joys profaned by each familiar eye; The sport of heaven, and fable of the sky: How shall I e'er review the blest abodes, Or mix among the senate of the gods? Shall I not think, that, with disorder'd charms, All heaven beholds me recent from thy arms? With skill divine has Vulcan form'd thy bower, Sacred to love and to the genial hour; If such thy will, to that recess retire, In secret there indulge thy soft desire." She ceased; and, smiling with superior love, Thus answer'd mild the cloud-compelling Jove: "Nor god nor mortal shall our joys behold, Shaded with clouds, and circumfused in gold; Not even 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 swell'd the rising bed, And sudden hyacinths the turf bestrow,(237) And flamy crocus made the mountain glow There golden clouds conceal the heavenly pair, Steep'd 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 oppress'd, The panting thunderer nods, and sinks to rest. Now to the navy borne on silent wings, To Neptune's ear soft Sleep his message brings; Beside him sudden, unperceived, he stood, And thus with gentle words address'd the god: "Now, Neptune! now, the important hour employ, To check a while the haughty hopes of Troy: While Jove yet rests, while yet my vapours shed The golden vision round his sacred head; For Juno's love, and Somnus' pleasing ties, Have closed those awful and eternal eyes." Thus having said, the power of slumber flew, On human lids to drop the balmy dew. Neptune, with zeal increased, renews his care, And to