10. Other minor deities Summary 狄俄尼索斯( Dionysus)与罗马人信奉的巴克斯( Bacchus)是同一位神祇, 他是古代希腊人信奉的葡萄酒之神,他不仅握有葡萄酒醉人的力量,还以布施欢 乐与慈爱在当时成为极有感召力的神,他推动了古代社会的文明并确立了法则, 维护着世界的和平。此外,他还护佑着希腊的农业与戏剧文化。在奧林匹亚圣山 的传说中他是宙斯与赛墨勒之子 珀耳塞福涅( Persephone)是希腊神话中冥界的王后,她是德墨忒尔( Demeter) 和宙斯的女儿,被哈迪斯( Hades)绑架到冥界与哈迪斯结婚,成为冥后 奥林匹斯山的众神中,最叫人无可奈何的,就是小爱神丘比特。丘比特一直 被人们喻为爱情的象征,相传他有头非常美丽的金发,雪白娇嫩的脸蛋,还有 对可以自由自在飞翔的翅膀,丘比特和他母亲爱神阿芙洛狄忒一起主管神、人的 爱情和婚姻。不过他与母亲阿芙洛狄忒不同,阿芙洛狄忒代表的是理性的爱,而 丘比特代表的是疯狂的爱。丘比特的图片多为蒙眼,以寓意 Love is blind。 除了高高在上的奥林匹斯众神之外,还有寓于世界万物中的这些小神小仙, 可谓是万物皆有灵性( animism),这便使得这个世界拥挤不堪但又妙趣横生 Selected Reading Dionysus (Dionysus) Bacchus was the son of Jupiter and Semele. As is known to all Semele was burned to ashes through Hera's cunning trap and Hermes arrived just in time to take from within her the baby bacchus Zeus took the infant Bacchus and gave him in charge to the nymphs of Mount Nysa, who nourished his infancy and childhood x4 and for their care were rewarded by Jupiter by being placed, as the hyades, among the stars. It was on Mount Nysa that dionysus invented wine for which he is chiefly celebrated. When he grew to manhood Hera recognized him as Zeus's son despite the effeminacy to which his education had reduced him and drove him mad. He went wandering all over the world, accompanied by his tutor Silenus and a wild army of Satyrs'and Maenads. In Phrygia the goddess rhea cured him and taught him her religious rites, and he set out on a progress through Asia, teaching the people the cultivation of the wine. The most famous part of his wanderings is India, which is said to have lasted several years. Returning in triumph, he undertook to introduce his worship into Greece, but was opposed by some princes, who dreaded its introduction on account of the disorders and madness it brought with it As he approached his native city Thebes, Pentheus the king, who had no respect
41 10. Other Minor Deities Summary 狄俄尼索斯（Dionysus） 与罗马人信奉的巴克斯（Bacchus）是同一位神祇， 他是古代希腊人信奉的葡萄酒之神，他不仅握有葡萄酒醉人的力量，还以布施欢 乐与慈爱在当时成为极有感召力的神，他推动了古代社会的文明并确立了法则， 维护着世界的和平。此外，他还护佑着希腊的农业与戏剧文化。在奥林匹亚圣山 的传说中他是宙斯与赛墨勒之子。 珀耳塞福涅（Persephone）是希腊神话中冥界的王后，她是德墨忒尔（Demeter） 和宙斯的女儿，被哈迪斯（Hades）绑架到冥界与哈迪斯结婚，成为冥后。 奥林匹斯山的众神中，最叫人无可奈何的，就是小爱神丘比特。丘比特一直 被人们喻为爱情的象征，相传他有头非常美丽的金发，雪白娇嫩的脸蛋，还有一 对可以自由自在飞翔的翅膀，丘比特和他母亲爱神阿芙洛狄忒一起主管神、人的 爱情和婚姻。不过他与母亲阿芙洛狄忒不同，阿芙洛狄忒代表的是理性的爱，而 丘比特代表的是疯狂的爱。丘比特的图片多为蒙眼，以寓意 Love is blind。 除了高高在上的奥林匹斯众神之外，还有寓于世界万物中的这些小神小仙， 可谓是万物皆有灵性(animism)，这便使得这个世界拥挤不堪但又妙趣横生。 Selected Reading Dionysus (Dionysus) Bacchus was the son of Jupiter and Semele. As is known to all, Semele was burned to ashes through Hera’s cunning trap and Hermes arrived just in time to take from within her the baby Bacchus. Zeus took the infant Bacchus and gave him in charge to the nymphs of Mount Nysa, who nourished1 his infancy and childhood, and for their care were rewarded by Jupiter by being placed, as the Hyades2 , among the stars. It was on Mount Nysa that Dionysus invented wine, for which he is chiefly celebrated. When he grew to manhood Hera recognized him as Zeus’s son, despite the effeminacy3 to which his education had reduced him, and drove him mad. He went wandering all over the world, accompanied by his tutor Silenus4 and a wild army of Satyrs5 and Maenads6 . In Phrygia the goddess Rhea cured him and taught him her religious rites, and he set out on a progress through Asia, teaching the people the cultivation of the wine. The most famous part of his wanderings is his expedition to India, which is said to have lasted several years. Returning in triumph7 , he undertook to introduce his worship into Greece, but was opposed by some princes, who dreaded its introduction on account of8 the disorders and madness it brought with it. As he approached his native city Thebes, Pentheus the king, who had no respect
for the new worship, forbade its rites to be performed. But when it was known that Bacchus was advancing, men and women, but chiefly the latter, young and old, poured forth to meet him and phal march It was in vain Pentheus remonstrated, commanded and threatened. "Go, said he to his attendants. "seize this vagabond o leader of the and bring him to me i will soon make him confess his false claim of heavenly parentage and renounce his counterfeit worship. It was in vain his nearest friends and wisest counselors remonstrated and begged him not to oppose the god. Their remonstrance only made him more violent But now the attendants returned whom he had d Bacchus. They had been driven away by the Bacchanals, but had prisoner, whom, with his hands tied behind him, they brought before the king. Pentheus, beholding him with wrathful countenance. said. "Fellow! you shall speedily be put to death that your fate may be a warning to others but though I grudge the delay of your punishment, speak, tell us who you are, and what are these new rites you celebrate The prisoner, unperturbed, responded, " My name is Acetes; my country is eople, who had no fields or flocks to lea they left me their fishing rods and nets and their fisherman s trade. This I followed for some time, till growing weary of remaining in one place, I learned the pilot's art and by the touched at the island of Dia and went ashore. Next morning i sent the men for fresh water,and myself mounted the hill to observe the wind, when my men returned bringing with them a prize, as they thought, a boy of delicate appearance, whom they had found asleep. They judged he was a noble youth, perhaps a kings son, and they might get a liberal ransom for him. I observed his dress, his walk, his face. There was something in them which I felt sure was more than mortal. I said to my men, What god there is concealed in that form I know not, but some one there certainly Pardon us, gentle deity, for the violence we have done you, and give success to our undertakings. Dictys, one of my best hands for climbing the mast and coming down by the ropes, and Melanthus, my steersman, and Epopeus, the leader of the sailor's cry one and all exclaimed, "Spare your prayers for us. So blind is the lust of gain! When they proceeded to put him on board I resisted them. This ship shall not be profaned by such impiety, said I. But Lycabas, a turbulent fellow, seized me by the throat and attempted to throw me overboard, and I scarcely saved myself by clinging to the ropes. The rest approved the deed
