_Nurse:_ Console thy heart with this, that thou art dear Unto the populace, who love thee well. _Octavia:_ That thought doth soothe, but cannot cure my grief. _Nurse:_ Their power availeth much. 185 _Octavia:_ The prince's more. _Nurse:_ He will regard his wife. _Octavia:_ My foe forbids. _Nurse:_ But she is scorned by all. _Octavia:_ Yet loved by him. _Nurse:_ She is not yet his wife. _Octavia:_ But soon will be, And mother of his child, his kingdom's heir. _Nurse:_ The fire of youthful passion glows at first With heat impetuous; but soon abates, 190 And vanishes like flickering tongues of flame. Unhallowed love cannot for long endure; But pure and lasting is the love inspired By chaste and wifely faith. She who has dared To violate thy bed, and hold so long Thy husband's heart in thrall, herself a slave, Already trembles lest his fickle love 195 Shall thrust her forth and set a rival there. Subdued and humble, even now she shows How deep and real her fear; for her, indeed, Shall wingéd Cupid, false and fickle god, Abandon and betray. Though face and form Be passing fair, though beauty vaunt herself, And boast her power, still are her triumphs brief, 200 Her joys a passing dream. Nay, Juno's self, Though queen of heaven, endured such grief as thine, When he, her lord, and father of the gods, Stole from her side to seek in mortal forms The love of mortal maids. Now, in his need, 205 He dons the snowy plumage of a swan; Now hornéd seems, like a Sidonian bull; And now a glorious, golden shower he falls, And rests within the arms of Danaë. Nor yet is Juno's sum of woe complete: The sons of Leda glitter in the sky In starry splendor; Bacchus proudly stands Beside his father on Olympus' height; Divine Alcides hath to Hebe's charms 210 Attained, and fears stern Juno's wrath no more. Her very son-in-law hath he become Whom once she hated most. Yet in her heart Deep down she pressed her grief, and wisely won, By mild compliance to his wayward will, Her husband's love again. And now the queen, 215 Secure at last from rivalry, holds sway Alone, within the Thunderer's heart. No more, By mortal beauty smitten, does he leave His royal chambers in the vaulted sky. Thou, too, on earth, another Juno art, 220 The wife and sister of our mighty lord. Then be thou wise as she, make show of love, And hide thy crushing sorrows with a smile.