Whose silken fins, and golden scales' light Ah! could I tell the wonders of an isle Of the bright waters; or as when on high, 15 20 25 Through clouds of fleecy white, laughs the cœrulean sky. And all around it dipp'd luxuriously Slopings of verdure through the glossy tide, Which, as it were in gentle amity, 30 Rippled delighted up the flowery side; As if to glean the ruddy tears, it try'd, Which fell profusely from the rose-tree stem! Haply it was the workings of its pride, In strife to throw upon the shore a gem Outvieing all the buds in Flora's diadem. 35 (29) In line 29 the transcript reads glassy for glossy; and this is likely enough to be right. WOMAN! when I behold thee flippant, vain, E'en then, elate, my spirit leaps, and prances, For that to love, so long, I've dormant lain : But when I see thee meek, and kind, and tender, A very Red Cross Knight-a stout Leander- Light feet, dark violet eyes, and parted hair; Soft dimpled hands, white neck, and creamy breast, Are things on which the dazzled senses rest Till the fond, fixed eyes, forget they stare. From such fine pictures, heavens! I cannot dare To turn my admiration, though unpossess'd They be of what is worthy, though not drest In lovely modesty, and virtues rare. 5 1Ο 15 20 Yet these I leave as thoughtless as a lark; These lures I straight forget,-e'en ere I dine, To catch the tunings of a voice divine. 25 Ah! who can e'er forget so fair a being? Who can forget her half retiring sweets? 30 For man's protection. Surely the All-seeing, 35 Had I e'er seen her from an arbour take A dewy flower, oft would that hand appear, 40 And o'er my eyes the trembling moisture shake. |