Minor Latin poets; with introductions and English translations

PENTADIUSof her consort. Red with blood is the fruit suddenlystainedby Thisbe's death ^: the fruit which once waswhite is red with bltmd. By his skill (in flying)Daedalus escaped from the realms of Crete : his son(Icarus) was lost to Daedalus by his skill. Minerva'sgift ruined the Trojans oji that same night in whichthey were gladdened by Minerva's gift (of thewooden horse). O son, because thou, the one twin,art present in the sky, Leda feels joy ; but hermaternal heart is sore, O son, because thou, theother twin, art not present.^ A victim of dreadBusiris ^ was the stranger his very self, and Busirisat the altar his very self was a victim. For HippolytusTheseus sought long life in his prayers ; yetTheseus' (final) prayer was death for Hippolytus.**A fatal brand Althaea used justly for avenging herbrothers, and a cruel mother she proved herself withthat same fatal brand. ^ Left alone on thy couch, OCretan lady, thou didst weep upon the strand ; thounow rejoicest in the sky because thou wast left aloneon thy couch./ The Golden Fleece it was which borePhrixus o'er the sea : that from which (his sister)Ilelle fell was the Golden Fleece.i^ The Tantalid'^i.e. after the false charge brought against Hippolytus byPhaedra,' Althaea avenged her brothers, whom her son Meleager hadslain, by burning the brand on which his life depended {impieiatepia e.