The Satyricon — Volume 05: Crotona Affairs by 20-66 Petronius Arbiter
page 18 of 35 (51%)
page 18 of 35 (51%)
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She seated herself upon the other side of the bed and in quavering tones
commenced to accuse the delays of old age. At last the priestess came in. "Why," she cried, "what has brought you into my cell as if you were visiting a newly made grave? And on a feast-day, too, when even mourners ought to smile!" "OEnothea," the old hag replied, "this young man here was born under an unlucky star: he can't dispose of his goods to either boy or girl. Such an unfortunate fellow you never saw. He has no tool at all, only a piece of leather soaked in water! I wish you would tell me what you think of a man who could get up from Circe's bed without having tasted pleasure!" On hearing these words, OEnothea sat down between us and, after shaking her head for a while, "I'm the only one that knows how to cure that disease," said she, "and for fear you think I'm talking to hear myself talk, I'll just have the young fellow sleep with me for a night, and if I don't make it as hard as horn! All that you see in the world must give heed to my mandates; Blossoming earth, when I will it, must languish, a desert.' Riches pour forth, when I will it, from crags and grim boulders Waters will spurt that will rival the Nile at its flooding Seas calm their billows before me, gales silence their howlings, Hearing my step! And the rivers sink into their channels; Dragons, Hyrcanian tigers stand fast at my bidding! Why should I tell you of small things? The image of Luna |
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