa ferit sceptro: Siculae sonuere cavernae,
turbatur Lipare, stupuit fornace relicta
Mulciber et trepidus deiecit fulmina Cyclops.
Audiit et si quem glacies Alpina coercet,
et qui te, Latiis nondum praecincte tropaeis
Thybri, natat missamque Pado qui remigat alnum.
Sic, cum Thessaliam scopulis inclusa teneret
Peneo stagnante palus et mersa negaret
arva coli, trifida Neptunus cuspide montes
impulit adversos. Tunc forti saucius ictu
dissiluit gelido vertex Ossaeus Olympo.
Carceribus laxantur aquae factoque meatu
redduntur fluviusque mari tellusque colonis.
Postquam victa manu duros Trinacria nexus
solvit, et immenso late discessit hiatu,
apparet subitus caelo timor: astra viarum
mutavere fidem, vetito se proluit Arctos
aequore, praecipitat pigrum formido Booten,
horruit Orion, audito palluit Atlas
hinnitu, rutilos obscurat anhelitus axes
discolor et longa solitos caligine pasci
terruit orbis equos, pressis haesere lupatis
attoniti meliore polo rursusque verendum
in Chaos obliquo certant temone reverti.
Mox ubi pulsato senserunt verbera tergo
et solem didicere pati, torrentius amne
hiberno tortaque ruunt pernicius hasta,
quantum non iaculum Parthi, non impetus Austri,
non leve sollicitae mentis discurrit acumen.
Sanguine frena calent, corrumpit spiritus auras
letifer, infectae spumis vitiantur harenae.
Diffugiunt Nymphae, rapitur Proserpina curru
imploratque Deas. Iam Gorgonis ora revelat
Pallas et intento festinat Delia telo,
nec patruo cedunt. Stimulat communis in arma
virginitas crimenque feri raptoris acerbat.
Ille velut stabuli decus armentique iuvencam
cum leo possedit nudataque viscera fodit
unguibus et rabiem totos exegit in armos,
stat crassa turpis sanie nodosque iubarum
excutit et viles pastorum despicit iras.
"Ignavi domitor vulgi, deterrime fratrum",
Pallas ait, "quae te stimulis facibusque profanis
Eumenides movere? Tua cur sede relicta
audes Tartareis caelum incestare quadrigis?
Sunt tibi deformes Dirae, sunt altera Lethes
numina, sunt tristes Furiae te coniuge dignae.
Fratris linque domos, alienam desere sortem,
nocte tua contentus abi. Quid viva sepultis
admisces? Nostrum quid proteris advena mundum?"
Talia vociferans avidos transire minaci
cornipedes umbone ferit clipeique retardat
obice Gorgoneisque premens assibilat hydris
praetentaque operit crista. Libratur in ictum
fraxinus et nigros illuminat obvia currus
missaque paene foret, ni Iuppiter aethere summo
pacificas rubri torsisset fulminis alas
confessus socerum. Nimbis Hymenaeus hiulcis
intonat, et testes firmant conubia flammae.
Invitae cessere deae. Compescuit arcum
cum gemitu talesque dedit Latonia voces:
Sis memor o longumque vale: reverentia patris
obstitit auxilio, nec nos defendere contra
possumus; imperio vinci maiore fatemur.
In te coniurat genitor populoque silenti
traderis, heu! cupidas non aspectura sorores
aequalemque chorum. Quae te fortuna supernis
abstulit et tanto damnavit sidera luctu?
Iam neque Partheniis innectere retia lustris
nec pharetras gestare libet. Securus ubique
spumet aper saevique fremant impune leones.
Te iuga Taygeti, posito te Maenala flebunt
venatu maestoque diu lugebere Cyntho,
Delphica quin etiam fratris delubra tacebunt."
Interea volucri fertur Proserpina curru
caesariem diffusa Noto planctuque lacertos
verberat et questus ad nubila tendit inanes:
"Cur non torsisti manibus fabricata Cyclopum
in nos tela, pater? Sic me crudelibus umbris
tradere, sic toto placuit depellere mundo?
Nullane te flectit pietas? Nihilumne paternae
mentis inest? Tantas quo crimine movimus iras?
Non ego, cum rapido saeviret Phlegra tumultu,
signa Deis adversa tuli, nec robore nostro
Ossa pruinosum vexit glacialis Olympum.
Quod conata nefas aut cuius conscia culpae
exsul ad immanes Erebi detrudor hiatus?
fortunatas, alii quascumque tulere
raptores! Saltem communi sole fruuntur.
Sed mihi virginitas pariter caelumque negatur;
eripitur cum luce pudor terrisque relictis
servitum Stygio ducor captiva tyranno.
male dilecti flores despectaque matris
consilia! o Veneris deprensae serius artes!
Mater, io! seu te Phrygiis in vallibus Idae
Mygdonio buxus circumsonat horrida cantu,
seu tu sanguineis ululantia Dindyma Gallis
incolis et strictos Curetum respicis enses,
exitio succurre meo, compesce furentem,
comprime ferales torvi praedonis habenas."
Talibus ille ferox dictis fletuque decoro
vincitur et primi suspiria sensit amoris.
Tunc ferrugineo lacrimas detergit amictu
et placida maestum solatur voce dolorem:
"Desine funestis animum, Proserpina, curis
et vano vexare metu. Maiora dabuntur
sceptra nec indigni taedas patiere mariti.
Ille ego Saturni proles, cui machina rerum
servit et immensum tendit per inane potestas.
Amissum ne crede diem: sunt altera nobis
sidera, sunt orbes alii, lumenque videbis
purius Elysiumque magis mirabere solem
cultoresque pios. Illic pretiosior aetas,
aurea progenies, habitat semperque tenemus,
quod superi meruere semel. Nec mollia desunt
prata tibi. Zephyris illic melioribus halant
perpetui flores, quos nec tua protulit Henna.
Est etiam lucis arbor praedives opacis,
fulgentes viridi ramos curvata metallo.
