Greek Myth---A Contest（凡人与智慧女神的竞赛)



There was a contest in which a mortal dared to come in competition with Minerva, the goddess of wisdom. That mortal was Arachne, a maiden who had attained such skill in the arts of weaving and embroidery that the nymphs themselves would leave their groves and fountains to come and gaze upon her work. One would have said that Minerva herself had taught her. But this she denied, and could not bear to be thought a pupil even of a goddess. "Let Minerva try her skill with mine," said she; "if beaten, I will pay the penalty." Minerva heard this and was displeased. She assumed the form of an old woman and went and gave Arachne some friendly advice. "I have had much experience," said she, "and I hope you will not despise my counsel. Challenge your fellow-mortals as you will, but do not compete with a goddess." Arachne stopped her spinning and looked at the old dame with anger in her countenance. "Keep your counsel," said she , "for your daughters or handmaids! I am not a afraid of the goddess; let her try her skill, if she dare venture." "She comes, " said Minerva; and dropping her disguise, stood confessed. Arachne was unterrified. She stood to her resolve, and with a foolish conceit of her own skill rushed on her fate. Minerva forbore no longer, nor interposed any further advice. They proceed to the contest. Each takes her station and attaches the web to the beam. Both work with speed; their skilful hands move rapidly, and the excitement of the contest makes the labor light.



Minerva wrought on her web the scene of her contest with Neptune. Twelve of the heavenly powers are represented. Jupiter, with augustgravity, sitting in the midst. Neptune, the ruler of the sea, holds his trident, and appears to have just smitten the earth, from which a horse has leaped forth. Minerva depicted herself with helmed head, her Aegis covering her breast. Such was the central circle; and in the four corners were represented incidents illustrating the displeasure of the gods at such presumptuous mortals as had dared to contend with them. These were meant as warnings to her rival to give up the contest before it was too late.



Arachne filled her web with subjects designedly chosen to exhibit the failings and errors of the gods. Once scene represented Leda caressing the swan, under which for Jupiter had disguised herself; and another, Danae, in the brazen tower in which her father had imprisoned her, but where the god effected his entrance in the form of a golden shower. Still another depicted Europa deceived by Jupiter under the disguise of a bull.



Arachne filled her canvas with similar subjects, wonderfully well done, but strongly marking her presumption and impiety. Minerva could not forbear to admire, yet felt indignant at the insult. She struck the web with her shuttle and rent it in pieces; she them touched the forehead of Arachne and made her feel her guilt and shame. She could not endure it, and went and hanged herself. Minerva pitied her as she saw her suspended by a rope. "Live," she said, "guilty woman - and that you may preserve the memory of this lesson continue to hang, both you and your descendants, to all future times." She sprinkled her with the juices of aconite, and immediately her hair came off, and her nose and ears likewise. Her form shrank up, and her head grew smaller yet; her fingers cleaved to her side and served for legs. All the rest of her is body, out of which she spins her thread, often hanging suspended by it, in the same attitude as when Minerva touched her and transformed her into a spider.



SOURCE: http://www.cycnet.com/englishcorner/myth/009.htm


关键字:双语阅读
生词表: