wine bubbled through the swift black ship, and an ambrosial savour arose, and dread seized all the sailors as they beheld. And straightway a vine was stretched out by the highest top of the sail, on this side and that, and many clusters hung down. And around the mast the dark ivy, flourishing in blossoms, was entwined, and the pleasant fruit sprang forth, and all the thongs [of the oars] were furnished with crowns. But they perceiving it, then bade Medides,[1] their pilot, put to land. But he in their sight became a dreadful lion within the ship, upon its summit, and he roared mightily, and in the middle [of the ship] he made a shaggy-necked bear, showing forth marvels. And he arose eagerly, but dreadful[2] was the lion upon the top of the bench, scowling savagely, but they fled terrified to the poop, and stood astounded around the pilot who [alone] possessed a prudent mind. But he[3] hastily making an onslaught, seized the captain, and they, shunning evil fate, all at once leaped out, when they beheld him, into the boundless sea, and became dolphins. But pitying the pilot, [Bacchus] restrained him, and rendered him all fortunate, and spake thus:
"Be of good cheer, noble pilot,[4] most grateful to my mind. But I am Bacchus the loud-sounding, whom a Cadmeian mother Semele bore, mingling in the embrace of Jove."
Hail! son of fair-faced Semele; never is it possible, forgetting thee, to adorn the sweet song.[5]
- ↑ In other authors he is called Acœtes. I myself think, with Hermann, that an accusative is wanting. He ingeniously reads νῆ' ἤδη.
- ↑ This must be the sense, as δεινὸν ὕποδρα can hardly be joined.
- ↑ Bacchus, in his lion's form.
- ↑ This word is very doubtful. See Hermann.
- ↑ "And thus, all excellence of grace to thee,
Son of sweet-count'nance-carrying Semele.
I must not thee forget, in least degree;
But pray thy spirit to render so my song,
Sweet, and all ways in order'd fury strong."Chapman.
avis obstrepit, vivaces ederas ramus tenet, Summa ligat vitis carchesia, Idæus prora fremuit leo," &c. Cf. Propert. iii. 17, 25. Ovid, Met. iii. 606, sqq. Hygin. Fab. cxxxiv. Lactant. Placid. Arg. Ovid. Met. iii. fab 9, 10.
