The son of Saturn spake, and took his wife Into his arms, while underneath the pair The sacred Earth threw up her freshest herbs⁠— The dewy lotus, and the crocus-flower, And thick and soft the hyacinth. All these Upbore them from the ground. Upon this couch They lay, while o’er them a bright golden cloud Gathered, and shed its drops of glistening dew.

So slumbered on the heights of Gargarus The All-Father, overcome by sleep and love, And held his consort in his arms. Meanwhile The gentle Sleep made haste to seek the fleet Of Greece. He bore a message to the god Neptune, who shakes the shores, and, drawing near, He thus accosted him with wingèd words:⁠—

“Now, Neptune, give the Greeks thy earnest aid, And though it be but for a little space, While Jupiter yet slumbers, let them win The glory of the day; for I have wrapt His senses in a gentle lethargy, To which he is betrayed by Juno’s wiles.”