While Phoebus was lighting up the mountains . . .

While Phoebus was lighting up the mountains
of Heaven with his radiant clarity,
to relieve the boredom of her chastity
Diana was killing time in hunting.

Then Venus who was descending secretly
to fetter the desire of Anchises,
seeing Diana so undisguised
addressed her half-jokingly:

“You come with your nets to the thick wood
to ensnare the fast-running deer,
but my own nets capture the mind.”

“Better”, the chaste goddess replied,
“to take the nimble deer in my snare
than be caught in one by your husband.”

While Phoebus was lighting up the mountains . . .

Enquanto Febo os montes acendia
do Céu com luminosa claridade,
por evitar do ócio a castidade
na caça o tempo Délia dispendia.

Vénus, que então de furto descendia,
por cativar de Anquises a vontade,
vendo Diana em tanta honestidade,
quási zombando dela, lhe dizia:

— Tu vás com tuas redes na espessura
os fugitivos cervos enredando,
mas as minhas enredam o sentido.

— Milhor é (respondia a deusa pura)
nas redes leves ceros ir tomando
que tomar-te a ti nelas teu marido.