Haec tibi sacra datur, fortunatumque tenebis
autumnum et fulvis semper ditabere pomis.
Parva loquor: quidquid liquidus complectitur aer,
quidquid alit tellus, quidquid maris aequora verrunt,
quod fluvii volvunt, quod nutrivere paludes,
cuncta tuis pariter cedent animalia regnis,
lunari subiecta globo, qui septimus auras
ambit et aeternis mortalia separat astris.
Sub tua purpurei venient vestigia reges
deposito luxu turba cum paupere mixti
(omnia mors aequat!); tu damnatura nocentes,
tu requiem latura piis, te iudice sontes
improba cogentur vitae commissa fateri.
Accipe Lethaeo famulas cum gurgite Parcas;
sit fatum quodcumque voles." Haec fatus ovantes
exhortatur equos et Tartara mitior intrat.
Conveniunt animae, quantas violentior Auster
decutit arboribus frondes aut nubibus imbres
colligit aut frangit fluctus aut torquet harenas.
Cunctaque praecipiti stipantur saecula cursu
insignem visura nurum. Mox ipse serenus
ingreditur facili passus mollescere risu
dissimilisque sui.Dominis intrantibus ingens
assurgit Phlegethon; flagrantibus hispida rivis
barba madet totoque fluunt incendia vultu.
Occurrunt propere lecta de plebe ministri.
Pars altos revocant currus frenisque solutis
vertunt emeritos ad pascua nota iugales,
pars aulaea tenent, alii praetexere ramis
limina et in thalamum cultas extollere vestes.
Reginam casto cinxerunt agmine matres
Elysiae teneroque levant sermone timores
et sparsos religant crines et vultibus addunt
flammea sollicitum praevelatura pudorem.
Pallida laetatur regio gentesque sepultae
luxuriant epulisque vacant genialibus umbrae.
Grata coronati peragunt convivia Manes.
Rumpunt insoliti tenebrosa silentia cantus,
sedantur gemitus. Erebi se sponte relaxat
squalor et aeternam patitur rarescere noctem.
Urna nec incertas versat Minoia sortes,
verbera nulla sonant nulloque frementia luctu
impia dilatis respirant Tartara poenis.
Non rota suspensum praeceps Ixiona torquet,
non aqua Tantaleis subducitur invida labris.
[Solvitur Ixion et Tantalus invenit undas].
Et Tityus tandem spatiosos erigit artus
squalentisque novem detexit iugera campi
(tantus erat), laterisque piger sulcator opaci
invitus trahitur lasso de pectore vultur
abreptasque dolet iam non sibi crescere fibras.
Oblitae scelerum formidatique furoris
Eumenides cratera parant et vina feroci
crine bibunt flexisque minis iam lene canentes
extendunt socios ad pocula plena cerastas
et festas alio succendunt lumine taedas.
Tunc et pestiferi pacatum flumen Averni
innocuae transistis aves flatumque repressit
Amsanctus; fixo tacuit torrente vorago.
Tunc Acheronteos mutato gurgite fontes
lacte novo tumuisse ferunt hederisque virentem
Cocyton dulci perhibent undasse Lyaeo.
Stamina nec rumpit Lachesis, nec turbida sacris
obstrepitant lamenta choris. Mors nulla vagatur
in terris- nullumque rogum planxere parentes;
navita non moritur fluctu, non cuspide miles.
Oppida funerei pollent immunia leti.
Impexamque senex velavit harundine frontem
portitor et vacuos egit cum carmine remos.
Iam suus inferno processerat Hesperus orbi,
ducitur in thalamum virgo. Stat pronuba iuxta
stellantes Nox picta sinus tangensque cubile
omina perpetuo genitalia foedere sanxit.
Exsultant cum voce pii Ditisque sub aula
talia pervigili sumunt exordia plausu:
"Nostra potens Iuno tuque o germane Tonantis
et gener, unanimi consortia ducite somni
mutuaque alternis innectite colla lacertis.
Iam felix oritur proles, iam laeta futuros
exspectat Natura deos. Nova numina rebus
addite et optatos Cereri proferte nepotes."
Traduzione tratta da: http://www.theoi.com/Text/ClaudianProserpine.html
BOOK I PREFACE
He who first made a ship and clave therewith the deep, troubling the waters with roughly hewn oars, who first dared trust his alder-bark to the uncertain winds and who by his skill devised a way forbidden to nature, fearfully at the first essayed smooth seas, hugging the shore in an unadventurous course. But soon he began to attempt the crossing of the broad bays, to leave the land and spread his canvas to the gentle south wind; and, as little by little his growing courage led him on, and as his heart forgot numbing fear, sailing now at large, he burst upon the open sea and, with the signs of heaven to guide him, passed triumphant through the storms of the Aegean and the Ionian main.
BOOK I
My full heart bids me boldly sing the horses of the ravisher from the underworld and the stars darkened by the shadow of his infernal chariot and the gloomy chambers of the queen of Hell. Come not night, ye unititiate. Now has divine madness driven all mortal thoughts from my breast, and my heart is filled with Phoebus’ inspiration; now see I the shrine reel and its foundations totter while the threshold glows with radiant light telling that the god is at hand. And now I hear a loud din from the depths of the earth, the temple of Cecrops re-echoes and Eleusis waves its holy torches. The hissing snakes of Triptolemus raise their scaly necks chafed by the curving collar, and, uptowering as they glide smoothly along, stretch forth their rosy crests toward the chant. See from afar rises Hecate with her three various heads and with her comes forth Iacchus smooth of skin, his temples crowned with ivy. There clothes him the pelt of a Parthian tiger, its gilded claws knotted together, and the Lydian thyrsus guides his drunken footsteps.
Ye gods, whom the numberless host of the dead serves in ghostly Avernus, into whose greedy treasury is paid all that perishes upon earth, ye whose fields the pale streams of intertwining Styx surround, while Phlegethon, his rapids tossed in spray, flows through them with steaming eddies – do you unfold for me the mysteries of your sacred story and the secrets of your world. Say with what torch the god of love overcame Dis, and tell how Proserpine was stolen away in her maiden pride to win Chaos as a dower; and how through many lands Ceres, sore troubled, pursued her anxious search; whence corn was given to man whereby he laid aside his acorn food, and the new-found ear made useless Dodona’s oaks.
