The Project Gutenberg eBook of Theocritus, translated into English Verse This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook. Title: Theocritus, translated into English Verse Author: Theocritus Translator: Charles Stuart Calverley Release date: March 1, 2004 [eBook #11533] Most recently updated: October 28, 2024 Language: English Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/11533 Credits: Produced by Ted Garvin, Garrett Alley and PG Distributed Proofreaders *** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THEOCRITUS, TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH VERSE *** EDITORIAL READING COPY Theocritus, Idyll XV: The Women at the Adonis Festival Translated by C. S. Calverley, third edition. The complete work is selected from the source anthology; this is not a claim to reproduce the entire anthology. The original source notices and full licence follow. Source anthology (unchanged): /texts/editions/theocritus.txt —— TRANSLATION —— IDYLL XV. The Festival of Adonis. _GORGO. PRAXINOÄ._ GORGO. Praxinoä in? PRAXINOÄ. Yes, Gorgo dear! At last! That you're here now's a marvel! See to a chair, A cushion, Eunoä! GORGO. I lack naught. PRAXINOÄ. Sit down. GORGO. Oh, what a thing is spirit! Here I am, Praxinoä, safe at last from all that crowd And all those chariots--every street a mass Of boots and uniforms! And the road, my dear, Seemed endless--you live now so far away! PRAXINOÄ. This land's-end den--I cannot call it house-- My madcap hired to keep us twain apart And stir up strife. 'Twas like him, odious pest! GORGO. Nay call not, dear, your lord, your Deinon, names To the babe's face. Look how it stares at you! There, baby dear, she never meant Papa! It understands, by'r lady! Dear Papa! PRAXINOÄ. Well, yesterday (that means what day you like) 'Papa' had rouge and hair-powder to buy; He brought back salt! this oaf of six-foot-one! GORGO. Just such another is that pickpocket My Diocleides. He bought t'other day Six fleeces at seven drachms, his last exploit. What were they? scraps of worn-out pedlar's-bags, Sheer trash.--But put your cloak and mantle on; And we'll to Ptolemy's, the sumptuous king, To see the _Adonis_. As I hear, the queen Provides us something gorgeous. PRAXINOÄ. Ay, the grand Can do things grandly. GORGO. When you've seen yourself, What tales you'll have to tell to those who've not. 'Twere time we started! PRAXINOÄ. All time's holiday With idlers! Eunoä, pampered minx, the jug! Set it down here--you cats would sleep all day On cushions--Stir yourself, fetch water, quick! Water's our first want. How she holds the jug! Now, pour--not, cormorant, in that wasteful way-- You've drenched my dress, bad luck t'you! There, enough: I have made such toilet as my fates allowed. Now for the key o' the plate-chest. Bring it, quick! GORGO. My dear, that full pelisse becomes you well. What did it stand you in, straight off the loom? PRAXINOÄ. Don't ask me, Gorgo: two good pounds and more. Then I gave all my mind to trimming it. GORGO. Well, 'tis a great success. PRAXINOÄ. I think it is. My mantle, Eunoä, and my parasol! Arrange me nicely. Babe, you'll bide at home! Horses would bite you--Boo!--Yes, cry your fill, But we won't have you maimed. Now let's be off. You, Phrygia, take and nurse the tiny thing: Call the dog in: make fast the outer door! [_Exeunt_. Gods! what a crowd! How, when shall we get past This nuisance, these unending ant-like swarms? Yet, Ptolemy, we owe thee thanks for much Since heaven received thy sire! No miscreant now Creeps Thug-like up, to maul the passer-by. What games men played erewhile--men shaped in crime, Birds of a feather, rascals every one! --We're done for, Gorgo darling--here they are, The Royal horse! Sweet sir, don't trample me! That bay--the savage!--reared up straight on end! Fly, Eunoä, can't you? Doggedly she stands. He'll be his rider's death!