------
This Deity, whose name still lives with us, as the presiding divinity of
the art of song, was the son of Jupiter, by the beautiful Latona, daughter
of the Titan, Coeus. Asteria, her sister, disdaining the embraces of the
God, threw herself into the sea, and was changed into the isle which bears
the name of Delos; where Latona afterwards sought refuge from the fury of
Juno, when about to overwhelm her, for her frailty with her husband. The
irritated Goddess, to punish Latona for her crime, excited against her the
serpent Python, who pursued her wheresoever she went; until at last, in the
Isle of Delos, alone and unfriended, bearing in her bosom the fruit of her
weakness, she gave birth to Apollo and Diana. Weary of her confinement, and
wishing to return to her father Coeus, she arrived near his dominions,
where, fatigued with her journey, she begged a drop of water from the
peasants, whose cruel refusal to aid her she punished by changing them into
frogs.
[Illustration] {34}
"The Goddess came, and kneeling on the brink,
Stooped at the fresh repast, prepared to drink:
Then thus, being hindered by the rabble race,
In accents mild expostulates the case:
'Water I only ask, and sure 'tis hard
From Nature's common rights to be debarred.
This, as the genial sun, and vital air,
Should flow alike to every creature's share;
One draught, as dear as life I should esteem,
And water, now I thirst, would nectar seem:
Oh! let my little babes your pity move,
And melt your hearts to charitable love:
They (as by chance they did) extend to you
Their little hands, and my request pursue!'
Yet they the goddess's request refuse,
And, with rude words, reproachfully abuse.
Her thirst by indignation was suppressed;
Bent on revenge, the Goddess stood confessed!
'And may you live,' she passionately cried,
'Doomed in that pool for ever to abide!'
The Goddess has her wish----"