Once on a time the lord of Erebus blazed forth in swelling anger, threatening war upon the gods, because he alone was unwed and had long wasted the years in childless state, brooking no longer to lack the joys of wedlock and a husband’s happiness nor ever to know the dear name of father. Now all the monsters that lurk in Hell’s abyss rush together in warlike bands, and the Furies bind themselves with an oath against the Thunderer. Tisiphone, the bloody snakes clustering on her head, shakes the lurid pine-torch and summons to the ghostly camp the armèd shades. Almost had the elements, once more at war with reluctant nature, broken their bond; the Titan brood, their deep prison-house thrown open and their fetters cast off, had again seen heaven’s light; and once more bloody Aegaeon, bursting the knotted ropes that bound his huge form, had warred against the thunderbolts of Jove with hundred-handed blows.
But the dread Fates brought these threats to naught, and, fearing for the world, gravely laid their hoary locks before the feet and throne of the lord of Hell, and with suppliant tears touched his knees with their hands – those hands beneath whose rule all things are set, whose thumbs twist the thread of fate and spin the long ages with their iron spindles. First Lachesis, her hair unkempt and disordered, thus called out upon the cruel king: “Great lord of night, ruler over the shades, thou at whose command our threads are spun, who appointest the end and origin of all things and ordainest the alternation of birth and destruction; arbiter thou of life and death – for whatsoever thing comes anywhere into being it is by they gift that it is created and owes its life to thee, and after a fixed cycle of years thou sendest souls once more into mortal bodies – seek not to break the stablished treaty of peace which our distaffs have spun and given thee, and overturn not in civil war the compact fixed ‘twixt thee and thy two brothers. Why raisest thou unrighteous standards of war? Why freest the foul band of Titans to the open air? Ask of Jove; he will give thee a wife.”
Scarce had she spoken when Pluto stopped, shamed by her prayer, and his grim spirit grew mild though little wont to be curbed: even so great Boreas armed with strident blasts and tempestuous with congealed snow, his wings all frozen with Getic hail as he seeks battle, threatens to overwhelm the sea, the woods, and the fields with sounding storm; but should Aeolus chance to bar against him the brazen doors idly his fury dies away and his storms retire baulked to their prison-house.
Then he bids summon Mercury, the son of Maia, that he may carry these flaming words to Jove. Straightway the winged god of Cyllene stands at his side shaking his sleepy wand, his herald cap upon his head. Pluto himself sits propped on his rugged throne, awful in funereal majesty; foul with age-long dust is his mighty sceptre; boding clouds make grim his lofty head; unpitying is the stiffness of his dread shape; rage heightened the terror of his aspect. Then with uplifted head he thunders forth these words, while, as the tyrant speaks, his halls tremble and are still; the massy hound, guardian of the gate, restrains the barking of his triple head, and Cocytus sinks back repressing his fount of tears; Acheron is dumb with silent awe, and the banks of Phlegethon cease their murmuring.
“Grandchild of Atlas, Arcadian-born, deity that sharest hell and heaven, thou who alone hast the right to cross either threshold, and art the intermediary between the two words, go swiftly, cleave the winds, and bear these my behests to proud Jove. ‘Hast thou, cruel brother, such complete authority over me? Did injurious fortune rob me at once of power and light? Because day was reft from me, lost I therefore strength and weapons? Thinkest thou me humble and cowed because I hurl not bolts forged by the Cyclops and fool not the empty air with thunder? Is it not enough that deprived of the pleasant light of day I submit to the ill-fortune of the third and final choice and these hideous realms, whilst thee the starry heavens adorn and the Wain surrounds with twinkling brilliance – must thou also forbid our marriage? Amphitrite, daughter of Nereus, holds Neptune in her sea-grey embrace; Juno, they sister and they wife, takes thee to her bosom when wearied thou layest aside thy thunderbolts. What need to tell of thy secrete love for Lato or Ceres or great Themis? How manifold a hope of offspring was thine! Now a crowd of happy children surrounds thee. And shall I in this empty palace, sans joy, sans fame, know no child’s love to still instant care? I will not brook so dull a life. I swear by elemental night and the unexplored shallows of the Stygian lake, if thou refuse to hearken to my word I will throw open Hell and call forth her monsters, will break Saturn’s old chains and shroud the sun in darkness. The framework of the world shall be loosened and the shining heavens mingle with Avernus’ shades.’”
Scarce had he spoken when his messenger trod the stars. The Father heard the message and, communing with himself, debated long who would dare such a marriage, who would wish to exchange the sun for the caves of Styx. He would fain decide and at length his fixed purpose grew.
Ceres, whose temple is at Henna, had but one youthful daughter, a child long prayed for; for the goddess of birth granted no second offspring, and her womb, exhausted by that first labour, became unfruitful. Yet prouder is the mother above all mothers, and Proserpine such as to take the place of many. Her mother’s care and darling is she; not more lovingly does the fierce mother cow tend her calf that cannot as yet scamper over the fields and whose growing horns curve not yet moonwise over her forehead. As the years were fulfilled she had grown a maiden ripe for marriage, and thoughts of the torch of wedlock stir her girlish modesty, but while she longs for a husband she yet fears to plight troth. The voice of suitors is heard throughout the palace; two gods woo the maiden, Mars, more skilled with the shield, and Phoebus, the mightier bowman. Mars offers Rhodope, Phoebus would give Amyclae, and Delos and his temple at Claros; in rivalry Juno and Latona claim her for a son’s wife. But golden-haired Ceres disdains both, and fearing lest her daughter should be stolen away (hoe blind to the future!) secretly entrusts her jewel to the land of Sicily, confident in the safe nature of this hiding-place.
