Of growth that pierced the sky, and hidden sat Secure by its expanded boughs, the bird345 Shrill-voiced resembling in the mountains seen,[8] Chalcis in heaven, on earth Cymindis named. But Juno swift to Gargarus the top Of Ida, soar’d, and there Jove saw his spouse. —Saw her—and in his breast the same love felt350 Rekindled vehement, which had of old Join’d them, when, by their parents unperceived, They stole aside, and snatch’d their first embrace. Soon he accosted her, and thus inquired. Juno! what region seeking hast thou left355 The Olympian summit, and hast here arrived With neither steed nor chariot in thy train? To whom majestic Juno thus replied Dissembling. To the green earth’s end I go, To visit there the parent of the Gods360 Oceanus, and Tethys his espoused, Mother of all. They kindly from the hands Of Rhea took, and with parental care Sustain’d and cherish’d me;[9] to them I haste Their feuds innumerable to compose,365 Who disunited by intestine strife Long time, from conjugal embrace abstain. My steeds, that lightly over dank and dry Shall bear me, at the rooted base I left Of Ida river-vein’d. But for thy sake370 From the Olympian summit I arrive, Lest journeying remote to the abode Of Ocean, and with no consent of thine Entreated first, I should, perchance, offend. To whom the cloud-assembler God replied.375 Juno! thy journey thither may be made Hereafter. Let us turn to dalliance now. For never Goddess pour’d, nor woman yet So full a tide of love into my breast; I never loved Ixion’s consort thus380 Who bore Pirithoüs, wise as we in heaven; Nor sweet Acrisian Danäe, from whom Sprang Perseus, noblest of the race of man; Nor Phœnix’ daughter fair,[10] of whom were born Minos unmatch’d but by the powers above,385 And Rhadamanthus; nor yet Semele, Nor yet Alcmena, who in Thebes produced The valiant Hercules; and though my son By Semele were Bacchus, joy of man; Nor Ceres golden-hair’d, nor high-enthroned390 Latona in the skies, no—nor thyself As now I love thee, and my soul perceive O’erwhelm’d with sweetness of intense desire. Then thus majestic Juno her reply Framed artful. Oh unreasonable haste!395 What speaks the Thunderer? If on Ida’s heights. Where all is open and to view exposed Thou wilt that we embrace, what must betide, Should any of the everlasting Gods Observe us, and declare it to the rest?400 Never could I, arising, seek again, Thy mansion, so unseemly were the deed. But if thy inclinations that way tend, Thou hast a chamber; it is Vulcan’s work, Our son’s; he framed and fitted to its posts405 The solid portal; thither let us his, And there repose, since such thy pleasure seems. To whom the cloud-assembler Deity. Fear thou not, Juno, lest the eye of man Or of a God discern us; at my word410 A golden cloud shall fold us so around, That not the Sun himself shall through that veil Discover aught, though keenest-eyed of all. So spake the son of Saturn, and his spouse Fast lock’d within his arms.