And know thou hast not served a thankless deity.” This promise made, with night the goddess fled; With joy the woman wakes and leaves her bed, Devoutly lifts her spotless hands on high, And prays the powers their gifts to ratify.

Now grinding pains proceed to bearing throes, Till its own weight the burden did disclose. ’Twas of the beauteous kind, and brought to light With secrecy, to shun the father’s sight; The indulgent mother did her care employ, And pass’d it on her husband for a boy. The nurse was conscious of the fact alone. The father paid his vows as for a son, And call’d him Iphis, by a common name, Which either sex with equal right may claim. Iphis his grandsire was; the wife was pleased, Of half the fraud by Fortune’s favour eased. The doubtful name was used without deceit, And truth was cover’d with a pious cheat; The habit show’d a boy, the beauteous face With manly fierceness mingled female grace.