For mid the quiv'ring light 'tis ours to play,
Aye dancing to the cadence of the stream.

VIII.

Welcome, LADIES! to the cell,

Where the blameless PIXIES dwell.

But thou, sweet Nymph! proclaim'd our Faery Queen,

With what obeisance meet

Thy presence shall we greet?

For lo! attendant on thy steps are seen

Graceful EASE in artless stole,

And white-rob'd PURITY of soul,

With HONOR's softer mien :

MIRTH of the loosely-flowing hair,

And meek ey'd PITY eloquently fair,

Whose tearful cheeks are lovely to the view,

As snow-drop wet with dew.

IX.

Unboastful Maid! tho' now the LILY pale

Transparent grace thy beauties meek;

Yet ere again along th' impurpling vale,
The purpling vale and elfin-haunted grove,

Young Zephyr his fresh flowers profusely throws,
We'll tinge with livelier hues thy cheek!

And haply from the nectar-breathing Rose

Extract a BLUSH for LOVE!

THE ROSE.

As late each flower that sweetest blows

I pluck'd, the Garden's pride!

Within the petals of a Rose.
A sleeping Love I spied.

Around his brows a beamy wreath

Of many a lucent hue

All purple glow'd his cheek, beneath,

Inebriate with dew.

I softly seiz'd th' unguarded Power,

Nor scar'd his balmy rest;

And plac'd him, cag'd within the flower, On spotless SARA's breast.

But when unweeting of the guile
Awoke the pris'ner sweet,

He struggled to escape awhile

And stamp'd his faery feet.

Ah! soon the soul-entrancing sight

Subdued th' impatient boy!

He gaz'd! he thrill'd with deep delight! Then clapp'd his wings for joy.

And ô! he cried-" Of magic kind

"What charms this Throne endear!

"Some other LOVE let Venus find

"I'll fix my empire here.

KISSES.

Cupid, if storying* Legends tell aright,
Once fram'd a rich Elixir of Delight.

A Chalice o'er love-kindled flames he fix'd,
And in it Nectar and Ambrosia mix'd:

With these the magic dews which Evening brings,
Brush'd ftom the Idalian star by faery wings :

* Effinxit quondam blandum meditata laborem
Basia lascivâ Cypria Diva manâ.
Ambrosiæ succos occultâ temperat arte,
Fragransque infuso nectare tingit opus.
Sufficit et partem mellis, quod subdolus olim
Non impune favis surripuisset Amor.
Decussos violæ foliis admiscet odores

Et spolia æstivis plurima rapta rosis.
Addit et illecebras et mille et mille lepores,
Et quot Acidalius guadia Cestus habet.
Ex his composuit Dea basia; et omnia libans
Invenias nitidæ sparsa per ora Cloës.

Carm. Quad. vol. II.