In consternation5 at the unprecedented6 affliction, he strove to divest7 himself of his power; he hated the gift he had lately coveted8. But all in vain; starvation seemed to await him. He raised his arms, all shining with gold, in prayer to Bacchus, begging to be delivered from his glittering destruction. Bacchus, merciful deity9, heard and consented. “Go,” said he, “to the River Pactolus, trace the stream to its fountain-head, there plunge10 your head and body in, and wash away your fault and its punishment.” He did so, and scarce had he touched the waters before the gold-creating power passed into them, and the river-sands became changed into gold, as they remain to this day.
Thenceforth Midas, hating wealth and splendor12, dwelt in the country, and became a worshipper of Pan, the god of the fields. On a certain occasion Pan had the temerity13 to compare his music with that of Apollo, and to challenge the god of the lyre to a trial of skill. The challenge was accepted, and Tmolus, the mountain god, was chosen umpire. The senior took his seat, and cleared away the trees from his ears to listen. At a given signal Pan blew on his pipes, and with his rustic14 melody gave great satisfaction to himself and his faithful follower15 Midas, who happened to be present. Then Tmolus turned his head toward the Sun-god, and all his trees turned with him. Apollo rose, his brow wreathed with Parnassian laurel, while his robe of Tyrian purple swept the ground. In his left hand he held the lyre, and with his right hand struck the strings16. Ravished with the harmony, Tmolus at once awarded the victory to the god of the lyre, and all but Midas acquiesced17 in the judgment18. He dissented19, and questioned the justice of the award. Apollo would not suffer such a depraved pair of ears any longer to wear the human form, but caused them to increase in length, grow hairy, within and without, and movable on their roots; in short, to be on the perfect pattern of those of an ass4.
Mortified20 enough was King Midas at this mishap21; but he consoled himself with the thought that it was possible to hide his misfortune, which he attempted to do by means of an ample turban or head-dress. But his hairdresser of course knew the secret. He was charged not to mention it, and threatened with dire22 punishment if he presumed to disobey. But he found it too much for his discretion23 to keep such a secret; so he went out into the meadow, dug a hole in the ground, and stooping down, whispered the story, and covered it up. Before long a thick bed of reeds sprang up in the meadow, and as soon as it had gained its growth, began whispering the story, and has continued to do so, from that day to this, every time a breeze passes over the place.
The story of King Midas has been told by others with some variations. Dryden, in the “Wife of Bath’s Tale,” makes Midas’s queen the betrayer of the secret:
“This Midas knew, and durst communicate
To none but to his wife his ears of state.”
Midas was king of Phrygia. He was the son of Gordius, a poor countryman, who was taken by the people and made king, in obedience24 to the command of the oracle25, which had said that their future king should come in a wagon26. While the people were deliberating, Gordius with his wife and son came driving his wagon into the public square.
Gordius, being made king, dedicated27 his wagon to the deity of the oracle, and tied it up in its place with a fast knot. This was the celebrated28 Gordian knot, which, in after times it was said, whoever should untie29 should become lord of all Asia. Many tried to untie it, but none succeeded, till Alexander the Great, in his career of conquest, came to Phrygia. He tried his skill with as ill success as others, till growing impatient he drew his sword and cut the knot. When he afterwards succeeded in subjecting all Asia to his sway, people began to think that he had complied with the terms of the oracle according to its true meaning.
BAUCIS AND PHILEMON
On a certain hill in Phrygia stands a linden tree and an oak, enclosed by a low wall. Not far from the spot is a marsh30, formerly31 good habitable land, but now indented32 with pools, the resort of fen-birds and cormorants33. Once on a time Jupiter, in human shape, visited this country, and with him his son Mercury (he of the caduceus), without his wings. They presented themselves, as weary travellers, at many a door, seeking rest and shelter, but found all closed, for it was late, and the inhospitable inhabitants would not rouse themselves to open for their reception. At last a humble34 mansion35 received them, a small thatched cottage, where Baucis, a pious37 old dame38, and her husband Philemon, united when young, had grown old together. Not ashamed of their poverty, they made it endurable by moderate desires and kind dispositions39. One need not look there for master or for servant; they two were the whole household, master and servant alike. When the two heavenly guests crossed the humble threshold, and bowed their heads to pass under the low door, the old man placed a seat, on which Baucis, bustling40 and attentive41, spread a cloth, and begged them to sit down. Then she raked out the coals from the ashes, and kindled42 up a fire, fed it with leaves and dry bark, and with her scanty43 breath blew it into a flame. She brought out of a corner split sticks and dry branches, broke them up, and placed them under the small kettle. Her husband collected some pot-herbs in the garden, and she shred44 them from the stalks, and prepared them for the pot. He reached down with a forked stick a flitch of bacon hanging in the chimney, cut a small piece, and put it in the pot to boil with the herbs, setting away the rest for another time. A beechen bowl was filled with warm water, that their guests might wash. While all was doing, they beguiled45 the time with conversation.
