heroes with wondrous art." Then follows the principal part of the poem, which is a description of the pictures worked upon the tapestry of the bed. The subject of these is the history of Ariadne. We are to imagine the poet standing by the couch and pointing out the incidents portrayed, with their causes and consequences. This being concluded, the gods, and especially the Parcæ, are introduced to the marriage feast; and the latter, as they spin their thread, "utter soothsaying canticles." Catullus has given us a veritable example of the Roman wedding song in his epithalamium on the marriage of Manlius and Julia. Of this Julia we know nothing further than that she was of the Cotta family; Manlius was of the illustrious lineage of the Torquati. If only there were historic warrant for believing that this couple were as charming in their personalities as they are described in this poem, and that all the good wishes therein expressed did really materialize, the marriage of Manlius and Julia might stand for all time as the _summum bonum_ of wedded felicity. A few stanzas from Lamb's translation will serve to illustrate the character of the epithalamium, and will also fairly indicate the place and nature of sentiment in the Roman conception of the marriage relation. "When Venus claim'd the golden prize, And bless'd the Phrygian shepherd's eyes; No brighter charms his judgment sway'd Than those that grace this mortal maid; And every sigh and omen fair The nuptials hail, and greet the pair. "Propitiate here the maiden's vows, And lead her fondly to her spouse; And firm as ivy clinging holds The tree it grasps in mazy folds, Let virtuous love as firmly bind The tender passions of her mind. "Ye virgins, whom a day like this Awaits to greet with equal bliss, Oh! join the song, your voices raise To hail the god we love to praise. O Hymen! god of faithful pairs; O Hymen! hear our earnest prayers. "Invoked by sires with anxious fear, Their children's days with bliss to cheer; By maidens, who to thee alone Unloose the chaste, the virgin zone; By fervid bridegrooms, whose delight Is stay'd till thou hast bless'd the rite. "Raise, boys, the beaming torches high! She comes--but veil'd from every eye; The deeper dyes her blushes hide; With songs, with pæans greet the bride! Hail, Hymen! god of faithful pairs, Hail, Hymen! who hast heard our prayers. "Riches, and power, and rank, and state, With Manlius' love thy days await; These all thy youth shall proudly cheer, And these shall nurse thy latest year. Hail, Hymen! god of faithful pairs! Hail, Hymen! who hast heard our prayers.