P. Ovidius Naso, Metamorphoses 10.282–297

This closing page carries the metamorphosis itself, the transformation at the center of the episode, then moves through recognition, an offering of thanks to Venus, and the end of Orpheus's inset song. A new proper name, Paphos, surfaces at the close. Read the Latin for how Ovid renders the central change and the scene that follows.

 

Tier 1

Pygmaliōn iterum ōs eburneae admovet. manibus pectora temptat. ebur sub manibus molle fīēbat. ebur nōn iam dūrum erat. sub digitīs cēdēbat. sīcut cēra sōle mollis fit et digitīs in multās fōrmās flectitur, sīc ebur molle fīēbat.

 

Pygmaliōn stupēbat. timidē gaudēbat. timēbat: 'fortasse fallor!' iterum atque iterum manibus statuam temptābat. corpus erat. vēnae sub digitīs movēbantur.

 

tum vērō Pygmaliōn Venerī grātiās ēgit. tandem ōscula vēra eī dedit. virgō ōscula sēnsit et ērubuit. oculōs timidōs sustulit et simul caelum amantemque vīdit.

 

Venus ipsa aderat. Pygmaliōn uxōrem dūxit. post novem mēnsēs uxor fīliam peperit. fīliam Paphon vocāvit. īnsula nōmen ab eā habet.

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