Iphis & Ianthe

Abstract

Iphis & Ianthe Translated by Stephanie McCarter (bio) from Ovid’s Metamorphoses 9.669–797The land of Phaestum, near the realm of Cnossos,once bore an undistinguished man named Ligdus,a freeborn pleb. Though he was no more richthan he was noble, he was true and blameless.And when his wife was pregnant, nearly due,he gave her this command: “I have two prayers —that you give birth with little pain and beara male. The other sex is too expensive,and fortune makes us poor. Heaven forbid,but if by chance you give birth to a female(I order this unwillingly — forgiveme, Duty!), she’ll be put to death.” He’d spoken.Tears washed their faces, his who gave the orderand hers to whom the order had been given.Yet Telethusa never stops entreatingher husband not to dash her hopes — in vain. [End Page 558] Ligdus’ mind is firm. And when her wombhad grown so heavy with its full-term burdenthat she could scarcely carry it, she dreameddeep in the night that Isis stood or seemedto stand before her bed in holy pomp.Her brow wore lunar horns and golden grainthat shimmered and a regal diadem.Barking Anubis joined her, as did sacredBubastis, dappled Apis, and that godwho holds his finger to his lips for silence.And there were rattles and Osiris, whowas never fully found, and an Egyptianserpent that swelled with soporific venom.The goddess spoke to her as if she wereawake and seeing clearly: “Telethusa,my devotee, dismiss your heavy caresand foil your husband’s orders. When Lucinaassists this birth, don’t hesitate to raisethe child, whatever sex it is. I amyour patron goddess. When you call, I help.You’ll not lament that you revere a thanklessdivinity.” She gave her this command,then left the room. In joy, the Cretan womanrose from her bed and, as a suppliant,raised pure hands to the stars, praying the dreamwould come to pass. When her pangs grew, she pushedthat burden to the air, bearing a girlwithout the father knowing. Then the mother,pretending that she was a boy, instructedthat he be fed. This was believed, and only [End Page 559] the nurse was conscious of the fiction. Ligdusfulfilled his vows and called the baby Iphisafter his father. This name pleased the mothersince it was unisex and not dishonest.Through duteous guile, her lie went undisclosed.The child dressed as a boy and had a facethat would look lovely on a boy or girl.When thirteen years had passed, your father, Iphis,arranged for you to marry blond Ianthe,the virgin most renowned of Phaestum’s womenfor beauty’s gift. She was Telestes’ daughterand was your match in age as well as beauty.They’d learned their early arts, the ABCs,from the same teachers. Ever since, love touchedtheir youthful hearts, dealing them equal wounds.And yet they have unequal hopes. Ianthelooks forward to her wedding day, believingthe one that she presumes to be a manwill be her man. But Iphis is in lovewith someone she despairs of ever having.This feeds her flames, and virgin burns for virgin.She speaks while barely blinking back her tears:“What will become of me, gripped as I amby this queer longing for a novel kindof lovemaking that no one understands?If the gods wished to pity me, they should have.But if they wished to ruin me, they shouldat least have given me a plight that fitsnature and custom. Cows don’t burn with lovefor cows, nor mares for mares. It is the ramthat burns for ewes, the doe that trails the stag. [End Page 560] Birds couple like this, too. Among the beasts,there is no female that desires females.I wish I were no female! Yet Crete bearswonders galore — the daughter of the Sunfancied a bull, but that was female/male.Love drives me even crazier, I confess!Yet she pursued her longing to make love.She...