519Winged time glides by unnoticed and deceives us, and nothing is swifter than the years. 520He, born of his sister and his grandfather, who was lately hidden in a tree, lately born, just now a most beautiful infant, is now a youth, now a man, now more beautiful than himself: now he pleases even Venus and avenges his mother's passion. 525For while the quivered boy was kissing his mother, he unknowingly grazed her breast with a projecting arrow. 527The goddess, wounded, pushed her son away with her hand. 527The wound had gone deeper than it seemed, and at first had deceived even her. 529Captivated by the man's beauty, she no longer cares for the shores of Cythera, nor revisits Paphos girt by the deep sea, nor Cnidos rich in fish, nor Amathus heavy with metals; 532she keeps away even from heaven: Adonis is preferred to heaven.
533She holds to him, she is his companion; 533and she, who was always used to indulging herself in the shade and enhancing her beauty by tending it, roams over ridges, through woods and bushy rocks, her dress girt up to the knee in the manner of Diana, and urges on the hounds; 537and she hunts animals that are safe prey, either headlong hares or the stag lofty in its antlers, or does: she keeps away from strong boars, and avoids ravening wolves and bears armed with claws, and lions glutted with the slaughter of cattle. 542You too, Adonis, she warns to fear them, if warning could do any good, and says, 'Be brave against those who flee; against the bold, boldness is not safe.
545Do not be rash, young man, at my risk, and do not provoke beasts to whom nature has given weapons, lest your glory cost me dear. 547Youth and beauty and the things that moved Venus do not move lions and bristly boars, nor the eyes and hearts of wild beasts. 550Fierce boars have lightning in their curved tusks, tawny lions have attack and vast rage, and their race is hateful to me.' 552When he asks what the cause is, she says, 'I will tell you, and you will marvel at the monstrous outcome of an ancient fault. 554But unaccustomed toil has now tired me, and look, a poplar entices us with its timely shade, and the turf offers a couch; 556I should like to rest here with you' (and she rested) 'on the ground,' and she pressed both the grass and him, and lying back with her head in the young man's lap she spoke thus, and mixed kisses with her words: