The Idyllia, Epigrams, and Fragments, of Theocritus, Bion, and Moschus with the Elegies of Tyrtaeus, Translated from the Greek into English Verse. To which are Added, Dissertations and Notes. By the Rev. Richard Polwhele |
 |
 |
| I. |
| II. | IDYLLIUM the SECOND. EUROPA. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VIII. |
|
 | The Idyllia, Epigrams, and Fragments, of Theocritus, Bion, and Moschus |  |
258
IDYLLIUM the SECOND. EUROPA.
Once Venus to Agenor's royal Maid
A Vision's airy Portraiture display'd,
At that calm Hour, when Night and Morning meet;
When Sleep, than Honey's balmy Drops more sweet,
Sits on the Eye-lids, and in tender Ties
(Each Limb relaxing) binds the cherish'd Eyes;
When many a Form light-rising to the View
Swims in prophetic Trance; when Dreams are true—
'Twas then Europa (as, in Virgin-Bloom,
High in the upper Chamber of the Dome
Asleep she lay) two Continents beheld,
Fierce Asia, and the adverse Shore, impell'd
By warring Rage; while each appear'd to rise
In female Form distinct—herself the Prize!
And, whilst a foreign Stamp that seem'd to wear,
This, with a Native's more engaging Air,
Impassion'd cried: ‘The Nymph was hers alone,
‘Her Offspring—nurs'd and cherish'd as her own.’
But she (the Stranger-Power) strait forc'd away
With stronger Arm her unresisting Prey,
And said: ‘The fair Europa was her Meed—
‘By Ægis-bearing Jove's high Will decreed.’
Alarm'd, Europa leap'd with sudden Start,
And in quick Pulses throbb'd her fluttering Heart.
For as Reality the Dream appear'd;
Still, tho' awake, she saw, and still she heard.
Silent in pale Suspense the Virgin hung—
At length these Accents trembled on her Tongue:
‘Oh say! What God hath offer'd to my Sight
‘Those spectred Shapes, to fill me with Affright?
‘While sweetly slumbering on my Bed I lay,
‘What Visions pass'd in fanciful Array?
‘Say, who the Form that bore so kind a Part?
‘Her charming Aspect—how it struck my Heart!
‘How fond! and how, caressing me, she smil'd
‘With sweet maternal Love, as on her Child!
‘With happy Omens, ye Immortals, bless
‘The Dream; nor, hence, immerge me in Distress!’
A Vision's airy Portraiture display'd,
At that calm Hour, when Night and Morning meet;
When Sleep, than Honey's balmy Drops more sweet,
Sits on the Eye-lids, and in tender Ties
(Each Limb relaxing) binds the cherish'd Eyes;
When many a Form light-rising to the View
Swims in prophetic Trance; when Dreams are true—
'Twas then Europa (as, in Virgin-Bloom,
High in the upper Chamber of the Dome
Asleep she lay) two Continents beheld,
Fierce Asia, and the adverse Shore, impell'd
By warring Rage; while each appear'd to rise
In female Form distinct—herself the Prize!
And, whilst a foreign Stamp that seem'd to wear,
This, with a Native's more engaging Air,
Impassion'd cried: ‘The Nymph was hers alone,
‘Her Offspring—nurs'd and cherish'd as her own.’
259
With stronger Arm her unresisting Prey,
And said: ‘The fair Europa was her Meed—
‘By Ægis-bearing Jove's high Will decreed.’
Alarm'd, Europa leap'd with sudden Start,
And in quick Pulses throbb'd her fluttering Heart.
For as Reality the Dream appear'd;
Still, tho' awake, she saw, and still she heard.
Silent in pale Suspense the Virgin hung—
At length these Accents trembled on her Tongue:
‘Oh say! What God hath offer'd to my Sight
‘Those spectred Shapes, to fill me with Affright?
‘While sweetly slumbering on my Bed I lay,
‘What Visions pass'd in fanciful Array?
‘Say, who the Form that bore so kind a Part?
‘Her charming Aspect—how it struck my Heart!
‘How fond! and how, caressing me, she smil'd
‘With sweet maternal Love, as on her Child!
‘With happy Omens, ye Immortals, bless
‘The Dream; nor, hence, immerge me in Distress!’
260
This said, she rose, and sought the Comrade-Train
Who join'd her oft in Revels on the Plain;
Those, who could best her fond Regard engage,
Fair, and of noble Birth, and equal Age.
With them the festal Dance she lov'd to lead,
Or pluck the fragrant Lilies of the Mead,
Or bathe, (while rag'd the Noontide's sultry Ray)
The dear Companions of her social Day!
Strait the gay Troop, descending to the Shore,
Whilst in her Hand each Nymph a Basket bore,
Hail'd the familiar Fields, where many a Rose
They oft had seen its full-blown Leaves disclose;
Or musing listen'd, on the sea-beat Verge,
To the deep Murmurs of the dashing Surge.
Who join'd her oft in Revels on the Plain;
Those, who could best her fond Regard engage,
Fair, and of noble Birth, and equal Age.
With them the festal Dance she lov'd to lead,
Or pluck the fragrant Lilies of the Mead,
Or bathe, (while rag'd the Noontide's sultry Ray)
The dear Companions of her social Day!
Strait the gay Troop, descending to the Shore,
Whilst in her Hand each Nymph a Basket bore,
Hail'd the familiar Fields, where many a Rose
They oft had seen its full-blown Leaves disclose;
Or musing listen'd, on the sea-beat Verge,
To the deep Murmurs of the dashing Surge.
But lo, distinguish'd from the beauteous Band,
A golden Basket grac'd Europa's Hand—
Vulcan's great Work, high-wrought for Neptune's Bride
Who gave it Telephassa next-allied:
She on Europa the fair Gift bestow'd,
Where many a splendid Image richly-glow'd.
A golden Basket grac'd Europa's Hand—
Vulcan's great Work, high-wrought for Neptune's Bride
Who gave it Telephassa next-allied:
She on Europa the fair Gift bestow'd,
Where many a splendid Image richly-glow'd.
261
There, still a Heifer's Form, nor yet her own,
In sculptur'd Gold the beauteous IO shone;
While with an Æstrum stung, in madd'ning Heat,
She paw'd the azure Waves that wash'd her Feet;
And, as two Men stood watching on the Brim
Her eager Motions, seem'd in Act to swim.
There too Jove's placid Semblance seem'd to stand,
And stroke the Heifer with his heavenly Hand;
'Till near old Nile (the Woman reassum'd)
Her wonted Charms of Virgin Beauty bloom'd.
The Currents of the Nile in Silver roll'd;
In Brass the Heifer rose; but Jove in Gold.
In sculptur'd Gold the beauteous IO shone;
While with an Æstrum stung, in madd'ning Heat,
She paw'd the azure Waves that wash'd her Feet;
And, as two Men stood watching on the Brim
Her eager Motions, seem'd in Act to swim.
There too Jove's placid Semblance seem'd to stand,
And stroke the Heifer with his heavenly Hand;
'Till near old Nile (the Woman reassum'd)
Her wonted Charms of Virgin Beauty bloom'd.
The Currents of the Nile in Silver roll'd;
In Brass the Heifer rose; but Jove in Gold.
Figures around in bold Relievo rise:
Here Hermes pipes, and sleepless Argus lies
Deck'd with the Splendor of a hundred Eyes.
There from his crimson Blood a Peacock springs,
Exulting shakes the Plumage of his Wings;
And, as a Ship unfurls her spreading Sail,
Expands the starry Honors of his Tail,
That on the Basket's circling Rim diffuse
All the rich Radiance of purpureal Hues.
Here Hermes pipes, and sleepless Argus lies
Deck'd with the Splendor of a hundred Eyes.
There from his crimson Blood a Peacock springs,
Exulting shakes the Plumage of his Wings;
And, as a Ship unfurls her spreading Sail,
Expands the starry Honors of his Tail,
That on the Basket's circling Rim diffuse
All the rich Radiance of purpureal Hues.
