These drew in turn her chariot, when in state Along the heaven with all her train she fared; And oft in journeying to the skiey gate Of Zeus's palace high their flight had dared, Which darkest vapour and thick glooms enshroud Above all else in the perpetual cloud, Wherethro' to mount again they stood prepared,
Sleeking their feathers, by her shining car; The same Hephæstos wrought for her, when he, Bruised in his hideous fall from heaven afar, Was nursed by Thetis, and Eurynomè, The daughter of the ever-refluent main; With whom he dwelt till he grew sound again, Down in a hollow cave beside the sea:
And them for kindness done was prompt to serve, Forging them brooches rich in make and mode, Earrings, and supple chains of jointed curve, And other trinkets, while he there abode: And none of gods or men knew of his home, But they two only; and the salt sea-foam To and fro past his cavern ever flow'd.
'Twas then he wrought this work within the cave, Emboss'd with rich design, a moonèd car; And when return'd to heaven to Venus gave, In form imagined like her crescent star; Which circling nearest earth, maketh at night To wakeful mortal men shadow and light Alone of all the stars in heaven that are.
Two slender wheels it had, with fretted tires Of biting adamant, to take firm hold Of cloud or ether; and their whirling fires Threw off the air in halo where they roll'd: And either nave that round the axle turn'd A ruby was, whose steady crimson burn'd Betwixt the twin speed-mingling fans of gold.
Thereon the naked goddess mounting, shook The reins; whereat the doves their wings outspread, And rising high their flight to heaven they took: And all the birds, that in those courts were bred, Of her broad eaves the nested families, Sparrows and swallows, join'd their companies Awhile and twitter'd to her overhead.
But onward she with fading tracks of flame Sped swiftly, till she reacht her journey's end: And when within the house of Zeus she came, She pray'd the Sire of Heaven that he would lend Hermes, the Argus-slayer, for her hest; And he being granted her at her request, She went forthwith to seek him and to send.
Who happ'd within the palace then to wait Upon the almighty pleasure; and her tale Was quickly told, and he made answer straight That he would find the truant without fail; Asking the goddess by what signs her slave Might best be known, and what the price she gave For capture, or admitted for the bail.