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Show 328 THE CODE OF TERPSICHORE. lands and coronets; the sound of their rustic instruments regulates and animates their steps. After a measured march, they proceed to deposit their offerings at the feet of the statue of Spring, adorning it with flowers and the gifts of Pomona. The feast is celebrated by sports and dances, until they are interrupted by a rumbling noise, which seems to proceed from the earth. The sea is observed to be greatly agitated, tossing on high its foaming waves; every one, struck with astonishment and dread, hastens to the shore to discover the cause of this unusual commotion; when Venus is seen rising from the troubled ocean ; she is borne in a marine shell * by Nereids and Tritons f. The Goddess, enveloped in a great veil, and reclining in an attitude of repose, appears in all her splendour. When the daughter of Ocean has arisen from her wavy bed, Apollo arrives in his chariot of fire; he comes to dissipate the twilight that hangs around her, and to illumine her charms; he then remounts on his course. In the skies are seen the assembled deities who * " Et faveas concha Cypria vecta tua." T I B U L L . El. III. f " Par le plaisir emus, mille flots caressans S' entrepoussaient autour de ses charmes naissans; L' un baise ses cheveux que le Zephyr de"noue, L' autre prfes de sa conque et bondit et se joue; D' autres avec respect demeurent suspendus, Fiers d' ouvrir un passage a la belle Venus. Le Triton recourbe, fendant l'onde ecumante, Change en soupirs les sons de sa voix gffrayante, Etsfeme de corail les courans fortunes Qu' en glissant sur les eaux le char a sillonnes. Vous filles de Thetis, de vos grottes profondes, Vous £levez vos fronts sur la cime des ondes ; Mais eVeiHe" soudain par tant d'attraits nouveaux Le depit vous oblige a rentrer sous les eaux." LEONARD. |