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Metamorphoses Book 8: Althaea and Meleager
Althaea, Meleager's mother, heard about the death of her two brothers. When she learned that her own son had killed them, she was torn between a sister's vengeance and a mother's love for her child. "'What shall I do? / Before my eyes I see my brothers' wounds, / The picture of that slaughter -- yet, again, / A mother's loyal love rends my resolve.'" Book 8 -- Althaea and Meleager, line 504-8 When she had given birth to Meleager, the Fates had attached his life force to a brand. After wrestling with her anger and her reluctance, she threw the brand into the fire. At his palace, Meleager felt the fire burning his body and he died from the pain. As his spirit rose, Diana made him a guinea fowl.
