Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 1) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/136

At length he pitch'd upon the Ground, and show'd
The Form divine, the Features of a God.
Me knew their Virtue o'er a Female Heart,
And yet he strives to better them by Art.
He hangs his Mantle loose, and sets to show
The golden Edging on the Seam below;
Adjusts his flowing Curls, and in his Hand
Waves, with an Air, the Sleep-procuring Wand;
The glittering Sandals to his Feet applies,
And to each Heel the well trim'd Pinion ties.
⁠His Ornaments with nicest Art display'd,
He seeks th' Apartment of the Royal Maid.
The Roof was all with polish'd Iv'ry lin'd,
That, richly mix'd, in Clouds of Tortoise shin'd.
Three Rooms, contiguous, in a Range were plac'd,
The Midmost by the beauteous Hersè grac'd;
Her virgin Sisters lodged on either Side.
Aglauros first th' approaching God descry'd,
And, as he cross'd her Chamber, ask'd his Name,
And what his Business was, and whence he came.
"I come, reply'd the God, from Heav'n, to woo
"Your Sister, and to make an Aunt of you;
"I am the Son and Messenger of Jove,
"My Name is Mercury, my Bus'ness Love;
"Do you, kind Damsel, take a Lover's Part,
"And gain Admittance to your Sister's Heart.
⁠She star'd him in the Face with Looks amaz'd,
As when she on Minerva's Secret gaz'd,
And asks a mighty Treasure for her Hire,
And, till he brings it, makes the God retire.
Minerva griev'd to see the Nymph succeed;
And now remembring the late impious Deed,
When, disobedient to her strict Command,
She touched the Chest with an unhallow'd Hand;
In big-swoln Sighs her inward Rage express'd,
That heav'd the rifing Ægis on her Breast;

Then