The nurse trembled and her sorrow gave place to shame; fain would she have died could she so escape the gaze of that unhappy mother, and long stayed she motionless, hesitating to disclose the suspected criminal and the all too certain death. Scarce could she thus speak: “Would that the raging band of Giants had wrought this ruin! Easier to bear is a common lot. ’Tis the goddesses, and, though thou wilt scarce credit it, her own sisters, who have conspired to our undoing. Thou seest the devices of gods and wounds inflicted by sisters’ jealousy. Heaven is a more cruel enemy than Hell. “All quiet was the house, the maiden dared not * * * * * Page 360 linquere nec virides audebat visere saltus praeceptis obstricta tuis. telae labor illi; Sirenes requies. sermonum gratia mecum, 205 mecum somnus erat cautique per atria ludi: cum subito (dubium quonam monstrante latebras rescierit) Cytherea venit suspectaque nobis ne foret, hinc Phoeben comites, hinc Pallada iunxit. protinus effuso laetam se fingere risu 210 nec semel amplecti nomenque iterare sororis et dura de matre queri, quae tale recessu maluerit damnare decus vetitamque dearum colloquio patriis procul amandaverit astris. nostra rudis gaudere malis et nectare largo 215 instaurare dapes. nunc arma habitumque Dianae induitur digitisque attemptat mollibus arcum, nunc crinita iubis galeam, laudante Minerva, implet et ingentem clipeum gestare laborat. “Prima Venus campos Aetnaeaque rura maligno 220 ingerit adflatu. vicinos callida flores ingeminat meritumque loci velut inscia quaerit nec credit, quod bruma rosas innoxia servet, quod gelidi rubeant alieno genuine menses verna nec iratum timeant virgulta Booten. 225 dum loca miratur, studio dum flagrat eundi, persuadet; teneris heu lubrica moribus aetas! quos ego nequidquam planctus, quas inrita fudi * * * * * Page 361