Not yet had bright day with herald beams struck the waves of the Ionian main; the light of dawn shimmered on the waters and the straying brilliance flickered over the deep blue sea. And now bold Proserpine, forgetful of her mother’s jealous care and tempted by the wiles of Venus, seeks the stream-fed vale. Such was the Fates’ decree. Thrice did the doors sound a warning note as the hinges turned; thrice did prophetic Aetna rumble mournfully with awful thunders. But her can no portent, no omen detain. The sister goddesses bore her company. First goes Venus exulting in her trickery and inspired by her great mission. In her heart she takes account of the coming rape; soon she will rule dread Chaos, soon, Dis once subdued, she will lead the subject ghosts. Her hair, parted into many [123] See Introduction, p. xiv. * * * * * Page 320 illi multifidos crinis sinuatur in orbes 15 Idalia divisus acu; sudata marito fibula purpureos gemma suspendit amictus. Candida Parrhasii post hanc regina Lycaei et Pandionias quae cuspide protegit arces, utraque virgo, ruunt: haec tristibus aspera bellis, 20 haec metuenda feris. Tritonia casside fulva caelatum Typhona gerit, qui summa peremptus ima parte viget, moriens et parte superstes; hastaque terribili surgens per nubila ferro instar habet silvae; tantum stridentia colla 25 Gorgonis obtentu pallae fulgentis inumbrat. at Triviae lenis species et multus in ore frater erat, Phoebique genas et lumina Phoebi esse putes, solusque dabat discrimina sexus. brachia nuda nitent; levibus proiecerat auris 30 indociles errare comas, arcuque remisso otia nervus agit; pendent post terga sagittae. crispatur gemino vestis Gortynia cinctu poplite fusa tenus, motoque in stamine Delos errat et aurato trahitur circumflua ponto. 35 Quas inter Cereris proles, nunc gloria matris, mox dolor, aequali tendit per gramina passu nec membris nec honore minor potuitque videri Pallas, si clipeum ferret, si spicula, Phoebe. collectae tereti nodantur iaspide vestes. 40 pectinis ingenio numquam felicior artis contigit eventus; nulli sic consona telae fila nec in tantum veri duxere figuras. hic Hyperionio Solem de semine nasci * * * * * Page 321 locks, is braided round her head and secured by a Cyprian pin, and a brooch cunningly fabricated by her spouse Vulcan supports her cloak thick studded with purple jewels.