Mars, who strikes cities with his bloody spear, and Venus, who changes human cares to ease, share a common shrine and temple built of gold. Each deity has his own image; Mars, a polished iron statue, Venus, one fashioned of the loadstone. The priest duly celebrates their union. The nuptial torch precedes the choir; myrtle wreaths adorn the portals, the couches are piled with roses, while cloth of scarlet dye, as befits a marriage, adorns the bridal chamber. But, lo, a prodigy: Cytherea, without quitting her station, attracts her husband to her, and recalling the scene of which heaven was once witness, clasps Mars to her bosom with amorous breath. There she holds him suspended; her arms enfold the helmet of the god and clasp his whole body in a lifelike embrace. He, stirred by the far-compelling influence of her breath, is drawn towards her by the secret chains of his jewel-bride. Nature presides over the divine marriage; a binding breath woos the steel to wedlock; suddenly two deities are mated in secret union. What hidden warmth infuses mutual sympathy into these twin metals? What harmony makes one their stubborn souls? The stone sighs and burns, and smitten with love recognizes in the iron the object of its desire, while the iron experiences a * * * * * Page 238 sic Venus horrificum belli compescere regem et vultum mollire solet, cum sanguine praeceps 45 aestuat et strictis mucronibus asperat iras. sola feris occurrit equis solvitque tumorem pectoris et blando praecordia temperat igni. pax animo tranquilla datur, pugnasque calentes deserit et rutilas declinat in oscula cristas. 50 Quae tibi, saeve puer, non est permissa potestas? tu magnum superas fulmen caeloque relicto fluctibus in mediis cogis mugire Tonantem. iam gelidas rupes vivoque carentia sensu membra feris, iam saxa tuis obnoxia telis, 55 et lapides suus ardor agit, ferrumque tenetur inlecebris; rigido regnant in marmore flammae. XXX. (XXIX.) _Laus Serenae._ Dic, mea Calliope, tanto cur tempore differs Pierio meritam serto redimire Serenam? vile putas donum, solitam consurgere gemmis et Rubro radiare mari si floribus ornes reginae regina comam? sed floribus illis, 5 quos neque frigoribus Boreas nec Sirius urit aestibus, aeterno sed veris honore rubentes * * * * * Page 239