resists the omnipotence of Jove." [Illustration: VULCAN.] VULCAN. The thunderer spoke, nor durst the queen reply; A reverent horror silenced all the sky. The feast disturb'd, with sorrow Vulcan saw His mother menaced, and the gods in awe; Peace at his heart, and pleasure his design, Thus interposed the architect divine: "The wretched quarrels of the mortal state Are far unworthy, gods! of your debate: Let men their days in senseless strife employ, We, in eternal peace and constant joy. Thou, goddess-mother, with our sire comply, Nor break the sacred union of the sky: Lest, roused to rage, he shake the bless'd abodes, Launch the red lightning, and dethrone the gods. If you submit, the thunderer stands appeased; The gracious power is willing to be pleased." Thus Vulcan spoke: and rising with a bound, The double bowl with sparkling nectar crown'd,(72) Which held to Juno in a cheerful way, "Goddess (he cried), be patient and obey. Dear as you are, if Jove his arm extend, I can but grieve, unable to defend What god so daring in your aid to move, Or lift his hand against the force of Jove? Once in your cause I felt his matchless might, Hurl'd headlong down from the ethereal height;(73) Toss'd all the day in rapid circles round, Nor till the sun descended touch'd the ground. Breathless I fell, in giddy motion lost; The Sinthians raised me on the Lemnian coast;(74) He said, and to her hands the goblet heaved, Which, with a smile, the white-arm'd queen received Then, to the rest he fill'd; and in his turn, Each to his lips applied the nectar'd urn, Vulcan with awkward grace his office plies, And unextinguish'd laughter shakes the skies. Thus the blest gods the genial day prolong, In feasts ambrosial, and celestial song.(75) Apollo tuned the lyre; the Muses round With voice alternate aid the silver sound. Meantime the radiant sun