[Page 3]. ll. [1-6]. before the faery broods . . . lawns, i.e. before mediaeval fairy-lore had superseded classical mythology.
l. [2]. Satyr, a horned and goat-legged demi-god of the woods.
l. [5]. Dryads, wood-nymphs, who lived in trees. The life of each terminated with that of the tree over which she presided. Cf. Landor's 'Hamadryad'.
l. [5]. Fauns. The Roman name corresponding to the Greek Satyr.
l. [7]. Hermes, or Mercury, the messenger of the Gods. He is always represented with winged shoes, a winged helmet, and a winged staff, bound about with living serpents.
[Page 4]. l. [15]. Tritons, sea-gods, half-man, half-fish. Cf. Wordsworth, 'Or hear old Triton blow his wreathed horn' (Sonnet—'The World is too much with us').
l. [19]. unknown to any Muse, beyond the imagination of any poet.
[Page 5]. l. [28]. passion new. He has often before been to earth on similar errands. Cf. ever-smitten, l. 7, also ll. [80-93].
l. [42]. dove-footed. Cf. note on l. 7.
[Page 6]. l. [46]. cirque-couchant, lying twisted into a circle. Cf. wreathed tomb, l. [38].