Why dost thou separate thy two [128] Serena, daughter of Honorius, the elder, the brother of Theodosius the Great. Theodosius adopted Serena so that by adoption Honorius and Serena were brother and sister, by birth cousins. Serena was probably born in 376; Honorius not till Sept. 9, 384. * * * * * Page 246 pignora? quid iuveni natam non reddis alumno? optatusne dies aderit? dabiturne iugalis 45 nox umquam?” Tali solatur vulnera questu. risit Amor placidaeque volat trans aequora matri nuntius et totas iactantior explicat alas. Mons latus Ionium Cypri praeruptus obumbrat, invius humano gressu, Phariumque cubile 50 Proteos et septem despectat cornua Nili. hunc neque candentes audent vestire pruinae, hunc venti pulsare timent, hunc laedere nimbi. luxuriae Venerique vacat. pars acrior anni exulat; aeterni patet indulgentia veris. 55 in campum se fundit apex; hunc aurea saepes circuit et fulvo defendit prata metallo. Mulciber, ut perhibent, his oscula coniugis emit moenibus et tales uxorius obtulit arces. intus rura micant, manibus quae subdita nullis 60 perpetuum florent, Zephyro contenta colono, umbrosumque nemus, quo non admittitur ales, ni probet ante suos diva sub iudice cantus: quae placuit, fruitur ramis; quae victa, recedit. vivunt in Venerem frondes omnisque vicissim 65 felix arbor amat; nutant ad mutua palmae foedera, populeo suspirat populus ictu et platani platanis alnoque adsibilat alnus. Labuntur gemini fontes, hic dulcis, amarus alter, et infusis corrumpunt mella venenis, 70 * * * * * Page 247 children? Why not bestow a daughter born upon an adopted son? Will the longed-for day ever come; the marriage-night ever be sanctioned?” With such complaint he assuages the wounds of love. Cupid laughed and speeding across the deep bore the news to his gentle mother, proudly spreading his wings to their full extent.