is bed; and plac'd
"Her head reclin'd, as if with sense endu'd,
"On the soft pillow. Now the feast approach'd
"Of Venus, through all Cyprus' isle so fam'd,
"And snowy-chested heifers, whose bent horns
"With gold were gay, receiv'd the deadly blow;
"And incense burnt in clouds. Pygmalion stood
"Before the altar, with his offer'd gifts:
"Timid he spoke,--O ye all-potent gods!
"Give me a spouse just like my ivory nymph,--
"Give me my ivory nymph--he blush'd to say.
"Bright Venus then, as present at her feast,
"Perceiv'd the inmost wishes of his soul;
"And gave the omen of a friendly power.
"Thrice blaz'd the fire, and thrice the flame leap'd high.

"Returning, he the darling statue seeks
"Of his fair nymph; extends him on the couch;
"Kisses, and thinks he feels her lips grow warm:
"Applies his lips again, and with his hand
"Presses her bosom: prest the ivory yields,
"Softening beneath his fingers; nor remains
"Its rigid harshness. So Hymettus' wax
"Yields to the heat, when tempering thumbs it mould
"In various forms; and fit for future use.
"Astonish'd now he joys with trembling soul,
"But fears deception; then he loves again,
"And with his hands again his wishes proves:
"'Twas flesh, the prest pulse leap'd beneath his thumb.
"Then did the Cyprian youth, in words most full
"Of gratitude and love, to Venus pray.
"Then to her living lips his lips he join'd,
"And then the damsel felt his warm salute:
"Blushing she felt it, and her timid eyes
"Op'd to the light, and with the light beheld
"Her lover. Venus bless'd the match she made;
"And when nine times the moon's full orb was seen
"Sharpen'd to horns, the damsel Paphos bore;
"Whose appellation oft the isle receives.

"She Cinyras too bore; if childless he
"A place amongst the happiest might he claim.
"A direful song I sing! be distant far
"Ye daughters; distant far, O, parents be!
"Or if of pleasure to your minds my verse
"Aught gives, in this at least my truth suspect.
"Believe the deed not: if you must believe,
"Mark well the punishment the crime deserv'd.
"Since nature could such heinous deeds permit;
"The Thracian realms, my land, I 'gratulate;
"And joy this clime at such a distance lies,
"From that which could such monstrous acts produce.
"Let Araby be in amomum rich;
"And cinnamon, and zedoary produce;
"Incense which through the wood exudes; and f