And on a rock of ice by magick rais'd
High in the midst a gorgeous palace blaz'd;
The funbeams on the gilded portals glanc'd,
Play'd on the fpires, and on the turrets danc'd;
To four bright gates four iv'ry bridges led,
With pearls illumin'd, and with roses spread:
And now, more radiant than the morning fun
Her eafy way the gliding goddess won;
Still by her hand fhe held the fearful maid,
And as the pafs'd the fairies homage paid:
They enter'd straight the sumptuous palace-hall,
Where filken tapesftry emblaz'd the wall,
Refulgent tissue, of an heav'nly woof;
And gems unnumber'd sparkled on the roof,
On whose blue arch the flaming diamonds play'd,
As on a sky with living ftars inlay'd:
Of precious diadems a regal ftore,
With globes and fceptres, ftrew'd the porph'ry floor;
Rich vefts of eastern kings around were spread,
And glitt'ring zones a ftarry radiance fhed:
But Maia most admir'd the pearly ftrings,
Gay bracelets, golden chains, and sparkling rings.
High in the centre of the palace fhone,
Sufpended in mid-air, an opal throne:
To this the queen ascends with royal pride,
And fets the favour'd damfel by her fide.
Around the throne in myftick order stand
The fairy train, and wait her high command;
When thus she speaks: (the maid attentive fips
Each word that flows, like nectar, from her lips.)
"Fav'rite of heav'n, my much lov'd Maia, know,
"From me all joys, all earthly bleffings flow:
"Me fuppliant men imperial Fortune call,
"The mighty emprefs of yon rolling ball:
(She rais'd her finger, and the wond'ring maid
At distance hung the dusky globe survey'd,
Saw the round earth with foaming oceans vein'd,
And lab'ring clouds on mountain tops sustain’d.)
"To me has fate the pleafing task affign'd
"To rule the various thoughts of humankind;
"To catch each rifing wifh, each ardent pray'r,
"And fome to grant, and some to waste in air:
"Know farther; as I rang'd the crystal sky,
"I saw thee near the murm'ring fountain lie;
"Mark'd the rough ftorm that gather'd in thy breast,
"And knew what care thy joylefs foul oppreft.
"Straight I refolv'd to bring thee quick relief,
"Ease ev'ry weight, and soften ev'ry grief;
"If in this court contented thou canst live,
"And taste the joys these happy gardens give :
"But fill thy mind with vain defires no more,
"And view without a wish yon shining store :
"Soon fhall a num'rous train before me bend,
"And kneeling votaries my shrine attend;
"Warn'd by their empty vanities beware,
"And scorn the folly of each human pray'r.”
She faid; and ftraight a damfel of her train
With tender fingers touch'd a golden chain:
Now a foft bell delighted Maia hears
That sweetly trembles on her lift'ning ears;
Through the calm air the melting numbers float,
And wanton echo lengthens every note.
Soon through the dome a mingled hum arose,
Like the swift ftream that o'er a valley flows;
Now louder ftill it grew, and still more loud,
As diftant thunder breaks the bursting cloud :
Through the four portals rufh'd a various throng,
That like a wintry torrent pour'd along :
A croud of ev'ry tongue, and ev'ry hue,
Tow'rd the bright throne with eager rapture flew.
* A lovely ftripling step'd before the reft
With hafty pace, and tow'rd the goddess prest;
His mien was graceful, and his looks were mild,
And in his eyes celeftial sweetness fmil'd:
Youth's purple glow, and beauty's rofy beam
O'er his smooth cheeks diffus'd a lively gleam;
The floating ringlets of his musky hair
Wav'd on the bofom of the wanton air:
grace the goddess he addrest,
And thoughtless thus prefer'd his fond request.
Queen of the world, whofe wide extended fway,
Gay youth, firm manhood, and cold age obey,
"Grant me while life's fresh blooming roses fmile,
"The day with varied pleasures to beguile;
"Let me on beds of dewy flow'rs recline,
"And quaff with glowing lips the sparkling wine; "Grant me to feed on beauty's rifled charms,
"And clasp a willing damfel in my arms;
"Her bofom fairer than a hill of fnow,
"And gently bounding like a playful roe,
"Her lips more fragrant than the fummer air,
"And sweet as Scythian musk her hyacinthine hair :
|