Verse
Metamorphoses
Book 9, Line 19 by Henry T. Riley (English)
“There was present one of my hand-maids of the lower class of people, Galanthis by name , with yellow hair, and active in the execution of my orders; one beloved for her good services. She perceived that something unusual was being done by the resentful Juno; and, while she was often going in and out of the door, she saw the Goddess, sitting upon the altar, and supporting her arms upon her knees, linked by the fingers; and then she said, ‘Whoever thou art, congratulate my mistress; the Argive Alcmena is delivered, and, having brought forth, she has gained her wishes.’ The Goddess who presides over pregnancy leaped up, and, struck with surprise, loosened her joined hands. I, myself, on the loosening of those bonds, was delivered. The story is, that Galanthis laughed, upon deceiving the Divinity. The cruel Goddess dragged her along thus laughing and seized by her very hair, and she hindered her as she attempted to raise her body from the earth, and changed her arms into fore feet.
MetamorphosesOvidHenry T. RileyEnglishVerse permalinkRead in Book 9
Book 9, Line 19ProseID metamorphoses-riley-en-prose-9-19