Phrygian Vessels

Ships into Nymphs

 

The goddess Cybele decides to sink the Phrygians’ ships. But apparently some other higher power takes mercy on the vessels.

 

Straight the rigid wood grows soft

The timber turns to flesh; the crooked prows

To heads are chang'd: the oars to floating legs,

And toes; while what were ribs, as ribs remain;

The keels, deep in the vessels sunk, become

The spinal bones; in soft long tresses flows

The cordage; into arms the sailyards change:

The hue of all cerulean as before.

And now the Naiäds of the ocean sport

With girlish play, amid those very waves

Ere while so dreaded: sprung from rugged hills

They love the gentle main; nor aught their birth

Their bosoms irks.