42 for the new worship, forbade its rites to be performed. But when it was known that Bacchus was advancing, men and women，but chiefly the latter, young and old, poured forth to meet him and to join his triumphal march. It was in vain Pentheus remonstrated9 ，commanded and threatened. “Go，” said he to his attendants, “seize this vagabond10 leader of the and bring him to me. I will soon make him confess his false claim of heavenly parentage and renounce11 his counterfeit12 worship.” It was in vain his nearest friends and wisest counselors remonstrated and begged him not to oppose the god. Their remonstrance only made him more violent. But now the attendants returned whom he had dispatched to seize Bacchus. They had been driven away by the Bacchanals13, but had succeeded in taking one of them prisoner, whom，with his hands tied behind him, they brought before the king. Pentheus, beholding him with wrathful countenance, said, “Fellow! you shall speedily be put to death, that your fate may be a warning to others; but though I grudge14 the delay of your punishment, speak, tell us who you are, and what are these new rites you celebrate.” The prisoner, unperturbed15, responded, “My name is Acetes; my country is Maeonia; my parents were poor people, who had no fields or flocks to leave me, but they left me their fishing rods and nets and their fisherman’s trade. This I followed for some time, till growing weary of remaining in one place, I learned the pilot’s art and how to guide my course by the stars. It happened as I was sailing for Delos we touched at the island of Dia and went ashore. Next morning I sent the men for fresh water, and myself mounted the hill to observe the wind, when my men returned bringing with them a prize, as they thought, a boy of delicate appearance, whom they had found asleep. They judged he was a noble youth, perhaps a king’s son, and they might get a liberal ransom16 for him. I observed his dress, his walk, his face. There was something in them which I felt sure was more than mortal. I said to my men, ‘What god there is concealed in that form I know not, but some one there certainly is. Pardon us，gentle deity, for the violence we have done you, and give success to our undertakings.’ Dictys, one of my best hands for climbing the mast and coming down by the ropes, and Melanthus, my steersman, and Epopeus, the leader of the sailor’s cry, one and all exclaimed, ‘Spare17 your prayers for us.’ So blind is the lust of gain！When they proceeded to put him on board I resisted them. ‘This ship shall not be profaned by such impiety,’ said I. But Lycabas, a turbulent18 fellow, seized me by the throat and attempted to throw me overboard, and I scarcely saved myself by clinging to the ropes. The rest approved the deed
Then Bacchus(for it was indeed he), as if shaking off his drowsiness exclaimed, What are you doing with me? What is this fighting about? Who brought e here? Where are you going to carry me? One of them replied, 'Fear nothing; tell us where you wish to go and we will take you there. "Naxos is my home, said Bacchus, take me there and you shall be well rewarded. They promised so to do, and told me to pilot the ship to Naxos. Naxos lay to the right, and I was trimming the sails to carry us there, when some by signs and others by whispers signified to me their will that I should sail in the opposite direction, and take the boy to egypt to sell him for a slave. I was confounded and said, ' Let someone else pilot the ship; withdrawing myself from their wickedness. They cursed me, and one of them, exclaiming, ' Don't flatter yourself that we depend on you for our safety, took my place as pilot, and bore away from Naxos Then the god, pretending that he had just become aware of their treachery 82 looked out over the sea and said in a voice of weeping,"Sailors, these are not the shores you promised to take me to; yonder island is not my home. What have I done that you should treat me so? It is small glory you will in by cheat oy. ' I wept to hear him, but the crew laughed at both of us, and sped the vessel fast over the sea. All at mid as fast as if it was fixed on the ground. The men,astonished, pulled at their oars, and read sail, trying to make www.theory the aid of both, but all in vain Ivy twined round the oars and hindered- their motion and clung to the sails, with heavy clusters of berries. A vine, laden with grapes, ran up the mast, and along the sides of the vessel. The sound of flutes was heard and the odor of fragrant wine spread all around. The god himself had a chaplet of vine leaves and bore in his hand a spear wreathed with ivy. Tigers crouched at his feet, and forms of lynxes and spotted panthers played around him. The men were seized with terror or madness; some leaped overboard; others preparing to do the same beheld their companions in the water undergoing a change, their bodies becoming flattened and ending in a crooked tail. One exclaimed, What miracle is this! And as he spoke his mouth widened, his nostrils expanded, and scales covered all his body. Another endeavoring to pull the oar, felt his hands shrink up and presently to be no longer ands but fins; another, trying to raise his arms to a rope, found he had no arms, and curving his mutilated body, jumped into the sea. What had been his legs became the wo ends of a crescent-shaped tail. The whole crew became dolphins and swam about the ship, now upon the surface, now under it, scattering the spray, and spouting the water from their broad nostrils. Of twenty men I alone was left. Trembling with
43 “Then Bacchus(for it was indeed he), as if shaking off his drowsiness19, exclaimed, ‘What are you doing with me? What is this fighting about? Who brought me here? Where are you going to carry me?’ One of them replied, ‘Fear nothing; tell us where you wish to go and we will take you there.’ ‘Naxos is my home,’ said Bacchus; ‘take me there and you shall be well rewarded.’ They promised so to do, and told me to pilot the ship to Naxos. Naxos lay to the right, and I was trimming the sails to carry us there, when some by signs and others by whispers signified to me their will that I should sail in the opposite direction, and take the boy to Egypt to sell him for a slave. I was confounded20 and said, ‘Let someone else pilot the ship;’ withdrawing myself from their wickedness. They cursed me, and one of them, exclaiming, ‘Don’t flatter yourself that we depend on you for our safety;’ took my place as pilot, and bore away from21 Naxos. “Then the god, pretending that he had just become aware of their treachery22, looked out over the sea and said in a voice of weeping, ‘Sailors, these are not the shores you promised to take me to; yonder island is not my home. What have I done that you should treat me so? It is small glory you will gain by cheating a poor boy.’ I wept to hear him, but the crew laughed at both of us, and sped the vessel fast over the sea. All at once——strange as it may seem, it is true,——the vessel stopped, in the mid sea, as fast as if it was fixed on the ground. The men, astonished, pulled at their oars, and spread more sail, trying to make progress by the aid of both, but all in vain. Ivy twined round the oars and hindered23 their motion, and clung to the sails, with heavy clusters of berries. A vine, laden with24 grapes, ran up the mast, and along the sides of the vessel. The sound of flutes was heard and the odor of fragrant wine spread all around. The god himself had a chaplet of vine leaves, and bore in his hand a spear wreathed with ivy. Tigers crouched at his feet, and forms of lynxes25 and spotted panthers played around him. The men were seized with terror or madness; some leaped overboard; others preparing to do the same beheld their companions in the water undergoing a change, their bodies becoming flattened and ending in a crooked tail. One exclaimed, ‘What miracle is this!’ And as he spoke his mouth widened, his nostrils expanded, and scales covered all his body. Another, endeavoring to pull the oar, felt his hands shrink up and presently to be no longer hands but fins; another, trying to raise his arms to a rope, found he had no arms, and curving his mutilated26 body, jumped into the sea. What had been his legs became the two ends of a crescent-shaped tail. The whole crew became dolphins and swam about the ship, now upon the surface, now under it, scattering27 the spray28, and spouting the water from their broad nostrils. Of twenty men I alone was left. Trembling with
