Epistles (P. Ovidius Naso)

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	Epistles Author: P. Ovidius Naso	Translator: J. Nunn, R. Priestly, R. Lea, J. Rodwell
12	Medea Iasoni At tibi Colchorum , memini , regina vacavi , Ars mea cum peteres ut tibi ferret opem . Tunc quae dispensant mortalia fila sorores Debuerant fusos evoluisse meos . Tum potui Medea mori bene ! quidquid ab illo Produxi vitam tempore , poena fuit . Ei mihi ! cur umquam iuvenalibus acta lacertis Phrixeam petiit Pelias arbor ovem ? Cur umquam Colchi Magnetida vidimus Argo , Turbaque Phasiacam Graia bibistis aquam ? Cur mihi plus aequo flavi placuere capilli Et decor et linguae gratia ficta tuae ? Aut , semel in nostras quoniam nova puppis harenas Venerat audacis attuleratque viros , Isset anhelatos non praemedicatus in ignes Inmemor Aesonides oraque adusta boum ; Semina iecisset totidem quot semina et hostes , Ut caderet cultu cultor ab ipse suo ! Quantum perfidiae tecum , scelerate , perisset , Dempta forent capiti quam mala multa meo ! Est aliqua ingrato meritum exprobrare voluptas . Hac fruar ; haec de te gaudia sola feram . Iussus inexpertam Colchos advertere puppim Intrasti patriae regna beata meae . Hoc illic Medea fui , nova nupta quod hic est ; Quam pater est illi , tam mihi dives erat . Hic Ephyren bimarem , Scythia tenus ille nivosa Omne tenet , Ponti qua plaga laeva iacet . Accipis hospitio iuvenes , Aeeta , Pelasgos , Et premitis pictos , corpora Graia , toros . Tunc ego te vidi , tunc coepi scire , quid esses ; Illa fuit mentis prima ruina meae . Et vidi et perii ; nec notis ignibus arsi , Ardet ut ad magnos pinea taeda deos . Et formosus eras , et me mea fata trahebant ; Abstulerant oculi lumina nostra tui . Perfide , sensisti — quis enim bene celat amorem ? Eminet indicio prodita flamma suo . Dicitur interea tibi lex ut dura ferorum Insolito premeres vomere colla boum . Martis erant tauri plus quam per cornua saevi , Quorum terribilis spiritus ignis erat ; Aere pedes solidi praetentaque naribus aera , Nigra per adflatus haec quoque facta suos . Semina praeterea populos genitura iuberis Spargere devota lata per arva manu , Qui peterent natis secum tua corpora telis ; Illa est agricolae messis iniqua suo . Lumina custodis succumbere nescia somno , Ultimus est aliqua decipere arte labor . Dixerat Aeetes ; maesti consurgitis omnes , Mensaque purpureos deserit alta toros . Quam tibi tunc longe regnum dotale Creusae Et socer et magni nata Creontis erat ! Tristis abis ; oculis abeuntem prosequor udis , Et dixit tenui murmure lingua : ' vale !' Ut positum tetigi thalamo male saucia lectum , Acta est per lacrimas nox mihi , quanta fuit ; Ante oculos taurique meos segetesque nefandae , Ante meos oculos pervigil anguis erat . Hinc amor , hinc timor est ; ipsum timor auget amorem . Mane erat , et thalamo cara recepta soror Disiectamque comas adversaque in ora iacentem Invenit , et lacrimis omnia plena meis . Orat opem Minyis . alter petit , impetrat alter : Aesonio iuveni quod rogat illa , damus . Est nemus et piceis et frondibus ilicis atrum ; Vix illuc radiis solis adire licet . Sunt in eo — fuerant certe — delubra Dianae ; Aurea barbarica stat dea facta manu . Noscis ? an exciderunt mecum loca ? venimus illuc . Orsus es infido sic prior ore loqui : ' Ius tibi et arbitrium nostrae fortuna salutis Tradidit , inque tua est vitaque morsque manu . Perdere posse sat est , siquem iuvet ipsa potestas ; Sed tibi servatus gloria maior ero . Per mala nostra precor , quorum potes esse levamen , Per genus , et numen cuncta videntis avi , Per triplicis vultus arcanaque sacra Dianae , Et si forte aliquos gens habet ista deos — O virgo , miserere mei , miserere meorum ; Effice me meritis tempus in omne tuum ! Quodsi forte virum non dedignare Pelasgum — Sed mihi tam faciles unde meosque deos ? — Spiritus ante meus tenues vanescet in auras Quam thalamo nisi tu nupta sit ulla meo ! Conscia sit Iuno sacris praefecta maritis , Et dea marmorea cuius in aede sumus !' Haec animum — et quota pars haec sunt ! — movere puellae Simplicis , et dextrae dextera iuncta meae . Vidi etiam lacrimas — sua pars et fraudis in illis . Sic cito sum verbis capta puella tuis . Iungis aenipedes inadusto corpore tauros Et solidam iusso vomere findis humum . Arva venenatis pro semine dentibus inples , Nascitur et gladios scutaque miles habens . Ipsa ego , quae dederam medicamina , pallida sedi , Cum vidi subitos arma tenere viros , Donec terrigenae , facinus mirabile , fratres Inter se strictas conseruere manus . Insopor ecce vigil squamis crepitantibus horrens Sibilat et torto pectore verrit humum ! Illa ego , quae tibi sum nunc denique barbara facta , Nunc tibi sum pauper , nunc tibi visa nocens , Flammea subduxi medicato lumina somno , Et tibi , quae raperes , vellera tuta dedi . Proditus est genitor , regnum patriamque reliqui ; Munus , in exilio quod licet esse , tuli ! Virginitas facta est peregrini praeda latronis ; Optima cum cara matre relicta soror . At non te fugiens sine me , germane , reliqui ! Deficit hoc uno littera nostra loco . Quod facere ausa mea est , non audet scribere dextra . Sic ego , sed tecum , dilaceranda fui . Nec tamen extimui — quid enim post illa timerem ? — Credere me pelago , femina iamque nocens . Numen ubi est ? ubi di ? meritas subeamus in alto , Tu fraudis poenas , credulitatis ego ! Compressos utinam Symplegades elisissent , Nostraque adhaererent ossibus ossa tuis ; Aut nos Scylla rapax canibus mersisset edendos — Debuit ingratis Scylla nocere viris ; Quaeque vomit totidem fluctus totidemque resorbet , Nos quoque Trinacriae supposuisset aquae ! Sospes ad Haemonias victorque reverteris urbes ; Ponitur ad patrios aurea lana deos . Quid referam Peliae natas pietate nocentes Caesaque virginea membra paterna manu ? Ut culpent alii , tibi me laudare necesse est , Pro quo sum totiens esse coacta nocens . Ausus es — o , iusto desunt sua verba dolori ! — Ausus es ' Aesonia ,' dicere , ' cede domo !' Iussa domo cessi natis comitata duobus Et , qui me sequitur semper , amore tui . Ut subito nostras Hymen cantatus ad aures Venit , et accenso lampades igne micant , Tibiaque effundit socialia carmina vobis , At mihi funerea flebiliora tuba , Pertimui , nec adhuc tantum scelus esse putabam ; Sed tamen in toto pectore frigus erat . Turba ruunt et ' Hymen ,' clamant , ' Hymenaee !' frequenter — Quo propior vox haec , hoc mihi peius erat . Diversi flebant servi lacrimasque tegebant — Quis vellet tanti nuntius esse mali ? Me quoque , quidquid erat , potius nescire iuvabat ; Sed tamquam scirem , mens mea tristis erat , Cum minor e pueris ( casu studione videndi Constitit ad geminae limina prima foris ) ' Huc modo , mater , adi ! pompam pater ,' inquit , ' Iason Ducit et adiunctos aureus urget equos !' Protinus abscissa planxi mea pectora veste , Tuta nec a digitis ora fuere meis . Ire animus mediae suadebat in agmina turbae Sertaque conpositis demere rapta comis ; Vix me continui , quin dilaniata capillos Clamarem ' meus est !' iniceremque manus . Laese pater , gaude ! Colchi gaudete relicti ! Inferias umbrae fratris habete mei ; Deseror amissis regno patriaque domoque Coniuge , qui nobis omnia solus erat ! Serpentis igitur potui taurosque furentes ; Unum non potui perdomuisse virum , Quaeque feros pepuli doctis medicatibus ignes , Non valeo flammas effugere ipsa meas . Ipsi me cantus herbaeque artesque relinquunt ; Nil dea , nil Hecates sacra potentis agunt . Non mihi grata dies ; noctes vigilantur amarae , Et tener a misero pectore somnus abest . Quae me non possum , potui sopire draconem ; Utilior cuivis quam mihi cura mea est . Quos ego servavi , paelex amplectitur artus , Et nostri fructus illa laboris habet . Forsitan et , stultae dum te iactare maritae Quaeris et iniustis auribus apta loqui , In faciem moresque meos nova crimina fingas . Rideat et vitiis laeta sit illa meis ! Rideat et Tyrio iaceat sublimis in ostro — Flebit et ardores vincet adusta meos ! Dum ferrum flammaeque aderunt sucusque veneni , Hostis Medeae nullus inultus erit ! Quodsi forte preces praecordia ferrea tangunt , Nunc animis audi verba minora meis ! Tam tibi sum supplex , quam tu mihi saepe fuisti , Nec moror ante tuos procubuisse pedes . Si tibi sum vilis , communis respice natos ; Saeviet in partus dira noverca meos . Et nimium similes tibi sunt , et imagine tangor , Et quotiens video , lumina nostra madent . Per superos oro , per avitae lumina flammae , Per meritum et natos , pignora nostra , duos — Redde torum , pro quo tot res insana reliqui ; Adde fidem dictis auxiliumque refer ! Non ego te inploro contra taurosque virosque , Utque tua serpens victa quiescat ope ; Te peto , quem merui , quem nobis ipse dedisti , Cum quo sum pariter facta parente parens . Dos ubi sit , quaeris ? campo numeravimus illo , Qui tibi laturo vellus arandus erat . Aureus ille aries villo spectabilis alto Dos mea , quam , dicam si tibi ' redde !,' neges . Dos mea tu sospes ; dos est mea Graia iuventus ! I nunc , Sisyphias , inprobe , confer opes ! Quod vivis , quod habes nuptam socerumque potentis , Hoc ipsum , ingratus quod potes esse , meum est . Quos equidem actutum — sed quid praedicere poenam Attinet ? ingentis parturit ira minas . Quo feret ira , sequar ! facti fortasse pigebit — Et piget infido consuluisse viro . Viderit ista deus , qui nunc mea pectora versat ! Nescio quid certe mens mea maius agit !	