Metamorphoses · Chapter
Story of Vertumnus and Pomona explained
Vertumnus, the god of seasons, pursues the nymph Pomona, who is devoted to her orchard and sworn to remain unmarried.
What happens
Vertumnus, the god of seasons, pursues the nymph Pomona, who is devoted to her orchard and sworn to remain unmarried. He tries various disguises to gain her attention, and finally, disguised as an old woman, he gains entry to her garden. He pleads his case, using the entwined vine and elm as a metaphor for love and union, and urges her to accept Vertumnus's love, warning her with a tale of Venus's revenge on those who scorn love.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Desire
Vertumnus's persistent pursuit of Pomona and his persuasive speech using the vine and elm as a metaphor for union illustrate the theme of love and desire.
Transformation and Metamorphosis
Vertumnus's ability to change his shape (as a hind, swain, soldier, angler, and old woman) reflects the theme of transformation.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“If that fair elm, he cried, alone should stand, No grapes would glow with gold and tempt the hand; Or if that vine without her elm should grow, 'Twould creep a poor neglected shrub below.”
He said that if the elm stood alone, it would bear no grapes, and if the vine had no elm to climb, it would creep low and neglected.
Vertumnus uses the entwined vine and elm as a metaphor for the necessity of union in love.
“Relent, fair nymph, and with a kind, regret, Think 'tis Vertumnus weeping at your feet.”
Yield, beautiful nymph, and with gentle remorse, realize that it is Vertumnus weeping before you.
Vertumnus reveals his true identity and pleads for Pomona's pity and love.