Epigram LXXVI. — They who have changed their Sex

At Vallebana (a thing strange and scarce credible in a poet, but which is taken from a truthful tale) a male bird changed into female form, and an erstwhile peacock stood a peahen before men's eyes. All marvelled at the portent; but a girl softer than any lamb spake thus with maiden voice: "Fools, why so amazed to see a thing strange yet not unknown. Or do ye not read Naso's verse? Consus, old Saturn's son, changed Caenis to a boy and Tiresias was not always of one sex. The fount Salmacis saw Hermaphroditus the half-man -; Pliny saw a man-woman in the act. Nor is the tale yet old that in Campanian Beneventum a certain lad suddenly became a maid. Yet I would not cite you instances of old report: lo, I was changed from boy to girl."