Ceres Angered

Boy into Salamander

 

Upset by her daughter’s kidnapping, the goddess Ceres pauses in her search to get something to drink. A less-than-wise boy shows up and insults her for no particular reason. So she throws her beer on him.

 

Angry grew Ceres, all the offer'd draught,

Yet unconsum'd, she drench'd him as he jeer'd,

With barley mixt with liquid: straight his face

The spots imbib'd; and what but now as arms

He bore, as legs he carries; to his limbs

Thus chang'd, a tail is added; shrunk in size,

Small is his power to harm; shorter he seems

Than the small lizard. Swift away he fled

(As, wondering, weeping, try'd the dame to clasp

His changing form) and gain'd a sheltering hole.

Well suits his star-like skin the name he bears.