A Retelling of Ovid's "Salmacis and Hermaphroditus"

The story of Salmacis and Hermaphroditus is one that takes place in the most majestic parts of nature. One day, while out gathering lillies for a garland to don her perfect neck, Salmacis spies the most beautiful example of the male species that she has ever laid eyes upon. Salmacis is a stunning water nymph who is graceful as a swan. Those who see her become immediately entranced, and it is the same feeling that comes over her when she spots the boy. Her love for Hermaphroditus is instant, and she knows that she must have him.

Before revealing herself to him, Salmacis checks to make sure that every curve of her body is accentuated and that she embodies sheer perfection. Her dewy skin glows with love and lust and she exudes sexuality. Salmacis approaches Hermaphroditus and the words that she speaks were these: "Would it bother you if I told you that you were beautiful? Your sculpted body and handsome face could be that of a mighty god. Is that your true form? Or are you of the loved human race? Oh to have been your mother from whose breasts you suckled...the thought of it makes me fill with envy. The only greater pleasure would to be your wife and to share your bed of bliss. If you already have a woman, tell me not, for it does not matter. If it be we shall love in secret, but oh...if not, how amazing our lives will be. We will lie together in utmost happiness and no day will ever pass that is not better than the previous. We will awaken things in one another that neither of us knew exists."

Young Hermaphroditus is baffled by her words. His innocence becomes apparent and his face flushes rose. This new color only magnifies Salmacis' desires. She stands still, heart beating through her veins like thunder in the night. Her rose petal lips long to become one with his, and she pleads for one kiss. A single kiss would make her the happiest woman in the expansive universe.

For some reason unknown to men, Hermaphroitus does not fall victim to her beauty, and is horrified by her request. "Leave me be! I will not grant you a kiss nor any other action to promote your desires. If you will not leave than I will set off never to be seen by you again. Go away from this place."

Salmacis can not imagine a life without him, and thus she leaves apologising profusely. She begs for his forgiveness and pleads with him to forget her misguided request. And so she exits the clearing, but unbeknown to Hermaphroditus hides within seeing distance. She sits in silence and watches as he enjoys the beauty of his surroundings. Believing that he is alone, Hermaphroditus enters the still water and lets the cool liquid caress his body. He removes his restricting tunic in order to more fully embrace the grasps of nature. As the young boy's white skin glistens with streams of water, Salmacis groans and imagines what could be. In her mind she takes him and he surrenders fully to her. Their love fills the clearing with a wonderful glow and he admits his undying devotion to her.

She can hold herself back no longer, and the beautiful water nymph glides across the soft ground towards the bathing boy. Her cloths are torn from her body as she made her way to the pool, and a loud shriek escapes her luscious lips. "I have won! He is mine!" She reaches him and winds her body around his. Hermaphroditus struggles to break her grip, but can not escape her binding limbs. Salmacis smothers him with her supple bosom and unforgiving kisses. She says to him, "Do not struggle my love, for we will never be separated again. The gods above have heard my plea, and they have decided that we are to be together forever."

At hearing her say such a silly thing, the gods smile with glee. The two bodies in the lake then melt into one, never to separated again.