His hand he careless on a pillar lays,
With shining gold, the fluted pillars blaze.
And while he wishes, as the servants pour,
His touch converts the stream to Danae's shower."
Ovid.
He was quickly brought however to repent his avarice, when the very meat which he attempted to eat, turned to gold in his mouth, and the wine to the same metal, as it passed down his throat. He was now as anxious to be delivered from this fatal gift, as he was before to receive it, and implored the god to revoke a present so fatal to the recipient.
"The ready slaves prepare a sumptuous board,
Spread with rich dainties for their happy lord,
Whose powerful hands the bread no sooner hold,
But its whole substance is transformed to gold: