Salmacis and Hermaphroditus

Man and Woman Merged

 

The Naiad Salmacis is so infatuated with the youth Hermaphroditus that when she sees him bathing in a pool she rushes in, jumps on him and holds on tight.

 

Grant me, O ye gods!

No time may ever sunder him from me,

Or me from him.—Her prayer was granted straight;—

For now, commingling, both their bodies join'd;

And both their faces melted into one.

So, when in growth we boughs ingrafted see,

The bark inclosing both at once, they sprout.

Thus were their limbs, in strong embrace comprest,

Wrapp'd close; no longer two in form, yet two

In feature; nor a nymph-like face remain'd,

Nor yet a boy's: it both and neither seem'd.