On the bench designed for the guests was laid a cushion stuffed with sea-weed; and a cloth, only produced on great occasions, but ancient and coarse enough, was spread over that. The old lady, with her apron46 on, with trembling hand set the table. One leg was shorter than the rest, but a piece of slate47 put under restored the level. When fixed48, she rubbed the table down with some sweet-smelling herbs. Upon it she set some of chaste49 Minerva’s olives, some cornel berries preserved in vinegar, and added radishes and cheese, with eggs lightly cooked in the ashes. All were served in earthen dishes, and an earthenware50 pitcher51, with wooden cups, stood beside them. When all was ready, the stew52, smoking hot, was set on the table. Some wine, not of the oldest, was added; and for dessert, apples and wild honey; and over and above all, friendly faces, and simple but hearty53 welcome.
Now while the repast proceeded, the old folks were astonished to see that the wine, as fast as it was poured out, renewed itself in the pitcher, of its own accord. Struck with terror, Baucis and Philemon recognized their heavenly guests, fell on their knees, and with clasped hands implored54 forgiveness for their poor entertainment. There was an old goose, which they kept as the guardian55 of their humble cottage; and they bethought them to make this a sacrifice in honor of their guests. But the goose, too nimble, with the aid of feet and wings, for the old folks, eluded56 their pursuit, and at last took shelter between the gods themselves. They forbade it to be slain57; and spoke58 in these words: “We are gods. This inhospitable village shall pay the penalty of its impiety59; you alone shall go free from the chastisement60. Quit your house, and come with us to the top of yonder hill.” They hastened to obey, and, staff in hand, labored61 up the steep ascent62. They had reached to within an arrow’s flight of the top, when turning their eyes below, they beheld63 all the country sunk in a lake, only their own house left standing64. While they gazed with wonder at the sight, and lamented65 the fate of their neighbors, that old house of theirs was changed into a temple. Columns took the place of the corner posts, the thatch36 grew yellow and appeared a gilded66 roof, the floors became marble, the doors were enriched with carving67 and ornaments68 of gold. Then spoke Jupiter in benignant accents: “Excellent old man, and woman worthy69 of such a husband, speak, tell us your wishes; what favor have you to ask of us?” Philemon took counsel with Baucis a few moments; then declared to the gods their united wish. “We ask to be priests and guardians70 of this your temple; and since here we have passed our lives in love and concord71, we wish that one and the same hour may take us both from life, that I may not live to see her grave, nor be laid in my own by her.” Their prayer was granted. They were the keepers of the temple as long as they lived. When grown very old, as they stood one day before the steps of the sacred edifice72, and were telling the story of the place, Baucis saw Philemon begin to put forth11 leaves, and old Philemon saw Baucis changing in like manner. And now a leafy crown had grown over their heads, while exchanging parting words, as long as they could speak. “Farewell, dear spouse,” they said, together, and at the same moment the bark closed over their mouths. The Tyanean shepherd still shows the two trees, standing side by side, made out of the two good old people.
The story of Baucis and Philemon has been imitated by Swift, in a burlesque73 style, the actors in the change being two wandering saints, and the house being changed into a church, of which Philemon is made the parson. The following may serve as a specimen74:
“They scarce had spoke, when, fair and soft,
The roof began to mount aloft;
Aloft rose every beam and rafter;
The heavy wall climbed slowly after.
The chimney widened and grew higher,
Became a steeple with a spire75.
The kettle to the top was hoist76,
And there stood fastened to a joist,
But with the upside down, to show
Its inclination77 for below;
In vain, for a superior force,
Applied78 at bottom, stops its course;
Doomed79 ever in suspense80 to dwell,
’Tis now no kettle, but a bell.
A wooden jack81, which had almost
Lost by disuse the art to roast,
A sudden alteration82 feels.
Increased by new intestine83 wheels;
And, what exalts84 the wonder more,
The number made the motion slower;
The flier, though ’t had leaden feet,
Turned round so quick you scarce could see ’t;
But slackened by some secret power,
Now hardly moves an inch an hour.
The jack and chimney, near allied85,
Had never left each other’s side:
The chimney to a steeple grown,
The jack would not be left alone;
But up against the steeple reared,
Became a clock, and still adhered;
And still its love to household cares
By a shrill86 voice at noon declares,
Warning the cook-maid not to burn
That roast meat which it cannot turn;
The groaning87 chair began to crawl,
Like a huge snail88, along the wall;
There stuck aloft in public view,
And with small change, a pulpit grew.
A bedstead of the antique mode,
Compact of timber many a load,
Such as our ancestors did use,
Was metamorphosed into pews,
Which still their ancient nature keep
By lodging89 folks disposed to sleep.”