Medea to Jason WELL I remember that, though queen of Colchis, I found leisure to provide for your safety, when you requested the help of my art. Then, if ever, the Sisters, who measure out the thread of human life, ought to have finished the number of my days. Then might Medea have died honorably. Life ever since has been a series of woes. Alas! why did the Thessalian bark, manned by a troop of resolute youths, sail in quest of the golden fleece? why did Argo come within sight of Colchis, or a Grecian band drink of the water of Phasis? why was I so much pleased with your golden locks, your personal attractions, and the dissembled eloquence of your enchanting tongue? Doubtless, (as a strange ship had arrived on our coast, and landed a set of bold enterprising youths.) ungrateful Jason should have been left to rush, unfortified with spells, upon the glowing nostrils of the fire-breathing bulls, and dare their lofty looks: he should have been left to sow the serpent's teeth, and feel the arms of his numerous foes; that the forward cultivator might thus have fallen by his own harvest. Perjured wretch! how much perfidy had been prevented by your fall! how many heart-piercing griefs might I have escaped! It is some relief to upbraid the ungrateful with the favors which they have received. This I can still enjoy; and it is indeed the only pleasure you have now left me. Commanded by your uncle to sail to Colchis with the unproved ship, you entered the happy kingdom of my native land. There Medea held the same place which your new bride holds here: my father, in wealth and dominion, came not short of her's. He rules over Corinth placed between two seas: my father commands all that part of snowy Scythia, which runs along the left-side of the Euxine sea. Æetes gave a kind and noble reception to the Pelasgian youths, and placed them on richly embroidered couches. It was then I first saw you, and understood who you were; that was the dreadful day of ruin to my quiet and peace of mind. How did I gaze, how did I imbibe the fatal poison, and burn with fires I had not felt before, like a pine-torch when lighted up at the sacrifices of the Gods! You were beautiful and charming, and my unhappy destiny pushed me on; my eyes remained continually fixed upon your's. Base man, you too clearly perceived it; for who was ever discrete enough to hide love? A flame that betrays itself by its own light. In the mean time the law of victory is laid down, that you train to the unusual plough the unbroken necks of the fierce bulls. These bulls, sacred to Mars, were not only terrible by their horns: they breathed out streams of flame. Their feet were guarded with brazen hoofs; plates of brass also covered their nostrils, which were rendered black by their glowing breath. You are farther required to scatter over the wide fields, with devoted hand, seed that will suddenly bring forth a harvest of men, who will attack you with their self-born darts; a crop fatal to the laborer. Your last and greatest toil is, artfully to elude the eyes of the watchful dragon; eyes, unacquainted with the power of sleep. Here Æetes ended. You all rise up sad; the table is removed, and stripped of the purple carpets. Where was then the kingdom you receive as a dowry with Creusa? how little was your father-in-law, or the daughter of mighty Creon then in your thoughts? You left us thoughtful: I followed your departing steps with eyes moistened in tears; and my tongue in a soft accent bade you farewell. When with a heart fatally wounded I had retired to my quiet bed, the whole night was spent in shedding floods of tears. The fierce bulls and threatening crop of armed men stood before my eyes; but most I was haunted by the image of the watchful dragon. On the one side was love, on the other fear: but fear served only to augment my love. It was now morning, when my darling sister entered my chamber, and found me lying upon my face, my hair disheveled, and the bed under me wet with my tears. She entreats