Thus did the melancholy Tale conclude,
And a short, silent Interval ensu'd.
The next in Birth unloos'd her artful Tongue,
And drew attentive all the Sister-Throng,
The Story of Leucothöe and the Sun.
The Sun, the Source of Light, by Beauty's Pow'r
Once am'rous grew; then hear the Sun's Amour.
Venus, and Mars, with his far-piercing Eyes
This God first spy'd; this God first all things spies.
Stung at the Sight, and swift on Mischief bent,
To haughty Juno's shapeless Son he went:
The Goddess, and her God-Gallant betray'd,
And told the Cuckold, where their Pranks were play'd.
Poor Vulcan soon desir'd to hear no more,
He drop'd his Hammer, and he shook all o'er:
Then Courage takes, and full of vengeful Ire
He heaves the Bellows, and blows fierce the Fire,
From liquid Brass, tho' sure, yet subtle Snares
He forms, and next a wond'rous Net prepares,
Drawn with such curious Art, so nicely sly,
Unseen the Mashes cheat the searching Eye.
Not half so thin their Webs the Spiders weave,
Which the most wary, buzzing Prey deceive.
These Chains, obedient to the Touch, he spread
In secret Foldings o'er the conscious Bed:
The conscious Bed again was quickly prest
By the fond Pair, in lawless Raptures blest.
Mars wonder'd at his Cytherëa's Charms,
More fast than ever lock'd within her Arms.
While Vulcan th' Iv'ry Doors unbarr'd with Care,
Then call'd the Gods to view the sportive Pair:
The Gods throng'd in, and saw in open Day,
Where Mars, and Beauty's Queen, all naked, lay.
