Were aw'd, and every thought in silence hung, These heavenly orbs, the glad abodes of life Through endless forms of being. Each inhal'd In measure such, that, from the wide complex That all conspir'd to his supreme design, His goodness to reveal; through every age, The vast harmonious frame: his parent hand, To higher scenes of being; while supply'd To fill the void below. As flame ascends, "That rocky pile thou seest, that verdant lawn Fresh-water'd from the mountains. Paint in thy fancy the primeval seat Let the scene Of man, and where the will supreme ordain'd His mansion, that pavilion fair diffus'd Along the shady brink; in this recess To wear the appointed season of his youth, Till riper hours should open to his toil The high communion of superior minds, Of consecrated heroes and of gods. Nor did the Sire Omnipotent forget His tender bloom to cherish; nor withheld Celestial footsteps from his green abode. Oft from the radiant honours of his throne, He sent whom most he lov'd, the sovereign fair, The effluence of his glory, whom he plac'd Before his eyes for ever to behold; The goddess from whose inspiration flows The toil of patriots, the delight of friends; Without whose work divine, in Heaven or Earth, Nought lovely, nought propitious, comes to pass, Nor hope, nor praise, nor honour. Her the Sire Gave it in charge to rear the blooming mind, The folded powers to open, to direct The growth luxuriant of his young desires, And from the laws of this majestic world To teach him what was good. As thus the nymph Her daily care attended, by her side With constant steps her gay companions stay'd, Of smiles, and graceful gladness, and delights And powers immortal. See the shining pair! Behold, where from his dwelling now disclos'd They quit their youthful charge and seek the skies. "I look'd, and on the flowery turf there stood, Between two radiant forms, a smiling youth, Whose tender cheeks display'd the vernal flower Of beauty; sweetest innocence illum'd His bashful eyes, and on his polish'd brow Sate young Simplicity. With fond regard He view'd the associates, as their steps they mov'd; The younger chief his ardent eyes detain'd, With mild regret invoking her return. Bright as the star of evening she appear'd Amid the dusky scene. Eternal youth O'er all her form its glowing honours breath'd; And smiles eternal from her candid eyes Flow'd, like the dewy lustre of the morn Effusive trembling on the placid waves. The spring of Heaven had shed its blushing spoils To bind her sable tresses: full diffus'd Her yellow mantle floated in the breeze; And in her hand she wav'd a living branch Rich with immortal fruits, of power to calm The wrathful heart, and from the brightening eyes To chase the cloud of sadness. The heavenly partner mov'd. More sublime The prime of age Compos'd her steps. The presence of a god, Free in her graceful hand she pois'd the sword Display'd the old simplicity of pomp Around her honour'd head. A matron's robe, White as the sunshine streams through vernal clouds, Her stately form invested. Hand in hand And through the fragrant air ethereal dews Bending down to Earth I stood, With dumb attention. Soon a female voice, As watery murmurs sweet, or warbling shades, "Father of gods and mortals! whose right arm With reins eternal guides the moving heavens, Bend thy propitious ear. Behold well pleas'd I seek to finish thy divine decree. With frequent steps I visit yonder seat Of man, thy offspring; from the tender seeds The latent honours of his generous frame; |