Trinacria was once a part of Italy but sea and tide changed the face of the land. Victorious Nereus brake his bounds and interflowed the cleft mountains with his waves whereby a narrow channel now separates these kindred lands. Nature now thrusts out into the sea the three-cornered island, cut off from the mainland to which it once belonged. At one extremity the promontory of Pachynum hurls back with jutting crags the furious waves of the Ionian main, round another roars the African sea that rises and beats upon the curving harbour of Lilybaeum, at the third the raging Tyrrhenian flood, impatient of restraint, shakes the obstacle of Cape Pelorus. In the midst of the island rise the charred cliffs of Aetna, eloquent monument of Jove’s victory over the Giants, the tomb of Enceladus, whose bound and bruised body breathes forth endless sulphur clouds from its burning wounds. Whene’er his rebellious shoulders shift their burden to the right or left, the island is shaken from its foundations and the walls of tottering cities sway this way and that.
The peaks of Aetna thou must know by sight alone; to them no foot may approach. The rest is clothed with foliage but the summit no husbandman tills. Now it sends forth native smoke and with pitch-black cloud darkens and oppresses the day, now with awful stirrings it threatens the stars and feeds its flame with the dread fruit of its own body. But though it boils and bursts forth with such great heat yet it knows how to observe a truce with the snow, and together with glowing ashes the ice grows hard, protected from the great heat and secured by indwelling cold, so that the harmless flame licks the neighbouring frost with breath that keeps its compact. What huge engine hurls those rocks; what vast force piles rock on rock? Whence flows forth that fiery stream? Whether it be that the wind, forcing its way past hidden barriers, rages amid the fissured rocks that seek to bar its passage and, seeking a way of escape, sweeps the crumbling caverns with its wandering blasts in its bid for freedom, or that the sea, flowing in through the bowels of the sulphurous mountain, bursts into flame when its waters are compressed and casts up great rocks, I know not.
When the loving mother had entrusted her charge to the secret keeping of Henna she went freed from care to visit tower-crowned Cybele in her Phrygian home, driving a car drawn by twining serpents which cleave the pervious clouds on their winged course and fleck the bit with harmless poison. Their heads are crested and spots of green mottle their backs while sparkling gold glints amid their scales. Now they swim circling through the air, now they skim the fields with low-driven course. The passing wheels sow the plough-land with golden grain and their track grows yellow with corn. Sprouting stalks cover their traces and attendant crops clothe the path of the goddess.
Now is left behind Aetna, and all Sicily sinks lessening into the distance. Ah, how often, foreknowing of coming ill, did she mar her cheek with welling tears; how often look back upon her home with words like these: “Be happy, dear land, dearer than heaven to me, into thy safe keeping I commend my daughter, my sole joy, loved fruit of my labour. No despicable reward shall be thine, for thou shalt suffer no hoe nor shall the cruel iron of the ploughshare know thy soil. Untilled thy fields shall bear fruit, and though thine oxen plough not, a richer husbandman shall view with wonder the self-sown harvest.” So spake she and reached Mount Ida, drawn by her yellow serpents.
Here is the queenly seat of the goddess and in her holy temple the sacred statue, o’ershadowed by the thick leaves of the pine wood which, though no storm wind shakes the grove, gives forth creakings with its cone-bearing branches. Within are the dread bands of the initiate with whose wild chantings the shrine rings; Ida is loud with howlings and Gargarus bends his woods in fear. As soon as Ceres appears the drums restrain their rattle; the choirs are silent and the Corybantes stay the flourish of their knives. Pipes and cymbals are still, and the lions sink their manes in greeting. Cybele rejoicing runs forth from the shrine and bends her towered head to kiss her guest.
Long had Jove seen this, watching from his lofty seat, and to Venus he thus enfolded the secrets of his heart: “Goddess of Cythera, I will impart to thee my hidden troubles; long ago I decided that fair Proserpine should be given in marriage to the lord of Hell; such is Atropos’ bidding, such old Themis’ prophecy. Now that her mother has left her is the time for action. Do thou visit the confines of Sicily, and armed with thy wiles, lead Ceres’ daughter to sport in the level meads what time to-morrow’s light has unfolded the rosy dawn; employ those arts with which thou art wont to inflame all things, often even myself. Why should the nether kingdoms know not love? Let no land be free and no breast even amid the shades unfired by Venus. At last let the gloomy Fury feel the sting of passion and Acheron and the steely heart of stern Dis grow tender with love’s arrows.”
Venus hastes to do his bidding; and at their sire’s behest there join her Pallas and Diana whose bent bow affrights all Maenalus’ slopes. Neath her divine feet the path shone bright, even as a comet, fraught with augury of ill, falls headlong, a glowing portent of blood-red fire; no sailor may look on it and live, no people view it but to their destruction; the message of its threatening tail is storm to ships and enemy’s attack to cities. They reached the place where shone Ceres’ palace, firm-built by the Cyclopes’ hands; up tower the iron walls, iron stand the gates, and steel bars secure the massy doors. Neither Pyragmon nor Steropes e’er builded a work with toil so great as that, nor ever did bellows breathe forth such blasts nor the molten mass of metal flow in a stream so deep that the very furnaces were weary of heating it. The hall was walled with ivory; the roof strengthened with beams of bronze and supported by lofty columns of electron.
Proserpine herself, soothing the house with sweet song, was sewing all in vain a gift against her mother’s return. In this cloth she embroidered with her needle the concourse of atoms and the dwelling of the Father of the gods and pictured how mother Nature ordered elemental chaos, and how the first principles of things sprang apart, each to his proper place – those that were light being born aloft, the heavier ones falling to the centre. The air grew bright and fire chose the pole as its seat. Here flowed the sea; there hung the earth suspended. Many were the colours she employed, tricking the stars with gold and flowing the sea with purple. The shore she embossed with precious stones and cunningly employed raised threadwork to imitate the swelling billows. You might have thought you saw the seaweed dashed against the rocks and heard the murmur of the hissing waves flooding up the thirsty sands. Five zones she added; indicating it with red yarn: its desert confines are parched and the thread she used was dried by the sun’s unfailing heat. On either side lay the two habitable zones, blessed with mild climate fit for the life of man. At the top and bottom she set the two frozen zones, portraying eternal winter’s horror in her weaving and the gloom of never-ceasing cold. Further she embroidered the accursed seat of her uncle, Dis, and the nether gods, her destined fellows. Nor did the omen pass unmarked, for prophetic of the future her cheeks grew wet with sudden tears.
