This done, the god flew up on high, and passed O'er lofty Athens, by Minerva graced, And wide Munichia, whilst his eyes survey All the vast region that beneath him lay. 'Twas now the feast, when each Athenian maid Her yearly homage to Minerva paid; In canisters, with garlands covered o'er, High on their heads their mystic gifts they bore; And now, returning in a solemn train, The troop of shining virgins filled the plain. _10 The god well-pleased beheld the pompous show, And saw the bright procession pass below; Then veered about, and took a wheeling flight, And hovered o'er them: as the spreading kite, That smells the slaughtered victim from on high, Flies at a distance, if the priests are nigh, And sails around, and keeps it in her eye; So kept the god the virgin choir in view, And in slow winding circles round them flew. As Lucifer excels the meanest star, _20 Or as the full-orbed Phoebe, Lucifer, So much did Herse all the rest outvie, And gave a grace to the solemnity. Hermes was fired, as in the clouds he hung: So the cold bullet, that with fury slung From Balearic engines mounts on high, Glows in the whirl, and burns along the sky. At length he pitched upon the ground, and showed The form divine, the features of a god. He knew their virtue o'er a female heart, _30 And yet he strives to better them by art. He hangs his mantle loose, and sets to show The golden edging on the seam below; Adjusts his flowing curls, and in his hand Waves with an air the sleep-procuring wand; The glittering sandals to his feet applies, And to each heel the well-trimmed pinion ties. His ornaments with nicest art displayed, He seeks the apartment of the royal maid. The roof was all with polished ivory lined, _40 That, richly mixed, in clouds of tortoise shined. Three rooms, contiguous, in a range were placed, The midmost by the beauteous Herse graced; Her virgin sisters lodged on either side. Aglauros first the approaching god descried, And as he crossed her chamber, asked his name, And what his business was, and whence he came. 'I come,' replied the god, 'from heaven, to woo Your sister, and to make an aunt of you; I am the son and messenger of Jove, _50 My name is Mercury, my business, love; Do you, kind damsel, take a lover's part, And gain admittance to your sister's heart.' She stared him in the face with looks amazed, As when she on Minerva's secret gazed, And asks a mighty treasure for her hire, And, till he brings it, makes the god retire. Minerva grieved to see the nymph succeed; And now remembering the late impious deed, When, disobedient to her strict command, _60 She touched the chest with an unhallowed hand; In big-swoln sighs her inward rage expressed, That heaved the rising Ægis on her breast; Then sought out Envy in her dark abode, Defiled with ropy gore and clots of blood: