Actaeon, in pursuing the amusements of the chase, sees Diana and her nymphs bathing near Gargaphia; for which he is changed into a stag by the angry goddess, and is devoured by his own dogs.
In a fair chase a shady mountain stood, Well stored with game, and mark’d with trails of blood; Here did the huntsmen, till the heat of day, Pursue the stag, and load themselves with prey; When thus Actaeon calling to the rest: “My friends,” said he, “our sport is at the best, The sun is high advanced, and downward sheds His burning beams directly on our heads; Then by consent abstain from further spoils, Call off the dogs, and gather up the toils, And ere to-morrow’s sun begins his race Take the cool morning to renew the chase.” They all consent, and in a cheerful train The jolly huntsmen, laden with the slain, Return in triumph from the sultry plain.