She married Zephyrus, and received from him the privilege of presiding over
flowers, and enjoying perpetual youth.
Pomona was the Goddess of Fruits and Fruit Trees, and supposed to be the
Deity of Gardens.
"Her name Pomona, from her woodland race,
In garden culture none could her excel,
Or form the pliant souls of plants so well;
Or to the fruit more generous flavours lend,
Or teach the trees with nobler loads to bend."
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Pleased with her office, and unwilling to take upon herself the troubles of
marriage, she vowed perpetual celibacy. Numerous were the suitors who
attempted to win her from her rash determination, but to all of them the
answer was alike in the negative: tho' Vertumnus, one of the most zealous,
pursued her with unchanging ardour.
"Long had she laboured to continue free
From chains of love and nuptial tyranny;
And in her orchard's small extent immured,
Her vow'd virginity she still secured.
Oft would loose Pan, and all the lustful train
Of satyrs, tempt her innocence in vain.
Vertumnus too pursued the maid no less,
But with his rivals, shared a like success."