For some time Rhea pleaded with him, but at last pretended to yield to his commands. […] These little insects fluttered about, alighting, some upon Epimetheus, who had just entered, and some upon Pandora, pricking and stinging them most unmercifully. […] In the perfumed dusk he confessed his love, and tenderly begged for some return. […] He could, however, discover nothing but some broken twigs and scattered leaves. […] Finally he called Mercury to his aid, and bade him devise some plan to rescue her.