me in behalf of the Argonauts: one asks, and another shall reap the fruit: she craves that aid which I freely grant to the young son of Æson. There is a grove where a darksome shade is formed by pitch-trees and leafy oaks; scarcely can the rays of the sun find admittance. Here had long been, and still was, a temple sacred to Diana, with a golden statue of the goddess, the work of a barbarian artist. Perhaps, as you have forgotten me, so have you also the place. Thither we came; when thus you addressed me with your deluding tongue: "Fortune has given you the disposal and command of my lot; my life and death are in your hands. If you glory in the possession of power, it is enough that you can destroy: but to preserve me in danger will do you greater honor. I implore you by my distresses, which your art alone can succour; by your race, and the majesty of your all-seeing grandfather; by the deity and sacred mysteries of the threefold goddess, and whatever other Gods this nation adores; amiable virgin, take pity on me; take pity on my companions, and bind me eternally to you by your good offices! If you disdain not to give up your heart to a Grecian youth, (but why should I flatter myself that the Gods will be so favorable and indulgent?) sooner may my soul vanish into air, than any besides Medea be received a partner of my bed. May Juno, who presides over the marriage-bed, bear witness to this oath, and the goddess in whose marble temple we are." These declarations (and how small a part is this of what you promised?) made too great an impression upon the mind of an innocent credulous maid; and your right-hand was joined to mine. I saw, moreover, your tears: are these too capable of deceit? Thus was I easily betrayed by your enchanting words. You yoked the brazen-footed bulls, unhurt by their flaming breath, and cleft the hard earth with the commanded plough. You sowed the land with the teeth of poisonous serpents instead of seed, and a harvest of soldiers sprang up armed with swords and bucklers. Even I, who secured you by my art, sat pale and trembling, when I saw this sudden crop of men grasp their arms. But at length the earth-born brothers (mournful catastrophe!) turned against one another their ready-armed right-hands. And now, lo the watchful serpent, terrible by his sounding scales, hisses, and sweeps the ground with his winding breast. Where was then your rich dowry? where then your royal spouse, and the Isthmus which divides the circling sea? Even I, Medea, whom you now despise as a barbarian, whom you deem indigent and criminal, forsaken Medea, locked up his fiery orbs in enchanted sleep, and left you the golden fleece a secure and easy prize. I betrayed my father, abandoned my kingdom and country, and fancied that, with you, even exile was some gratification. My virginity became the prey of a foreign ravisher: I left the best of sisters, and a darling mother. Alas! why did I not leave my brother also? Here conscious guilt arrests my hand, and commands me to draw a veil over my crime. My hand refuses to write what it dared to commit. In this manner ought I to have been torn to pieces; but with you, who also deserved the same fate. Nor did I fear, (for what after this could make me afraid?) though a weak woman, and now a guilty wretch, to trust myself to the sea. Where was then the majesty of heaven? where were the Gods by whom we had falsely sworn? why did we not undergo the just punishment, you of your falsehood, and I of my credulity? Oh! that the meeting Symplegades had crushed us into one, and my bones had been made to incorporate with yours; or that devouring Scylla had made us the prey of hungry dogs (for thus ought Scylla to use ungrateful men); or that the gulf which alternately vomits up and drinks in the waves, had overwhelmed us in its circling current! But fate had otherwise decreed; you returned safe and victorious to the Grecian states, and made an offer of the rich fleece to the Gods of your country. Why should I mention the daughters of Pelias, bloody through piety, and the slaughter of a father by the hands of virgins? However others may blame, yet you are bound to commend me, for whose sake I have so often made myself guilty. You had the barbarity, (Oh! words are wanting to equal my grief,) you had the barbarity to forbid me the house of your father Æson. Compelled, I left the house, accompanied only by my two sons, and by that affection for you which never ceases to