fear, the god cheered me. ' Fear not, said he; steer towards Naxos. I obeyed, and when we arrived there. i kindled- the altars and celebrated the sacred rites of Bacchus Pentheus here exclaimed,"We have wasted time enough on this silly story him away and have him executed without delay. Acetes was led away by attendants and shut up fast in prison; but while they were getting ready the nstruments of execution the prison doors came open of their own and the chains fell from his limbs, and when they looked for him he was nowhere to be found Pentheus would take no warning, but instead of sending others, determined to himself to the scene of the solemnities the mountain citheron was all alive with worshippers, and the cries of the Bacchanals resounded on every side. The noise roused the anger of Pentheus as the sound of a trumpet does the fire of a war-horse He penetrated through the wood and reached an open space where the chief scene of the orgies"met his eyes. At the same moment the women saw him; and first among them his own mother, Agave, blinded by the god, cried out, See there the wild boar the hugest monster that prowls"in these woods! Come on, sisters! I will be the first to strike the wild boar. The whole band rushed upon him, and while he now talks less arrogantly, now excuses himself, and now confesses his crime and implores pardon, hey press upon him and wound him. In vain he cries to his aunts to protect him from his mother. Autonoe seized one arm. Ino the other and between them he was torn to pieces, while his mother shouted, Victory! Victory! We have done it; the glory is ours/" So the worship of Bacchus was established in Greece Persephone When Jupiter and his brothers had defeated the Titans and banished them to Tartarus, a new enemy rose up against the gods. They were the giants Typhon Briareus. Enceladus and others Some of them had a hundred arms. others breathed out fire. They were finally subdued and buried alive under Mount Aetna, where they still sometimes struggle to get loose, and shake the whole island with earthquakes. Their breath comes up through the mountain, and is what men call the eruption of the volcano The fall of these monsters shook the earth so that pluto was alarmed, and feared that his kingdom would be laid open to the light of day. Under this apprehension, he mounted his chariot, drawn by black horses, and took a circuit of inspection to satisfy himself of the extent of the damage. While he was thus engaged, Venus, who was sitting on Mount Eryx playing with her boy Cupid, espiedhim, and said, "My son, take your darts with which you conquer all, even Jove himself, and send one into the breast of yonder dark monarch, who rules the realm of Tartarus. Why should he alone escape? Seize the opportunity to extend your empire and mine. Do you not see that even in heaven some despise our power? Minerva the wise, and Diana the huntress, defy us, and there is that daughter of Ceres, who threatens to follow their
44 fear, the god cheered me. ‘Fear not,’ said he; ‘steer towards Naxos.’ I obeyed, and when we arrived there, I kindled29 the altars and celebrated the sacred rites of Bacchus.” Pentheus here exclaimed, “We have wasted time enough on this silly story. Take him away and have him executed without delay.” Acetes was led away by the attendants and shut up fast in prison; but while they were getting ready the instruments of execution the prison doors came open of their own and the chains fell from his limbs, and when they looked for him he was nowhere to be found. Pentheus would take no warning, but instead of sending others, determined to go himself to the scene of the solemnities30. The mountain Citheron was all alive with worshippers, and the cries of the Bacchanals resounded on every side. The noise roused the anger of Pentheus as the sound of a trumpet does the fire of a war- horse. He penetrated through the wood and reached an open space where the chief scene of the orgies31 met his eyes. At the same moment the women saw him; and first among them his own mother, Agave, blinded by the god, cried out, “See there the wild boar, the hugest monster that prowls32 in these woods! Come on, sisters! I will be the first to strike the wild boar.” The whole band rushed upon him, and while he now talks less arrogantly, now excuses himself，and now confesses his crime and implores pardon, they press upon him and wound him. In vain he cries to his aunts to protect him from his mother. Autonoe seized one arm, Ino the other, and between them he was torn to pieces, while his mother shouted, “Victory! Victory! We have done it; the glory is ours!” So the worship of Bacchus was established in Greece. Persephone When Jupiter and his brothers had defeated the Titans and banished them to Tartarus, a new enemy rose up against the gods. They were the giants Typhon33, Briareus34, Enceladus35, and others. Some of them had a hundred arms, others breathed out fire. They were finally subdued36 and buried alive under Mount Aetna, where they still sometimes struggle to get loose, and shake the whole island with earthquakes. Their breath comes up through the mountain, and is what men call the eruption of the volcano. The fall of these monsters shook the earth, so that Pluto was alarmed, and feared that his kingdom would be laid open to the light of day. Under this apprehension, he mounted his chariot, drawn by black horses, and took a circuit37 of inspection to satisfy himself of the extent of the damage. While he was thus engaged38, Venus, who was sitting on Mount Eryx playing with her boy Cupid, espied39 him, and said, “My son, take your darts with which you conquer all, even Jove himself, and send one into the breast of yonder dark monarch, who rules the realm of Tartarus. Why should he alone escape? Seize the opportunity to extend your empire and mine. Do you not see that even in heaven some despise40 our power? Minerva the wise, and Diana the huntress, defy us; and there is that daughter of Ceres, who threatens to follow their