262
Such was the Gift: And now, each lovely Maid
Cull'd with fair Hands the Flowerets of the Glade.
The Hyacinth, the Vi'let's modest Blue,
Or wild Thyme, or the sweet Narcissus drew
Their pleas'd Regard: The Flower-Leaves, strew'd around,
Spread softly with their vernal Tints the Ground.
Others to pluck the golden Crocus haste,
Sporting in gay Diversities of Taste;
Queen of the Chorus whilst Europa chose
To crop the Splendor of the flaming Rose.
With such an Air, when light her Footsteps move
Amid the Graces, blooms the Queen of Love!
These simple Joys not long remain'd her own;
Not long unblemish'd was her Virgin Zone!
For, sudden, pierc'd by Venus, Jove survey'd
(Her Darts transfix ev'n Jove) the peerless Maid!
As thro' his Heart impetuous Ardors run,
Behold (the jealous Juno's Rage to shun,
And by a subtle Artifice ensnare
The Bosom of an unsuspecting Fair)
Veil'd in a Bull, he lays the God aside,
But yet adorn'd with more than bestial Pride!
Unlike those Bulls who patient of the Yoke
Have oft the slow Plough drawn, the Furrow broke;
Or such as harness'd drag the heavy Wain,
Croud the full Stalls, or graze in Herds the Plain.
Bright on his Front a silver Circle grew,
And his sleek Body gleam'd a golden Hue!
Whilst, as the Crescent, rose his Horns above,
And his blue Eyes shone languishing with Love!
Cull'd with fair Hands the Flowerets of the Glade.
The Hyacinth, the Vi'let's modest Blue,
Or wild Thyme, or the sweet Narcissus drew
Their pleas'd Regard: The Flower-Leaves, strew'd around,
Spread softly with their vernal Tints the Ground.
Others to pluck the golden Crocus haste,
Sporting in gay Diversities of Taste;
Queen of the Chorus whilst Europa chose
To crop the Splendor of the flaming Rose.
With such an Air, when light her Footsteps move
Amid the Graces, blooms the Queen of Love!
These simple Joys not long remain'd her own;
Not long unblemish'd was her Virgin Zone!
For, sudden, pierc'd by Venus, Jove survey'd
(Her Darts transfix ev'n Jove) the peerless Maid!
As thro' his Heart impetuous Ardors run,
Behold (the jealous Juno's Rage to shun,
And by a subtle Artifice ensnare
The Bosom of an unsuspecting Fair)
263
But yet adorn'd with more than bestial Pride!
Unlike those Bulls who patient of the Yoke
Have oft the slow Plough drawn, the Furrow broke;
Or such as harness'd drag the heavy Wain,
Croud the full Stalls, or graze in Herds the Plain.
Bright on his Front a silver Circle grew,
And his sleek Body gleam'd a golden Hue!
Whilst, as the Crescent, rose his Horns above,
And his blue Eyes shone languishing with Love!
Thus beauteous o'er the Meadow as he went,
Each Damsel on his pleasing Form intent
Drew near, and long'd to stroke him, unalarm'd;
While his ambrosial Breath their Senses charm'd
Than all the Fragrance of the Vale more sweet!
Now, softly-sportive at Europa's Feet,
He lick'd her Neck, and seem'd in amorous Play:
Then gently from his Mouth she wip'd away
The hanging Froth; and, uninspir'd with Dread,
Patted, and innocently kiss'd his Head.
Lowing (so clear the Tones, they seem'd to suit
The Musick of the soft Mygdonian Flute)
He bent his Knees—all pliant as he low'd—
And his broad Back, with Eyes of Meaning, show'd.
But she, delighted, to the Virgins cried,
(The deep-hair'd Nymphs) ‘Come Comrades, let us ride!
‘Come! for he stoops! and sure his Back is strong!
‘As the swift Ship he'll bear us light along!
‘So mild his Aspect, so unlike his Kind,
‘He shews such meek Benignity of Mind!
