Her shape was of such perfect symmetry
As best to feign the industrious fainter knows, &c.
Stanza xi. lines 1 and 2.
I once considered the picture of Alcina, contained in this and the following stanza, which has been esteemed a model of perfect beauty, as uniting qualities which could hardly be found together; as black eyes and eye-brows and light hair. I have, however, seen a portrait, warranted to be an exact resemblance, which is a counterpart to that of Alcina. It is hardly necessary to observe that light hair, from its rarity, is usually esteemed a beauty among the southern people, and hence we read of the Roman ladies supplying themselves with wigs from the heads of the northern barbarians, brought prisoners to Rome. Some citations may illustrate this usage.
Externo tincta nitore caput.
In another place,
Turpis Romano Belgicus ore color:
and again,
Nunc tibi captivos mittit Germania crines.
Upon her tender cheek the mingled dye
Is scattered, of the lily and the rose.
Stanza xi. lines 5 and 6.
Candida purpureis lilia mista rosis.
Ovid.
Where Envy finds not blemish to amend.
Stanza xii. line 8.
Laudaret faciem Livor quoque.
Ovid.
