The Cerastae

Men into Bulls

 

The gods get mad at the Cerastae – men who have small horns on their heads – because they turn their guests into human sacrifices. Their first plan is to destroy the entire island of Cyprus, but Venus opts to punish only the men who are actually guilty.

 

But how,—she said,—can my beloved clime?

How can my towns have given offence? what fault

Abides in them? Rather the impious race,

Shall vengeance feel in exile, or in death;

Save death and exile medium may allow:

How may that be, unless their shape is chang'd?—

Then while she doubts what shape they shall assume,

Their horns attract her eyes; struck by the hint,

Their mighty horns she leaves them, and transforms

To savage oxen all their lusty limbs.