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More swift than Mars, and more than Vulcan slow?
Yet Vulcan conquers, and the god of arms
Must pay the penalty for lawless charms."
Thus serious they; but he who gilds the skies,
The gay Apollo, thus to Hermes cries:
"
Wouldst thou enchain'd like Mars, O Hermes, lie
And bear the shame like Mars to share the joy?"
"
O envied shame! (the smiling youth rejoin'd;)
And thrice the chains, and thrice more firmly bind;
Gaze all ye gods, and every goddess gaze,
Yet eager would I bless the sweet disgrace."
Loud laugh the rest, e'en Neptune laughs aloud,
Yet sues importunate to loose the god.
"
And free, (he cries) O Vulcan! free from shame
Thy captives; I ensure the penal claim."
"
Will Neptune (Vulcan then) the faithless trust?
He suffers who gives surety for the unjust:
But say, if that lewd scandal of the sky,
To liberty restored, perfidious fly:
Say, wilt thou bear the mulct?" He instant cries,
"
The mulct I bear, if Mars perfidious flies."
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