The flute was invented by Pan, and formed of seven reeds, which he called
Syrinx, in honour of a beautiful nymph of the same name, who, refusing his
addresses, was changed into a reed.
----------------"A nymph of late there was,
Whose heavenly form her fellows did surpass,
The pride and joy of fair Arcadia's plains,
Beloved by deities, adored by swains.
Like Phoebe clad, e'en Phoebe's self she seems,
So tall, so straight, such well proportioned limbs,
The nicest eye did no distinction know
But that the goddess bore a golden bow,
Descending from Lycaeus, Pan admires
The matchless nymph, and burns with new desires.
A crown of pine upon his head he wore,
And then began her pity to implore.
But ere he thus began, she took her flight,
So swift she was already out of sight,
Nor staid to hear the courtship of the god:
But bent her course to Ladon's gentle flood:
There by the river stopped, and tired before
Relief from water-nymphs her prayers implore,
Now while the rural god with speedy pace,
Just thought to strain her in his strict embrace,
He filled his arms with reeds, new rising in the place:
And while he sighs his ill success to find,
The tender canes were shaken by the wind,
And breathed a mournful air unheard before,
That much surprizing Pan, yet pleased him more,
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Admiring this new music, 'Thou' he said,
'Who cans't not be the partner of my bed,
At least shall be the consort of my mind,
And often, often to my lips be joined.'
He formed the reeds, proportioned as they are,
Unequal in their length and waxed with care,
They still retain the name of his ungrateful fair."