Note 266 — THE SHIELD OF HERCULES.

There also, laden with its fruit, he form’d A vineyard all of gold: purple he made The clusters: and the vines supported stood By poles of silver, set in even rows. The trench he colour’d sable, and around Fenced it with tin. One only path it show’d: By which the gatherers, when they stripp’d the vines, Pass’d and repass’d. There youths and maidens blithe In frails of wicker bore the luscious fruit; While in the midst a boy on his shrill harp Harmonious play’d: and ever as he struck The chord, sang to it with a slender voice. They smote the ground together, and with song And sprightly reed came dancing on behind. Cowper.