But now already they were near the monster’s lair15. They stretched strong nets from tree to tree; they uncoupled their dogs, they tried to find the footprints of their quarry16 in the grass. From the wood was a descent to marshy17 ground. Here the boar, as he lay among the reeds, heard the shouts of his pursuers, and rushed forth18 against them. One and another is thrown down and slain19. Jason throws his spear, with a prayer to Diana for success; and the favoring goddess allows the weapon to touch, but not to wound, removing the steel point of the spear in its flight. Nestor, assailed20, seeks and finds safety in the branches of a tree. Telamon rushes on, but stumbling at a projecting root, falls prone21. But an arrow from Atalanta at length for the first time tastes the monster’s blood. It is a slight wound, but Meleager sees and joyfully22 proclaims it. Anceus, excited to envy by the praise given to a female, loudly proclaims his own valor23, and defies alike the boar and the goddess who had sent it; but as he rushes on, the infuriated beast lays him low with a mortal wound. Theseus throws his lance, but it is turned aside by a projecting bough24. The dart25 of Jason misses its object, and kills instead one of their own dogs. But Meleager, after one unsuccessful stroke, drives his spear into the monster’s side, then rushes on and despatches him with repeated blows.
Then rose a shout from those around; they congratulated the conqueror26, crowding to touch his hand. He, placing his foot upon the head of the slain boar, turned to Atalanta and bestowed27 on her the head and the rough hide which were the trophies28 of his success. But at this, envy excited the rest to strife29. Plexippus and Toxeus, the brothers of Meleager’s mother, beyond the rest opposed the gift, and snatched from the maiden30 the trophy31 she had received. Meleager, kindling32 with rage at the wrong done to himself, and still more at the insult offered to her whom he loved, forgot the claims of kindred, and plunged33 his sword into the offenders’ hearts.
As Althea bore gifts of thankfulness to the temples for the victory of her son, the bodies of her murdered brothers met her sight. She shrieks34, and beats her breast, and hastens to change the garments of rejoicing for those of mourning. But when the author of the deed is known, grief gives way to the stern desire of vengeance35 on her son. The fatal brand, which once she rescued from the flames, the brand which the destinies had linked with Meleager’s life, she brings forth, and commands a fire to be prepared. Then four times she essays to place the brand upon the pile; four times draws back, shuddering36 at the thought of bringing destruction on her son. The feelings of the mother and the sister contend within her. Now she is pale at the thought of the proposed deed, now flushed again with anger at the act of her son. As a vessel37, driven in one direction by the wind, and in the opposite by the tide, the mind of Althea hangs suspended in uncertainty38. But now the sister prevails above the mother, and she begins as she holds the fatal wood: “Turn, ye Furies, goddesses of punishment! turn to behold39 the sacrifice I bring! Crime must atone41 for crime. Shall ?neus rejoice in his victor son, while the house of Thestius is desolate42? But, alas43! to what deed am I borne along? Brothers forgive a mother’s weakness! my hand fails me. He deserves death, but not that I should destroy him. But shall he then live, and triumph, and reign44 over Calydon, while you, my brothers, wander unavenged among the shades? No! thou hast lived by my gift; die, now, for thine own crime. Return the life which twice I gave thee, first at thy birth, again when I snatched this brand from the flames. O that thou hadst then died! Alas! evil is the conquest; but, brothers, ye have conquered.” And, turning away her face, she threw the fatal wood upon the burning pile.
It gave, or seemed to give, a deadly groan45. Meleager, absent and unknowing of the cause, felt a sudden pang46. He burns, and only by courageous47 pride conquers the pain which destroys him. He mourns only that he perishes by a bloodless and unhonored death. With his last breath he calls upon his aged48 father, his brother, and his fond sisters, upon his beloved Atalanta, and upon his mother, the unknown cause of his fate. The flames increase, and with them the pain of the hero. Now both subside49; now both are quenched. The brand is ashes, and the life of Meleager is breathed forth to the wandering winds.
Althea, when the deed was done, laid violent hands upon herself. The sisters of Meleager mourned their brother with uncontrollable grief; till Diana, pitying the sorrows of the house that once had aroused her anger, turned them into birds.
ATALANTA
The innocent cause of so much sorrow was a maiden whose face you might truly say was boyish for a girl, yet too girlish for a boy. Her fortune had been told, and it was to this effect: “Atalanta, do not marry; marriage will be your ruin.” Terrified by this oracle50, she fled the society of men, and devoted51 herself to the sports of the chase. To all suitors (for she had many) she imposed a condition which was generally effectual in relieving her of their persecutions,—“I will be the prize of him who shall conquer me in the race; but death must be the penalty of all who try and fail.” In spite of this hard condition some would try. Hippomenes was to be judge of the race. “Can it be possible that any will be so rash as to risk so much for a wife?” said he. But when he saw her lay aside her robe for the race, he changed his mind, and said, “Pardon me, youths, I knew not the prize you were competing for.” As he surveyed them he wished them all to be beaten, and swelled52 with envy of any one that seemed at all likely to win. While such were his thoughts, the virgin53 darted54 forward. As she ran she looked more beautiful than ever. The breezes seemed to give wings to her feet; her hair flew over her shoulders, and the gay fringe of her garment fluttered behind her. A ruddy hue55 tinged56 the whiteness of her skin, such as a crimson57 curtain casts on a marble wall. All her competitors were distanced, and were put to death without mercy. Hippomenes, not daunted58 by this result, fixing his eyes on the virgin, said, “Why boast of beating those laggards59? I offer myself for the contest.” Atalanta looked at him with a pitying countenance60, and hardly knew whether she would rather conquer him or not. “What god can tempt61 one so young and handsome to throw himself away? I pity him, not for his beauty (yet he is beautiful), but for his youth. I wish he would give up the race, or if he will be so mad, I hope he may outrun me.” While she hesitates, revolving62 these thoughts, the spectators grow impatient for the race, and her father prompts her to prepare. Then Hippomenes addressed a prayer to Venus: “Help me, Venus, for you have led me on.” Venus heard and was propitious63.
In the garden of her temple, in her own island of Cyprus, is a tree with yellow leaves and yellow branches and golden fruit. Hence she gathered three golden apples, and, unseen by any one else, gave them to Hippomenes, and told him how to use them. The signal is given; each starts from the goal and skims over the sand. So light their tread, you would almost have thought they might run over the river surface or over the waving grain without sinking. The cries of the spectators cheered Hippomenes,—“Now, now, do your best! haste, haste! you gain on her! relax not! one more effort!” It was doubtful whether the youth or the maiden heard these cries with the greater pleasure. But his breath began to fail him, his throat was dry, the goal yet far off. At that moment he threw down one of the golden apples. The virgin was all amazement64. She stopped to pick it up. Hippomenes shot ahead. Shouts burst forth from all sides. She redoubled her efforts, and soon overtook him. Again he threw an apple. She stopped again, but again came up with him. The goal was near; one chance only remained. “Now, goddess,” said he, “prosper your gift!” and threw the last apple off at one side. She looked at it, and hesitated; Venus impelled65 her to turn aside for it. She did so, and was vanquished66. The youth carried off his prize.
But the lovers were so full of their own happiness that they forgot to pay due honor to Venus; and the goddess was provoked at their ingratitude67. She caused them to give offence to Cybele. That powerful goddess was not to be insulted with impunity68. She took from them their human form and turned them into animals of characters resembling their own: of the huntress-heroine, triumphing in the blood of her lovers, she made a lioness, and of her lord and master a lion, and yoked69 them to her car, where they are still to be seen in all representations, in statuary or painting, of the goddess Cybele.
Cybele is the Latin name of the goddess called by the Greeks Rhea and Ops. She was the wife of Cronos and mother of Zeus. In works of art she exhibits the matronly air which distinguishes Juno and Ceres. Sometimes she is veiled, and seated on a throne with lions at her side, at other times riding in a chariot drawn70 by lions. She wears a mural crown, that is, a crown whose rim40 is carved in the form of towers and battlements. Her priests were called Corybantes.
Byron, in describing the city of Venice, which is built on a low island in the Adriatic Sea, borrows an illustration from Cybele:
“She looks a sea-Cybele fresh from ocean,
Rising with her tiara of proud towers
At airy distance, with majestic71 motion,
A ruler of the waters and their powers.”
