The Argument.
The proem is a rhapsody in honour of the Muses. It opens with a description of their solemn dances on mount Helicon, and of the hymns which they sing during their nightly visitation of earth. The poet then relates their appearance to himself, and his consequent inspiration; describes their employments in heaven; their birth and dignity; their influence on kings or magistrates, minstrels and bards; and finishes with invoking their assistance and proposing his subject. The Cosmogony, or origin of nature, then commences, and blends into the Theogony, or generation of gods, which is continued through the whole poem, and concludes with the race of demi-gods, or those born from the loves of goddesses and mortals. The following legendary traditions are interwoven episodically with the main subject. I. The imprisonment of his children by Uranus or Heaven in a subterranean cave; and the consequent conspiracy of Earth and Cronus, or Saturn. II. The concealment of the infant Jupiter. III. The impiety and punishment of Prometheus. IV. The creation of Pandora, or Woman. V. The war of the Gods and Titans. VI. The combat of Jupiter with the giant Typhæus.