This pleasing composition, referred by critics to the Alexandrian
period, now in the Naples Museum, shows Ganymede standing by the side
of the eagle and passing his arm about the bird’s neck. The eagle is
placed on a stump so as to bring his head nearer to a level with the
boy’s arm.
[Illustration]
Cupid Stung.
“Cupid once upon a bed Of roses laid his weary head; Luckless urchin,
not to see Within the leaves a slumbering bee. The bee awaked--with
anger wild The bee awaked, and stung the child Loud and piteous are
his cries; To Venus quick he runs, he flies; ‘Oh, mother--I am wounded
through--I die with pain--in sooth I do! Stung by some little angry
thing, Some serpent on a tiny wing--A bee it was--for once I know, I
heard a rustic call it so.’ Thus he spoke, and she the while Heard him
with a soothing smile; Then said, ‘My infant, if so much Thou feel the
little wild-bee’s touch, How must the heart, ah, Cupid, be, The hapless
heart that’s stung by thee!’”
--_Moore._ (_Anacreon._)
[Illustration]
Cupid and Psyche.
“_Pallas shall sit enthroned in wisdom’s station
Cupid and Psyche be forever wed,
And still the primal loveliest creation
Yield new delight from ancient beauty bred._”
--E. C. STEDMAN.