The Transformations of the Cerastae and Propoetides



10:324 Enquire of Amathus, whose wealthy ground
10:325 With veins of every metal does abound,
10:326 If she to her Propoetides wou'd show,
10:327 The honour Sparta does to him allow?
10:328 Nor more, she'd say, such wretches wou'd we grace,
10:329 Than those whose crooked horns deform'd their face,
10:330 From thence Cerastae call'd, an impious race:
10:331 Before whose gates a rev'rend altar stood,
10:332 To Jove inscrib'd, the hospitable God:
10:333 This had some stranger seen with gore besmear'd,
10:334 The blood of lambs, and bulls it had appear'd:
10:335 Their slaughter'd guests it was; nor flock nor herd.

10:336 Venus these barb'rous sacrifices view'd
10:337 With just abhorrence, and with wrath pursu'd:
10:338 At first, to punish such nefarious crimes,
10:339 Their towns she meant to leave, her once-lov'd climes:
10:340 But why, said she, for their offence shou'd I
10:341 My dear delightful plains, and cities fly?
10:342 No, let the impious people, who have sinn'd,
10:343 A punishment in death, or exile, find:
10:344 If death, or exile too severe be thought,
10:345 Let them in some vile shape bemoan their fault.
10:346 While next her mind a proper form employs,
10:347 Admonish'd by their horns, she fix'd her choice.
10:348 Their former crest remains upon their heads,
10:349 And their strong limbs an ox's shape invades.

10:350 The blasphemous Propoetides deny'd
10:351 Worship of Venus, and her pow'r defy'd:
10:352 But soon that pow'r they felt, the first that sold
10:353 Their lewd embraces to the world for gold.
10:354 Unknowing how to blush, and shameless grown,
10:355 A small transition changes them to stone.