Cradled on a great blue wave lay Venus when discovered by the lovely
sea-nymphs. They immediately assumed her care, tenderly nursed her and
watched over her until she became a calm, splendid woman. Her grace and
beauty conquered every heart. Oceanides, Tritons and Nereids, all gave
her rapturous admiration. At length the foster mothers entrusted her to
Zephyrus, who gently wafted her to the island of Cyprus where she was
met by the Muses, Hours and Graces and led to the assembly of the gods,
who bent in homage to her surpassing beauty.
Her power soon extended over men as well as gods, and temples were
reared in her honor upon every shore. She had favors for some and
strong antipathies for others of the worshipers at her shrines, and
many are the stories and romances which cluster round her name.