Et teneros manibus ramos abrumpere; at inde- FAB. III.-Cycnus. 4 35 40 5 ADFUIT huic monstro2 proles Stheneleïa Cycnus, Squalidus interea genitor Phaëthontis et expers 15 1 Electra stillata de novis ramis rigescunt sole, amber dropping from the new branches hardens in the sun. See Electrum. 2 Adfuit huic monstro, was present at this transformation. Monstrum was applied by the Latin writers to any thing singular or strange in its form, behaviour, or consequences, and therefore to any thing at variance with the ordinary laws of nature. 3 Silvamque auctam sororibus, and the wood increased by the sisters, i. e. by the sisters of Phaethon, who were changed into trees. 4 Quum vox tenuata est viro, when the voice of the man was rendered shrill; dissimulant, conceal. 5 Pluma signifies the small and soft feathers which cover the bodies of birds, the plumage; and penna is applied to the long and thick feathers of the tail and wings-it frequently also signifies a wing. 6 Ignis injustè missi ab illo, of fire unjustly thrown by him, i. e. by Jupiter, against his friend Phaethon. 7 Quæ colat, which he may inhabit, for his habitation. Ipse sui decoris, qualis, quum deficit orbem, I Supplice voce rogant: missos quòque Jupiter ignes 30 Excusat, precibusque minas regaliter addit. Colligit amentes et adhuc terrore paventes Phœbus equos, stimuloque domans et verbere sævit : BOOK III. FAB. I.-Cadmus. JAMQUE Deus,& positâ fallacis imagine tauri, 1 Deficit orbem, deserts his orb, is eclipsed. 2 Piget (me) laborum actorum mihi sine fine, I am wearied of the toils undergone by me without end. 3 Quilibet alter agat, let any one else who chooses drive. A. R. A. 23). 4 Orbatura patres, destined to deprive fathers of their children. 5 (Phaethonta) qui non rexerit illos bene, that Phaethon, because he did not manage them well. 6 Neve, for et ne-et rogant ne velit, and ask him not to resolve. 7 Objectat natum, reproaches them with the death of his son. 8 Deus, i. e. Jupiter, fallacis tauri, of the deceitful bull. See Europa. 9 Pater, i. e. Agenor-ignarus, ignorant of the fate of his daughter; not knowing that she had been carried off by Jupiter to Crete; raptam (filiam), his daughter who had been carriea off. E Imperat, et pœnam, si non invenerit, addit Vix bene Castalio Cadmus descenderat antro; Silva vetus stabat, nullâ violata securi, 10 15 20 25 1 Carpe vias hac duce, proceed on your way with her as your guide; fac (ut) condas, see that you build. A. R. A. 495. 2 Legit vestigia presso gradu, follows her track at a slow pace, or so closely as to plant his feet in the marks left by the heifer; auctorem, adviser. A. R. A. 260. 3 Figit oscula, kisses. This practice is attributed by the poets to men on their arrival in a foreign land, or on returning to their native country after a long absence. 4 Facturus erat sacra Jovi, he was about to offer sacrifice to Jupiter-to sacrifice the heifer which had conducted him on his way. The ancients employed great care in selecting the animals for sacrifice. It was necessary that they should be free from blemish, and, if oxen or heifers, that they should not have been desecrated by the yoke. A. R. A. 260. 5 Petere undas libandas e vivis fontibus, to fetch water for a libation from the running fountains. Running water was always preferred for libations. A. R. A. 260. 6 Violata, profaned. The wood was sacred to Mars, and it was consi Et specus in medio, virgis ac vimine densus, 5 Fecerat exiguas jam Sol altissimus umbras: Quæ mora sit sociis miratur Agenore natus, Vestigatque viros, Tegimens derepta leoni dered sacrilege to cut down trees in a wood or grove which was consecrated to any deity. 1 Fecundus uberibus aquis, abounding with plenty of water. 2 Præsignis cristis et auro, for aureâ crista, adorned with a golden coloured crest. Crista signifies the tuft or comb on the head of a bird or serpent; it signifies also the crest of a helmet. A. R. A. 306. 3 Tumet veneno, swells with poison. The poison of serpents is not diffused over the whole body, but is contained in a small bladder at the bottom of the upper jaw. 4 Ille torquet squamosos orbes volubilibus nexibus, he wreathes his scaly rings in rolling plaits; sinuatur in immensos arcus, is bent into an immense bow. 5 The order is-Est tanto corpore, quanto, si spectes totum (if you view kim as a whole), ille serpens est qui, &c. See Serpens. 6 Hos-illos, some others. These words are put in apposition with Phonicas 7 Funesta tabe veneni afflati, by the destructive liquid of his poison which he breathed upon them. 8 Tegimen, his covering. The ancient heroes are often represented as clothed with the skins of wild beasts. Pellis erat; telum splendenti lancea ferrost erg obiqu?) Moenia mota forent; serpens sine vulnere mansit, 1 Molarem, a large stone; magnum, large as it was. 60 65 70 75 80 2 Repulit validos ictus cute, resisted the mighty blow with his skin. Cutis properly signifies the human skin while on the body, and pellis, a skin or hide stripped off. They are here both applied to the skin of the serpent. 3 Toto ferro, with the whole iron head. A. R. A. 306-7. 4 Ubi labefecit in omnem partem, after he had loosened it by moving it in every direction. 5 Cingitur spiris facientibus immensum orbem, is rolled up in coils forming an immense circle; exstat, is stretched out, uncoils itself. 6. Spolio leonis, with the lion's skin. |