haunt me. Soon the new nuptial songs reached my ears, and the torches shone with the spreading flame: the flute also struck off the social lines, to me more mournful than the funeral trumpet. I was frighted to distraction, nor could yet fancy you so completely base: but a coldness spread itself over all my breast. The rabble shouted, and invoked Hymen; they redoubled their cries, and, as they approached, the word seemed more dreadful. The servants wept in corners, and each strove to hide his tears: for who among them would be the messenger of so great a calamity? I was also better pleased to be ignorant of whatever passed: but still my mind, by some secret foresight, foreboded my misfortune. When my younger boy, by my command, and moved by curiosity, stood at the entrance of the double gate, Look, said he, mother, my father Jason heads the procession, and, arrayed in vestments of gold, urges the harnessed horses. I then tore my garments, and beat my breast; nor was my face safe from the impression of my nails. My rage urged me to rush into the midst of the crowd, and tear the garlands from the well-dressed locks. Scarcely could I restrain myself from appearing with my hair torn, taking hold of him, and claiming him as mine. Injured father, forsaken Colchians, now rejoice, and be satisfied with the sacrifice made to the manes of my murdered brother. I am deserted by my husband, after abandoning my kingdom, country, and home. He was all to me! Have I then been able to tame the serpents and raging bulls, and yet cannot vanquish a single man? Could I by magic arts repress the fire-breathing bulls, and not conquer the flames of love that rage in my own breast? Have my enchantments, herbs, and skill, abandoned me? Can Diana and the rites of powerful Hecate yield no relief? Day is odious to me; the nights are full of cruel bitterness; no soft slumbers soothe my anxious breast. I, who can do nothing to myself, could yet lull to rest the dragon; my art is useful to every one but myself. A rival embraces those limbs which I preserved; she now enjoys the fruit of my toil. Perhaps too, while you endeavour to recommend yourself to your silly spouse, and say what may be agreeable to her partial ears, you unjustly ridicule my face and manners. She stupidly laughs, and rejoices at my defects. Laugh on, proud fair, and pride yourself in your purple bed; soon you shall mourn, and burn with flames more fierce than mine. While fire, sword, and poisons, may be had, no enemy of Medea shall escape her resentment. Yet if prayers are able to touch your obdurate heart, hear me now descend to requests below my usual greatness of soul. I address you with the same submission with which you have often applied to me; nor delay to throw myself at your feet. If I am now despicable to you, yet think of your children, those common pledges of our former love. Shall my offspring be exposed to the rage of a cruel step-mother? Alas! they too strongly bear your likeness, and strike me with the resemblance: as often as I look at them, my eyes swim in tears. I implore you by the Gods above, by the splendor of my grand-father's chariot, by the love I always bore you, and your two sons, those dear pledges of what I once was, restore me to that bed, for which I have made so many sacrifices; make good your promises, and give me relief. I ask not your aid against the bulls, and earth-born heroes, or to lull to rest the watchful dragon: I demand you whom I have dearly purchased, who yourself made a surrender of your heart to me; by whom I likewise have been made a mother. If you enquire for my dowry, remember the field that was to be ploughed up before you could carry off the golden fleece. My dowry is that golden ram, beautiful by his rich wool; which if I should demand back, would you ever consent? I bring for a dowry your own safety, and that of all the Grecian youths. Go now, perjured man, and boast the ill-gotten wealth of Sisyphus. To me you owe your life, that you have a spouse, a powerful father-in-law, or even that you can be ungrateful. But hold: I will quickly be revenged. Yet what avails it to threaten before-hand? Rage drives me upon the deepest destruction. I will yield to all the madness of rage, however I may afterwards repent. I even now repent the aid I granted to a perfidious wretch. The God who rages in my breast can alone penetrate these designs: I only know that my mind conceives something vast and worthy of myself.