• In this vision are represented some of the direful effects of anger, beginning with the murder of Itys by his mother, Procne, and her sister, Philomela. Ovid, VI :⁠— “Now, at her lap arrived, the flattering boy Salutes his parent with a smiling joy; About her neck his little arms are thrown, And he accosts her in a prattling tone. ⋮ When Procne, on revengeful mischief bent, Home to his heart a piercing poniard sent. Itys, with rueful cries, but all too late, Holds out his hands, and deprecates his fate; Still at his mother’s neck he fondly aims, And strives to melt her with endearing names; Yet still the cruel mother perseveres, Nor with concern his bitter anguish hears. This might suffice; but Philomela too Across his throat a shining cutlass drew.” Or perhaps the reference is to the Homeric legend of Philomela, Odyssey , XIX 518:⁠— “As when the daughter of Pandarus, the swarthy nightingale, sings beautifully when the spring newly begins, sitting in the thick branches of trees, and she, frequently changing, pours forth her much-sounding voice, lamenting her dear Itylus, whom once she slew with the brass through ignorance.” ↩