Book 15
30
The author, too, of the Cyprian Poems gives lists of the flowers which are suitable to be made into garlands, whether he was Hegesias, or Stasinus, or any one else; for Demodamas, who was either a Halicarnassian or Milesian, in his History of Halicarnassus, says that the Cyprian Poems were the work of a citizen of Halicarnassus: however, the author, whoever he was, in his eleventh book, speaks thus:— Then did the Graces, and the smiling Hours, Make themselves garments rich with various hues, And dyed them in the varied flowers that Spring And the sweet Seasons in their bosom bear. In crocus, hyacinth, and blooming violet, And the sweet petals of the peerless rose, So fragrant, so divine; nor did they scorn The dewy cups of the ambrosial flower That boasts Narcissus' name. Such robes, perfumed With the rich treasures of revolving seasons, The golden Venus wears. And this poet appears also to have been acquainted with the use of garlands, when he says— And when the smiling Venus with her train Had woven fragrant garlands of the treasures The flowery earth puts forth, the goddesses All crown'd their heads with their queen's precious work,— The Nymphs and Graces, and the golden Venus,— And raised a tuneful song round Ida's springs.
