The Deification of Æneas.
Now had Æneas, as ordain'd by Fate,
Surviv'd the Period of Saturnia's Hate:
And by a sure irrevocable Doom,
Fix'd the immortal Majesty of Rome.
Fit for the Station of his Kindred Stars,
His Mother Goddess thus her Suit prefers.
Almighty Arbiter, whose pow'rful Nod
Shakes distant Earth, and bows our own Abode;
To thy great Progeny indulgent be,
And rank the Goddess-born a Deity.
Already has he view'd with mortal Eyes,
Thy Brother's Kingdoms of the nether Skies,
Forthwith a Conclave of the Godhead meets.
Where Juno in the shining Senate sits.
Remorse for past Revenge the Goddess feels;
Then thund'ring Jove th' Almighty Mandate seals;
Allots the Prince of his Celestial Line
An Apothëosis, and Rights Divine.
The chrystal Mansions eccho with Applause,
And, with her Graces, Love's bright Queen withdraws;
Shoots in a Blaze of Light along the Skies,
And, born by Turtles, to Laurentum flies.
Alights, where thro' the Reeds Numcius strays,
And to the Seas his watry Tribute pays.
The God she supplicates to wash away
The Parts more gross, and subject to Decay,
And cleanse the Goddess-born from Seminal Allay.
The horned Flood with glad Attention stands,
Then bids his Streams obey their Sire's Commands.
His better Parts by Lustral Waves refin'd,
More pure, and nearer to Ætherial Mind;
With Gums of fragrant Scent the Goddess strews,
And on his Features breathes ambrosial Dews.
