and graceful nature of Apollonius; and in the peril and tumult of the catastrophe, rising to the gloomy grandeur of Homeric description.
The torch that witness'd stealthy loves, and him
Who dared, with ocean-wandering nuptials, swim
The midnight surge; embraces veil'd in shade,
That ne'er the morn's immortal eyes survey'd;
Abydos; Sestos; where sweet Hero lay,
A bride, unconscious of the blush of day;
Oh goddess tell!—
The graceful virgin, of a noble strain,
As priestess minister'd in Venus' fane:
But mix'd not with the blithe-assembling fair,
Nor midst the youthful dancers skimm'd in air:
She shunn'd the curious glance of female eyes,
And women's beauty-kindled jealousies.
Now the throng'd festival of Venus came,
By Sestians held to fair Adonis' fame:
From farthest isles, encircled by the main,
Flock'd to the gaudy day a countless train
From Cyprus' wave-wash'd rocks, and green Hæmonia's plain.
No woman in Cythera's cities staid,
Nor one on hills of Libanus delay'd,
Where dancers twine midst cedar-fragrant glades;
Fair Phrygians haste, and near Abydos' maids.
No maid-enamour'd youths are then away,
Who still the rumour'd festival obey.
