On an island in the sea, there lived a beautiful woman who had two children, twins. The girl's name was Diana, the boy's Apollo. It was a floating island. Neptune, the king of the sea, had placed four marble pillars under it, and had fastened it with heavy chains. The two children grew rapidly. Diana became tall and graceful. Jupiter, king of heaven and earth, saw that she was very fair. One day as Diana was walking through the forest, Jupiter met her and spoke to her, saying, "Fair Diana, hereafter you shall be called Queen of the Woods." Diana, followed by her maids the wood nymphs, often wandered through the forest. She took care of the deer and all helpless creatures, but she hunted fierce animals. Apollo, also, grew to be fair and strong. Jupiter bestowed many gifts upon the youth. He gave Apollo a pair of swans and a golden chariot, so that the boy could go anywhere, on land or sea. The most wonderful present that Jupiter gave to Apollo was a silver bow, with sharp arrows which never missed the mark. Apollo prized the bow so highly and used it so very skillfully, that he came to be called "Master of the Silver Bow." |