Statues of Mercury were often placed in roads to point out the way to travellers. […] He was exquisitely beautiful, and an eagle carried him from earth to heaven, where he poured out nectar for Jupiter. […] Happy days were spun out of gold and silver, while the thread of sorrow was of black worsted. […] When this fact was proved, Jocasta killed herself; and Œdipus, in his distress, tore out his own eyes. […] Paris readily engaged to redeem Hesione, and set out for Greece for that object.