omes;
Arcas, her son, unconscious of his race.
Near fifteen suns the youth had seen revolv'd;
And while the game he chases, while he seeks
Thickets best suited for his sports, and round
The Erymanthean woods his toils he sets,
He meets his mother:--at his sight she stay'd,
The well-known object viewing. Arcas fled
Trembling, unconscious why those eyes were fix'd
On him immoveably. His spear, prepar'd
To pierce his mother's breast, as near she draws
The youth protends. But Jove the deed prevents:
Both bears away, and stays the matricide.
Swept through the void of heaven by rapid whirl
They're borne, and neighbouring constellations made,
Loud Juno rag'd, to see the harlot shine,
Amid the stars; and 'neath the deep descends,
To hoary Tethys, and her ancient spouse;
Where reverence oft the host of heaven had shewn.
And thus to them, who anxious seek the cause,
Why there she journeys. "Wish ye then to know
"Why I the queen of heaven, my regal seat
"Now leave? Another fills my lofty throne!
"Nor false I speak,--for when gray night shall spread
"O'er all,--new constellations shall you see
"Me irking,--on the utmost bounds of heaven,
"Where the last shorten'd zone the axis binds.
"Now surely none, t' insult shall rashly dare
"The thunderer's spouse, but tremble at her frown;
"For she who most offends is honor'd most!
"Much has my power perform'd!--vast is my sway!
"Her human form I chang'd,--and lo! she shines
"A goddess;--thus the guilty feel my ire!
"Thus potent I. Why not her form restore,
"And change that beastly shape, as Ioe once
"In Argolis, the same indulgence felt.
"Why drives he not his consort from his bed,
"Calistho placing there;--for sire-in-law
"The wolf Lycaoen chusing? If to you
"Your foster-daughter's insults ought import,
"Forbid these stars to touch the blue profound:
"Repel those constellations, plac'd in heaven,
"Meed of adultery; lest the harlot dip
"In your pure waves."--The gods their promise gave
And through the liquid air Saturnia flies,
Borne in her chariot by her peacocks bright;
Their coats gay studded from fall'n Argus' eyes.

Less beauteous was the change, loquacious crow,
Thy plumage suffer'd,--snowy white to black.
With silvery brightness once his feathers shone;
Unspotted doves outvying; nor to those
Preserving birds the capital whose voice
So watchful sav'd;--nor to the st