Sic Venus, et Veneris contra sic filius orsus: nulla tuarum audita mihi neque visa sororum, o'quam te memorem, virgo? namque haud tibi vultus mortalis, nec vox hominem sonat; o dea certe! an Phoebi soror? an Nympharum sanguinis una? sis felix nostrumque leves, quaecumque, laborem, et quo sub caelo tandem, quibus orbis in oris iactemur, doceas; ignari hominumque locorumque erramus, vento huc vastis et fluctibus acti; multa tibi ante aras nostra cadet hostia dextra.
Thus Venus; and thus in answer Venus son began: None of your sisters have I heard or seen'but by what name should I call you, maiden? for your face is not mortal nor has your voice a human ring; O goddess surely! sister of Phoebus, or one of the race of Nymphs? Show grace to us, whoever you may be, and lighten this our burden. Inform us, pray, beneath what sky, on what coasts of the world, we are cast; knowing nothing of countries or peoples we wander driven hither by wind and huge billows. Many a victim shall fall for you at our hand before your altars.