--How glad I am My babe's at home. GORGO. Praxinoä, never mind! See, we're before them now, and they're in line. PRAXINOÄ. There, I'm myself. But from a child I feared Horses, and slimy snakes. But haste we on: A surging multitude is close behind. GORGO [_to Old Lady_]. From the palace, mother? OLD LADY. Ay, child. GORGO. Is it fair Of access? OLD LADY. Trying brought the Greeks to Troy. Young ladies, they must try who would succeed. GORGO. The crone hath said her oracle and gone. Women know all--how Adam married Eve. --Praxinoä, look what crowds are round the door! PRAXINOÄ. Fearful! Your hand, please, Gorgo. Eunoä, you Hold Eutychis--hold tight or you'll be lost. We'll enter in a body--hold us fast! Oh dear, my muslin dress is torn in two, Gorgo, already! Pray, good gentleman, (And happiness be yours) respect my robe! STRANGER. I could not if I would--nathless I will. PRAXINOÄ. They come in hundreds, and they push like swine. STRANGER. Lady, take courage: it is all well now. PRAXINOÄ. And now and ever be it well with thee, Sweet man, for shielding us! An honest soul And kindly. Oh! they're smothering Eunoä: Push, coward! That's right! 'All in,' the bridegroom said And locked the door upon himself and bride. GORGO. Praxinoä, look! Note well this broidery first. How exquisitely fine--too good for earth! Empress Athenè, what strange sempstress wrought Such work? What painter painted, realized Such pictures? Just like life they stand or move, Facts and not fancies! What a thing is man! How bright, how lifelike on his silvern couch Lies, with youth's bloom scarce shadowing his cheek, That dear Adonis, lovely e'en in death! A STRANGER. Bad luck t'you, cease your senseless pigeon's prate! Their brogue is killing--every word a drawl! GORGO. Where did he spring from? Is our prattle aught To you, Sir? Order your own slaves about: You're ordering Syracusan ladies now! Corinthians bred (to tell you one fact more) As was Bellerophon: islanders in speech, For Dorians may talk Doric, I presume? PRAXINOÄ. Persephonè! none lords it over me, Save one! No scullion's-wage for us from _you_! GORGO. Hush, dear. The Argive's daughter's going to sing _The Adonis_: that accomplished vocalist Who has no rival in "_The Sailor's Grave_." Observe her attitudinizing now. _Song_. Queen, who lov'st Golgi and the Sicel hill And Ida; Aphroditè radiant-eyed; The stealthy-footed Hours from Acheron's rill Brought once again Adonis to thy side How changed in twelve short months! They travel slow, Those precious Hours: we hail their advent still, For blessings do they bring to all below. O Sea-born! thou didst erst, or legend lies, Shed on a woman's soul thy grace benign, And Berenicè's dust immortalize. O called by many names, at many a shrine! For thy sweet sake doth Berenicè's child (Herself a second Helen) deck with all That's fair, Adonis. On his right are piled Ripe apples fallen from the oak-tree tall; And silver caskets at his left support Toy-gardens, Syrian scents enshrined in gold And alabaster, cakes of every sort That in their ovens the pastrywomen mould, When with white meal they mix all flowers that bloom, Oil-cakes and honey-cakes. There stand portrayed Each bird, each butterfly; and in the gloom Of foliage climbing high, and downward weighed By graceful blossoms, do the young Loves play Like nightingales, and perch on every tree, And flit, to try their wings, from spray to spray. Then see the gold, the ebony! Only see The ivory-carven eagles, bearing up To Zeus the boy who fills his royal cup! Soft as a dream, such tapestry gleams o'erhead As the Milesian's self would gaze on, charmed. But sweet Adonis hath his own sweet bed: Next Aphroditè sleeps the roseate-armed, A bridegroom of eighteen or nineteen years. Kiss the smooth boyish lip--there's no sting there! The bride hath found her own: all bliss be hers! And him at dewy dawn we'll troop to bear Down where the breakers hiss against the shore: There, with dishevelled dress and unbound hair, Bare-bosomed all, our descant wild we'll pour: "Thou haunt'st, Adonis, earth and heaven in turn, Alone of heroes. Agamemnon ne'er Could compass this, nor Aias stout and stern: Not Hector, eldest-born of her who bare Ten sons, not Patrocles, nor safe-returned From Ilion Pyrrhus, such distinction earned: Nor, elder yet, the Lapithæ, the sons Of Pelops and Deucalion; or the crown Of Greece, Pelasgians. Gracious may'st thou be, Adonis, now: pour new-year's blessings down! Right welcome dost thou come, Adonis dear: Come when thou wilt, thou'lt find a welcome here." GORGO. 'Tis fine, Praxinoä! How I envy her Her learning, and still more her luscious voice! We must go home: my husband's supperless: And, in that state, the man's just vinegar. Don't cross his path when hungry! 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