On Occult Philosophy or the Secret Miraculous Birth of the Seven Planets and Metals

tried it, she could hardly satisfy herself enough, for it was very delightful. And the cook Faunus invited a guest to the meal, whom he called Serpentiger serpent-bearer; he had to consume the evening meal as well. And while they were living in the greatest joy and had heard a great lute playing in the air, a labor pain came to Vesta so that her birth hurried to the day. But because no one was there who took her part in the need from the heart, Serpentiger let himself be used. For this, Vesta rewarded him faithfully; she did not want to let him wander back, but gifted him richly with good presents, [and] gifted him a piece of silver for clothing, which he had never worn before. And as the child became manifest, it was a black worm. A fleeting spirit quickly called to this worm; it was quite fiery into an ear, and there the worm transformed into another form. But Faunus was asked by Cœlo that he had to carry the child to the baptism, which his own servant poured with water, and the child was named Saturnus,