Several beautiful children were born to Mars and Venus. […] Alarmed for his health, Venus consulted Themis, who oracularly replied, “Love cannot grow without Passion.” […] This decree wrung their tender hearts; and their continuous sighs finally touched Venus, who prepared to give them her aid. […] Venus even, forgetting all her former envy, welcomed the blushing bride, who was happy ever after. […] Venus, goddess of beauty, is represented either entirely nude, or with some scanty drapery called a “cestus.”