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"GOODBYE TO ALL THAT" 137
ab humana cessit in astra via. 33-4). This journey of death with its
sense of separation and transcendence heralds the metamorphosis of
Propertius' poetic output. Its final phrases ab humana via ... in astra.
"from the human pathway into the stars." may contain an echo of
Horace Carm. I.1. where in his role of vates he envisages himself as
separated from the common throng (secernunt populo. 32). striking
the stars with his upraised head (sublimi {eriam sidera vertice.36).
It is with the sense of detachment created by these two outward
journeys that Propertius revisits his relationship with Cynthia in 3.19
and 3.20. In the past. commentators voiced doubts about whether these
two poems. particularly 3.20. referred to Cynthia. and suggested that
another woman was being addressed. 26 More recent scholarship has
taken the view that the poems are to Cynthia. and this is the position
taken by this article. for they lose much of their point if they refer to
another woman. One of the main aims of this section of Book 3 is for
Propertius to disengage himself and the reader from Cynthia. As we
will see. these two poems playa crucial role in this process of separation.
So what is the purpose of 19. a fairly conventional and somewhat
uninspiring poem? There is a point to it. and an interesting one. In this
elegy Propertius claims that women's lust is far stronger than that of
men:
Obicitur totiens a te mihi nostra libido:
crede rnihi. vobis imperat ista magis.
Often you reproach me with men's lust:
Believe me. that passion rather rules you women.
(1-2)
He then proceeds to give a series of mythological exempla. all of which
relate to the power of lust over women. In previous poems the power
balance in the relationship has been very much on Cynthia's side: in
16. for instance. Propertius claimed that he was more afraid of Cynthia's
tears than any midnight foe (8) and in 17 he represents his love
as a fire ablaze within his bones (9). There is no hint of that attitude
here; instead. this elegy represents the poet's attempt to turn the tables
on their relationship. placing the burden of lust squarely on Cynthia's
shoulders. The exemplum that concludes this poem. the story of Scylla
who is drowned by the lover for whom she commits treason (2r-6). is
designed to show the sort of fearful punishment that can lie in wait for
lustful and unrestrained women such as Cynthia. The final picture of
Minos. judge of the dead (27-8). suggests the more judgemental and
26 See further under the discussion of 3.20.