our bodies beneath the waters, [to dwell in houses placed apart in two elements.][1] But if thou art willing to learn these things also, it is easy. Get upon my back, and take hold of me, lest thou perish, so that, rejoicing, thou mayest come to mine home.
Thus then he spake, and presented his back, and he mounted very quickly, putting his hands round his smooth neck, with a nimble leap. And at first he rejoiced, when he beheld the harbours near at hand, delighting himself with the swimming of Puff-Cheeks. But when he was now buried under the purple waves, weeping much, he lamented with too-late repentance, and plucked out his hairs, and drew up his feet to his belly,[2] and his heart palpitated unusually,[3] and he longed to reach the land. And dreadfully he groaned under the pressure of chill fear. But there suddenly appeared a water-serpent, a dreadful sight to both, and raised his neck straight up above the water. Seeing him, Puff-Cheeks dived down, in no wise reflecting what a companion he was about to leave to perish. And he went to the depth of the marsh, and avoided black fate; but he, (the mouse,) immediately he was let go, fell on his back in the water, and he cramped up his hands, and perishing, squeaked. Oftentimes indeed he sank beneath the water, and oftentimes again he came to the surface, kicking about, but it was not permitted him to avoid his destiny. First he stretched his tail over the waters, drawing it along like an oar, and, beseeching the gods that he might reach the land, he was washed away by the purple waves. And much he clamoured, and spake such a discourse, and harangued with his voice:
"Not thus[4] did a bull bear the burthen of love on his shoulders, (when he carried Europa through the waves to Crete,) as this frog, swimming, hath carried me home on his
- ↑ Ernesti with reason rejects this line as spurious.
- ↑ "With his feet fetch'd up to his belly." Chapman.
- ↑ Or "through inexperience," i. e. dread at the unusual attempt he was making. Mattaire well compares Lucian, Dial., ὑπὸ ἀηθείας ἐπιβᾶσα ὀχήματος παραδόξου κατέπεσεν ἐς τὸ πέλαγος. Chapman, "for the insolent plight in which his state did stand."
- ↑ From Chapman's translation, he appears to have read verses 82—89 after vs. 71. But he was probably misled by supposing that the phrase οὐχ οὕτω was used in praise and boasting, not in complaint.
