P Y G M A L I O N
was a statuary, celebrated in Cyprus for the exquisite skill of his statues. He became disgusted to such a degree with the debauchery of the females of Amathus, that he resolved never to marry, but to devote himself to his art.
In this he became so proficient, that his marble busts seemed almost like life—and one, the figure of a female, was regarded by him with such affection that he grew deeply enamoured of it,
worshipping it with all the devotion which mortals usually pay to woman.
The passion increased, and the gods, pitying his despair, changed the statue into that of a beautiful female, whom he married, and had by her a son called Paphos, who founded the town of the same name in Cyprus.
"There was a statuary, one who loved
And worshipped the white marble that he shaped;
Till, as the story goes, the Cyprus' queen,
Or some such fine, kind hearted deity,
Touched the pale stone with life, and it became