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 METAMORPHOSES BOOK III wounds, was the wrath of the quiver-bearing goddess appeased ommon talk wavered this way and that: to some th goddess seemed more cruel than was just; others called her act worthy of her austere virginity ; both sides found good reasons for their judgment. Jove's wife alone spake no word either in blame or praise, but rejoiced in the disaster which had come to Agenor's house; for she had now transferred her anger from her Tyrian rival1 to those who shared her blood. And lo! a fresh pang was added to her former grievance and she was smarting with the knowledge that Semele was pregnant with the seed of mighty love. Words of reproach were rising to her lips, but "What," she cried, "have I ever gained by re- proaches? 'Tis she must feel my wrath. Herself, if I am duly called most mighty Juno, must I attack if I am fit to wield in my hand the jewelled sceptre, if I am queen of heaven, the sister and the wife of Jove-at least his sister. And yet, methinks, she is content with this stolen love, and the insult to my bed is but for a moment. But she has conceived- that still was lacking-and bears plain proof of her guili in her full womb, and seeks-a fortune that has scarce been mine-to be made a mother from Jove. great is her trust in beauty! But I wil cause that trust to mock her: I am no daughter of Saturn if she go not down to the Stygian pool plunged thither by her Jupiter himself. On this she rose from her seat, and, wrapped i:n a saffron cloud, she came to the home of Semele. But before she put aside her concealing cloud she feigned herself an old woman, whitening her hair at the temples, furrowing her skin with wrinkles, and 1 i.e. Europa, whose atory has already been told. 143