Metamorphoses

Ovid

Ovid. Metamorphoses. More, Brookes, translator. Boston: Cornhill Publishing Co., 1922.

  1. and since that time, the linen wearing throng
  2. of Egypt have adored her as a God;
  3. for they believe the seed of Jove prevailed;
  4. and when her time was due she bore to him
  5. a son called Epaphus; who also dwells
  6. in temples with his mother in that land.
  7. Now Phaethon, whose father was the Sun,
  8. was equal to his rival, Epaphus,
  9. in mind and years; and he was glad to boast
  10. of wonders, nor would yield to Epaphus
  11. for pride of Phoebus, his reputed sire.
  12. Unable to endure it, Io's son
  13. thus mocked him; “Poor, demented fellow, what
  14. will you not credit if your mother speaks,
  15. you are so puffed up with the fond conceit
  16. of your imagined sire, the Lord of Day.”
  17. shame crimsoned in his cheeks, but Phaethon
  18. withholding rage, reported all the taunts
  19. of Epaphus to Clymene his mother:
  20. “'Twill grieve you, mother, I, the bold and free,
  21. was silent; and it shames me to report
  22. this dark reproach remains unchallenged. Oh,
  23. if I am born of race divine, give proof
  24. of that illustrious descent and claim
  25. my right to Heaven.” Around his mother's neck
  26. he drew his arms, and by the head of Merops,
  27. and by his own, and by the nuptial torch
  28. of his beloved sisters, he implored
  29. for some true token of his origin.
  30. Or moved by Phaethon's importuned words,
  31. or by the grievous charge, who might declare?
  32. She raised her arms to Heaven, and gazing full
  33. upon the broad sun said; “I swear to you
  34. by yonder orb, so radiant and bright,
  35. which both beholds and hears us while we speak,
  36. that you are his begotten son.—You are
  37. the child of that great light which sways the world:
  38. and if I have not spoken what is true,
  39. let not mine eyes behold his countenance,
  40. and let this fatal moment be the last
  41. that I shall look upon the light of day!
  42. Nor will it weary you, my son, to reach
  43. your father's dwelling; for the very place
  44. where he appears at dawn is near our land.
  45. Go, if it please you, and the very truth
  46. learn from your father.” Instantly sprang forth
  47. exultant Phaethon. Overjoyed with words
  48. so welcome, he imagined he could leap
  49. and touch the skies. And so he passed his land
  50. of Ethiopia, and the Indies, hot
  51. beneath the tawny sun, and there he turned
  52. his footsteps to his father's Land of Dawn.