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'Idalia, a city famous for its grove sacred to Aphrodite, in which was the temple of Aphrodision, dedicated to the goddess whom the Phoenicians worshipped there under the name Astarte. The grove was called in Phoenician Idalach, the place of the goddess, whence Idalion. There grew in it the sweet herb amaracus, which the French call marjolaine, the Italians maggiorana, of whose sweet savour Vergil sings (AEn. I. 691-4) Over the limbs of her Ascan the tranquil waters of sleep Venus bestows, then bears him to groves on Idalia's steep, Lulled on her bosom. Beneath him a yielding amaracus laid Folds him in bright-hued flowers and in fragrant bowery shade.' Constantius, Archbishop of Sinai A Pleasant and brief Cypriad (1766) |
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