Metamorphoses by Ovid

By towering columns bright with burnish'd gold, And fiery gems, which blaz'd their light around, Upborne, the palace stood. The lofty roof With ivory smooth incas'd. The folding doors, Of silver shone, but much by sculpture grac'd, For Vulcan there with curious hand had carv'd The ocean girding in the land; the land; And heaven o'ershadowing: here cerulean gods Sport in the waves, grim Triton with his shell; Proteus shape-changing; and AEgeon huge, -- His mighty arms upon the large broad backs Of whales hard pressing: Doris and her nymphs: Some sportive swimming; on a rocky seat Some their green tresses drying; others borne By fish swift-gliding: nor the same all seem'd, Yet sister-like a close resembling look Each face pervaded. Earth her natives bore, Mankind;--and woods, and cities, there were seen; Wild beasts, and streams, and nymphs, and rural gods. 'Bove all the bright display of heaven was hung-- Six signs celestial o'er each portal grav'd.