The Lycian Peasants

Men into Frogs

 

Latona takes a break to drink from a pool in Lycia. Some locals insult her and stir up the mud in the bottom of the pool so she can’t drink anymore. She prays to heaven to have them turned into frogs. Prayer granted.

 

Now they joy to plunge,

Beneath the waters; now they deep immerge

Their bodies in the hollow fen; now raise

Their heads, and skim the surface of the pool,

Often they rest upon the margin's brink,

And oft light-springing, in the cool lake plunge.

Now still their rude contentious tongues they use,

Still squabbling, lost to shame beneath the waves:

Beneath the waves they still abusings strive

To utter. Hoarsely still their voice is heard,

Through their wide-bloated throats. Their railing words,

Their jaws more wide dilate. Depriv'd of neck,

Their head and back in junction seem to meet;

Green shine their backs; their bellies, hugely swol'n

Are white; and frogs they plunge within the pool.