Next she began to trace Ocean’s glassy shallows at the tapestry’s farthest edge, but at that moment the doors opened, she saw the goddesses enter, and left her work unfinished. A glowing blush that mantled to her clear cheeks suffused her fair countenance and lit the torches of stainless purity. Not so beautiful even the glow of ivory which a Lydian maid has stained with Sidon’s scarlet dye.
Now the sun was dipped in Ocean, and misty Night scattering sleep had brought for mortals ease and leisure in her black two-horsed chariot; when Pluto, warned by his brother, made his way to the upper air. The dread fury Allecto yokes to the chariot-pole the two fierce pairs of steeds that graze Cocytus’ banks and roam the dark meads of Erebus, and, drinking the rotting pools of sluggish Lethe, let dark oblivion drip from their slumberous lips – Orphnaeus, savage and fleet, Aethon, swifter than an arrow, great Nycteus, proud glory of Hell’s steeds, and Alastor, branded with the mark of Dis. These stood harnessed before the door and savagely champed the bit all eager for the morrow’s enjoyment of their destined booty.
BOOK II PREFACE
When Orpheus sought repose and, lulling his song to sleep, had long laid aside his neglected task, the Nymphs complained that their joy had been reft from them and the sad rivers mourned the loss of his tuneful lays. Nature’s savagery returned and the heifer in terror of the lion looked in vain for help from the now voiceless lyre. The rugged mountains lamented his silence and the woods that had so often followed his Thracian lute.
But after that Hercules, setting forth from Inachian Argos, reached the plains of Thrace on his mission of salvation, and destroying the stables of Diomede, fed the horses of the bloody tyrant on grass, then it was that the poet, o’erjoyed at his country’s happy fate, took up at once more the tuneful strings of his flute long laid aside, and touching its idle chords with the smooth quill, plied the famed ivory with festal fingers. Scarce had they heard him when the winds and waves were stilled; Hebrus flowed more sluggishly with reluctant stream, Rhodope stretched out her rocks all eager for the song, and Ossa, his summit less exalted, shook off his coat of snow. The tall poplar and the pine, accompanied by the oak, left the slopes of treeless Haemus, and even the laurel came, allured by the voice of Orpheus, though erstwhile it had despised Apollo’s art. Molossian dogs fawned playfully on fearless hares, and the lamb made room for the wolf by her side. Does sported in amity with the striped tiger and hinds had no fear of the lion’s mane.
He sang the stings of a step-dame’s ire and the deeds of Hercules, the monsters overcome by his strong right arm; how while yet a child he had shown the strangled snakes to his terrified mother, and had laughed, fearlessly scorning such dangers. “Thee nor the bull that shook with his bellowing the cities of Crete alarmed, nor the savagery of the hound of Hell; thee not the lion, soon to become a constellation in the heavens, nor the wild boar that brought renown to Erymanthus’ height. Thou hast stripped the Amazons of their girdles, shot with thy bow the birds of Stymphalus, and driven home the cattle of the western clime. Thou hast o’erthrown the many limbs of the triple-headed monster and returned thrice victorious from a single foe. Vain the falls of Antaeus, vain the sprouting of the Hydra’s new heads. Its winged feet availed not to save Diana’s deer from thy hand. Cacus’ flames were quenched and Nile ran rich with Busiris’ blood. Pholoë’s slopes reeked with the slaughter of the cloud-born Centaurs. Thee the curving shoe of Libya held in awe; thee the mighty Ocean gazed at in amaze when thou laidst the world’s bulk on they back; on the neck of Hecules the heaven was poised more surely; the sun and stars coursed over thy shoulders.”
So sang the Thracian bard. But thou, Florentinus, art a second Hercules to me. ‘Tis thou causest my quill to stir, ‘tis thou disturbest he Muses’ cavern long plunged in sleep and leadest their gentle bands in the dance.
BOOK II
Not yet had bright day with herald beams struck the waves of the Ionian main; the light of dawn shimmered on the waters and the straying brilliance flickered over the deep blue sea. And now bold Proserpine, forgetful of her mother’s jealous care and tempted by the wiles of Venus, seeks the stream-fed vale. Such was the Fates’ decree. Thrice did the doors sound a warning note as the hinges turned; thrice did prophetic Aetna rumble mournfully with awful thunders. But her can no portent, no omen detain. The sister goddesses bore her company.
First goes Venus exulting in her trickery and inspired by her great mission. In her heart she takes account of the coming rape; soon she will rule dread Chaos, soon, Dis once subdued, she will lead the subject ghosts. Her hair, parted into many locks, is braided round her head and secured by a Cyprian pin, and a brooch cunningly fabricated by her spouse Vulcan supports her cloak thick studded with purple jewels.
Behind her hasten Diana, fair queen of Arcadian Lycaeus, and Pallas who, with her spear, protects the citadel of Athens – virgins both; Pallas, cruel goddess of war, Diana, bane of wild creatures. On her burnished helmet the Triton-born goddess wore a carved figure of Typhon, the upper part of his body lifeless, the lower limbs yet writhing, part dead, part quick. Her terrible spear, piercing the clouds as she brandished it, resembled a tree; only the Gorgon’s hissing neck she hid in the spread of her glittering cloak. But mild was Diana’s gaze and very like her brother looked she; Phoebus’ own one had thought her cheeks and eyes, her sex alone disclosed the difference. Her shining arms were bare, her straying locks fluttered in the gentle breeze, and the chord of her unstrung bow hung idle, her arrows slung behind her back. Her Cretan tunic, gathered with girdles twain, flows down to her knees, and on her waving dress Delos wanders and stretches surrounded by a golden sea.
