Page:Statius (Mozley 1928) v1.djvu/187

The god blushed, and laughing stole into the heart of his beloved Pollius, a with caressing arms embraced his friend: “Art thou,” said he, “that lavisher of wealth, who with generous heart hast filled full alike the dwellings of Dicarcheus^[1] and youthful^[2] Parthenope? who on my own mount hast set so many towers, so many verdant groves, so many lifelike marbles and bronzes, and waxen forms that the glow of colour animates? For what was that house of thine, that country before it rejoiced in thee? Thou didst clothe bare rock with a long pathway, and where before was but a track, now stands a lofty colonnade with painted pillars, that the road might be seemly. Upon the curving strand thou didst imprison heated waters ’neath cupolas twain. Scarce can I number all thy works: and to me alone is Pollius needy and in want? yet even such a shrine I enter cheerfully, and love the shore thou openest to me. But Juno hard by^[3] scorns my dwelling, and laughs silently at my shrine. Give me a temple and an altar worthy of thy endeavours, an altar such as no vessel would fain neglect^[4] though speeding with prosperous sail, one to which the ethereal Sire and the guests of heavenly banquets and my sister invited from her lofty shrine might come.^[5] Nor be dismayed that a mass of stark, malignant mountain doth confront thee, which unnumbered ages have not worn away; I will myself be present to aid so great an enterprise, and will break through the flinty bowels of the unwilling earth. Begin, and dare the task, trusting in Hercules’ encouragement.