Classic Poem

Here hath some sculptor carved with bold and skilful hand
The wandering waste of waves, the silver-fretted sand;
And shown with art divine Cythera from the sea
Emergent! Ah, the peer of even gods is he.
He pictures her indeed in all her naked pride,
Only what may not be revealed the billows hide.
White as a blown foam-flower she floats upon the wave,
Obsequious waters eagerly her body lave:
She cleaves them with her rose-tipped breasts and shoulders white;
With her all-gracious smile she makes the world more bright.
She colours as with rose the ambient briny ways,
She gleams a lily fair through violet-tinctured haze.
Eros and Himerus upon the mimic tide
Laughing, with reins loose-flung, two sportive dolphins ride.
Strange creatures of the deep round Paphia crowd to pay
Homage to beauty's queen, resplendent from the spray.