Rhymes � la Mode: The Cannibal Zeus

The Cannibal Zeus

A.D. 160

[Greek text]--Paus. viii. 38

None elder city doth the Sun behold
Than ancient Lycosura; 'twas begun
Ere Zeus the meat of mortals learned to shun,
And here hath he a grove whose haunted fold
The driven deer seek and huntsmen dread: 'tis told
That whoso fares within that forest dun
Thenceforth shall cast no shadow in the Sun,
Ay, and within the year his life is cold!

Hard by dwelt he* who, while the Gods deigned eat
At good men's tables, gave them dreadful meat,
A child he slew: --his mountain altar green
Here still hath Zeus, with rites untold of me,
Piteous, but as they are let these things be,
And as from the beginning they have been!

* Lycaon, the first werewolf.

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