But now a queen, she with resentment heard, And changed the vile informer to a bird. In Phlegethonâs black stream her hand she dips, Sprinkles his head, and wets his babbling lips. Soon on his face, bedroppâd with magic dew, A change appearâd, and gaudy feathers grew; A crooked beak the place of nose supplies; Rounder his head, and larger are his eyes; His arms and body waste, but are supplied With yellow pinions, flagging on each side; His nails grow crooked, and are turnâd to claws, And lazily along his heavy wings he draws: Ill-omenâd in his form, the unlucky fowl, Abhorrâd by men, and callâd a screeching owl.
The Sirens, daughters of Achelous and the Muse Melpomene, disconsolate at the abduction of Proserpine, entreat the gods to afford them wings, that they may seek her by sea as well as by landâ âJupiter, to appease the resentment of Ceres and sooth her grief, decrees that Proserpine shall remain six months in each year with her husband, and the remainder with her mother on earth.