In the beginning the Earth did not present the beautiful appearance that it does now. […] The most beautiful statue of him is the Apollo Belvedere, which represents him at the moment of his conquest of the Python. […] The statue became so beautiful under his practised hand that even before it was entirely finished its author loved it. […] The prayer was granted, and Berenice’s beautiful locks laid upon Venus’ shrine, whence they, however, very mysteriously disappeared. […] Attention was first attracted by a group of beautiful maidens who carried water to fill a bottomless cask.