THE DOVES OF VENUS. 
19 
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. 
