misso in viscera censu;' 'at last, after he had
swallowed down all his estate into his g--ts.']

[Footnote 101: _I too, O youths._--Ver. 880. Acheloues is
addressing Theseus, Pirithoues, and Lelex. The words, 'Etiam mihi
saepe novandi Corporis, O Juvenes,' is rendered by Clarke, 'I too,
gentlemen, have the power of changing my body.']

EXPLANATION.

The story of Metra and Erisicthon has no other foundation, in all
probability, than the diligent care which she took, as a dutiful
daughter, to support her father, when he had ruined himself by his
luxury and extravagance. She, probably, was a young woman, who, in
the hour of need, could, in common parlance, 'turn her hand' to any
useful employment. Some, however, suppose that, by her changes are
meant the wages she received from those whom she served in the
capacity of a slave, and which she gave to her father; and it must
be remembered that, in ancient times, as money was scarce, the wages
of domestics were often paid in kind. Other writers again suggest,
less to the credit of the damsel, that her changes denote the price
she received for her debaucheries. Ovid adds, that she married
Autolycus, the robber, who stole the oxen of Eurytus. Callimachus
also, in his Hymn to Ceres, gives the story of Erisicthon at length.
He was the great grandfather of Ulysses, and was probably a man
noted for his infidelity and impiety, as well as his riotous course
of life. The story is probably of Eastern origin, and if a little
expanded might vie with many of the interesting fictions which we
read in the Arabian Night's Entertainments.

BOOK THE NINTH.

FABLE I. [IX.1-100]

Deianira, the daughter of Oeneus, having been wooed by several
suitors, her father gives his consent that she shall marry him who
proves to be the bravest of them. Her other suitors, having given
way to Hercules and Acheloues, they engage in single combat.
Acheloues, to gain the advantage over his rival, transforms himself
into various shapes, and, at length, into that of a bull. These
attempts are in vain, and Hercules overcomes him, and breaks off one
of his horns. The Naiads, the daughters of Acheloues, take it up, and
fill it with the variety of fruits which Autumn affords; on which it
obtains the name of the Horn of Plenty.

Theseus, the Neptunian hero,[1] inquires what is the cause of his
sighing, and of his forehead be