Addison, Joseph: Remarks on several parts of Italy: &c. in the years 1701, 1702, 1703 (London: Tonson, 1718)

ui6 From Naples to
of Chambers that have been, cut into
the Sides of it. Among the many Fa-
bles and Conjectures which have been
made on this Grotto, I think it is high-
ly probable, that it was once inhabited
by such as perhaps thought it a better
Shelter against the Sun than any other
kind of Building, or at least that it was
made with smaller Trouble and Expence.
As for the Mosaic, and other Works
that may be found in it, they may very
well have been added in later Ages, ac-
cording as they thought fit to put the
Place to different Uses. The Story of
the Cimmerians is indeed clogg’d with
Improbabilities, as Strabo relates it, but
it is very likely there was in it some
Foundation of Truth. Homer’s Descri-
ption of the Cimmerians^ whom he pla-
ces in these Parts, answers very well to
the Inhabitants of such a long dark Ca-
vern.
The gloomy Race, in Subterraneous
Cells,
Among surrounding Shades and Dark-
ness dwellsj
Hid in th’ unwholsome Covert of the
Night,
Theyihun th’Approaches of the chear-
ful Light:
The