ABSTRACT
“As soon as Cephissus, 1 extending with his pleasant waves now in a straight and now in a twisted course through the land of Aonia, 2 . which he irrigates, conquered Liriop, 3 my mother, and carried her away with his winding and with unaccustomed mastery, so strongly was he enflamed by Venus with the love of her, that, having stolen her virginity (her entreaties and defenses being of no avail), he begot me. And every time I see water, I am drawn to honor the deity of my father? and it happens that I am well pleased to do this, for gazing into the water returns my beautiful image to me. Indeed, seeing how beautiful my image is, I adorn it with green leaves, with boughs and with flowers, removing every flaw. I dwell above the waters longer than in other places, and, the happiest of nymphs, I feel the favors of my father’s first love more than my brother did. 4 For of him they say that–a most handsome and wild hunter without a speck of pity, he refused the sweet love of all until he saw himself where I admire my image, thereafter consuming himself for love of himself in sorrow–he was converted into a flower. And I gaze on it with a cruel eye and often with pity, and to no avail I sigh for him. Nor does the voice which was perhaps an enemy to his good because of the folly of her mind have any power over me. 5 And just as for him it was a happy task to chase the timid animals through the woods, according to the ancient story, so it is for me? but different goals drive and move our dogs, our nets, and the flying arrows. To flee from idleness I visit the sylvan gods, and I rush with my chorus to places that were unknown to him? indeed, that which was hard and harsh in him–love and the art of pleasing others–is dear to me and more welcome than anything else.
