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For thou didst not
sing like the Cyclops—from him indeed the beautiful
Galatea fled—but she gazed sweetly on thee from the
salt water: and now forgetful of the sea, she sits on the
desert sands, and still feeds thy herds.

Word:

Nymph

Question:

Why did Galatea stop gazing sweetly on the speaker from the salt water and now sits on the desert sands to feed his herds?

Answer (optional):

The speakers in the passages, who are often the Muses of Sicily, lament the loss of the shepherd's music and song, which had the power to enchant nature and wildlife. The death of the shepherd has had a profound effect on the natural world, causing the trees to cast their fruit, the flowers to wither, and the milk from the ewes to cease flowing. Even the bees, who died in their hives, seem to have been affected by his passing. Galatea, who was once enchanted by the shepherd's song, now mourns him and sits on the desert sands feeding his herds. The passages also describe the mournful songs of other creatures, including nightingales, swallows, and doves, who lament the loss of the shepherd's song. The passages are characterized by a deep sense of grief and mourning over the shepherd's passing.