beasts roam through the shadowy dells. So fleet we passed that I seemed
not to touch the fertile earth with my feet. Now Hermes said that I was
bidden to be the bride of Anchises, and mother of thy goodly children.
But when he had spoken and shown the thing, lo, instantly he went back
among the immortal Gods,--the renowned Slayer of Argus. But I come to
thee, strong necessity being laid upon me, and by Zeus I beseech thee and
thy good parents,--for none ill folk may get such a son as thee,--by them
I implore thee to take me, a maiden as I am and untried in love, and show
me to thy father and thy discreet mother, and to thy brothers of one
lineage with thee. No unseemly daughter to these, and sister to those
will I be, but well worthy; and do thou send a messenger swiftly to the
Phrygians of the dappled steeds, to tell my father of my fortunes, and my
sorrowing mother; gold enough and woven raiment will they send, and many
and goodly gifts shall be thy meed. Do thou all this, and then busk the
winsome wedding-feast, that is honourable among both men and immortal
Gods."

So speaking, the Goddess brought sweet desire into his heart, and love
came upon Anchises, and he spake, and said:

"If indeed thou art mortal and a mortal mother bore thee, and if renowned
Otreus is thy father, and if thou art come hither by the will of Hermes,
the immortal Guide, and art to be called my wife for ever, then neither
mortal man nor immortal God shall hold me from my desire before I lie
with thee in love, now and anon; nay, not even if Apollo the Far-darter
himself were to send the shafts of sorrow from the silver bow! Nay, thou
lady like the Goddesses, willing were I to go down within the house of
Hades, if but first I had climbed into thy bed."

So spake he and took her hand; while laughter-loving Aphrodite turned,