Procris her name, allied in charms and blood To fair Orithyia, courted by a god. Her father seal’d my hopes with rites divine, But firmer love before had made her mine. Men call’d me bless’d, and bless’d I was indeed. The second month our nuptials did succeed, When (as upon Hymettus’ dewy head, For mountain stags, my net betimes I spread) Aurora spied, and ravish’d me away⁠— With rev’rence to the goddess, I must say, Against my will, for Procris had my heart, Nor would her image from my thoughts depart. At last, in rage, she cried, ‘Ingrateful boy, Go to your Procris, take your fatal joy:’ And so dismiss’d me: musing, as I went, What those expressions of the goddess meant, A thousand jealous fears possess me now, Lest Procris had profaned her nuptial vow: Her youth and charms did to my fancy paint A lewd adult’ress, but her life a saint: Yet I was absent long; the goddess too Taught me how far a woman could be true. Aurora’s treatment much suspicion bred; Besides, who truly love ev’n shadows dread.