Such as hang on Hebe's cheek, 30 And Laughter, holding both his sides. On the light fantastic toe; And in thy right hand lead with thee 35 40 45 While the cock, with lively din. Scatters the rear of darkness thin; 50 And to the stack, or the barn-door, Stoutly struts his dames before: Oft listening how the hounds and horn Cheerly rouse the slumbering Morn, 55 Through the high wood echoing shrill: By hedge-row elms, on hillocks green, Where the great Sun begins his state, 60 Mountains, on whose barren breast Of herbs, and other country messes, Which the neat-handed Phillis dresses; And then in haste her bower she leaves, 75 80 85 Or, if the earlier season lead, To the tanned haycock in the mead. 90 The upland hamlets will invite, When the merry bells ring round, And the jocund rebecks sound To many a youth, and many a maid, 95 And young and old come forth to play Till the livelong daylight fail : Then to the spicy nut-brown ale, 100 With stories told of many a feat, 105 ΠΙΟ Ere the first cock his matin rings. Thus done the tales, to bed they creep, 115 Where throngs of knights and barons bold, 120 Rain influence, and judge the prize Of wit, or arms, while both contend To win her grace, whom all commend. 125 In saffron robe, with taper clear, Married to immortal verse; Such as the meeting soul may pierce 140 With wanton heed and giddy cunning; The melting voice through mazes running, The hidden soul of harmony; That Orpheus' self may heave his head 145 From golden slumber on a bed Of heaped Elysian flowers, and hear Such strains as would have won the ear His half-regained Eurydice. These delights if thou canst give, Mirth, with thee I mean to live. John Milton. 150 LXXXVI IL PENSEROSO. Hence, vain deluding Joys, The brood of Folly wthout father bred! How little you bested, Or fill the fixèd mind with all your toys! Dwell in some idle brain, And fancies fond with gaudy shapes possess, As thick and numberless As the gay motes that people the sunbeams; Or likest hovering dreams, The fickle pensioners of Morpheus' train. But hail, thou Goddess, sage and holy, Whose saintly visage is too bright To hit the sense of human sight, 5 10 And therefore to our weaker view O'erlaid with black, staid Wisdom's hue; Prince Memnon's sister might beseem, To set her beauty's praise above The sea-nymphs', and their powers offended: His daughter she; in Saturn's reign With a sad leaden downward cast Thou fix them on the earth as fast: And join with thee calm Peace, and Quiet, 45 Spare Fast, that oft with gods doth diet, And hears the Muses in a ring Aye round about Jove's altar sing: And add to these retired Leisure, That in trim gardens takes his pleasure: 50 |