slake > slake; assuage smart > pain, acute pain
5 Now like a ram, fair Helle to pervert,
Helle > (Daughter of Athamas and Nephele, sister of Phrixus. Because of the intrigues of her stepmother, Ino, she and her brother were to be sacrificed to Jupiter; but Nephele rescued her two children, who rode away through the air on the ram with the golden fleece, a gift from Mercury. Helle fell into the sea, which was called after her the Hellespont. See Ovid, Fasti, 3.851 ff., DGDG 13.68, 4.68) pervert > lead astray (lit. as well as fig.)
6 Now like a bull, Europa to withdraw:
bull > (Taurus (the bull) follows Aries (the ram) in the zodiac) Europa > (Daughter of King Agenor of Phoenicia, or, according to the Iliad, daughter of Phoenix. Jupiter fell in love with her, assumed the form of a bull and mingled with the herd as Europa and her maidens were by the shore. Charmed by the tameness of the beast, Europa climbed on its back, whereupon Jupiter rushed into the sea and swam with her to Crete. The continent of Europe is said to be named after her. See Met. 2.833 ff.) withdraw > take away; hence: abduct
7 Ah, how the fearful lady's tender heart 8 Did lively seem to tremble, when she saw
lively > vividly, in a lifelike manner, convincingly (referring to the tapestry)
9 The huge seas under her obey her servant's law.
servant > paramour
311.31