Metamorphoses - Book 13:600

Supreme ruler of heave, I pray you to comfort his

spirit

by paying some tribute, and so to soothe the wounds

of his mother.'

Jupiter nodded assent. Young Memnon's high-built

pyre

collapsed, the flames leapt up, and rolling columns of

black smoke

darkened the light of day, as vapour rises like breath

from the rivers and forms a fog which the sun's bright

rays cannot penetrate.

Cinders of charcoal flew to the sky, then massed and

thickened

into a single body, assuming an outline and drawing

heat and life from fire.