After undergoing the vengeance of Juno, who unrelentingly pursued her, she
gave birth to an infant on the banks of the Nile, and was restored by
Jupiter to her natural shape.
All who seemed to be favoured by, or who favoured Jupiter, she persecuted
with the utmost rigour: but when it is remembered what cause Juno had for
her jealousy, and that her husband metamorphosed himself into a swan for
Leda, into a shepherd for Mnemosyne, into a shower of gold for Danae, and
into a bull for Europa, she may easily be pardoned her restless spirit.
When Jupiter had assumed the form of a bull, he mingled with the herds
belonging to Agenor, father of Europa, while the latter, with her female
attendants, was gathering flowers in the surrounding meadows.
Europa caressed the beautiful animal, and at last had the courage to sit
upon his back. Jupiter took advantage of her situation, and with
precipitate steps retired towards the shore, crossed the sea with Europa on
him, and arrived safe in Crete. Here he adopted his original shape, and
declared his love. The nymph consented, though she had previously taken the
vows of perpetual celibacy; and became the mother of Minos, Sarpedon, and
Rhadamanthus.
"The ruler of the skies, the thundering God,
Who shakes the world's foundation with a nod,
Among a herd of lowing heifers ran,
Frisked in a bull, and gallopped o'er the plain;
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His skin was whiter than the snow that lies
Unsullied by the breath of southern skies,
His every look was peaceful, and expressed
The softness of the lover in the beast.
Agenor's royal daughter, as she played
Among the fields, the milk white bull surveyed,
And viewed his spotless body with delight,
And at a distance kept him still in sight;
At length she plucked the rising flowers, that fed
The gentle beast, and fondly stroked his head.
She placed herself upon his back, and rode
O'er fields and meadows, seated on the God.
He gently marched along, and by degrees,
Left the dry meadows and approached the seas,
Where now he dips his hoofs and wets his thighs,
Now plunges in, and carries off the prize."