Between the two Ceres’ child, now her mother’s pride, so soon to be her sorrow, treads the grass with equal pace, their equal, too, in stature and beauty; Pallas you might have thought her, had she carried a shield, Diana, if a javelin. A brooch of polished jasper secured her girded dress. Never did art give happier issue to the shuttle’s skill; never was cloth so beautifully made nor embroidery so life-like. In it she had worked the birth of the sun from the seed of Hyperion, the birth, too, of the Moon, though diverse was her shape – of sun and moon that bring the dawning and the night. Tethys affords them a cradle and soothes in her bosom their infant sobs; the rosy light of her foster-children irradiates her dark blue plains. On her right shoulder she carried the infant Titan, too young as yet to vex with his light, and his encircling beams not grown; he is pictured as more gentle in those tender years, and from his mouth issues a soft flame that accompanies his infant cries. The Moon, his sister carried on Tethys’ left shoulder, sucks the milk of that bright breast, her forehead marked with a little horn.
Such is the wonder of Proserpine’s dress. The Naiads bear her company and on either side crowd around her, those who haunt thy streams, Crinisus, and Pantagia’s rocky torrent and Gela’s who gives his name to the city; those whom Camerina, the unmoved, nurtures in her shallow marshes, whose home is Arethusa’s flood or the stream of Alpheus, her foreign lover; tallest of their company is Cyane. So move they as the beauteous band of Amazons, brandishing their moon-shaped shields what time the maiden warrior Hippolyte, after laying waste the regions of the north, leads home her fair army after battle, whether they have o’erthrown the yellow-haired Getae or cloven frozen Tanais with the axe of their native Thermodon; or as the Lydian Nymphs celebrate the festivals of Bacchus – the Nymphs whose sire was Hermus along whose banks they course, splashed with his golden waters: the river-god rejoices in his cavern home and pours forth the flooding urn with generous hand.
Henna, mother of blossoms, had espied the goddess’ company from her grassy summit and thus addressed Zephyrus, lurking in the winding vale: “Gracious father of the spring, thou who ever rulest over my meads with errant breeze and bringest rain upon the summer lands with thine unceasing breath, behold this company of Nymphs and Jove’s tall daughters who deign to sport them in my meadows. Be present to bless, I pray. Grant that now all the trees be thick with newly-grown fruit, that fertile Hybla may be jealous and admit her paradise surpassed. All the sweet airs of Panchaea’s incense-bearing woods, all the honied odours of Hydaspes’ distant stream, all the spices which from the furthest fields the long-lived Phoenix gathers, seeking new birth from wished for death – spread thou all these through my veins and with generous breath refresh my country. May I be worthy to be plundered by divine fingers and goddesses seek to be decked with my garlands.”
So spake she, and Zephyrus shook his wings adrip with fresh nectar and drenches the ground with their life-giving dew. Wheresoe’er he flies spring’s brilliance follows. The fields grow lush with verdure and heaven’s dome shines cloudless above them. He paints the bright roses red, the hyacinths blue and the sweet violets purple. What girdles of Babylon, meet cincture of a royal breast, are adorned with such varied jewels? What fleece so dyed in the rich juice of the murex where stand the brazen towers of Tyre? Not the wings of Juno’s own bird display such colouring. Not thus do the many-changing hues of the rainbow span young winter’s sky when in curved arch its rainy path glows green amid the parting clouds.
Even more lovely than the flowers in the country. The plain, with gentle swell and gradual slopes, rose into a hill; issuing from the living rock gushing streams bedewed their grassy banks. With the shade of its branches a wood tempers the sun’s fierce heat and at summer’s height makes for itself the cold of winter. There grows the pine, useful for seafaring, the cornel-tree for weapons of war, the oak, friendly to Jove, the cypress, sentinel of graves, the holm filled with honeycombs, and the laurel foreknowing of the future; here the box-tree waves its thick crown of leaves, here creeps the ivy, here the vine clothes the elm. Not far from here lies a lake called by the Sicani Pergus, girt with a cincture of leafy woods close around its pallid waters. Deep down therein the eye of whoso would can see, and the everywhere transparent water invites an untrammeled gazes into its oozy depths and betrays the uttermost secrets of its pellucid gulfs. Hither came their company well pleased with the flowery climb.
Venus bids them gather flowers. “Come, sisters, while yet the morning sun shines through the moist air, and while Lucifer, my harbinger of dawn, yet drives his dewy steeds and waters the bright field.” So spake she and gathered the flower that testified to her own woe. Her companions ranged the various vales. You could have believed a swarm of bees was on the wing, eager to gather its sweetness from Hyblaean thyme, where the king bees lead out their wax-housed armies and the honey-bearing host, issuing from the beech-tree’s hollow bole, buzzes around its favourite flowers. The meadows are despoiled of their glory; this goddess weaves lilies with dark violets, another decks herself with pliant marjoram, a third steps forth rose-crowned, another wreathed with white privet. Thee also, Hyacinthus, they gather, thy flower inscribed with woe, and Narcissus too – once lovely boys, now the pride of flowering spring. Thou, Hyacinthus, wert born at Amyclae, Narcissus was Helicon’s child; thee the errant discus slew; him love of his stream-reflected face beguiled; for thee weeps Delos’ god with sorrow-weighted brow; for him Cephisus with his broken reeds.
But beyond her fellows she, the one hope of the corn-bearing goddess, burned with a fierce desire to gather flowers. Now she fills with the spoil of the fields her laughing baskets, osier-woven; now she twines a wreath of flowers and crowns herself therewith, little seeing in this a foreshadowing of the marriage fate holds in store for her. E’en Pallas herself, goddess of the trumpets and of the weapons of war, devotes to gentler pursuits the hand wherewith she o’erwhelms the host of battle and throws down stout gates and city walls. She lays aside her spear and wreaths her helmet with soft flowers – strange aureole! The iron peak is gay, o’ershadowed the fierce martial glint, and the plumes, erstwhile levin bolts, now nod with blossoms. Nor does Diana, who scours Mount Parthenius with her keen-scented hounds, disdain this company but would fain bind her free-flowing tresses with a flowery crown.
