In golden ringlets waved, and graceful shone.
Her, Neptune saw: and with such beauties fired,
Resolved to compass what his soul desired.
The bashful goddess turned her eyes away,
Nor durst such bold impurity survey."
This violation of the sanctity of her temple provoked Minerva, and she changed the beautiful locks of Medusa, which had inspired the love of Neptune, into ghastly and living serpents, as a punishment for the desecration of that sanctuary, where only worship and incense should have been offered.
"It lieth, gazing on the midnight sky,
Upon the cloudy mountain peak supine;
Below, the far lands are seen tremblingly: