1The palace of the Sun stood high on lofty columns, bright with flashing gold and with fire-bronze that mimicked flames: gleaming ivory covered its topmost gables, and the double doors shone with the light of silver. 5The workmanship surpassed the material: for there Mulciber had engraved the seas that encircle the lands in the middle, and the globe of the lands, and the sky that overhangs the globe. 8The water holds the sea-blue gods, tuneful Triton and shape-shifting Proteus, and Aegaeon pressing the huge backs of whales with his arms, and Doris and her daughters, some of whom are seen swimming, some sitting on a rock drying their green hair, some riding on fish: they do not all have the same face, yet the faces are not different, but such as sisters ought to have.
15The land bears men and cities, woods and wild beasts, rivers and nymphs and the other deities of the countryside. 17Above these was set an image of the shining sky, with six signs on the right-hand doors and as many on the left. 19As soon as Clymene's son came there by the steep path and entered the house of the parent he had doubted, he at once carries his steps towards his father's face and halts at a distance: for he could not bear the light any nearer. 23Clothed in a purple robe, Phoebus sat on a throne gleaming with brilliant emeralds. 25To right and left stood Day and Month and Year and the Centuries, and the Hours set at equal intervals; and young Spring stood there, wreathed with a flowering crown, naked Summer stood and wore garlands of corn-ears, Autumn stood too, stained with trodden grapes, and icy Winter, shaggy with white hair.
31Then from his place in the middle the Sun, with the eyes with which he sees all things, saw the youth trembling at the strangeness of it all, and 'What is the reason for your journey? 33What have you sought in this citadel,' he says, 'Phaethon, my offspring, a son not to be disowned by your parent?' 35He replies: 'O light shared by all the boundless world, Phoebus, father, if you grant me the use of that name, and Clymene is not hiding a fault behind a false pretence, give me proofs, my begetter, by which I may be believed your true offspring, and take this uncertainty from my mind.' 40He had spoken: but his father laid aside the flashing rays all around his head and told him to come nearer; 42and, embracing him, 'You do not deserve to be disowned as mine,' he said, 'and Clymene has told you your true birth.
44And so that you may doubt the less, ask for any gift you please, so that you may receive it from my giving. 45Let the marsh by which the gods must swear be witness to my promise, though my eyes have never seen it.' 47Scarcely had he finished when the boy asks for his father's chariot, and for the right to guide the wing-footed horses for a day. 49The father regretted having sworn. 49Shaking his radiant head three and four times, he said, 'My words have been made rash by yours. 51Would that I were allowed not to grant what I promised! 52I confess, this alone, my son, I would refuse you.
53I may at least dissuade you. 53What you wish for is not safe. 54You ask for great things, Phaethon, gifts that suit neither that strength of yours nor years so boyish. 56Your lot is mortal, but what you long for is not mortal. 57In your ignorance you aim at even more than the gods above can attain. 58Each of them may be pleased with himself as much as he likes, yet no one but I has the power to stand on the fire-bearing axle. 60Even the ruler of vast Olympus, who hurls savage thunderbolts with his terrible right hand, could not drive this chariot: and what have we greater than Jupiter?
63The first part of the road is steep, so that even horses fresh in the morning can scarcely struggle up it; in mid-heaven it is highest, from where even I myself am often afraid to look down on sea and lands, and my heart trembles with anxious dread. 67The last part of the road slopes downward and needs a sure control: then even Tethys herself, who receives me in her waters below, often fears that I may be carried headlong. 70Besides, the sky is swept round in constant rotation, and drags the lofty stars with it and whirls them in swift revolution. 72I strive against it, and the force that overcomes everything else does not overcome me, and I drive out against the rapidly turning sphere.
74Imagine the chariot given to you: what will you do? 74Will you be able to go against the turning poles, so that the swift axis does not sweep you away? 76Perhaps you imagine that there are groves there, and cities of the gods, and shrines rich with gifts? 78The way lies through ambushes and the shapes of wild beasts. 79And even if you keep to the road and are drawn aside by no straying, still you will make your way through the horns of the hostile Bull, and the Haemonian bow, and the jaws of the raging Lion, and the Scorpion curving his cruel arms in a long sweep, and the Crab curving his arms the other way.
84Nor is it easy for you to control the horses, spirited with those fires which they have in their breasts and breathe out from mouth and nostrils: they scarcely tolerate me when their fierce spirits have grown hot, and their necks fight against the reins. 88But you, my son, beware that I am not the giver of a deadly gift to you, and while circumstances allow, correct your prayer. 90No doubt you seek sure proofs, so that you may believe you are born of my blood? 91I give sure proofs by fearing, and am proved a father by a father's fear. 92Look, see my face; 93and would that you could put your eyes into my breast and catch a father's anxieties within!
95Lastly, look around at whatever the rich world holds, and from so many and such great goods of sky and earth and sea ask for something: you will suffer no refusal. 98This one thing I beg you to give up, which by its true name is a punishment, not an honour: a punishment, Phaethon, is what you ask for as a gift. 100Why do you clasp my neck with coaxing arms, you foolish boy? 101Do not doubt, whatever you wish for will be given (we have sworn by the Stygian waters): but wish more wisely.'