Of the many representations of Bacchus this statue in the Naples Museum
is considered one of the most lovely. It is full of gladness and is
simple, delicate and beautiful. The child Bacchus is carried on the
shoulders of a faun. He holds a bunch of grapes in one hand and clasps
the head of the faun with the other. The faun is playing on cymbals and
looks back and up at Bacchus with a happy smile.
[Illustration]
Apollo and Daphne.
“_Was it not well, Apollo, for revenge
Of thine, my stronghold should imprison me?
Surely thou art content. No dream of thine
For mockery, because I loved thee not,
Could have matched bitterness with this, this spell
That holds me fast in answer to my prayer._
_Then crown thy lyre, if thou wilt so,
With my unwilling leaves. And let them be
Symbol to men, of triumph; nay, but hear;
To thee, memorial that I whisper now:
The eternal thing thou shall not overtake,
Token of Daphne whom thou couldst not thrall,
And Song that hath the sov’reignty,--not thou._”
--J. P. PEABODY.