example. Now do you, if you have any regard for your own interest or mine, join these two in one. The boy unbound his quiver, and selected his sharpest and truest arrow, then straining the bow against his knee, he attached the string, and, having made ready, shot the arrow right into the heart of Pluto In the vale of enna there is a lake embowered-* in woods. which screen it from the fervid* rays of the sun, while the moist ground is covered with flowers and Spring reigns perpetual. Here Proserpine was playing with her companions, gathering lilies and violets, and filling her basket and her apron with them when pluto saw her loved her. and for help her mother and companions and when in her fright she dropped the corners of her apron and let the flowers fall, childlike she felt the loss of them as an addition to her grief. The ravisher urged onhis steeds calling them each by name, and throwing loose over their heads and necks his iron-colored reins. When he reached the River Cyane, and it opposed his passage, he struck the river-bank with his trident, and the earth opened and gave him a passage to Ceres sought her daughter all the world over. Bright-haired aurora when she came forth in the morning, and Hesperus when he led out the stars in the evening, found her still busy in the search. But it was all unavailing#6. At length, weary and Id nights in the ir. under the sunlight and moonlight and falling showers. It was where now stands the city of Eleusis, then the home of an old man named Celeus. He was out in the field, gathering acorns and blackberries, and sticks for his fire. His little girl was driving home their two goats, and as she passed the goddess, who appeared in the guise of an old woman, she said to her, "Mother, and the name was sweet to the ears of Ceres,"why do you sit here alone upon the rocks? The old man also stopped though his load was heavy and begged her to come into his cottage such as it was#? She declined, and he urged her. " Go in peace, she replied, and be happy in your daughter; I have lost mine. As she spoke, tears-or something like tears, for the gods never weep--fell down her cheeks upon her bosom. The compassionate old man and his child wept with her. Then said he, Come with us, and despise not our humble roof, so may your daughter be restored to you in safety. ""Lead on, "said she I cannot resist that appeal! So she rose from the stone and went with them. As they walked he told her that his only son, a little boy, lay very sick, feverish, and sleepless She stoopedand gathered some poppies. As they entered the cottage, they found all in great distress, for the boy seemed past hope of recovery. Metanira, his mother received her kindly, and the goddess stooped and kissed the lips of the sick child Instantly the paleness left his face, and healthy vigor returned to his body. The whole
45 example. Now do you, if you have any regard for your own interest or mine, join these two in one.” The boy unbound his quiver, and selected his sharpest and truest arrow; then straining the bow against his knee, he attached the string, and, having made ready, shot the arrow right into the heart of Pluto. In the vale of Enna there is a lake embowered41 in woods, which screen it from the fervid42 rays of the sun, while the moist ground is covered with flowers, and Spring reigns perpetual. Here Proserpine was playing with her companions, gathering lilies and violets, and filling her basket and her apron with them, when Pluto saw her, loved her, and carried her off. She screamed for help to her mother and companions; and when in her fright she dropped the corners of her apron and let the flowers fall, childlike she felt the loss of them as an addition to her grief. The ravisher urged on43 his steeds, calling them each by name, and throwing loose over their heads and necks his iron-colored reins. When he reached the River Cyane, and it opposed his passage, he struck the river-bank with his trident, and the earth opened and gave him a passage to Tartarus. Ceres sought her daughter all the world over. Bright-haired Aurora44, when she came forth in the morning, and Hesperus45 when he led out the stars in the evening, found her still busy in the search. But it was all unavailing46. At length, weary and sad, she sat down upon a stone, and continued sitting nine days and nights, in the open air, under the sunlight and moonlight and falling showers. It was where now stands the city of Eleusis, then the home of an old man named Celeus. He was out in the field, gathering acorns and blackberries, and sticks for his fire. His little girl was driving home their two goats, and as she passed the goddess, who appeared in the guise of an old woman, she said to her, “Mother,”——and the name was sweet to the ears of Ceres,—— “why do you sit here alone upon the rocks?” The old man also stopped, though his load was heavy, and begged her to come into his cottage, such as it was47. She declined, and he urged her. “Go in peace,” she replied, “and be happy in your daughter; I have lost mine.” As she spoke, tears——or something like tears, for the gods never weep——fell down her cheeks upon her bosom. The compassionate48 old man and his child wept with her. Then said he, “Come with us, and despise not our humble roof; so may your daughter be restored to you in safety.” “Lead on,” said she, “I cannot resist that appeal!” So she rose from the stone and went with them. As they walked he told her that his only son, a little boy, lay very sick, feverish, and sleepless. She stooped49 and gathered some poppies. As they entered the cottage, they found all in great distress, for the boy seemed past hope of recovery. Metanira, his mother, received her kindly, and the goddess stooped and kissed the lips of the sick child. Instantly the paleness left his face, and healthy vigor returned to his body. The whole
family were delighted--that is, the father, mother, and little girl, for they were all they had no servants. They spread the table, and put upon it curds and cream, apples, and honey in the comb. While they ate, Ceres mingled poppy juice in the milk of the boy. When night came and all was still, she arose, and taking the sleeping boy, moulded his limbs with her hands. and uttered over him three times a solemn charm then went and laid him in the ashes. His mother, who had been watching what her guest was doing, sprang forward with a cry and snatched the child from the fire Ceres assumed her own form, and a divine splendor shone all around. While they were overcome with astonishment, she said, "Mother, you have been cruel in your fondness to your son. I would have made him immortal, but you have frustrated my attempt. Nevertheless, he shall be great and useful. He shall teach men the use of the plough, and the rewards which labor can win from the cultivated soil. So saying, she wrapped a cloud about her, and mounting her chariot rode away Ceres continued her search for her daughter, passing from land to land. and across seas and rivers til at length she returned to Sicily, whence she at first set out. and stood by the banks of the river cyane where Pluto made himself a passage with his prize to his own dominions The river nymph would have told the goddess all she had witnessed. but dared not, for