The island Delos was particularly frequented upon this account; and the sailors seem to have undergone some severe discipline at the altar of the God, in order to obtain his favour. [800]Αστεριη, πολυβωμε, πολυλλιτε, τις δε σε ναυτης Εμπορος Αιγαιοιο παρηλυθε νηι θεουσῃ· Ουχ' ὁυτω μεγαλοι μιν επιπνειουσιν αηται, Χρειω δ' ὁττι ταχιστον αγει πλοον, αλλα τα λαιφη Ωκεες εστειλαντο, και ου παλιν αυθις εβησαν, Πριν μεγαν η σεο βωμον ὑπο πληγησιν ἑλιξαι Ρησσομενοι---- O! ever crown'd with altars, ever blest, Lovely Asteria, in how high repute Stands thy fair temple 'mid the various tribes Who ply the Ægean. Though their business claims Dispatch immediate; though the inviting gales Ill brook the lingering mariners' delay: Soon as they reach thy soundings, down at once Drop the slack sails, and all the naval gear. The ship is moor'd: nor do the crew presume To quit thy sacred limits, 'till they have pass'd A painful penance; with the galling whip Lash'd thrice around thine altar. This island was greatly esteemed for its sanctity, and there used to be a wonderful concourse of people from all nations continually resorting to its temple. The priests, in consequence of it, had hymns composed in almost all languages. It is moreover said of the female attendants, that they could imitate the speech of various people; and were well versed in the histories of foreign parts, and of antient times. Homer speaks of these extraordinary qualifications as if he had been an eye-witness: [801]Προς δε τοδε μεγα θαυμα, ὁτου κλεος ουποτ' ολειται. Κουραι Δηλιαδες, Ἑκατηβελετεω θεραπαιναι, Ἁιτ' επει αν πρωτον μεν Απολλων' ὑμνησωσιν, Αυτις δ' αυ Λητω τε, και Αρτεμιν ιοχεαιρην, Μνησαμεναι ανδρων τε παλαιων, ηδε γυναικων, Ὑμνον αειδουσιν, θελγουσι δε φυλ' ανθρωπων. Παντων δ' ανθρωπων φωνας, και Κρομβαλιαστυν Μιμεισθαι ισασι· φαιης δε κεν αυτος ἑκαστον Φθεγγεσθαι, ὁυτω σφι καλη συναρηρεν αοιδη. The Delian nymphs, who tend Apollo's shrine, When they begin their tuneful hymns, first praise The mighty God of day: to his they join Latona's name, and Artemis, far fam'd For her fleet arrows and unerring bow. Of heroes next, and heroines, they sing, And deeds of antient prowess. Crowds around, Of every region, every language, stand In mute applause, sooth'd with the pleasing lay. Vers'd in each art and every power of speech, The Delians mimick all who come: to them All language is familiar: you would think The natives spoke of every different clime. Such are their winning ways: so sweet their song.