by William Jones

“ Youth's purple glow, and beauty's rosy beam.
The floating ringlets of his musky hair
Wav'd on the bosom of the wanton air:
With modest grace the goddess he addrest,
And thoughtless thus preferr'd his fond request,
"Queen of the world, whose wide-extended sway,
"Gay youth, firm manhood, and cold age obey,
"Grant me, while life's fresh blooming roses smile,
"The day with varied pleasures to beguile;
"Let me on beds of dewy flowers recline,
"And quaff with glowing lips the sparkling wine;
"Grant me to feed on beauty's rifled charms,
"And clasp a willing damsel in my arms ”

“ The goddess grants the simple youth's request,
And mildly thus accosts her lovely guest:
"On that smooth mirror, full of magick lights
"Awhile, dear Maia, fix thy wandering sight"
She looks; and in th' enchanted crystal sees
A bower o'er-canopied with tufted trees:
The wanton stripling lies beneath the shade,
And by his side reclines a blooming maid ”

“ Their glowing tints unwillingly display.
The youth, while joy sits sparkling in his eyes,
Pants on her neck, and on her bosom dies;
From her smooth cheek nectareous dew he sips,
And all his soul comes breathing to his lips.
But Maia turns her modest eyes away,
And blushes to behold their amorous play. ”

“ Time's envious hand had plough'd his wrinkled face,
Yet on those wrinkles fat superiour grace;
Still full of fire appear'd his vivid eye,
Darted quick beams, and seem'd to pierce the sky,
At length, with gentle voice and look serene,
He wav'd his hand, and thus address'd the queen;
"Twice forty winters tip my beard with snow,
"And age's chilling gulls around me blow:
"In early youth, by contemplation led,
"With high pursuits my flatter'd thoughts were fed ”

“ Then plaintive speaks, "Ah! fond mistaken maid,
"How was thy mind by gilded hopes betray'd!
"Why didst thou with for bowers and flowery hills,
"For smiling meadows, and for purling rills;
"Since on those hills no youth or damsel roves,
"No shepherd haunts the solitary groves?
"Ye meads that glow with intermingled dyes,
"Ye flowering palms that from yon hillocks rise,
"Ye quivering brooks that softly murmur by,
"Ye panting gales that on the branches die;
"Ah! why has Nature through her gay domain
"Display'd your beauties, yet display'd in vain? ”

“ A winged youth, for mortal eyes too fair,
Shot like a meteor through the dusky air;
His heavenly charms o'ercame her dazled fight,
And drown'd her senses in a flood of light;
His sunny plumes defending he display'd,
And softly thus address'd the mournful maid:
"Say, thou, who dost yon wondrous ring possess,
"What cares disturb thee, or what wants oppress;
"To faithful ears disclose thy secret grief,
"And hope (so heaven ordains) a quick relief."
The maid replied, "Ah, sacred genius, bear
"A hopeless damsel from this land of care ”

“ Flow'd o'er the lawn, and swept the pearly dew;
O'er the fresh turf they sprinkled sweet perfume,
And strow'd with flowers the venerable tomb.
A graceful matron walk'd before the train,
When from her face her silken veil she drew,
The watchful maid her aged mother knew.
O'erpowered with bursting joy she runs to meet
The mourning dame, and falls before her feet. ”

“ And heaven's blue fields with brighter radiance smil'd,
Now in a garden deck'd with verdant bowers
The glittering car descends on bending flowers:
The goddess still with looks divinely fair
Surveys the sleeping objecr of her care ”