fear of Pluto, so she only ventured to take up the girdle which Proserpine had dropped in her flight, and waft it to the feet of the mother. Ceres, seeing this, was no longer in doubt of her loss, but she did not yet know the cause, and laid the blame on the innocent land. " Ungrateful soil, "said she, which I have endowed with fertility and clothed with herbage and nourishing grain, no more shall you enjoy my favors. " Then the cattle died, the plough broke in the furrow, the seed failed to come up; there was too much sun, there was too much rain; the birds stole the seeds--thistles and brambles" were the only growth. Seeing this, the fountain Arethusa interceded for the land ."Goddess said she. "blame not the land : it opened unwillingly to yield a passage to your daughter. I can tell you of her fate, for I have seen her. This is not my native country; I came hither"from Elis. I was a woodland nymph, and delighted in the chase. They praised my beauty, but I cared nothing for it, and rather boasted of my hunting exploits. One day I was returning from the wood, heated with exercise, when I came to a stream silently flowing, so clear that you might count the pebbles on the bottom. The willows shaded it, and the grassy bank sloped down to the waters edge. I approached; I touched the water with my foot. I stepped in knee-deep, and not content with that, I laid my garments on the willows and went in. While I sported in the water, I heard an indistinctmurmur coming up as out of the depths of the stream, and made haste to escape to the nearest bank. The voice said, Why do you fly, Arethusa? I am Alpheus, the god of this stream. I ran, he pursued he was not more swift than I, but he was stronger, and
46 family were delighted——that is, the father, mother, and little girl, for they were all; they had no servants. They spread the table, and put upon it curds and cream, apples, and honey in the comb. While they ate, Ceres mingled50 poppy juice in the milk of the boy. When night came and all was still, she arose, and taking the sleeping boy, moulded51 his limbs with her hands, and uttered over him three times a solemn charm, then went and laid him in the ashes. His mother, who had been watching what her guest was doing, sprang forward with a cry and snatched52 the child from the fire. Then Ceres assumed her own form, and a divine splendor shone all around. While they were overcome with astonishment, she said, “Mother, you have been cruel in your fondness to your son. I would have made him immortal, but you have frustrated53 my attempt. Nevertheless, he shall be great and useful. He shall teach men the use of the plough, and the rewards which labor can win from the cultivated soil.” So saying, she wrapped a cloud about her, and mounting her chariot rode away. Ceres continued her search for her daughter, passing from land to land, and across seas and rivers, till at length she returned to Sicily, whence she at first set out, and stood by the banks of the River Cyane, where Pluto made himself a passage with his prize to his own dominions. The river nymph would have told the goddess all she had witnessed, but dared not, for fear of Pluto; so she only ventured to take up the girdle which Proserpine had dropped in her flight, and waft54 it to the feet of the mother. Ceres, seeing this, was no longer in doubt of her loss, but she did not yet know the cause, and laid the blame on the innocent land. “Ungrateful soil,” said she, “which I have endowed with fertility and clothed with herbage55 and nourishing grain, no more shall you enjoy my favors.” Then the cattle died, the plough broke in the furrow, the seed failed to come up; there was too much sun, there was too much rain; the birds stole the seeds——thistles and brambles56 were the only growth. Seeing this, the fountain Arethusa57 interceded58 for the land. “Goddess,” said she, “blame not the land; it opened unwillingly to yield a passage to your daughter. I can tell you of her fate, for I have seen her. This is not my native country; I came hither59 from Elis. I was a woodland nymph, and delighted in the chase. They praised my beauty, but I cared nothing for it, and rather boasted of my hunting exploits. One day I was returning from the wood, heated with exercise, when I came to a stream silently flowing, so clear that you might count the pebbles on the bottom. The willows shaded it, and the grassy bank sloped down to the water’s edge. I approached; I touched the water with my foot. I stepped in knee-deep, and not content with that, I laid my garments on the willows and went in. While I sported in the water, I heard an indistinct60 murmur coming up as out of the depths of the stream, and made haste to escape to the nearest bank. The voice said, ‘Why do you fly, Arethusa? I am Alpheus, the god of this stream.’ I ran, he pursued; he was not more swift than I, but he was stronger, and
gained upon me, as my strength failed. At last, exhausted, I cried for help to Diana Help me, goddess! help your votary !' The goddess heard, and wrapped me suddenly in a thick cloud The river god looked now this way and now that, and twice came close to me, but could not find me. 'Arethusa! Arethusa! he cried. Oh, how I trembled,like a lamb that hears the wolf growling outside the fold. A cold sweat came over me, my hair flowed down in streams; where my foot stood there was a pool In short. in less time than it takes to tell it i became a fountain. but in this form Alpheus knew me and attempted to mingle his stream with mine. Diana cleftthe round, and I, endeavoring to escape him, plunged into the cavern, and through the bowels of the earth came out here in Sicily. While I passed through the lower parts of the earth, I saw your Proserpine. She was sad, but no longer showing alarm in her countenance. Her look was such as became a queen-the queen of Erebus; the powerful bride of the monarch of the realms of the dead When Ceres heard this, she stood for a while like one stupefied, then turned her chariot towards heaven, and hastened to present herself before the throne of Jove She told the story of her bereavement, and implored Jupiter to interfere to procure the restitution of her daughter. Jupiter consented on one condition, namely, that Proserpine should not during her stay in the lower world have taken any food otherwise, the Fates forbade her release. Accordingly, Mercury was sent, accompanied by Spring, to demand Proserpine of Pluto. The wily monarch consented; but, alas! the maiden had taken a pomegranate which Pluto offered her, and had sucked the sweet pulp from a few of the seeds. This was enough to prevent her complete release; but a compromise was made, by which she was to pass half the time with her mother, and the rest with her husband pluto Ceres allowed herself to be pacified with this rrangement. and restored the earth to her favor. now she remembered Celeus and his family and her promise to his infant son Triptolemus,. When the boy grew up, she taught him the use of the plough, and how to sow the seed She took him in her chariot, drawn by winged dragons, through all the countries of the earth, impartingto mankind valuable grains, and the knowledge of agriculture After his return, Triptolemus built a magnificent temple to Ceres in Eleusis, and established the worship of the godde ess Cupid and psyche a certain king and queen had three daughters. The charms of the two elder were more than common, but the beauty of the youngest was so wonderful that the poverty of language is unable to express its due praise. The fame of her beauty was so great that strangers from neighboring countries came in crowds to enjoy the sight, and looked on her with amazement, paying her that homage which is due only to Venus herself. In fact Venus found her altars deserted. while men turned their devotion to this young virgin. As she passed along, the people sang her praises, and strewed" her way with chaplets and flowers
