Mark what radiant state she spreads, Sitting like a goddess bright Might she the wise Latona be, Who had thought this clime had held As they come forward, THE GENIUS OF THE WOOD appears, and. turning toward them, speaks. Gen. Stay, gentle Swains, for, though in this disguise, I see bright honour sparkle through your eyes; Of famous Arcady ye are, and sprung Of that renowned flood, so often sung, Divine Alpheus, who, by secret sluice, Stole under seas to meet his Arethuse; And ye, the breathing roses of the wood, Fair silver-buskined Nymphs, as great and good. I know this quest of yours and free intent Was all in honour and devotion meant To the great mistress of yon princely shrine, Whom with low reverence I adore as mine, And with all helpful service will comply To further this night's glad solemnity, And lead ye where ye may more near behold What shallow-searching Fame hath left untold; Which I full oft, amidst these shades alone, Have sat to wonder at, and gaze upon. For know, by lot from Jove, I am the Power Of this fair wood, and live in oaken bower, To nurse the saplings tall, and curl the grove With ringlets quaint and wanton windings wove; And all my plants I save from nightly ill Of noisome winds and blasting vapours chill; And from the boughs brush off the evil dew, 20 30 40 50 And heal the harms of thwarting thunder blue, 60 70 80 90 I will bring you where she sits, Such a rural Queen All Arcadia hath not seen. III. SONG Nymphs and Shepherds, dance no more Bring your flocks, and live with us; Though Syrinx your Pan's mistress were, All Arcadia hath not seen. 100 AT A SOLEMN MUSIC BLEST pair of Sirens, pledges of Heaven's joy, With saintly shout and solemn jubilee; ΤΟ Singing everlastingly: That we on Earth, with undiscording voice, Jarred against nature's chime, and with harsh din To their great Lord, whose love their motion swayed In perfect diapason, whilst they stood In first obedience, and their state of good. O, may we soon again renew that song, And keep in tune with Heaven, till God ere long To live with him, and sing in endless morn of light! 20 ON TIME FLY, envious Time, till thou run out thy race: Whose speed is but the heavy plummet's pace; So little is our loss, So little is thy gain! For, when as each thing bad thou hast entombed, And, last of all, thy greedy self consumed, Then long Eternity shall greet our bliss With an individual kiss, And Joy shall overtake us as a flood; When every thing that is sincerely good, And perfectly divine, With Truth, and Peace, and Love, shall ever shine About the supreme throne Of him, to whose happy-making sight alone When once our heavenly-guided soul shall climb, Attired with stars we shall for ever sit, 10 20 Triumphing over Death, and Chance, and thee, O Time! UPON THE CIRCUMCISION YE flaming Powers, and winged Warriors bright, Seas wept from our deep sorrow. He who with all Heaven's heraldry whilere Sore doth begin His infancy to seize! O more exceeding love, or law more just? And that great covenant which we still transgress And the full wrath beside Of vengeful justice bore for our excess, And seals obedience first with wounding smart This day; but oh! ere long, Huge pangs and strong Will pierce more near his heart. |