Beautiful as the production of Arachne was, which recorded the intrigues of
Jove, yet it could not compete with that of Minerva, who by her divine
skill, surpassed all her rival's efforts.
"Pallas in figures wrought the heavenly powers,
And Mars's skill among the Athenean bowers,
Each god, by proper features was exprest;
Jove with majestic mien, excelled the rest,
His nine forked mace the dewy sea-god shook,
And, looking sternly, smote the ragged rock;
When, from the stone, leaped forth the sprightly steed
And Neptune claims the city for the deed.
Herself she blazons with a glittering spear,
And crested helm that veiled her braided hair,
With shield, and scaly breast-plate, implements of war.
Struck with her pointed lance, the teeming earth
Seemed to produce a new surprising birth,
When from the glebe, the pledge of conquest sprung,
A tree, pale green with fairest olives hung."