47 gained upon me, as my strength failed. At last, exhausted, I cried for help to Diana. ‘Help me, goddess! help your votary61!’ The goddess heard, and wrapped me suddenly in a thick cloud. The river god looked now this way and now that, and twice came close to me, but could not find me. ‘Arethusa! Arethusa!’ he cried. Oh, how I trembled,——like a lamb that hears the wolf growling outside the fold. A cold sweat came over me, my hair flowed down in streams; where my foot stood there was a pool. In short, in less time than it takes to tell it I became a fountain. But in this form Alpheus knew me and attempted to mingle his stream with mine. Diana cleft62 the ground, and I, endeavoring to escape him, plunged63 into the cavern, and through the bowels64 of the earth came out here in Sicily. While I passed through the lower parts of the earth, I saw your Proserpine. She was sad, but no longer showing alarm in her countenance. Her look was such as became a queen——the queen of Erebus; the powerful bride of the monarch of the realms of the dead.” When Ceres heard this, she stood for a while like one stupefied65; then turned her chariot towards heaven, and hastened to present herself before the throne of Jove. She told the story of her bereavement66, and implored Jupiter to interfere to procure the restitution67 of her daughter. Jupiter consented on one condition, namely, that Proserpine should not during her stay in the lower world have taken any food; otherwise, the Fates forbade her release. Accordingly, Mercury was sent, accompanied by Spring, to demand Proserpine of Pluto. The wily monarch consented; but, alas! the maiden had taken a pomegranate which Pluto offered her, and had sucked the sweet pulp68 from a few of the seeds. This was enough to prevent her complete release; but a compromise was made, by which she was to pass half the time with her mother, and the rest with her husband Pluto. Ceres allowed herself to be pacified with this arrangement, and restored the earth to her favor. Now she remembered Celeus and his family, and her promise to his infant son Triptolemus69. When the boy grew up, she taught him the use of the plough, and how to sow the seed. She took him in her chariot, drawn by winged dragons, through all the countries of the earth, imparting70 to mankind valuable grains, and the knowledge of agriculture. After his return, Triptolemus built a magnificent temple to Ceres in Eleusis, and established the worship of the goddess. Cupid and Psyche A certain king and queen had three daughters. The charms of the two elder were more than common, but the beauty of the youngest was so wonderful that the poverty of language is unable to express its due praise. The fame of her beauty was so great that strangers from neighboring countries came in crowds to enjoy the sight, and looked on her with amazement, paying her that homage which is due only to Venus herself. In fact Venus found her altars deserted, while men turned their devotion to this young virgin. As she passed along, the people sang her praises, and strewed71 her way with chaplets and flowers
This perversion of homag due only to the immortal powers to the exaltation of a mortal gave great offence to the real venus haking her ambrosial74 locks75 with indignation, she exclaimed, "Am I then to be eclipsed in my honors by royal shepherd, whose judgment was proved by Jove himself, giv beauty over my illustrious" rivals Pallas and Juno. But she shall not so quietly usurp my honors. I will give her cause to repent'of so unlawful a beauty Thereupon she calls her winged son Cupid, mischievous enough in his own nature,and rouses and provokes him yet more by her complaints. She points out Psyche to him and says, My dear son, punish that contumacious beauty; give thy mother a revenge as sweet as her injuries are great; infuse into the bosom of that haughty girl a passion for some low, mean, unworthy being, so that she may reap a mortification as great as her present exultation and triumph Cupid prepared to obey the commands of his mother. There are two fountains in Venus's garden, one of sweet waters, the other of bitter. Cupid filled two amber vases, one from each fountain, and suspending them from the top of his quiver, hastened to the chamber of Psyche, whom he found asleep. He shed a few drops from the bitter fountain over her lips, though the sight of her almost moved him to pity; then touched her side with the point of his arrow. At the touch she awoke, and opened eyes upon Cupid (himself invisible), which so startled him that in his confusion he wounded himself with his own arrow. Heedless of his wound his whole thought now was to repair the mischief he had done, and he poured the balmy drops of joy over all her alken ringlets 86 Psyche, henceforth frowned upon by Venus, derived no benefit from all her charms. True, all eyes were cast eagerly upon her, and every mouth spoke her praises; but neither king, royal youth, nor plebeian presented himself to demand her in marriage. Her two elder sisters of moderate charms had now long been married to two royal princes, but Psyche, in her lonely apartment, deplored her solitude, sick of that beauty which, while it procured abundance of flattery, had failed to awaken love Her parents, afraid that they had unwittingly incurred the anger of the gods consulted the oracle of Apollo, and received this answer: The virgin is destined for the bride of no mortal lover. Her future husband awaits her on the top of the mountain He is a monster whom neither gods nor men can resist This dreadful decree of the oracle filled all the people with dismay, and her d themselves to grief But Psyche said, "Why, my de you now lament me? You should rather have grieved when the people showered upon me undeserved honors, and with one voice called me a Venus. I now perceive that I am a victim to that name. I submit. Lead me to that rock to which my unhappy
