And placed before the lovers; and, meanwhile,

Melodious breathings from unfingered lutes,

Warblings from unseen nightingales, and songs

From lips uncrimsoned, scattered music round.

So fled the light-shod moments, hour by hour,

While the grim husband clanged upon his forge

In lurid caverns of the distant isle,

Unboding, and unheeded in his home,

Save with a scornful jest. Till now the crown

Of Artemis shone at her topmost height: