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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    She turn’d from the infection to remove, 1245 And back to Thessaly the serpents drove. The fiend obey’d the goddess’s command, (Tho’ their effects in opposition stand) She cut her way, supported by the wind, 1249 And reach’d the mansion by the nymph assign’d, sTwas night, when entring Erisichthon’s room. Dissolv’d in sleep, and thoughtless of his doom, She clasp’d his limbs, by impious labour tir’d. With battish wings, but her wholeself inspir’d ; Breath’d on his throat and chest a tainting blast, And in his veins infus’d an endless fast. 2256 The task dispatch’d, away the fury flies From plenteous regions, and from rip’ning skies; To her old barren north she wings her speed, And cottages distress’d with pinching need. 1260 Still slumbers Erisichthon’s senses drown, And sooth his fancy with her softest down. He dreams of Viands delicate to eat, And revels on imaginary meat. 1264 Chews with his working mouth, but chews in vain, And tires his grinding teeth with fruitless pain; Deludes his throat with visionary fare, Feasts on the wind, and banquets on the air. The morning came, the night, and slumbers past. But still the furious pangs of hunger last; 1270