48 This perversion72 of homage due only to the immortal powers to the exaltation73 of a mortal gave great offence to the real Venus. Shaking her ambrosial74 locks75 with indignation, she exclaimed, “Am I then to be eclipsed76 in my honors by a mortal girl? In vain then did that royal shepherd, whose judgment was approved by Jove himself, give me beauty over my illustrious77 rivals, Pallas and Juno. But she shall not so quietly usurp78 my honors. I will give her cause to repent79 of so unlawful a beauty.” Thereupon she calls her winged son Cupid, mischievous enough in his own nature, and rouses and provokes him yet more by her complaints. She points out Psyche to him and says, “My dear son, punish that contumacious80 beauty; give thy mother a revenge as sweet as her injuries are great; infuse81 into the bosom of that haughty82 girl a passion for some low, mean, unworthy being, so that she may reap a mortification83 as great as her present exultation and triumph.” Cupid prepared to obey the commands of his mother. There are two fountains in Venus’s garden, one of sweet waters, the other of bitter. Cupid filled two amber vases, one from each fountain, and suspending them from the top of his quiver, hastened to the chamber of Psyche, whom he found asleep. He shed a few drops from the bitter fountain over her lips, though the sight of her almost moved him to pity; then touched her side with the point of his arrow. At the touch she awoke, and opened eyes upon Cupid（himself invisible）, which so startled him that in his confusion he wounded himself with his own arrow. Heedless84 of his wound, his whole thought now was to repair the mischief he had done, and he poured the balmy85 drops of joy over all her silken ringlets86. Psyche, henceforth frowned upon by Venus, derived no benefit from all her charms. True, all eyes were cast eagerly upon her, and every mouth spoke her praises; but neither king, royal youth, nor plebeian86 presented himself to demand her in marriage. Her two elder sisters of moderate charms had now long been married to two royal princes; but Psyche, in her lonely apartment, deplored87 her solitude, sick of that beauty which, while it procured abundance of flattery, had failed to awaken love. Her parents, afraid that they had unwittingly incurred88 the anger of the gods, consulted the oracle of Apollo, and received this answer: “The virgin is destined for the bride of no mortal lover. Her future husband awaits her on the top of the mountain. He is a monster whom neither gods nor men can resist.” This dreadful decree90 of the oracle filled all the people with dismay91, and her parents abandoned themselves to grief. But Psyche said, “Why, my dear parents, do you now lament92 me? You should rather have grieved when the people showered upon me undeserved honors, and with one voice called me a Venus. I now perceive that I am a victim to that name. I submit. Lead me to that rock to which my unhappy
fate has destined me. Accordingly, all things being prepared, the royal maid took her place in the procession, which more resembled a funeral than a nuptial pomp, and with her parents, amid the lamentations of the people, ascended the mountain, on the summit of which they left her alone and with sorrowful hearts returned home While Psyche stood on the ridge of the mountain, panting'with fear and with eyes full of tears, the gentle Zephyr raised her from the earth and bore her with an easy motion into flowery dale. By degrees her mind became d. and she laid herself down on the grassy bank to near by a pleasant grove of tall and stately trees. She entered it, and in the midst discovered forth clear and crystal waters, and fast by, a magnificent palace whose august front impressed the spectator that it was not the work of mortal hands, but the happy retreat of some god. Drawn by admiration and wonder, she approached the building and ventured to enter. Every object she met filled her with pleasure and amazement Golden pillars supported the vaulted roof, and the walls were enriched with carvings and paintings representing beasts of the chase and rural scenes, adapted to delight the eye of the beholder. Proceeding onward, she perceived that besides the apartments of tate there were others filled with all manner of treasures, and beautiful and precious productions of nature and art While her eyes were thus occupied, a voice addressed her. though she saw no one. uttering these words: "Sovereign lady all that you see is yours. We whose voices you hear are your servants and shall obey all your commands with our utmost care and diligence. Retire. therefore to your chamber and repose on your bed after bath. Supper awaits you in the adjoining alcove when it pleases you to take your seat there Psyche gave ear to the admonitions of her vocal attendants, and after repose and the refreshment of the bath seated herself in the alcove. where a table immediately presented itself, without any visible aid from waiters or servants, and covered with the greatest delicacies of food and the most nectarous wines. Her ears too were feasted with music from invisible performers, of whom one sang, another played on the lute, and all closed in the wonderful harmony of a full chorus She had not yet seen her destined husband. He came only in the hours of darkness and fled before the dawn of morning but his accents were full of love and inspired a like passion in her. She often begged him to stay and let her behold him, but
49 fate has destined me.” Accordingly, all things being prepared, the royal maid took her place in the procession, which more resembled a funeral than a nuptial pomp93, and with her parents, amid the lamentations of the people, ascended the mountain, on the summit of which they left her alone, and with sorrowful hearts returned home. While Psyche stood on the ridge of the mountain, panting94 with fear and with eyes full of tears, the gentle Zephyr raised her from the earth and bore her with an easy motion into a flowery dale. By degrees her mind became composed95, and she laid herself down on the grassy bank to sleep. When she awoke refreshed with sleep, she looked round and beheld near by a pleasant grove of tall and stately trees. She entered it, and in the midst discovered a fountain, sending forth clear and crystal waters, and fast by, a magnificent palace whose august96 front impressed the spectator that it was not the work of mortal hands, but the happy retreat of some god. Drawn by admiration and wonder, she approached the building and ventured to enter. Every object she met filled her with pleasure and amazement. Golden pillars supported the vaulted roof, and the walls were enriched with carvings and paintings representing beasts of the chase and rural scenes, adapted to delight the eye of the beholder. Proceeding onward, she perceived that besides the apartments of state there were others filled with all manner of treasures, and beautiful and precious productions of nature and art. While her eyes were thus occupied, a voice addressed her, though she saw no one, uttering these words: “Sovereign97 lady, all that you see is yours. We whose voices you hear are your servants and shall obey all your commands with our utmost care and diligence. Retire, therefore, to your chamber and repose98 on your bed after bath. Supper awaits you in the adjoining alcove99 when it pleases you to take your seat there.” Psyche gave ear to the admonitions100 of her vocal attendants, and after repose and the refreshment of the bath, seated herself in the alcove, where a table immediately presented itself, without any visible aid from waiters or servants, and covered with the greatest delicacies of food and the most nectarous101 wines. Her ears too were feasted with music from invisible performers; of whom one sang, another played on the lute, and all closed in the wonderful harmony of a full chorus. She had not yet seen her destined husband. He came only in the hours of darkness and fled before the dawn of morning, but his accents were full of love, and inspired a like passion in her. She often begged him to stay and let her behold him, but
