323] lamented when far-darting Phoebus Apollo stole her away.
Beside her he [Meleager] remained inactive, brooding[324] over his sad
anger, enraged because of the curses of his mother, who, much grieving,
prayed to the gods on account of the murder of her brethren.[325] Often
with her hands did she strike the fruitful earth, calling upon Pluto and
dread Proserpine, reclining upon her knees, whilst her bosom was bedewed
with tears, to give death to her son: but her the Erinnys, wandering in
gloom, possessing an implacable heart, heard from Erebus. Then
immediately was there noise and tumult of these[326] excited round the
gates, the towers being battered. Then did the elders of the AEtolians
entreat him, and sent chosen priests to the gods, that he would come
forth and defend them, promising a great gift. Where the soil of fertile
Calydon was richest, there they ordered him to choose a beautiful
enclosure of fifty acres; the one half, of land fit for vines, to cut
off the other half of plain land, free from wood, for tillage. Much did
aged oeneus, breaker of steeds, beseech him, having ascended to the
threshold of his lofty-roofed chamber, shaking the well-glued door-post,
supplicating his son. And much also his sisters and venerable mother
entreated him, but he the more refused; and much [prayed] the companions
who were dearest and most friendly of all; but not even thus did they
persuade the soul within his breast, until his chamber was violently
assailed, and the Curetes were in the act of scaling the ramparts, and
firing the great city. Then indeed at length his fair-girdled spouse,
weeping, supplicated Meleager, and recounted all the disasters, as many
as happen to men whose city may be taken. In the first place, they slay
the men,[327] whilst fire reduces the city to ashes; and others carry
off the children and deep-zoned women. Then was his soul disturbed when
he heard of evil deeds, and he hasted to go and gird the all-glittering
armour around his body. Thus he repelled the evil day from the AEtolians,
yielding to his own inclination; but they did not make good to him the
many and pleasing gifts; but he nevertheless warded off evil. But
revolve not such things within thy mind, O my friend, nor let the
deity[328] thus turn thee, since it would be more dishonourable to
assist the ships [when already] set on fire. Rather come for the gifts,
for the Greeks will honour thee equally with a god. If again without
gifts tho