Nor could he, had he searched the whole world through, Than this a more delightful country see.... Soft meads, clear streams, and banks affording shade, Hillocks and plains, by culture fertile made. Fair thickets of the cedar, palm and no Less pleasant myrtle, of the laurel sweet, Of orange trees, where fruit and flow'rs did grow, And which in various forms, all lovely, meet With their thick shades against the fervid glow Of summer days, afforded a retreat; And nightingales, devoid of fear, among Those branches fluttered, pouring forth their song. Amid the lilies white and roses red, Ever more freshened by the tepid air, The stag was seen, with his proud lofty head, And feeling safe, the rabbit and the hare.... Sapphires and rubies, topazes, pearls, gold, Hyacinths, chrysolites, and diamonds were Like the night flow'rs, which did their leaves unfold There on those glad plains, painted by the air So green the grass, that if we did behold It here, no emeralds could therewith compare; As fair the foliage of the trees was, which With fruit and flow'r eternally were rich. Amid the boughs, sing yellow, white, and blue, And red and green small feathered creatures gay; The crystals less limpidity of hue Than the still lakes or murmuring brooks display. A gentle breeze, that seemeth still to woo And never change from its accustomed way, Made all around so tremulous the air That no annoyance was the day's hot glare. (Canto 34.) Descriptions of time are short: From the hard face of earth the sun's bright hue Not yet its veil obscure and dark did rend; The Lycaonian offspring scarcely through The furrows of the sky his plough did send. (Canto 80.) Comparisons, especially about the beauty of women, are very artistic, recalling Sappho and Catullus: The tender maid is like unto the rose In the fair garden on its native thorn; Whilst it alone and safely doth repose, Nor flock nor shepherd crops it; dewy morn, Water and earth, the breeze that sweetly blows, Are gracious to it; lovely dames adorn With it their bosoms and their beautiful Brows; it enamoured youths delight to cull. (Canto 1.) Only, Alcina fairest was by far As is the sun more fair than every star.... Milk is the bosom, of luxuriant size, And the fair neck is round and snowy white; Two unripe ivory apples fall and rise Like waves upon the sea-beach when a slight Breeze stirs the ocean. (Canto 7.) Now in a gulf of bliss up to the eyes And of fair things, to swim he doth begin. (Canto 7.) So closely doth the ivy not enlace The tree where firmly rooted it doth stand, As clasp each other in their warm embrace These lovers, by each other's sweet breath fanned. Sweet flower, of which on India's shore no trace Is, or on the Sabæan odorous sand. (Canto 7.)