_Juno_ [_in soliloquy_]: Lo I, the sister of the Thunderer (For, save this name alone, I've nothing more), Have left my lord, so often false to me, Have left, in widowhood, the realms of heaven, And, banished from the sky, have given place Unto my hated rivals. Now must earth 5 Be my abode, while they in heaven reign. Behold, the Bear, far in the frozen north, Is set on high to guide the Argive ships; Behold, in southern skies, where days grow long Beneath the warmth of spring, the Bull shines bright, Who once the Tyrian Europa bore. There gleam the wandering Atlantides, 10 A fearful band for ships and sea alike; And yonder fierce Orion with his sword The very gods affrights; his stars, as well, The golden Perseus boasts; while Leda's sons With shining banners glitter in the sky; And they, Latona's children, for whose birth 15 The floating land stood firm. And not alone Have Bacchus and his mother gained the heavens; But, that the infamy may be complete, The skies must needs the Cretan maiden's crown Endure. But these are ancient wrongs I tell: One wild and baneful land alone is full Of shameless mistresses--the Theban land, 20 Which all too oft has me a stepdame made. And though Alcmena scale the heights of heaven, And hold my place, victorious over me; And though her son his promised star obtain (Whose hateful getting cost the world a day, Since Phoebus, bidden to hold his shining car 25 In Ocean hid, with tardy light shone forth From eastern seas): still ever in my heart Shall hate relentless dwell. Undying wrath My outraged soul shall kindle; and my grief, All hope of truce denying, endless wars Shall fiercely wage. But what avail my wars? 30 Whatever savage things the hurtful earth, The sea or air produce, terrific shapes, Fierce, pestilential, horrible, and dire, The power of all is broken and subdued. Alcides towers above and thrives on woe; My wrath is his delight, and to his praise He turns my deadly hate. While I, too stern, 35 Impose his dreadful tasks, I do but prove His origin, and opportunity For glorious achievement render him. Where Phoebus with his neighboring torch illumes The east and western shores of Aethiop's land, Alcides' dauntless courage is adored; While all the world considers him a god. And now have I no monsters more to send; 40 And less his toil to do the tasks I bid, Than mine to set them. Joyfully he hears My several commands. But what dire tasks The tyrant may conceive can harm that youth Impetuous? His very arms, forsooth, Are torn from monsters which he feared--and slew; 45 With spoils of lion and of hydra armed, He walks abroad. Nor are the lands of earth