Kitap 2
How, Vulcan two transgressing lovers caught
And ev'ry god a pleas'd spectator brought.
620
Great Mars for Venus felt a guilty flame,
Neglected war, and own'd a lover's name,
To his desires the queen of love inclin'd;
No nymph in heav'n's so willing, none so kind.
Oft the lascivious fair, with scornful pride,
625
Would Vulcan's foot and sooty hands deride;
Yet both with decency their passion bore,
And modestly conceal'd the close amour,
But by the sun betray'd in their embrace,
(For what escapes the sun's observing rays?The sun sees all things, and nothing can avoid being seen by it, any more than it can dispense with being warmed by it.)
630
He told th' affronted god of his disgrace.
Ah foolish sun! and much unskill'd in love,
Thou hast an ill example set above!
Never a fair offending nymph betray,
She'll gratefully oblige you ev'ry way:
635
The crafty spouse around his bed prepares
Nets that deceive the eye, and secret snares:
A journey feigns, the impatient lovers met,
