well-built city, which to him is by far the dearest of all lands.[1] Nor did golden-bridled Mars keep a blind look-out, when he beheld Vulcan, illustrious for his art, going to a distance; he hastened to the house of illustrious Vulcan, desirous of the love of beauteous-crowned Venus. But she having lately come from her father, the powerful son of Saturn, sat down: but he went within the house, and laid hold of her by the hand, and spoke and addressed her:
"Come, dear one, let us twain turn to bed to lie down; for Vulcan is not at home, but is now gone some where to Lemnos, to the barbarous Sintians."
Thus he spoke; and to her it seemed delightful to go to bed. They twain mounting the couch laid down to rest; but the artful chains of ingenious Vulcan were spread around them, nor could they by any means move their limbs, nor rise up. And then indeed they knew that there were no longer means of escape. But illustrious Vulcan came near them, returning again before he reached the land of Lemnos: for the Sun kept a look-out for him, and told him the affair: [and he hastened home, sorrowing in his dear heart;] and he stood in the vestibule; and fierce anger possessed him, and he shouted terribly, and called aloud to all the gods.
"O father Jove, and ye other blessed gods who exist ever, come, that ye may behold deeds not to be laughed at nor endured; how Venus, the daughter of Jove, always dishonours me who am lame, and loves all-destructive Mars; because he is handsome and sound-footed, but I am become weak; but there is no one to blame for me, but my two parents, who ought not to have produced me. But see where they sleep together in love, having ascended my bed; but I am grieved at beholding them. I do not indeed expect that they will any more, even a little while, lie so, although loving each other very much: perhaps they will not both wish to sleep: but a snare and chain shall detain them, until her father shall
- ↑ The student will doubtless remember that each deity had a favourite place of abode and worship. Thus Venus possessed Paphos, (infra, 363,) Juno Samos, Argos, and Carthage, (Virg. Æn. i. 19. Ovid, Met. viii. 220. Apud. Met. vi. p. 458. Eustath. on Dion. Pierieg. 530,) Æsculapius Epidaurus, &c. The reason of Vulcan's preference is explained by Eustathius thus, διὰ τοὺς ἐκεῖ κρατῆρας τοῦ πυρός, καὶ ὅτι καὶ πόλεις δύο περὶ αὐτὴν, ὧν μία καὶ ἡ Ἡφαιστία.
