he story is
that Apollo, to console himself, enjoined that the Cypress tree
should be the symbol of sorrow, or in other words that it should be
used at funerals and be planted near graves and sepulchres; which
fiction was most likely founded on the fact, that the tree was
employed for those purposes; perhaps because its branches, almost
destitute of leaves, have a somewhat melancholy aspect.

Some ancient writers also tell us that Cyparissus was a youth
beloved by the God Sylvanus, for which reason that God is often
represented with branches of Cypress in his hand.

FABLE IV. [X.143-161]

Jupiter, charmed with the beauty of the youth Ganymede, transforms
himself into an Eagle, for the purpose of carrying him off. He is
taken up into Heaven, and is made the Cup-bearer of the Divinities.

Such a grove {of trees} had the bard attracted {round him}, and he sat
in the midst of an assembly of wild beasts, and of a multitude of birds.
When he had sufficiently tried the strings struck with his thumb, and
perceived that the various tones, though they gave different sounds,
{still} harmonize, in this song he raised his voice: "Begin, my parent
Muse, my song from Jove, all things submit to the sway of Jove. By me,
often before has the power of Jove been sung. In loftier strains have I
sung of the Giants, and the victorious thunderbolts scattered over the
Phlegraean plains.[24] Now is there occasion for a softer lyre; and let
us sing of youths beloved by the Gods above, and of girls surprised by
unlawful flames, who, by their wanton desires, have been deserving of
punishment.

"The king of the Gods above was once inflamed with a passion for
Ganymede, and something was found that Jupiter preferred to be, rather
than what he was. Yet into no bird does he vouchsafe to be transformed,
but that which can carry his bolts.[25] And no delay {is there}.
Striking the air with his fictitious wings, he carries off the youth of
Ilium; who even now mingles his cups {for him}, and, much against the
will of Juno, serves nectar to Jove."

[Footnote 24: _Phlegraean plains._--Ver. 151. Some authors place
the Phlegraean {plains} near Cumae, in Italy, and say that in a spot
near there, much impregnated with sulphur, Jupiter, aided by
Hercules and the other Deities, conquered the Giants with his
lightnings. Others say that their locality was in that part of
Macedonia which was afterwards called Pa