Byblis falls passionately in love with her brother Caunus, who rejects her advances with horror—The nymph becomes frantic with despair, and is converted into a fountain by the indulgent deities.
Let the sad fate of wretched Byblis prove A dismal warning to unlawful love: One birth gave being to the hapless pair, But more was Caunus than a sister’s care; Unknown she loved, for yet the gentle fire Rose not in flames, nor kindled to desire. ’Twas thought no sin to wonder at his charms, Hang on his neck, and languish in his arms. Thus wing’d with joy fled the soft hours away, And all the fatal guilt on harmless Nature lay.