d the enmity of Hera, he looks on as inventions of the Dorians to
justify their own invasion of the Peloponnesus. This critic also
proves that the Theban Hercules had nothing to do with the Gods and
traditions of the Cadmeians; and he thinks that it was the Dorian
Heracleides who introduced the knowledge of him into Thebes, or that
he came from Delphi with the worship of Apollo, a Deity with whom,
as the tutelar God of the Dorians, he supposes their national hero
to have been closely connected."

FABLE IV. [IX.324-425]

The Nymph Lotis, pursued by Priapus, in her flight, is changed into
a tree. Dryope, going to sacrifice to the Naiads at the same spot,
and ignorant of the circumstance, breaks a branch off the tree for
her child, which she is carrying with her, and is subjected to a
similar transformation. While Iole is relating these circumstances
to Alcmena, she is surprised to see her brother Iolaues restored to
youth. The Poet here introduces the prediction of Themis concerning
the children of Calirrhoe.

Thus she said; and, moved by the remembrance of her old servant, she
heaved a deep sigh. Her daughter-in-law[36] addressed her, thus
grieving. "Even her form being taken away from one that was an alien to
thy blood, affects thee, O mother. What if I were to relate to thee the
wondrous fate of my own sister? although tears and sorrow hinder me, and
forbid me to speak. Dryope, the most remarkable for her beauty of the
Oechalian maids, was the only daughter of her mother ({for} my father had
me by another {wife}). Deprived of her virginity, and having suffered
violence from the God that owns Delphi and Delos, Andraemon married her,
and he was esteemed fortunate in his wife.

"There is a lake that gives the appearance of a sloping shore, by its
shelving border; groves of myrtle crown the upper part. Hither did
Dryope come, unsuspecting of her fate; and, that thou mayst be the more
indignant {at her lot}, she was about to offer garlands to the Nymphs.
In her bosom, too, she was bearing her son, who had not yet completed
his first year, a pleasing burden; and she was nursing him, with the
help of {her} warm milk. Not far from the lake was blooming a watery
lotus that vied with the Tyrian tints, in hope of {future} berries.
Dryope had plucked thence some flowers, which she might give as
playthings to her child; and I, too, was just on the point of doing the
same; for I was present. I saw