—Childe Harold, IV.
In Moore’s “Rhymes on the Road,” the poet, speaking of Alpine72 scenery, alludes73 to the story of Atalanta and Hippomenes thus:
“Even here, in this region of wonders, I find
That light-footed Fancy leaves Truth far behind,
Or at least, like Hippomenes, turns her astray
By the golden illusions he flings in her way.”
CIRCE.
From painting by Burne-Jones.
THE THREE FATES.
From painting by Michael Angelo. Pitti Gallery, Florence.
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1
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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spun
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| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
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foretold
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| v.预言，预示( foretell的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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hearth
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| n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面 | |
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quenched
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| 解（渴）( quench的过去式和过去分词 )； 终止（某事物）； （用水）扑灭（火焰等）； 将（热物体）放入水中急速冷却 | |
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bristles
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| 短而硬的毛发，刷子毛( bristle的名词复数 ) | |
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7
tusks
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| n.（象等动物的）长牙( tusk的名词复数 )；獠牙；尖形物；尖头 | |
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trampled
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| 踩( trample的过去式和过去分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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herds
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| 兽群( herd的名词复数 )； 牧群； 人群； 群众 | |
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10
slaughtering
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| v.屠杀，杀戮，屠宰( slaughter的现在分词 ) | |
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11
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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12
ravenous
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| adj.极饿的，贪婪的 | |
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13
buckle
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| n.扣子，带扣；v.把...扣住，由于压力而弯曲 | |
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14
martial
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| adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的 | |
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lair
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| n.野兽的巢穴；躲藏处 | |
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quarry
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| n.采石场；v.采石；费力地找 | |
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17
marshy
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| adj.沼泽的 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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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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assailed
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| v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
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21
prone
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| adj.(to)易于…的，很可能…的；俯卧的 | |
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joyfully
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| adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
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valor
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| n.勇气，英勇 | |
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bough
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| n.大树枝，主枝 | |
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dart
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| v.猛冲，投掷；n.飞镖，猛冲 | |
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conqueror
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| n.征服者，胜利者 | |
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27
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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28
trophies
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| n.（为竞赛获胜者颁发的）奖品( trophy的名词复数 )；奖杯；（尤指狩猎或战争中获得的）纪念品；（用于比赛或赛跑名称）奖 | |
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strife
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| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
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maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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trophy
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| n.优胜旗，奖品，奖杯，战胜品，纪念品 | |
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32
kindling
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| n. 点火, 可燃物 动词kindle的现在分词形式 | |
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33
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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34
shrieks
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| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
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35
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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shuddering
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| v.战栗( shudder的现在分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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37
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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38
uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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39
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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40
rim
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| n.(圆物的)边，轮缘；边界 | |
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41
atone
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| v.赎罪，补偿 | |
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42
desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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43
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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44
reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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45
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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46
pang
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| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
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47
courageous
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| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
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48
aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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49
subside
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| vi.平静，平息；下沉，塌陷，沉降 | |
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50
oracle
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| n.神谕，神谕处，预言 | |
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51
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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52
swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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53
virgin
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| n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的 | |
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54
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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55
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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56
tinged
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| v.（使）发丁丁声( ting的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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57
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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58
daunted
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| 使（某人）气馁，威吓( daunt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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59
laggards
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| n.落后者( laggard的名词复数 ) | |
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60
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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61
tempt
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| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
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62
revolving
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| adj.旋转的，轮转式的；循环的v.（使）旋转( revolve的现在分词 )；细想 | |
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63
propitious
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| adj.吉利的；顺利的 | |
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64
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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65
impelled
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| v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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66
vanquished
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| v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 )；战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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67
ingratitude
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| n.忘恩负义 | |
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68
impunity
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| n.(惩罚、损失、伤害等的)免除 | |
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69
yoked
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| 结合（yoke的过去式形式） | |
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70
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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71
majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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72
alpine
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| adj.高山的；n.高山植物 | |
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73
alludes
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| 提及，暗指( allude的第三人称单数 ) | |
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