Ne'er did my soul so strong a passion prove,
Or for an earthly, or a heavenly love;
Not when I pressed Ixion's matchless dame,
Whence rose Pirithous, like the gods in fame.
Not when fair Danaë felt the shower of gold
Stream into life, whence Perseus brave and bold.
Not thus I burned for either Theban dame,
Bacchus from this, from that Alcides came,
Not Phœnix' daughter,[1] beautiful and young,
Whence godlike Rhadamanth and Minos sprung;
Not thus I burned for fair Latona's face,
Nor comelier Ceres' more majestic grace.
Not thus e'en for thyself I felt desire,
As now my veins receive the pleasing fire."
He spoke; the goddess with the charming eyes
Glows with celestial red, and thus replies:
"Is this a scene for love? On Ida's height,
Exposed to mortal and immortal sight;
Our joys profaned by each familiar eye;
The sport of heaven, and fable of the sky!
How shall I e'er review the blessed abodes,
Or mix among the senate of the gods?
Shall I not think, that, with disordered charms,
All heaven beholds me recent from thy arms?
With skill divine has Vulcan formed thy bower,
Sacred to love and to the genial hour;
If such thy will, to that recess retire,
And secret there indulge thy soft desire."
She ceased: and smiling with superior love,
Thus answered mild the cloud-compelling Jove:
"Not god nor mortal shall our joys behold,
Shaded with clouds, and circumfused in gold;
Not e'en the sun, who darts through heaven his rays,
And whose broad eye the extended earth surveys."
Gazing he spoke, and, kindling at the view,
His eager arms around the goddess threw.
Glad Earth perceives, and from her bosom pours
Unbidden herbs, and voluntary flowers;
Thick new-born violets a soft carpet spread,
And clustering lotos swelled the rising bed,
And sudden hyacinths the turf bestrow,
And flamy crocus made the mountain glow.
There golden clouds conceal the heavenly pair,
Steeped in soft joys, and circumfused with air;
Celestial dews, descending o'er the ground,
Perfume the mount, and breathe ambrosia round.
At length with love and sleep's soft power oppressed,
- ↑ Europa.
