every country under the sun, and the single feeling of love and admiration that she has breathed alike into all, consecrate her mere presence as a place for revery and speculation." 6. In speaking of the Apollo, the same writer thus expresses his admiration : "No cast gives you any idea worth having of the Apollo Belvidere. It is a godlike model of a man. The lightness and the elegance of the limbs; the free, fiery, confident energy of the attitude; the breathing, indignant nostril and lips; the whole statue's mingled and equal grace and power, are, with all its truth to nature, beyond any conception I had formed of manly beauty. 7. "It spoils one's eye, for common men, to look at it. It stands there like a descended angel, with a splendor of form and an air of power that makes one feel what he should have been, and mortifies him for what he is. Most women whom I have met in Europe adore the Apollo as far the finest statue in the world, and most men say as much of the Medicean Venus. 8. " But, to my eye, the Venus, lovely as she is, compares with the Apollo as a mortal with an angel of light. The latter is incomparably the finest statue. If it were only for its face, it would transcend the other infinitely. The beauty of the Venus is only in the limbs and body. It is a faultless, and, withal, modest representation of the beauty of a woman. The Apollo is all this, and has a soul. 9. "I have seen women that approached the Venus in form, and had finer faces; I never saw a man that was a shadow of the Apollo in either. It stands, as it should, in a room by itself, and is thronged at all hours by admirers. They never tire of gazing at it; and I should believe, from the openmouthed wonder of those whom I met at its pedestal, that the story of the girl who pined and died for love of it was neither improbable nor singular." LESSON XXI. Adam and Eve. -MILTON. 1. Two of far nobler shape, erect and tall, (Severe, but in true filial freedom placed), 2. His fair large front and eye sublime declared Absolute rule; and hyacinthine locks Round from his parted forelock manly hung 3. So hand in hand they passed, the loveliest pair 5. About them frisking played -- All beasts of the earth, since wild, and of all chase, In wood or wilderness, forest or den: *Zephyr is properly the west wind, but it is used poetically for any mild, soft, gentle breeze. Sporting the lion ramped, and in his paw To make them mirth, used all his might, and wreathed 6. Close the serpent sly * * * Insinuating, wove with Gordian twine Declined was hasting now with prone career LESSON XXII. The same subject, concluded. 1. Now came still evening on, and twilight gray Apparent queen, unveiled her peerless light, 2. When Adam thus to Eve: "Fair consort! the hour *The ounce is an animal like the leopard, but smaller, being about three feet and a half long, and generally of a cream color. It is not so fierce as the leopard. + The pard is a spotted animal. The leopard - that is, leo-pard — is he spotted lion, frequently called in poetry simply the pard. + Flexible. § The part called the trunk of the elephant. Hesperus, the west or western star, - that is, Venus. Sucessive; and the timely dew of sleep, Now falling with soft slumbrous weight, inclines 3. Other creatures all day long Rove idle, unemployed, and less need rest : And of their doings God takes no account. 4. "To-morrow, ere fresh morning streak the east With first approach of light, we must be risen, And at our pleasant labor, to reform Yon flowery arbors; yonder alleys green, 5. To whom thus Eve, with perfect beauty adorned ⚫ "My author, and disposer! What thou bid'st Unargued I obey; so God ordains : God is thy law, thou mine; to know no more All seasons and their change, all please alike. 6. "Sweet is the breath of morn, her rising sweet, With charm of earliest birds: pleasant the sun, When first on this delightful land he spreads His orient beams, on herb, tree, fruit and flower, Glist'ring with dew; fragrant the fertile earth After soft showers; and sweet the coming on Of grateful evening mild; then silent night, With this her solemn bird, and this fair moon, And these the gems of heaven, her starry train. 7. "But neither breath of morn, when she ascends With charm of earliest birds; nor rising sun On this delightful land; nor herb, fruit, flower, Glist'ring with dew; nor fragrance after showers; Nor grateful evening mild; nor silent night, With this her solemn bird; nor walk by moon, Or glittering starlight, without thee is sweet. But wherefore all night long shine these? For whom This glorious sight, when sleep hath shut all eyes?" 8. To whom our general ancestor replied: Daughter of God and man, accomplished Eve, 9. "These, then, though unbeheld in deep of night, 10. "How often, from the steep Of echoing hill, or thicket, have we heard On to their blissful bower; it was a place Chosen by the sovereign Planter, when he framed Beast, bird, insect, or worm, durst enter none; |