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收听单词发音
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1
hospitably
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| 亲切地，招待周到地，善于款待地 | |
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twig
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| n.小树枝，嫩枝；v.理解 | |
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morsel
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| n.一口，一点点 | |
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ass
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| n.驴；傻瓜，蠢笨的人 | |
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consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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6
unprecedented
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| adj.无前例的，新奇的 | |
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7
divest
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| v.脱去，剥除 | |
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coveted
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| adj.令人垂涎的；垂涎的，梦寐以求的v.贪求，觊觎(covet的过去分词)；垂涎；贪图 | |
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deity
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| n.神，神性；被奉若神明的人(或物) | |
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10
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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11
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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12
splendor
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| n.光彩；壮丽，华丽；显赫，辉煌 | |
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13
temerity
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| n.鲁莽，冒失 | |
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14
rustic
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| adj.乡村的，有乡村特色的；n.乡下人，乡巴佬 | |
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15
follower
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| n.跟随者；随员；门徒；信徒 | |
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16
strings
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| n.弦 | |
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17
acquiesced
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| v.默认，默许( acquiesce的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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18
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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19
dissented
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| 不同意，持异议( dissent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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20
mortified
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| v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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21
mishap
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| n.不幸的事，不幸；灾祸 | |
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22
dire
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| adj.可怕的，悲惨的，阴惨的，极端的 | |
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23
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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24
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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25
oracle
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| n.神谕，神谕处，预言 | |
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26
wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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27
dedicated
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| adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的 | |
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28
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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29
untie
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| vt.解开，松开；解放 | |
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30
marsh
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| n.沼泽，湿地 | |
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31
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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32
indented
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| adj.锯齿状的，高低不平的；缩进排版 | |
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33
cormorants
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| 鸬鹚，贪婪的人( cormorant的名词复数 ) | |
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34
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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35
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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36
thatch
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| vt.用茅草覆盖…的顶部；n.茅草(屋) | |
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37
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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38
dame
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| n.女士 | |
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39
dispositions
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| 安排( disposition的名词复数 )； 倾向； （财产、金钱的）处置； 气质 | |
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40
bustling
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| adj.喧闹的 | |
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41
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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42
kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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43
scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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44
shred
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| v.撕成碎片，变成碎片；n.碎布条，细片，些少 | |
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45
beguiled
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| v.欺骗( beguile的过去式和过去分词 )；使陶醉；使高兴；消磨（时间等） | |
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46
apron
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| n.围裙；工作裙 | |
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47
slate
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| n.板岩，石板，石片，石板色，候选人名单；adj.暗蓝灰色的，含板岩的；vt.用石板覆盖，痛打，提名，预订 | |
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48
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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49
chaste
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| adj.贞洁的；有道德的；善良的；简朴的 | |
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50
earthenware
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| n.土器，陶器 | |
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51
pitcher
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| n.(有嘴和柄的)大水罐；(棒球)投手 | |
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52
stew
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| n.炖汤，焖，烦恼；v.炖汤，焖，忧虑 | |
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53
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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54
implored
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| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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55
guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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56
eluded
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| v.（尤指机敏地）避开( elude的过去式和过去分词 )；逃避；躲避；使达不到 | |
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57
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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58
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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59
impiety
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| n.不敬；不孝 | |
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60
chastisement
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| n.惩罚 | |
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61
labored
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| adj.吃力的，谨慎的v.努力争取(for)( labor的过去式和过去分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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62
ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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63
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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64
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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65
lamented
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| adj.被哀悼的，令人遗憾的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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66
gilded
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| a.镀金的，富有的 | |
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67
carving
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| n.雕刻品，雕花 | |
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68
ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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69
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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70
guardians
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| 监护人( guardian的名词复数 )； 保护者，维护者 | |
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71
concord
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| n.和谐；协调 | |
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72
edifice
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| n.宏伟的建筑物(如宫殿，教室) | |
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73
burlesque
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| v.嘲弄，戏仿；n.嘲弄，取笑，滑稽模仿 | |
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74
specimen
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| n.样本，标本 | |
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75
spire
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| n.(教堂)尖顶，尖塔，高点 | |
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76
hoist
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| n.升高，起重机，推动；v.升起，升高，举起 | |
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77
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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78
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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79
doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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80
suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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81
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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82
alteration
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| n.变更，改变；蚀变 | |
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83
intestine
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| adj.内部的；国内的；n.肠 | |
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84
exalts
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| 赞扬( exalt的第三人称单数 )； 歌颂； 提升； 提拔 | |
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85
allied
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| adj.协约国的；同盟国的 | |
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86
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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87
groaning
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| adj. 呜咽的, 呻吟的 动词groan的现在分词形式 | |
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88
snail
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| n.蜗牛 | |
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89
lodging
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| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
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