THE DOVES OF VENUS. 191 



Their mistress, mounted, through the empty skies 

 In her light chariot quickly is convey'd ; 

 Holding their course to Paphos, where their queen 

 Means to immure herself and not be seen." 



This will also explain the reference to 



" The dove of Paphos.'' 



Pericles, Act iv. Introd. 



The towns of Old and New Paphos are situate on the 

 S.W. extremity of the coast of Cyprus. Old Paphos is 

 the one generally referred to by the poets, being the 

 peculiar seat of the worship of Venus, who was fabled to 

 have been wafted thither after her birth amid the waves. 

 The " dove of Paphos " therefore, may be considered as 

 synonymous with the " dove of Venus." Sometimes by 

 Paphos is understood the city of Cyprus, which is said to 

 have been founded by Paphos, son of Pygmalion, and 

 was known by his name : — 



" Ilia Paphon genuit : de quo tenet insula nomen." 



Ovid Metam. Bk. 10, Fab. 8. 



The Turtle-dove {Columba turtur) has been noticed by 

 poets in all ages as an emblem of love and constancy. 

 Shakespeare has — 



" When arm in arm they both came swiftly running, 

 Like to a pair of loving turtle-doves." 



Henry VI. Part I. Act ii. Sc. 2. 



