OF CATULLUS EDITED, WITH INTRODUCTIONS, NOTES, AND APPENDICES, BY FRANCIS P. SIMPSON, BALLIOL COLLEGE, OXFORD. London: MACMILLAN AND CO. 1879. The right of translation is reserved. and speed. A few lines, when the passion is quieter, may be translated :— 'As soon as the wayworn company set foot on Cybele's demesne, spent with travel and fasting they fell asleep; and while their eyelids were steeped in dull slumber's relaxing swoon, rest gently charmed away the fever and frenzy of their souls. But when the golden-visaged sun flashed forth his eyes and began his survey of clear white sky, solid fields, and the waste of ocean, and routed the shades of night before the rattling hoofs of his new-risen steeds,-that moment Sleep hastily took flight from the waking Attis, and rested not till he found a haven in Queen Pasithea's bosom.' Waking brings repentance; but repentance is rebellion against the goddess, who appears in her chariot, drawn by lions, to execute vengeance. The poem thus closes : 'Cybele spoke thus in anger; her hands drew back the yoke, and the monster, summoning his might, sprang furiously forward. Roaring in the chase, crashing through the underwood in his wild career, he came to the moist expanse of the foam-fringed beach, discovered unmanned Attis by the bright waters' edge, and rushed upon him. Blind with terror he fled into the fastnesses of the forest, and there remained in bondage for ever, until he died. Great goddess, goddess Cybele, goddess and queen of Dindymus! Grant, dear mistress, that thy fever may never light upon my house: choose others for that headlong rout, drive others on that passionate pilgrimage.' The 'Peleus' and 'Attis' have been thought to be translations; if this be so, they have, entirely superseded their originals. |