Juno: Venus seem'd a fish:
"And 'neath an Ibis Hermes safely crouch'd.

"Thus far she mov'd her vocal lips; thus far
"Her lyre her voice attended: then they call
"For our Aoenian song. But that to hear,
"Perchance your leisure suits not; pressing deeds
"Unlike our songs must more your time demand."
Pallas replies;--"be hesitation far,
"And all your song from first commence relate."
So saying, in the forest's pleasing shade
She rested; while the Muse proceeding, spoke.

"To one the sole contending task we give,
"Calliope;--she rises, neatly bound,
"Her flowing tresses with an ivy wreath.
"With dexterous thumb the trembling strings she tries,
"Then to their quivering sounds this song subjoins.
"Ceres at first with crooked plough upturn'd
"The glebe; she first mild fruits and milder corn
"Gave to the earth; and rules to tend them gave:
"All gifts from her proceed. To her the song
"I raise. Would that my best exerted power,
"A song to suit thy least deserts could form,
"O, goddess! worthy of our loftiest praise.

"The vast Sicilian isle, with pressure huge
"Thrown o'er them, deep the limbs gigantic weighs
"Of huge Typhoeus, who the heavenly throne
"Had dar'd to hope for: struggling oft he tries,
"His efforts, daily bent to lift his load:
"But hard Pelorus on his right hand lies,
"Ausonia facing; while Pachyne rests
"Heavy to left: wide o'er his giant thighs
"Spreads Lilyboeum: Etna presses down
"His head; beneath whose crater, laid supine,
"From his hot mouth he ashes sends, and flames.
"Thus with his body labouring to remove
"The ponderous load of earth;--whole towns o'erwhelm;
"And lofty hills o'erturn; trembles the ground;
"And Hell's dread monarch fears a chasm should gape:
"And through the opening wide his realm display:
"The trembling ghosts with light un'custom'd scar'd.
"The shock to meet expecting, starts the king
"Quick from his cloudy throne; and in his car
"Borne by his sable steeds, with care surveys
"Sicilia's deep foundations; wide around
"Exploring all; then with his toils content,
"No ruin'd part detected, flings aside
"Each apprehension. Strolling now at ease,
"Him Venus from the Erycinian hill
"Espy'd; and to her feather'd son, who lay
"Clasp'd in her arms, exclaim'd;--O, Cupid! son!
"My sole assistant! sole defence and aid!
"Seize now that weapon which o'er all has sway,
"That p