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"A fullen, dire, inhofpitable cell,

"Where deathful spirits and magicians dwell.
"Farewel dear youth; how will our bofoms burn
"For the fweet moment of our bleft return."

The king, who found it useless to complain,
Took the fev'n keys, and kiss'd the parting train.
A glitt'ring car, which bounding courfers drew,
They mounted straight, and through the forest flew.

The youth, unknowing how to pass the day, Review'd the bow'rs, and heard the fountains play; By hands unseen whate'er he wish'd was brought, And pleasures rofe obedient to his thought.

Yet all the fweets that ravifh'd him before

Were tedious now, and charm'd his foul no more:

Less lovely still, and still less gay they grew;

He figh'd, and wifh'd, and long'd for fomething new:

Back to the hall he turn'd his weary feet,

And fat repining on his royal feat.

Now

Now on the fev❜nth bright gate he cafts his eyes,
And in his bofom rose a bold furmife:

“The nymph, said he, was sure dispos'd to jest,
"Who talk'd of dungeons in a place fo blest:
"What harm to open if it be a cell,

"Where deathful fpirits and magicians dwell?

"If dark or foul, I need not pass the door;

"If new or ftrange, my

foul defires no more."

He said, and rofe; then took the golden keys,

And op'd the door; the hinges mov'd with ease,

Before his eyes appear'd a fullen gloom, Thick, hideous, wild; a cavern, or a tomb, Yet as he longer gaz'd, he saw afar

A light that sparkled like a shooting star.

He paus'd: at last, by some kind angel led,

He enter'd, and advanc'd with cautious tread.

Still as he walk'd, the light appear'd more clear ;
Hope footh'd him then, and (carcely left a fear.

At

At length an aged fire surpriz'd he saw,

Who fill'd his bofom with a facred awe : *

A book he held, which, as reclin'd he lay,

He read, affifted by a taper's ray;

His beard, more white than fnow on winter's breast,
Hung to the zone that bound his fable vest,

A pleafing calmness on his brow was seen,
Mild was his look, majestick was his mien.
Soon as the youth approach'd the rev'rend fage,
He rais'd his head, and clos'd the serious page,

Then spoke: "O fon, what chance has turn'd thy feet
"To this dull folitude, and lone retreat?"

To whom the youth; "First, holy father, tell,
"What force detains thee in this gloomy cell?"
This ifle, this palace, and those balmy bow'rs,
Where fix fweet fountains fall on living flow'rs,
Are mine; a train of damfels chofe me king,
And through my kingdom fmiles perpetual spring.
For fome important cause to me unknown,

This day they left me joyless and alone,

* Religion.

But

But, ere three morns with roses strow the skies,
My lovely brides will charm my longing eyes.

Youth, faid the fire, on this aufpicious day "Some angel hither led thy erring way:

“Hear a strange tale, and tremble at the snare,

"Which for thy fteps thy pleafing foes prepare.

"Know, in this ifle prevails a bloody law;

"Lift, ftripling, lift! (the youth ftood fix'd with awe :) "But sev❜nty days the hapless monarchs reign,

"Then close their lives in exile and in pain,

"Doom'd in a deep and frightful cave to rove,
"Where darkness hovers o'er the iron grove.
"Yet know, thy prudence and thy timely care
"May fave thee, fon, from this alarming snare.
‡ Not far from this a lovelier ifland lies,
"Too rich, too fplendid, for unhallow'd eyes:
"On that bleft fhore a sweeter fountain flows

"Than this vain clime, or this gay palace knows,

The life of man.

Heaven.

"Which

"Which if you tafte, whate'er was sweet before

"Will bitter feem, and steal

foul no more.

your

"But, ere these happy waters thou canst reach,

"Thy weary steps must pass yon rugged beech,

"Where the dark fea with angry billows raves,
"And, fraught with monfters, curls his howling waves;

"If to my words obedient thou attend,

"Behold in me thy pilot and thy, friend.

"A bark I have, fupplied with plenteous store, "That now lies anchor'd on the rocky shore;

"And, when of all thy regal toys bereft,

"In the rude cave an exile thou art left,

66

Myfelf will find thee on the gloomy lea,

"And waft thee fafely o'er the dang'rous fea."

The boy was fill'd with wonder as he spake, And from a dream of folly seem'd to wake : All day the fage his tainted thoughts refin'd; His reafon brighten'd, and reform'd his mind :

* Death.

Through

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