And laughter-loving Venus answered thus:⁠— “What thou desirest should not be denied, And shall not, for thou sleepest in the arms Of Jupiter, the mightiest of the gods.”

She spake, and from her bosom drew the zone, Embroidered, many-colored, and instinct With every winning charm⁠—with love, desire, Dalliance, and gentle speech⁠—that stealthily O’ercomes the purpose of the wisest mind, And, placing it in Juno’s hands, she said:⁠—