But while the maidens so disport themselves, wandering through the fields, a sudden roar is heard, towers crash and towns, shaken to their foundations, totter and fall. None knows whence comes the tumult; Paphus’ goddess alone recognized the sound that set her companions in amaze, and fear mixed with joy fills her heart. For now the king of souls was pricking his way through the dim labyrinth of the underworld and crushing Enceladus, groaning beneath the weight of his massy steeds. His chariot-wheels severed the monstrous limbs, and the giant struggles, bearing Sicily along with Pluto on his burdened neck, and feebly essays to move and entangle the wheels with his weary serpents; still o’er his blazing back passes the smoking chariot. And as sappers seek to issue forth upon their unsuspecting enemy and, following a mined path beneath the foundations of the tunneled field, pass unmarked beyond the foe-infested alls of the city to break out, a victorious party, into the citadel of the outwitted enemy, seeming sprung from earth, even so Saturn’s third son scours the devious darkness whithersoever his team hurries him, all eager to come forth beneath his brother’s sky. No door lies open for him; rocks bar his egress on every side and detain the god in their escapeless prison. He brooked not the delay but wrathfully smote the crags with his beam-like staff. Sicily’s caverns thundered, Lipare’s isle was confounded, Vulcan left his forge in amaze and the Cyclops let drop their thunderbolts in fear. The pent-up denizens of the frozen Alps heard the uproar and he who then swam thy wave, father Tiber, thy brows not as yet graced with the crown of Italy’s triumphs; there heard it he who rows his bark down Padus’ stream.
So when the rock-encircled lake, ere Peneus’ wave rolled seaward, covered all Thessaly and allowed not its submerged fields to be tilled, Neptune smote the imprisoning mountain with his trident. Then did the peak of Ossa, riven with the mighty flow, spring apart from snowy Olympus; a passage was made and the waters were released, whereby the sea won back her feeding streams and the husbandman his fields.
When Trinacria beneath Pluto’s stroke loosed her rocky bonds and yawned wide with cavernous cleft, sudden fear seized upon the sky. The stars deserted their accustomed courses; the Bear bathed him in forbidden Ocean; terror hurried sluggish Boötes to his setting; Orion trembled. Atlas paled as he heard the neighing coursers; their smoky breath obscures the bright heavens and the sun’s orb affrighted them, so long fed on darkness. They stood biting the curb astonied at the brighter air, and struggle to turn the chariot and hurry back to dread Chaos. But soon, when they felt the lash on their backs and learned to bear the sun’s brightness, they gallop on more rapidly than a winter torrent and more fleet than the hurtling spear; swifter than the Parthian’s dart, the south wind’s fury or nimble thought of anxious mind. Their bits are warm with blood, their death-brining breath infects the air, the polluted dust is poisoned with their foam.
The Nymphs fly away in all directions; Proserpine is hurried away in the chariot, imploring aid of the goddesses. Now Pallas unveils the Gorgon’s head, Diana strings her bow and hastes to help. Neither yields to her uncle’s violence; a common virginity compels them to fight and engages them at the crime of the fierce ravisher. Pluto is like a lion when he has seized upon a heifer, the pride of the stall and the herd, and has torn with his claws the defenceless flesh and has sated his fury on all its limbs, and so stands all befouled with clotted blood and shakes his tangled mane and scorns the shepherds’ feeble rage.
“Lord of the strengthless dead,” cries Pallas, “wickedest of thy brothers, what Furies have stirred thee with their goads and accursed torches? Why hast thou left thy seat and how darest thou pollute the upper world with thy hellish team? Thou hast the hideous Curses, the other deities of Hell, the dread Furies – any of them would be a worthy spouse for thee. Quit thy brother’s realm, begone from the kingdom allotted to another. Get thee hence; let thine own night suffice thee. Why mix the quick with the dead? Why treadest thou our world, an unwelcome visitant?”
So exclaiming she smote with her threatening shield the horses who sought to advance and barred their way with the bulk of her targe, thrusting them back with the hissing snake-hair of Medusa’s head and o’ershadowing them with its outstretched plumes. She poised for throwing her shaft of ash whose radiance met and illumed Pluto’s black chariot. Almost had she cast it had not Jove from heaven’s height hurled his red thunderbolt on peaceful wings, acknowledging his new son; mid the riven clouds thunders the marriage-paean and attesting fires confirm the union.
All unwilling the goddesses yielded, and weeping Diana laid aside her weapons and thus spake: “Fare well, a long farewell; forget us not. Reverence for our sire forbade our help, and against his will we cannot defend thee. We acknowledge defeat by a power greater than our own. The Father hath conspired against thee and betrayed thee to the realms of silence, no more, alas! to behold the sisters and companions who crave sight of thee. What fate hath reft thee from the upper air and condemned the heavens to so deep mourning? Now no more can we rejoice to set Parthenius’ steep with nets nor wear the quiver; at large as he lists let the wild boar raven and the lion roar savagely with none to say him nay. Thee, Taygetus’ crest, thee Maenalus’ height shall weep, their hunting laid aside. Long shalt thou be food for weeping on sorrowing Cynthus’ slopes. E’en my brother’s shrine at Delphi shall speak no more.”
