Page:Metamorphoses.djvu/445

METAMORPHOSESBOOK VIII into his wings and legs, but he kept the name which he had before. Still the bird does not lift her body high in flight nor build her nest on trees or on high points of rock; but she flutters along near the ground and lays her eggs in hedgerows; and, remembering that old fall, she is ever fearful of lofty places. Now the land of Aetna received the weary Daedalus, where King Cocalus took up arms in the sup- pliant's defence and was esteemed most kind.1 Now also Athens, thanks to Theseus, had ceased to pay her doleful tribute. The temple is wreathed with flowers, the people call on Minerva, goddess of battles, with Jove and the other gods, whom they worship with sacrificial blood, with gifts and burning incense. Quick-flying fame had spread the name of Theseus through all the towns of Greece, and all the peoples of rich Achaia prayed his help in their own great perils. Suppliant Calydon sought his help with anxious prayers, although she had her Meleager. The cause of seeking was a monster boar, the servant and avenger of outraged Diana. For they say that Oeneus, king of Calydon, in thanksgiving for a bounteous harvest-time, paid the first fruits of the grain to Ceres, paid his wine to Bacchus, and her own flowing oil to golden-haired Minerva. Beginning with the rural deities, the honour they craved was paid to all the gods of heaven; only Diana's altar was passed by (they say) and left with- out its incense. Anger also can move the gods. "But we shall not bear this without vengeance," she said; " and though unhonoured, it shall not be said that we are unavenged." And the scorned goddess sent over Oeneus' fields an avenging boar, as great as 1 This phrase has no point, and there seems to be something wrong with the text. 425