Ovid's Metamorphoses: translated by eminent persons. Published by Sir Samuel Garth.

  • Ovid, 43 B.C.-17 A.D. or 18 A.D.
Date:
1794
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Ovid's Metamorphoses: translated by eminent persons. Published by Sir Samuel Garth. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    For him they court her to employ her skill, 460 And put upon the cure, what price she will. At first she’s mute, and with a grave pretence Of difficulty, holds ’em in suspense; Then promises, and bids ’em, from the fold Chuse out a ram, the most infirm and old; 465 That so by fact their doubts may be remov’d, And first, on him, the operation prov’d. A wreath-hern’d ram is brought, so faro’er-grown With years, his age was to that age unknown ; Of sense too dull the piercing point to feel, 470 And scarce sufficient blood to stain the steel. His carcase she into a cauldron threw, With drugs whose vital qualities she knew; His limbs grew less, he casts his horns, and years. And tender bleatings strike their wond’ring ears. 475 Then instantly leaps forth a frisking lamb, That seeks (too young to graze) a suckling dam* The sisters, thus confirm’d with the success, Her promise with renew’d entreaty press; To countenance the cheat, three nights and days 480 Before experiment th’ enchantress stays ; Then into limpid water, from the springs. Weeds, and ingredients of no force she flings; With antique ceremonies for pretence, And rambling rhymes without a word of sense. 485 Meanwhile the king with all his guards lay bound In magic sleepj scarce that of death sq sound 5