Nigh river’s mouth or foreland, where the wind Veers oft, as oft so steers, and shifts her sail; So varied he, and of his tortuous train Curled many a wanton wreath in sight of Eve. … Oft he bowed His turret crest, and sleek enamelled neck, Fawning; and licked the ground whereon she trod.”

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In the original al sommo smalto , to the highest enamel; referring either to the Terrestrial Paradise, enamelled with flowers, or to the highest heaven enamelled with stars. The azure-stone, pierre d’azur , or lapis lazuli, is perhaps a fair equivalent for the smalto , particularly if the reference be to the sky. ↩