he story was founded on a tradition among the
Phoenicians of the history of Noah, and of the malediction which Ham
drew on himself by his undutiful conduct towards his father.

FABLE IX. [X.519-707]

Adonis is educated by the Naiads. His beauty makes a strong
impression on the Goddess Venus, and, in her passion, she traverses
the same wilds in pursuit of the youth, which his mother did, when
flying from the wrath of her father. After chasing the wild beasts,
she invites Adonis to a poplar shade, where she warns him of his
danger in hunting lions, wild boars, and such formidable animals.
On this occasion, too, she relates the adventures of Hippomenes and
Atalanta. The beauty of the latter was such, that her charms daily
attracted crowds of suitors. Having consulted the oracle, whether
she shall marry, she is answered that a husband will certainly prove
her destruction. On this, to avoid marrying, she makes it a rule to
offer to run with her suitors, promising that she herself will be
the prize of the victor, but only on condition that immediate death
shall be the fate of those who are vanquished by her. As she excels
in running, her design succeeds, and several suitors die in the
attempt to win her. Hippomenes, smitten with her charms, is not
daunted at their ill success; but boldly enters the lists, after
imploring the aid of Venus. Atalanta is struck with his beauty, and
is much embarrassed, whether she shall yield to the charms of the
youth, or to the dissuasions of the oracle. Hippomenes attracts her
attention in the race, by throwing down some golden apples which
Venus has given him, and then, reaching the goal before her, he
carries off the reward of victory. Venus, to punish his subsequent
ingratitude towards her, raises his desires to such a pitch, that he
incurs the resentment of Cybele, by defiling her shrine with the
embraces of his mistress; on which they are both transformed into
lions, and thenceforth draw the chariot of the Goddess.

"Winged time glides on insensibly and deceives us; and there is nothing
more fleeting than years. He, born of his own sister and of his
grandfather, who, so lately enclosed in a tree, was so lately born, and
but just now a most beauteous infant, is now a youth, now a man, {and}
now more beauteous than he {was before}. {And} now he pleases even
Venus,[52] and revenges the flames of his mother, {kindled by her}. For,