The Story of Marsyas (MAHR-See-Uhs)

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The Story of Marsyas (MAHR-see-uhs)

One day,the goddess Athena found picked the flute up, liked the look of man could better it.Next, it was the beautiful, long thighbone of a it, and decided to keep it.In time, he Apollo’sturn.Though his music was deer.Itwas a pleasing object, and grew fond of the flute and learned as good as Marsyass’ in every way,it she wanted to make something both to play itso well that whoever was not better.And so the Muses attractive and useful from it.She heard him said thatnot even Apollo were unable to declare either of soon decided what she would make could play so beautifully.How was them the winner. and began to work on the bone with unlucky Marsyas to know thatthe greatcare and art. She cutoff both curse of Athena hung over him? He By now Apollo was boiling with rage. ends,cleaned it outwell inside, and had never been one to boast, but He was determined to be revenged then drilled holes down its length. now he began to tell everyone that on the satyr who had belittled Finally,she fashioned a handsome he could make music even better him—by means fair or foul. mouthpiece at the top. When she than golden-haired Apollo. had finished, she placed the mouth- “Very well,” he snarled, “now we piece between her lips and began to It was not long beforethe great god shall play with our instruments blow,placing her fingers up and of music appeared beforethe upside down!” down on the holes. Lovely sounds unlucky satyr. Apollo was magnifi- came from the instrumentshe had cently attired, and under his arm he And holding his lyre the other way created. It was the world’s first flute. carried his golden lyre.The nine up, he played it as superbly as Muses accompanied the shining before. Buta flute, alas,cannot be The goddess was enchanted with god.“How dare you call yourself a played with its mouthpiece point- her new creation and never tired of better player than I?” Apollo ing downward, and poor Marsyas playing it.On one occasion, however, demanded.“Can there be anyone in could not coax a single note from when she was playing for the other the world, god or mortal, whose skill his instrument. gods of Olympus, she noticed that in music is a match for mine?” Hera and Aphrodite were staring at And so the Muses declared Apollo her and exchanging secretgiggles. “All we need to do is putitto the the winner. test,” replied Marsyas coolly.“Let “If only you could see your face your nine sisters judgewhich of us The god’srevenge came down on when you blow into that thing, plays better.Butwhoever wins may Marsyas like a thunderbolt, and the you’d understand why we’re laugh- impose any punishmenthe wishes poor satyr died in hideous agony ing,” replied the two goddesses. upon the loser.” because he had dared to challenge an immortal. “They must be jealous of me,” mut- “Foolish Marsyas,what rash words tered Athena, and she wentoff to werethese? Did you imagine that a The wood nymphs wept for play her flute by the banks of a river mere satyr could pit his poor skills Marsyas and buried him by a river. where she could see her own reflec- against a mighty god? And did you The muses felt sorry for the unlucky tion as she blew.When she saw how not know that immortals are not to satyr and begged Zeus to take pity her cheeks puffed outand her lovely be insulted and are cruel beyond on him. The ruler of gods and men face became distorted by the effort belief when they wish to exact listened to their pleas,so Marsyas of blowing,she realized thatHera punishment?” Apollo’s answer was did not descend to the dark depths and Aphrodite could not be blamed swiftand terrible.“I shall defeat you of Hades. Instead, his spirit was for laughing behind their hands. In a and skin you alive for your inso- released into the waters of the river sudden burst of anger,she hurled lence!” he screamed, as his face that flowed as musically as if the the flute away,shouting,“Miserable flushed with rage.ButMarsyas river were indeed playing a flute, toy! Because of you I am insulted. A seemed quite unconcerned and, put- and people listen to its song with curse on anyone who picks you up ting the flute to his lips,began to pleasure.Butwhen the river and puts you to his lips.” play.The muses stood listening in remembers Apollo’s cruel revenge, awe. Even Apollo thoughthis ears its waters swell with wrath and The flute that Athena had thrown were deceiving him. For the music roar wild threats,spreading fears away was found by Marsyas. thatflowed from Marsyas’s flute and sorrow in their paths. Suspecting nothing of the curse, he was so perfect that neither god nor