On a group of Psittacidce known to the Ancients, 39 



EXV^V at^T^P NOS^IN lAflN AnOMOPHATO AAKPT, 



PEIA AA©nN Ev(j^um. — 



A§yoif J'au koctx (Mip^ cXajSev fjitXacvos ^ccvxTOtOj 



AvrtK* i^ovr^ O^vcr^sc ESiycoa-ru £V/<zutw."* 



Odyss. XVII, 292—337. 



Nor can I conceive any representation touched with more 

 genuine delicacy and truth of feeling than the poet's description 

 of Lesbia's favourite bird, and lamentation for its loss, a picture, 

 which he brings home to our eyes, and identifies with the scen.es 

 that every day pass around us. 



" Passer, deliciae meaj pueilae, 

 Quicum ludere, quem in sinu tenercy 

 Quoi primum digitum dare adpetentij 

 Et acris solet incitare morsus ; — 

 Passer mortuus est mese pueilae : — 

 QviGmplus ilia ocuUs suis amabat : 

 Nam mellitus erat, suamque norat 

 Ipsam tam bene, quam puella matrem ; 

 Nee sese a gremio illius movebat ; 



* " Thus near the gates conferring as they drew, 

 Argus, the dog, bis ancient master knew ; 

 He, not unconscious of his voice and tread, 

 Lifts to the sound his ear, and rears his head ; 

 Bred by Ulysses, nourished at his board ; 

 But, ah ! not fated long to please his lord! — 

 Now left to man's ingratitude he lay, 

 Unhoused, neglected in the publiclc way. — 



He knew his lord ; he knew, and strove to meet; 

 In vain he strove to crawl, and kiss his feet; 

 Yet — all he could— his tail, his ears, his eyes, 

 Salute his master, and confess his joys. 

 Soft pity touched the mighty master's soul ; 

 Adown his cheek a tear unbidden stole^ 

 Stole unperceived ; he turned Ms head, and dried 

 The drop humane. — 



The dog, whom fate had granted to behold 

 His lord, when twenty tedious years had rolled. 

 Takes a last look, and having ^een him, dies. — " 



Pope. Odyss, B. 17. v. 345—398. 



