The palaces of the water gods and nymphs are more wonderful than those on earth. Shells, glistening sand, corals, and sea mosses lend beauty of color and form. The music of the waves lulls these beings to sleep. They ride upon a dolphin's back, or are borne onward by the waves,--free, happy, frolicking water sprites, dashing the spray and diving in graceful play through the deep waves of the sea.
Neptune is strong and calm. He is represented in art as bearing the trident, and surrounded by his attendants and the inhabitants of the sea. There is a celebrated fountain in Rome adorned with a fine statue of Neptune. It is said that a visitor who throws a coin into its waters will return to that famous city.
Sailors used to take offerings to the temples of Neptune, so that he would give them prosperous voyages.
[Illustration: Neptune. Adam (_Louvre, Paris_).]
King of the stormy sea! Brother of Jove, and coinheritor Of elements! Eternally before Thee the waves awful bow. Fast, stubborn rock, At thy feared trident shrinking, doth unlock Its deep foundations, hissing into foam. All mountain rivers lost, in the wide home Of thy capacious bosom ever flow. Thou frownest, and old Æolus, thy foe, Skulks to his cavern, 'mid the gruff complaint Of all his rebel tempests. Dark clouds faint When, from thy diadem, a silver gleam Slants over blue dominion. Thy bright team Gulfs in the morning light, and scuds along To bring thee nearer to that golden song Apollo singeth, while his chariot Waits at the doors of heaven. Thou art not For scenes like this: an empire stern hast thou And it hath furrowed that large front: yet now, As newly come of heaven, dost thou sit To blend and interknit Subduéd majesty with this glad time. O shell-born king sublime! We lay our hearts before thee evermore-- We sing, and we adore! --John Keats.
Vulcan, the son of Jupiter and Juno, is the blacksmith of the gods. His forges are in the caverns of volcanic mountains, where the fires are bright and ready to heat the gold, silver, and iron, of which he has made many wonderful things.
Vulcan built the magnificent palaces of the gods on Mount Olympus, Juno's golden throne, and the chariot of Apollo. The delicate girdle of Venus, the wife of Vulcan, was also made in his workshop. This was a magic girdle; for whoever wore it inspired love in all she met, and sometimes the goddesses would beg Venus to lend it to them.