‘To equal human Beings, we must own,
‘The Creature wants the Powers of Speech alone.’
Thus spoke the Nymph—and strait his Back ascends,
And calls with vacant Laugh her lingering Friends:
But springing instant from her Comrades' Reach
In rapid Bounds he bore her to the Beach!
She, turning to her dear Companion Train,
Call'd for vain Help, and stretch'd her Arms in vain;
When now amid the Wave with vigorous Leap
He plung'd, and as a Dolphin skim'd the Deep!
Sudden uprose the Nereids round the God,
And on the Backs of Whales in Triumph rode:
The loud-voic'd Neptune hail'd the long Array,
And smooth'd, his Brother's Guide, the watery Way;
While, rising from old Ocean's deepest Caves,
Crouded upon the Surface of the Waves
The Triton Band, (as pass'd the Pomp along)
And on their wreath'd Conchs rung the nuptial Song!
Each Effort all too feeble to withstand
The God still rushing, with her better Hand
She grasp'd his curled Horn—her Left updrew
Her purple Robe, whose wetted Foldings flew
Wild o'er the Surge: Around her, as she held,
Soft like a Sail the breezy Vesture swell'd.
Each Damsel on his pleasing Form intent
Drew near, and long'd to stroke him, unalarm'd;
While his ambrosial Breath their Senses charm'd
Than all the Fragrance of the Vale more sweet!
Now, softly-sportive at Europa's Feet,
He lick'd her Neck, and seem'd in amorous Play:
Then gently from his Mouth she wip'd away
The hanging Froth; and, uninspir'd with Dread,
Patted, and innocently kiss'd his Head.
264
The Musick of the soft Mygdonian Flute)
He bent his Knees—all pliant as he low'd—
And his broad Back, with Eyes of Meaning, show'd.
But she, delighted, to the Virgins cried,
(The deep-hair'd Nymphs) ‘Come Comrades, let us ride!
‘Come! for he stoops! and sure his Back is strong!
‘As the swift Ship he'll bear us light along!
‘So mild his Aspect, so unlike his Kind,
‘He shews such meek Benignity of Mind!
‘To equal human Beings, we must own,
‘The Creature wants the Powers of Speech alone.’
Thus spoke the Nymph—and strait his Back ascends,
And calls with vacant Laugh her lingering Friends:
But springing instant from her Comrades' Reach
In rapid Bounds he bore her to the Beach!
She, turning to her dear Companion Train,
Call'd for vain Help, and stretch'd her Arms in vain;
When now amid the Wave with vigorous Leap
He plung'd, and as a Dolphin skim'd the Deep!
265
And on the Backs of Whales in Triumph rode:
The loud-voic'd Neptune hail'd the long Array,
And smooth'd, his Brother's Guide, the watery Way;
While, rising from old Ocean's deepest Caves,
Crouded upon the Surface of the Waves
The Triton Band, (as pass'd the Pomp along)
And on their wreath'd Conchs rung the nuptial Song!
Each Effort all too feeble to withstand
The God still rushing, with her better Hand
She grasp'd his curled Horn—her Left updrew
Her purple Robe, whose wetted Foldings flew
Wild o'er the Surge: Around her, as she held,
Soft like a Sail the breezy Vesture swell'd.
And now, while neither Shores nor Mountains rise,
Borne far—far distant from her native Skies,
(While nought but Heaven appears above, below
One dizzy Waste, the boundless Waters flow)
Around her many a gazing Look she cast,
And thus exclaim'd in Wonder, as she past:
‘O say, who art thou? Whither art thou bent?
‘Say, heavenly Creature, what thy strange Intent?
‘How can thy Hoofs so heavy steer with Ease?
‘Dost thou not tremble at this Waste of Seas?
‘Tho' Vessels o'er the Wave full swiftly glide,
‘Bulls ever dread the Ocean's briny Tide!
‘And what thy Beverage? Can this wild Abode
‘Supply ambrosial Viands for a God?
