by the counsel of Ægis-bearing Jove, hallowed Neptune and Apollo wooed; but she was altogether unwilling, and vehemently refused. And the divine of goddesses swore a mighty oath, which indeed was accomplished, touching the head of her sire, Ægis-bearing Jove, [to the effect] that she would be a virgin all her days. But to her her father granted a fair gift instead of marriage, for she sat down in the midst of the dwelling,[1] enjoying the savour. And she possesses honour in all the temples of the gods, and among all mortals is the most honoured of the gods. Of these [three] she is unable to persuade or beguile the minds, but of others there is nought that can escape Venus, neither among the blessed gods, nor mortal men. Nay, she even turns aside the mind of thunder-rejoicing Jove,[2] who is both mightiest, and has been allotted the mightiest honour; and having beguiled his mind, when she wishes, she easily mingles him with mortal dames, escaping the notice of his sister-wife, who is much the most beauteous in form among the immortal goddesses. For wily Saturn and her mother Rhea brought forth her most glorious, but Jove, who kens imperishable counsels, made her his hallowed wife, knowing good things. But into [Venus] herself Jove cast sweet desire in her mind, that she should enjoy the embraces of a mortal man, that with all speed she herself might not be excluded from the mortal couch, and smile-loving Venus, sweetly smiling, might at some time boast among all the gods, how that she had mingled the gods with mortal women, and mortals had borne[3] [children] to immortals, and how she had mingled the goddesses with mortal men. And he infused into her mind sweet fondness for Anchises, who then on the lofty mountains of many-rilled Ida,[4] was pasturing his herds, like unto the immortals in
- ↑ Alluding to the place where Venus was supposed to preside. Firmicus de Err. Prof. Rel. p. 19. "Vesta autem quid sit discite, ne putetis antiquum aliquid, aut cum summo terrore inventum. Ignis est domesticus, qui in focis quotidianis usibus servit." Albricus de Deor. Imagg. § 17, "erat enim templum (Vestæ) latum et spatiosum, cum ara in medio." Cf. Serv. on Virg. Æn. ii. 296.
- ↑ Cf. Eur. Hipp. 453, sqq.
- ↑ Read τέκον with Hermann.
- ↑ Cf. Coleridge, p. 299.
primam Saturno genitam, hoc est seniorem; et tamen juniorem, ultimamque; cum sunt Juno et Ceres, priores. Ipse tamen poeta mox explicat quodammodo, ubi πρώτῃ καὶ πυμάτῃ Ἑστίῃ σπένδεσθαι λέγει, xxviii. vs. 5." Barnes.
