Dog-star who had tempered for their frail beauty his accustomed fires. Others throughout the palace poured forth from jewelled caskets unguents gathered by the banks of the Nile from trees whose bark, when wounded by the cruel finger-nail, oozed with rich gum. Cytherea approaches the bride, and, despite her tears, drew her from her mother’s arms. Her swelling breast betokens maidenhood ripe for marriage, her skin is whiter than lilies or than snow, and her golden hair points to the Danube as her birthplace. Then, taking the hand of the bridegroom, Venus joins to it that of the bride and with these words blesses their union: “Live as one and fulfil all my rites. Give a thousand kisses, let arm be bruised with enfolding arm, and lips so join that soul may meet soul. And thou, husband, put not thy confidence in rude love-making; thy wife’s love cannot be won by threats, but must be gained by entreaty. And do thou yield to thy husband nor seek to show anger; use not thy nails as weapons like the women of Scythia. I beg thee submit to conquest; so shalt thou be indeed a wife, so a mother. Why are there tears in thine eyes? Believe me, thou shalt love him whom now thou fearest.” So spake she, and chose from out her winged attendants the two whose bows were strongest and their aim most sure. At once Aethon and Pyrois leaped forward, their bright wings tinged with purple. Dipping their shafts in pure honey the one aims his at the bride, the other his at the bridegroom. They draw their bows; the strings twang and the sure arrows cleave the air with equal speed and implant themselves at equal depths in the hearts of the twain. * * * * * Page 216 XXVI. (XLIX.) _Aponus._ Fons, Antenoreae vitam qui porrigis urbi fataque vicinis noxia pellis aquis, cum tua vel mutis tribuant miracula vocem, cum tibi plebeius carmina dictet honos et sit nulla manus, cuius non pollice ductae 5 testentur memores prospera vota notae: nonne reus Musis pariter Nymphisque tenebor, si tacitus soli praetereare mihi? ludibrium quid enim fas est a vate relinqui hunc qui tot populis pervolat ora locum? 10 Alto colle minor, planis erectior arvis conspicuo clivus molliter orbe tumet ardentis fecundus aquae; quacumque cavernas perforat, offenso truditur igne latex. spirat putre solum, conclusaque subter anhelo 15 pumice rimosas perfodit[85] unda vias. umida flammarum regio: Vulcania terrae ubera, sulphureae fervida regna plagae. quis sterilem non credat humum? fumantia vernant pascua; luxuriat gramine cocta silex 20 et, cum sic rigidae cautes fervore liquescant, contemptis audax ignibus herba viret.