Ere long the goddess of the nuptial bed, + 

With pity moved, sends Iris in her stead + 

To sad Hersilia. Thus the meteor maid: + 

“Chaste relict! in bright truth to heaven allied, + 

The Sabines’ glory, and the sex’s pride; + 

Honour’d on earth, and worthy of the love + 

Of such a spouse, as now resides above, + 

Some respite to thy killing griefs afford; + 

And if thou wouldst once more behold thy lord, + 

Retire to yon steep mount, with groves o’erspread, + 

Which with an awful gloom his temples shade.” + 

With fear the modest matron lifts her eyes, + 

And to the bright ambassadress replies: + 

“Oh goddess, yet to mortal eyes unknown, + 

But sure thy various charms confess thee one: + 

Oh quick to Romulus thy votress bear, + 

With looks of love he’ll smile away my care: + 

In whate’er orb he shines, my heaven is there.” + 

Then hastes with Iris to the holy grove; + 

And up the Mount Quirinal as they move + 

A lambent flame glides downward through the air, + 

And brightens with a blaze Hersilia’s hair. + 

Together on the bounding ray they rise, + 

And shoot a gleam of light along the skies. + 

With opening arms Quirinus met his bride, + 

Now Ora named, and press’d her to his side. + 