24 THE DELIGHTS OF GARDENS 



Whose depth exceeded not three cubits hight, 

 That through the waves one might the bottom see, 

 All pav'd beneath with jaspar shining bright, 

 That seem'd the fountaine in that sea did sayle 

 upright. 



Eftsoones they heard a most melodious sound 

 Of all that mote delight a daintie eare, 

 Such as attonce might not on living ground, 

 Save in this paradise, be heard elsewhere : 

 Right hard it was for wight which did it heare, 

 To read what manner musicke that mote bee ; 

 For all that pleasing is to living eare, 

 Was there consorted in one harmonee ; 

 Birdes, voices, instruments, windes, waters, all agree : 



The ioyous birdes, shrouded in chearefull shade, 

 Their notes unto the voice attempered sweet ; 

 Th' angelicall soft trembling voyces made 

 To th' instruments divine respondence meet ; 

 The silver-sounding instruments did meet 

 With the base murmure of the waters fall ; 

 The waters fall, with difference discreet, 

 Now soft, now loud, unto the wind did call ; 

 The gentle warbling wind low answered to all. 



EDMUND SPENSER. 



VIRGIL'S GARDEN 



(From Georgic IV) 



BUT that, my destined voyage almost done, 

 I think to slacken sail and shoreward run, 