‘For sure the Nature of the Gods is thine—
‘Yet is this worthy of thy deathless Line?
‘Nor Dolphins quit the Deep, nor Bulls the Shore;
‘Thou rov'st o'er Earth and Sea! Each Hoof an Oar!
‘Alas! who knows but flying thou wilt bear
‘Thy Burthen (like a Bird) thro' azure Air!
‘Ah me! Thus heedless, how could I forego
‘My own dear Home, and plunge myself in Woe?
‘Lo! thro' my fond Simplicity betray'd,
‘I rove this Waste, a solitary Maid!
‘But thou, O Neptune, whom the Deeps obey,
‘Propitious come, and speed my destin'd Way!
‘O let my heavenly Guide unveil'd appear;
‘For not without a God I wander here!’
Borne far—far distant from her native Skies,
(While nought but Heaven appears above, below
One dizzy Waste, the boundless Waters flow)
Around her many a gazing Look she cast,
And thus exclaim'd in Wonder, as she past:
266
‘Say, heavenly Creature, what thy strange Intent?
‘How can thy Hoofs so heavy steer with Ease?
‘Dost thou not tremble at this Waste of Seas?
‘Tho' Vessels o'er the Wave full swiftly glide,
‘Bulls ever dread the Ocean's briny Tide!
‘And what thy Beverage? Can this wild Abode
‘Supply ambrosial Viands for a God?
‘For sure the Nature of the Gods is thine—
‘Yet is this worthy of thy deathless Line?
‘Nor Dolphins quit the Deep, nor Bulls the Shore;
‘Thou rov'st o'er Earth and Sea! Each Hoof an Oar!
‘Alas! who knows but flying thou wilt bear
‘Thy Burthen (like a Bird) thro' azure Air!
‘Ah me! Thus heedless, how could I forego
‘My own dear Home, and plunge myself in Woe?
‘Lo! thro' my fond Simplicity betray'd,
‘I rove this Waste, a solitary Maid!
‘But thou, O Neptune, whom the Deeps obey,
‘Propitious come, and speed my destin'd Way!
267
‘For not without a God I wander here!’
‘Courage, dear Nymph,’—the broad-horn'd Bull replied—
‘Nor fear the fancied Perils of the Tide.
‘Know, tho' a Bull I seem to mortal Eyes!
‘I'm Jove himself—the Ruler of the Skies.
‘And thus (I can assume what Shape I please)
‘Fir'd by thy Charms, I brave this Length of Seas!
‘But Crete now waits (fair-Isle, the Nurse of Jove)
‘To crown with Hymen's Rites my fervid Love:
‘And from thy Womb while Sons illustrious spring,
‘The subject Earth shall hail each Son a King.’
‘Nor fear the fancied Perils of the Tide.
‘Know, tho' a Bull I seem to mortal Eyes!
‘I'm Jove himself—the Ruler of the Skies.
‘And thus (I can assume what Shape I please)
‘Fir'd by thy Charms, I brave this Length of Seas!
‘But Crete now waits (fair-Isle, the Nurse of Jove)
‘To crown with Hymen's Rites my fervid Love:
‘And from thy Womb while Sons illustrious spring,
‘The subject Earth shall hail each Son a King.’
Scarce had he spoke—confirming all he said
When Crete rose misty o'er its watery Bed!
Strait in another Form the Thunderer shone,
And loos'd, with ardent Haste, her Virgin-Zone!
The Horæ smooth'd their Couch, and led to Love;
And fair Europa blush'd, the Bride of Jove—
Erelong to triumph, from the God's Embrace,
The happy Mother of a sceptred Race!
When Crete rose misty o'er its watery Bed!
Strait in another Form the Thunderer shone,
And loos'd, with ardent Haste, her Virgin-Zone!
The Horæ smooth'd their Couch, and led to Love;
And fair Europa blush'd, the Bride of Jove—
Erelong to triumph, from the God's Embrace,
The happy Mother of a sceptred Race!
| The Idyllia, Epigrams, and Fragments, of Theocritus, Bion, and Moschus | |