Egeria transformed to a Fountain Story of Cippus Occasion of Esculapius being brought to Rome Deification of Julius Cæsar Reign of Augustus, in which Ovid florished Few translations have gone through more editions, or met with greater applause from the public.'-BIBLIOGRAPHICAL MISCELLANY. METAMORPHOSES. BOOK X. TRANSLATED BY CONGREVE. STORY OF ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. ORPHEUS, by his skill in music, obtains from Pluto the restoration of his wife Eurydice on condition of not looking behind him till his arrival in the upper regions: his promises are forgotten; and he turns to gaze on his long-lost wife, who instantly vanishes from his eyes-Her husband, in despair, totally separates himself from the society of mankind. THENCE, in his saffron robe, for distant Thrace, Nor cheerful look'd the god, nor prosp'rous spoke, 5 No rapid motion can its flames awake. With dread these inauspicious signs were view'd, And soon a more disastrous end ensued; 10 For as the bride, amid the Naiad train, Ran joyful, sporting o'er the flow'ry plain, A venom'd viper bit her as she pass'd; Instant she fell, and sudden breathed her last. Not by superior powers to be restored, OVID. VOL. II. A 15 Inflamed by love, and urged by deep despair, 20 25 'Ye powers, who under earth your realms extend, To whom all mortals must one day descend, come not curious to explore your hell, 30 35 Her growing years cut short, and springing bloom. 40 Long I my loss endeavor'd to sustain, And strongly strove; but strove, alas! in vain : At length I yielded, won by mighty love; But here, I doubt, his unfelt influence fails; 45 And yet a hope within my heart prevails, That here, ev'n here, he has been known of old, If fame of former loves belief may find, You both by love, and love alone, were join'd. 50 |