George Darley

Lenimina Laborum. 23. Cupid Sleeping

From Gray, after Plato.

In blest Idalia's realm, where forests green
Of myrtle, interweave their massy hair,
Buried chin-deep in bloom young Love was seen,
Pressing with rosy lip his rosy lair.
On the high branch his quiver hung—the while
His darts slipt from his languid little hand;
And o'er his scented lips, half-oped to smile,
Hovered a ceaseless bee with murmur bland.

* Itue in Idalios tractus, felicia regna,
Fundit ubi densam myrtea sylva comam,
inter Amor teneram visus spirare qiiietem
Dum roseo roseos imprimit ore toros;
Sublimem procul a ramis pendere pharetram,
Et de languidula spicula lapsa manu,
Vidimus, et visu moUi diducta labella,
Murmure quo assiduo pervolitabat apes.