Do not reject my advice: seek great fame amongst mortals for your skill in weaving, but give way to the goddess, and ask her forgiveness, rash girl, with a humble voice: she will forgive if you will ask.’ Arachne looked fiercely at her and left the work she was on: scarcely restraining her hands, and with dark anger in her face. ‘Not everything old age has is to be shunned: knowledge comes with advancing years. Pallas Minerva took the shape of an old woman: adding grey hair to her temples, and ageing her limbs, which she supported with a stick. ‘Contend with me’ she said ‘I will not disagree at all if I am beaten’.īk VI: 26-69 Pallas Minerva challenges Arachne Yet she denied it, and took offence at the idea of such a teacher. Whether at first she was winding the rough yarn into a new ball, or working the stuff with her fingers, teasing out the clouds of wool, repeatedly, drawing them into long equal threads, twirling the slender spindle with practised thumb, or embroidering with her needle, you could see she was taught by Pallas. It was not only a joy to see the finished cloths, but also to watch them made: so much beauty added to art. Often the nymphs of Mount Tmolus deserted their vine-covered slopes, and the nymphs of the River Pactolus deserted their waves, to examine her wonderful workmanship. Nevertheless, though she lived in a modest home, in little Hypaepa, Arachne had gained a name for artistry, throughout the cities of Lydia. She too had been of humble birth, and the father the same. Her father, Idmon of Colophon, dyed the absorbent wool purple, with Phocaean murex. The girl was not known for her place of birth, or family, but for her skill. Then she said, to herself, ‘To give praise is not enough, let me be praised as well, and not allow my divine powers to be scorned without inflicting punishment.’ Her thoughts turned to Arachne, of Maeonia, whom she had heard would not give her due credit, in the art of spinning. Tritonian Minerva had listened to every word, and approved of the Aonian Muses’s song, and their justified indignation. Bk VI:653-674 They are transformed into birds.Bk VI:438-485 Tereus’s passion for Procne’s sister Philomela.Bk VI:401-438 The marriage of Procne and Tereus.Bk VI:313-381 The story of Latona and the Lycians.Bk VI:267-312 Niobe’s daughters are killed: Her fate.Bk VI:204-266 The gods’ vengeance: Niobe’s sons are killed.Bk VI:146-203 Niobe rejects the worship of Latona.Bk VI:129-145 Arachne is turned into a spider.Bk VI:103-128 Arachne weaves hers in reply.
Bk VI:26-69 Pallas Minerva challenges Arachne.This work may be freely reproduced, stored and transmitted, electronically or otherwise, for any non-commercial purpose. Kline © Copyright 2000 All Rights Reserved
0 kommentar(er)
