THE METAMORPHOSES OF PUBLIUS OVIDIUS NASO

134
P. OVIDII NASONIS
Zonarumque trium contcntus fine : polumque
Effiigit Australem, junctamque Aquilonibus Arcton
Hac sit iter : manifests rotse vestigia cerncs.
Utque ferant asquos et ccelum et terra calores ;
Nee preme, nee summum molire per oethera currum.
Altius egrcssus coelestia tecta cremabis ;
Inferius, terras : medio tutissimus ibis.
Neu te dexterior tortum decline! in Anguem ;
Neve sinisterior prcssam rota ducat ad Aram ;
Inter utrumque tene : fortune castera mando,
Q,use juvet, et melius, quam tu tibi, consulat opto.
Dum loquor ; Hesperio positas in littore metas
Humida Nox tetigit : non est mora libera nobis.
Poscimur ; effiilget tcncbris Aurora fugatis.
131. Trium contentus: content with the
limit of three zones. The zodiac cuts the
equinoctial in an oblique direction, and,
passing through the torrid zone, touches
the tropic of Cancer and the tropic of Capri
corn, which are the extreme boundaries of
the temperate zones.
132. Arcton: the Bear. Callisto, the
daughter of Lycaon, being changed by
Juno into a bear, was made a constellation
near the North pole.
133. Rota vestigia: tracks of the wheel.
The frequent passage of the chariot of the
sun, had rendered the path plain.
134. JEquos calores: just proportions of
heat.
135. Nee preme: neither depress the
chariot.
APOLLO. On seating him, however, in the
chariot, I gave him especial instructions for Iiis
government, how he should fix himself so as to
keep a steady command, how far he might give
the rein in ascending, and how he then should
tend downwards, and how he was to maaage so
as always lo keep master of the bridle, ami to
direct such fiery coursers; 1 told him likewise
the danger of not driving constantly straight
forwards. DIALOGUES OF THE DEITIES.
135. Nee molire: nor urge it.
136. Altius egressus: having gone too
high.
137. Terras. Supply cremabis.
137. Media tutissimus: you will go safest
in the middle way. This, adopted as a
moito, is susceptible of a fine moral ap
plication. Moderation in all things is de
sirable. The sentiment is similar to the
saying of Cleobulus, one of the Seven
Wise men of Greece: 'AfnoTov pirpov.
138. Dexterior: too much to the right;
too far towards the north; for, to the sun
starting from the east, the north is on the
right hand.
138 Ad lorlumA nguem: to the wreathed
Snake, a constellation which winds around
the north pole.
NOTJE.
135
140
LIBER £1.
limes sectus in obli*
quum lato curvamuio.
136. EgreasusaUma,
creniabis tecta cceles-
tia, egressus, inferius,
errrnabis terras: ibis
tutidsimus medio.
* 140. Tene inter ut-
rumque. Mando coe-
tera fortunce, qutc op-
to ut juvet, et melius
consulat, quam tu eon-
suluisti tibi. \
The Serpent grim betwixt them bends hi» way,
As through the winding banks the c u rrents stray,
And up and down in sinuous bendings rolls.
AEATUS.
The Kid's bright beams, and Serpent's lucid fold.
VIBGIL, Georgic i.
139. Sinisterior. Too much to the left;
too far towards the south.
139. Ad Aram: towards the Al;»r, a
constellation not far from the South pole.
The altar on which the gods are first sup
posed to have made a confederacy against
the Titans, and on which they sacrificed
after their subjection, was translated to
heaven and became this constellation. As
by the conflict of the gods and Titans, we
are to understand the convulsions occa
sioned at the deluge by the great physical
agents, fire and water, and, as from the
remotest antiquity, the celestial hemis
phere presents a pictorial representation
of the deluge, aquatic animals, the ark, the
dove, and the altar, there is little doubt
that the constellation of the Altar is in
tended to represent the one on which
Noah offered sacrifice after leaving the
ark. See note on rate, page 77.
140. later utrumque: keep between the
two; viz. the Serpent and the Altar.
141. Quam tu tibi: than you consult for
yourself.
142. Hesperio in littore: on the western
shore; the Atlantic.
142. M'-tas. The goal was the bound
that marked the end of the course. The
term is used here since the Sun and Night
were represented as drawn in a chariot.
143. Humida Nox: moist Night. When
Nox reached the west, of necessity the sun
must rise in the east.
144. Poscimur: we are called for; we
must go.
144. Tenclris fugatis: the darkness be
ing dispersed.
Now, flaming up the heavens, the potent stm
Melts into limpid air the high-raised clouds,
FABULA I. METAMORPHOSE ON.
Corripc lora manu : vel, si mutabile pectus 145
Est tibi, consiliis, non curribus utere nostris;
Dmrn poles, et solidis etiamnum sedibus adstas ;
Dumque male optatos nondum premis inscius axes;
Qua? tutus spectes, sine me dare lumina terris.
Occupat illc levem juvenili corpore currum ; 159
Statque super; manibusque datas contingere habenas
Gaudet; et invito grates agit inde parenti.
And morning fogs, that hovered round the hills
In party-colored bands. TIIOHSON.
147. Dum poles: whilst you can; whilst
it is in your power.
148. Axes: the axle; the chariot.
149. Sine me dare: permit me to give
light.
150. Occupat. Great eagerness and ce
lerity are indicated by the use of this verb.
The fragment of a play by Euripides,
quoted by Longinus, presents the same
idea.
What did the Palace of the Sun repre
sent?
What coincidence between it and the
Jewish tabernacle ?
Who was the architect of the palace 1
Why was he called Mulciber ?
Why were the Hours, Days, Months,
Years, &c., represented as surrounding
the Sun?
Who was Proteus ? JEetson ? Doris ?
What was the office of Triton J
Did Apollo recognise Phaethon as his
son? What did he ofier him in proof of his
paternity ?
NOTJE.
QlLflESTlONES
135
Thus spoke the god. The impatient youth with
haste
Snatches the reins, and vaults into the seat
EUHIPIDES'S, PHAKTHON.
152. Invito parenti: to his unwilling
father. He was unwilling, as he foresaw
his destruction.
APOLLO. Aware that I could not trust the
chariot to his guidance, 1 resisted his importu
nity a long time; but at last, adding tears to his
entreaties, and his mother Clymeno leaguing
with him so impetuously in the attack, they ex
torted my consent. DIALOGUES OF THE DEITIES.
Did he confirm it by an oath ?
Are indefinite promises lawful ?
What did Phaethon ask in proof of his
descent ?
Did his father seek to dissuade him ?
Finding his directions unavailing, what
directions did he give him ?
What course does the poet describe aa
the path of the Sun?
Who was Chiron ? for what celebrated ?
Who was Tethys? Aurora?
What was the office of Lucifer ?
What different names has this planet ?
What ancient poet besides Ovid wrote
on the fall of Phaclhon?