Callisto

Woman into Bear

 

Jove gets Callisto pregnant, which really pisses off the nymph’s patron goddess, Diana (who Jove was disguised as at the time).

 

She rais'd her suppliant hands,—

With black hairs cover'd, rough her arms appear'd;

Bent were her hands, and, with her lengthen'd nails

To claws transform'd, press'd on the ground as feet;

Her mouth so beauteous, late of Jove admir'd,

Yawn'd wide deformity;—and lest soft prayers

And flowing words, might pity move, no power

To speak she left. Now through her hoarse throat sounds

An angry threatening voice that fear instills;

A bear becoming, though her sense the same:

Her sufferings proving by her constant groans.