Meanwhile Proserpine is borne away in the winged car, her hair streaming before the wind, beating her arms in lamentation and calling in vain remonstrance to the clouds: “Why has thou not hurled at me, father, bolts forged by the Cyclopes’ hands? Was this thy will to deliver thy daughter to the cruel shades and drive her for ever from this world? Does love move thee not at all? Hast thou nothing of a father’s feeling? What ill deed of mine has stirred such anger in thee? When Phlegra raged with war’s madness I bore no standard against the gods; ‘twas through no strength of mine that ice-bound Ossa supported frozen Olympus. For attempt of what crime, for complicity with what guilt, am I thrust down in banishment to the bottomless pit of Hell? Happy girls whom other ravishers have stolen; they at least enjoy the general light of day, while I, together with my virginity, lose the air of heaven; stolen from me alike is innocence and daylight. Needs must I quit this world and be led a captive bride to serve Hell’s tyrant. Ye flowers that I loved in so evil an hour, oh, why did I scorn my mother’s warning? Too late did I detect the wiles of Venus. Mother, my mother, whether in the vales of Phrygian Ida the dread pipe sounds about thine ears with Lydian strains, or thou hauntest mount Dindymus, ahowl with self-mutilated Galli, and beholdest the naked swords of the Curetes, aid me in my bitter need; frustrate Pluto’s mad lust and stay the funereal reins of my fierce ravisher.”
Her words and those becoming tears mastered e’en that rude heart as Pluto first learned to feel love’s longings. The tears he wiped away with his murky cloak, quieting her sad grief with these soothing words: “Cease, Proserpine, to vex thy heart with gloomy cares and causeless fear. A prouder sceptre shall be thine, nor shalt thou face marriage with a husband unworthy of thee. I am that scion of Saturn whose will the framework of the world obeys, whose power stretches through the limitless void. Think not thou hast lost the light of day; other stars are mine and other courses; a purer light shalt thou face marriage with a husband unworthy of thee. I am that scion of Saturn whose will the framework of the world obeys, whose power stretches through the limitless void. Think not thou hast lost the light of day; other stars are mine and other courses; a purer light shalt thou see and wonder rather at Elysium’s sun and blessed habitants. There are richer age, a golden race has its home, and we possess for ever what men win but once. Soft meads shall fail thee not, and ever-blooming flowers, such as they Henna ne’er produced, breathe to gentle zephyrs. There is, moreover a precious tree in the leafy groves whose curving branches gleam with living ore – a tree consecrated to thee. Thou shalt be queen of blessed autumn and ever enriched with golden fruit. Nay more; whatsoe’er the limpid air embraces, whatever earth nourishes, the salt seas sweep, the rivers roll, or the marsh-lands feed, all living things alike shall yield them to thy sway, all, I say, that dwell beneath the orb of the moon that is the seventh of the planets and in its ethereal journey separates things mortal from the deathless stars. To thy feet shall come purple-clothed kings, stripped of their pomp, and mingling with the unmoneyed throng; for death renders all equal. Thou shalt give doom to the guilty and rest to the virtuous. Before thy judgement-throne the wicked must confess the crimes of their evil lives. Lethe’s stream shall obey thee and the Fates be thy handmaidens. Be thy will done.”
So speaking he urges on his triumphant steeds and enters Tartarus in gentler wise. The shades assemble, thick as the leaves the stormy south wind shakes down from the trees, dense as the rain-clouds it masses, countless as the billows it curls or the sand it scatters. The dead of every age throng with hastening foot to see so illustrious a bride. Soon Pluto himself enters with joyful mien submitting him to the softening influence of pleasant laughter, all unlike his former self. At the incoming of his lord and mistress huge Phlegethon rises; his bristly beard is wet with burning streams and flames dart all o’er his countenance.
There hasten to greet the pair slaves chosen from out the number. Some put away the lofty chariot, take the bits from the mouths of the toil-freed horses and turn them to graze in their accustomed pastures. Some hold back the curtains, others decorate the doorway with branches and fasten broidered hangings in the bridal chamber. In chaste bands the matrons of Elysium throng their queen, and with sweet converse banish her fear; they gather and braid her disheveled hair and place the wedding-veil upon her head to hide her troubled blushes.
Joy fills that grey land, the buried throng holds high festival, and the ghosts sport them at the nuptial feast. The flower-crowned Manes sit at a joyous banquet and unwonted song breaks the gloomy silence; wailing is hushed. Hell’s murk gladly disperses and suffers the darkness of age-long night to grow less impenetrable. Minos’ urn of judgement throws no ambiguous lots; the sound of blows is still, for punishments are intermitted. No longer is Ixion tortured by the ever-turning wheel to which he is bound; from Tantalus’ lips no more is the flying water withdrawn. Ixion is freed, Tantalus reaches the stream, and Tityus at length straightens out his huge limbs and uncovers nine acres of foul ground (such was his large size), and the vulture, that burrows lazily into the dark side, is dragged off from his wearied breast sore against its will, lamenting that no longer is the devoured flesh renewed for it.
The Furies, forgetful of crimes and dread wrath, make ready the wine-bowl and drink therefrom for all their snaky hair. Nay, with gentle song, their threatenings are laid aside, they stretch out their snakes to the full cups and kindle the festal torches with unusual flame. Then, too, the birds flew unhurt over the now appeasèd stream of poisonous Avernus, and Lake Amsanctus checked his deadly exhalations; the stream was stayed and the whirlpool grew still. They say that then the springs of Acheron were changed and welled up with new milk, while Cocytus, enwreathed with ivy, flowed along in streams of sweet wine. Lachesis slit not the thread of life nor did funeral dirge sound in challenge to the holy chant. Death walked not on earth and no parents wept beside the funeral pyre. The wave brought not destruction to the sailor nor the spear to the warrior. Cities flourished and knew not Death, the destroyer. Charon crowned his uncombed locks with sedge and singing plied his weightless oars.
And now its own evening-star had shone upon the underworld. The maiden is led into the bridal chamber. Night, clad in starry raiment, stands by her as her brideswoman; she touches the couch and blesses the union of marriage with a bond that cannot be broken. The blessed shades raise their voices and beneath the palace roof of Dis thus being their song with sleepless acclaim: “Proserpine, queen of our realm, and thou, Pluto, at once the brother and the son-in-law of Jove, the Thunderer, be it yours to know the alliance of conjoined sleep; pledge mutual troth as ye hold each other in intertwining arms. Happy offspring shall be yours; joyous Nature awaits gods yet to be born. Give the world a new divinity and Ceres the grandchildren she longs for.”
