Of growth that pierced the sky, and hidden sat
Secure by its expanded boughs, the bird 345
Shrill-voiced resembling in the mountains seen,[8]
Chalcis in heaven, on earth Cymindis named.
But Juno swift to Gargarus the top
Of Ida, soar'd, and there Jove saw his spouse.
--Saw her--and in his breast the same love felt 350
Rekindled vehement, which had of old
Join'd them, when, by their parents unperceived,
They stole aside, and snatch'd their first embrace.
Soon he accosted her, and thus inquired.
Juno! what region seeking hast thou left 355
The Olympian summit, and hast here arrived
With neither steed nor chariot in thy train?
To whom majestic Juno thus replied
Dissembling. To the green earth's end I go,
To visit there the parent of the Gods 360
Oceanus, and Tethys his espoused,
Mother of all. They kindly from the hands
Of Rhea took, and with parental care
Sustain'd and cherish'd me;[9] to them I haste
Their feuds innumerable to compose, 365
Who disunited by intestine strife
Long time, from conjugal embrace abstain.
My steeds, that lightly over dank and dry
Shall bear me, at the rooted base I left
Of Ida river-vein'd. But for thy sake 370
From the Olympian summit I arrive,
Lest journeying remote to the abode
Of Ocean, and with no consent of thine
Entreated first, I should, perchance, offend.
To whom the cloud-assembler God replied. 375
Juno! thy journey thither may be made
Hereafter. Let us turn to dalliance now.
For never Goddess pour'd, nor woman yet
So full a tide of love into my breast;
I never loved Ixion's consort thus 380
Who bore Pirithoues, wise as we in heaven;
Nor sweet Acrisian Danaee, from whom
Sprang Perseus, noblest of the race of man;
Nor Phoenix' daughter fair,[10] of whom were born
Minos unmatch'd but by the powers above, 385
And Rhadamanthus; nor yet Semele,
Nor yet Alcmena, who in Thebes produced
The valiant Hercules; and though my son
By Semele were Bacchus, joy of man;
Nor Ceres golden-hair'd, nor high-enthroned 390
Latona in the skies, no--nor thyself
As now I love thee, and my soul perceive
O'erwhelm'd with sweetness of intense desire.
Then thus majestic Ju