Page:Metamorphoses.djvu/285

 METAMORPHOSES BOOK V your swift arrows into the heart of that god to whom the final lot of the triple kingdom fell. You rule the gods, and Jove himself; you conquer and control the deities of the sea, and the very king that rules the deities of the sea. Why does Tartarus hold back? Why do you not extend your mother's empire anu your own? The third part of the world is at stake. And yet in heaven, such is our long-suffering, we are despised, and with my own, the power of love is weakening. Do you not see that Pallas and huntress Diana have revolted against me? And Ceres daughter, too, will remain a virgin if we suffer it; for she aspires to be like them. But do you, in behalf of our joint sovereignty, if you take any pride in that, join the goddess to her uncle in the bonds of love." So Venus spoke. The god of love loosed bis quiver at his mother's bidding and selected from his thousand arrows one, the sharpest and the surest and themost obedient to the bow. Then he bent the pliant bow across his knee and with his barbed arrow smote Dis through the heart. Not far from Henna's walls there is a deep pool of water, Pergus by name. Not Cayster on its gliding waters hears more songs of swans than does this pool A wood crowns the heights around its waters on every side, and with its foliage as with an awning keeps o the sun's hot rays. The branches afford a pleasing coolness, and the well-watered ground bears bright- coloured flowers. There spring is everlasting. Within this grove Proserpina was playing, and gathering violets or white lilies. And while with girlish eager- ness she was filling her basket and her boson, and striving to surpass her mates in gathering, alinost in one act didPl so precipitate was his love. The terrified girl called luto see and love and carry her away: 265