This Mars, one of the most excellent works of ancient art, in the Villa
Ludovisi, Rome, is sometimes ascribed to Scopas.
The god, with unused sword and shield, is sitting in a careless, easy
attitude absorbed in reverie. It would seem to us from the little Cupid
at his feet that it is love for Venus which has overcome the god of
battles.
[Illustration]
Laocoon.
“_Or, turning to the Vatican, go see
Laocoon’s torture dignifying pain--
A father’s love and mortal agony
With an immortal patience blending; Vain
The struggle; vain, against the coiling strain
And gripe, and deep’ning of the dragon’s grasp,
The old man’s clinch; the enormous asp
Enforces pang on pang, and stifles gasp on gasp._”
--BYRON.