DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.55699#0334
270 THE LANDSCAPE ANNUAL.
fertile plain spread between the mountains, and extend-
ing to the lake Pie de Lugo.
“ This beautiful expanse of water, about a mile in
breadth, fills the defile, and meanders between the moun-
tains for some miles. The way to it from the fall is by a
path winding along the foot of the mountain, and leading
to a cottage, where you may take a boat, and cross to a
bold promontory opposite. There, seated in the shade,
you may enjoy the view of the waters, of the bordering
mountains, of the towns perched on their sides, the vil-
lage Pie du Lugo, and rising behind it the old castle of
Labro, whose dismantled towers crown a regular hill,
while its shattered walls run in long lines down the de-
clivity. We were here entertained with aa echo the
most articulate, the most retentive, and the most musical
I ever heard, repeating even a whole verse of a song, in
a softer and more plaintive tone indeed, but with sur-
prising precision and distinctness. We sat for some time
on the point of the promontory, partly to enjoy the view,
and partly to listen to the strains of this invisible song-
stress, and then crossed the lake to the village now
called Pie di Luco, or ‘ ad Pedes Luci*.’ This name
is probably derived from a grove which formerly covered
the hill, and was sacred to Velinia, the goddess who pre-
sided over the ‘ Lacus Velinusf.’ Around and above the
lake are the ‘ Roscida rura Velini j,” so celebrated for
their dews and fertility, and always so interesting for
their variety and beauty.
* The foot of the grove. f The Velinian lake.
| The dewy fields of the Velinus.
fertile plain spread between the mountains, and extend-
ing to the lake Pie de Lugo.
“ This beautiful expanse of water, about a mile in
breadth, fills the defile, and meanders between the moun-
tains for some miles. The way to it from the fall is by a
path winding along the foot of the mountain, and leading
to a cottage, where you may take a boat, and cross to a
bold promontory opposite. There, seated in the shade,
you may enjoy the view of the waters, of the bordering
mountains, of the towns perched on their sides, the vil-
lage Pie du Lugo, and rising behind it the old castle of
Labro, whose dismantled towers crown a regular hill,
while its shattered walls run in long lines down the de-
clivity. We were here entertained with aa echo the
most articulate, the most retentive, and the most musical
I ever heard, repeating even a whole verse of a song, in
a softer and more plaintive tone indeed, but with sur-
prising precision and distinctness. We sat for some time
on the point of the promontory, partly to enjoy the view,
and partly to listen to the strains of this invisible song-
stress, and then crossed the lake to the village now
called Pie di Luco, or ‘ ad Pedes Luci*.’ This name
is probably derived from a grove which formerly covered
the hill, and was sacred to Velinia, the goddess who pre-
sided over the ‘ Lacus Velinusf.’ Around and above the
lake are the ‘ Roscida rura Velini j,” so celebrated for
their dews and fertility, and always so interesting for
their variety and beauty.
* The foot of the grove. f The Velinian lake.
| The dewy fields of the Velinus.