Overcome with fatigue, while in pursuit of her daughter, Ceres requests an old woman to supply her with a draught of water—A more generous liquor is hospitably afforded by the matron; and the goddess, while eagerly allaying her thirst, is derided by a boy, who is immediately transformer into an eft.
Thus while through all the earth and all the main, Her daughter mournful Ceres sought in vain, Aurora, when with dewy looks she rose, Nor burnish’d Vesper found her in repose. At Aetna’s flaming mouth two pitchy pines, To light her in her search, at length she tines; Restless, with these, through frosty night she goes, Nor fears the cutting winds, nor heeds the snows; And when the morning star the day renews, From east to west her absent child pursues.