he would not consent. On the contrary he charged her to make no attempt to see him for it was his pleasure, for the best of reasons, to keep concealed. Why should you wish to behold me? he said; have you any doubt of my love? have you any wish ungratified? If you saw me, perhaps you would fear me, perhaps adore me, but all I ask of you is to love me. I would rather you would love me as an equal than adore me as a god his reasoning somewhat quieted Psyche for a time, and while the novelty lasted she felt quite happy. But at length the thought of her arents. left in ignorance of her fate. and of her sisters, precluded"from sharing with her the delights of her situation, preyed on her mind and made her begin to feel her palace as but a splendid prison. When her husband came one night, she told him her distress, and at last drew from him an unwilling consent that her sisters should be brought to see her So, calling Zephyr, she acquainted him with her husband's commands, and he, promptly obedient, soon brought them across the mountain down to their sister's valley. They embraced her and she returned their caresses."Come, said Psyche, enter with me my house and refresh yourselves with whatever your sister has to offer. "Then taking their hands she led them into her golden palace, and committed them to os the care of her numerous train06of attendant voices. to refresh them in her baths and at her table. and to show them all her treasures. The view of these celestial delights caused envy to enter their bosoms, at seeing their young sister possessed of such state and splendor, so much exceeding their own hey asked her numberless questions, among others what sort of a person her husband was. Psyche replied that he was a beautiful youth, who generally spent the daytime in hunting upon the mountains. The sisters, not satisfied with this reply, soon made her confess that she had never seen him. Then they proceeded to fill her bosom with dark suspicions. "Call to mind they said, " the Pythian oracle that declared you destined to marry a direful and tremendous monster. The inhabitants of this valley say that your husband is a terrible and monstrous serpent, who nourishes you for a while with dainties that he may by and by devour you. Take our advi Provide yourself with a lamp and a sharp knife, put them in concealment that your husband may not discover them, and when he is sound asleep, slip out of bed, bring forth your lamp, and see for yourself whether what they say is true or not. If it is, hesitate not to cut off the monster's head, and thereby recover your liberty Psyche resisted these persuasions as well as she could, but they did not fail to have their effect on her mind, and when her sisters were gone, their words and her own curiosity were too strong for her to resist. So she prepared her lamp and a sharp knife, and hid them out of sight of her husband. When he had fallen into his first sleep she silently rose and uncovering her lamp beheld not a hideous monster, but the
50 he would not consent. On the contrary he charged her to make no attempt to see him, for it was his pleasure, for the best of reasons, to keep concealed. “Why should you wish to behold me?” he said; “have you any doubt of my love? have you any wish ungratified102? If you saw me, perhaps you would fear me, perhaps adore me, but all I ask of you is to love me. I would rather you would love me as an equal than adore me as a god.” This reasoning somewhat quieted Psyche for a time, and while the novelty lasted she felt quite happy. But at length the thought of her parents, left in ignorance of her fate, and of her sisters, precluded103 from sharing with her the delights of her situation, preyed on her mind and made her begin to feel her palace as but a splendid prison. When her husband came one night, she told him her distress, and at last drew from him an unwilling consent that her sisters should be brought to see her. So, calling Zephyr, she acquainted him with her husband’s commands, and he, promptly obedient, soon brought them across the mountain down to their sister’s valley. They embraced her and she returned their caresses104. “Come,” said Psyche, “enter with me my house and refresh yourselves with whatever your sister has to offer.” Then taking their hands she led them into her golden palace, and committed them to105 the care of her numerous train106 of attendant voices, to refresh them in her baths and at her table, and to show them all her treasures. The view of these celestial delights caused envy to enter their bosoms, at seeing their young sister possessed of such state and splendor, so much exceeding their own. They asked her numberless questions, among others what sort of a person her husband was. Psyche replied that he was a beautiful youth, who generally spent the daytime in hunting upon the mountains. The sisters, not satisfied with this reply, soon made her confess that she had never seen him. Then they proceeded to fill her bosom with dark suspicions. “Call to mind107,” they said, “the Pythian oracle that declared you destined to marry a direful108 and tremendous109 monster. The inhabitants of this valley say that your husband is a terrible and monstrous serpent, who nourishes you for a while with dainties110 that he may by and by devour111 you. Take our advice. Provide yourself with a lamp and a sharp knife; put them in concealment that your husband may not discover them, and when he is sound asleep, slip out of bed, bring forth your lamp, and see for yourself whether what they say is true or not. If it is, hesitate not to cut off the monster's head, and thereby recover your liberty.” Psyche resisted these persuasions as well as she could, but they did not fail to have their effect on her mind, and when her sisters were gone, their words and her own curiosity were too strong for her to resist. So she prepared her lamp and a sharp knife, and hid them out of sight of her husband. When he had fallen into his first sleep, she silently rose and uncovering her lamp beheld not a hideous112 monster, but the