On it likewise he placed a vineyard, heavily laden with grapes, beautiful, golden; but the clusters throughout were black; and it was supported throughout by silver poles. Round it he drew an azure trench, and about it a hedge[614] of tin; but there was only one path to it, by which the gatherers went when they collected the vintage. Young virgins and youths, of tender minds, bore the luscious fruit in woven baskets,[615] in the midst of whom a boy played sweetly on a shrill harp; and with tender voice sang gracefully to the chord; whilst they, beating [the ground] in unison with dancing and shouts, followed, skipping with their feet.
[Footnote 614: [Greek: Ephyteusen ampelona, kai phragmon auto perieteke]. Matt, xxi 33. See Rosemueller on Jer. v. 5.]
[Footnote 615: "Vimineis calathis," Copa, 16. Propert. iii. 11, 31.]
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