Page:The poems of Gaius Valerius Catullus - Francis Warre Cornish.djvu/99

 Can) i. LXIV

did fairest Thetis clasp, daughter of Nereus? to thee did Tethys grant to wed her granddaughter, and Oceanus, who circles all the world with sea?

Now when that longed-for day in time fulfilled had come for them, all Thessaly in full assembly crowds the house, the palace is thronged with a joyful company. They bring gifts in their hands, they display joy in their looks. Cieros is deserted; they leave Phthiotic Tempe and the houses of Crannon and the walls of Larissa; at Pharsalus they meet, and flock to the houses of Pharsalus. None now tills the lands; the necks of the steers grow soft; no more is the ground of the vineyard cleared with curved rakes; no more does the pruners' hook thin the shade of the tree; no more does the ox tear up the soil with downward share; rough rust o creeps over the deserted ploughs. But Peleus' own abodes, so far as inward stretched the wealthy palace, shine with glittering gold and silver. White gleams the ivory of the thrones, bright shine the cups on the table; the whole house is gay and gorgeous with royal treasure. But see, the royal marriage bed is being set for the goddess in the midst of the palace, smoothly fashioned of Indian tusk, covered with purple of the shell tinged with rosy stain.

This coverlet, broidered with shapes of ancient men, with wondrous art sets forth the worthy deeds of heroes. For there, looking forth from the wavesounding shore of Dia, Ariadna sees Theseus, as he sails away with swift fleet, Ariadna bearing uncurbed madness in her heart. Not yet can she believe she beholds what yet she does behold; since now, now first wakened from treacherous sleep she sees herself, poor wretch, deserted on the lonely sand. Meanwhile the youth flies and strikes the

n — 2