Them to behold, and in his sparkling face And shewed him many sights that courage cold could rear. LXIX On which when gazing him the palmer saw, Here wons Acrasia, whom we must surprise, LXX Eftsoons they heard a most melodious sound, Birds, voices, instruments, winds, waters, all agree, LXXI The joyous birds, shrouded in cheerful shade, The silver sounding instruments did meet With the base murmur of the waters' fall; The waters' fall, with difference discreet, Now soft, now loud, unto the wind did call; The gentle warbling wind low answered to all. LXXIV The whiles some one did chant this lovely lay: LXXV 'So passeth, in the passing of a day, Of mortal life the leaf, the bud, the flower: That erst was sought to deck both bed and bower For soon comes age that will her pride deflower; Whilst loving thou mayest loved be with equal crime.' LXXVI He ceased: and then gan all the quire of birds As in approvance of his pleasing words. The constant pair heard all that he did say, Yet swerved not, but kept their forward way Whose sleepy head she in her lap did soft dispose. LXXVII Upon a bed of roses she was laid, As faint through heat, or dight to pleasant sin; All in a veil of silk and silver thin, That hid no whit her alabaster skin, But rather showed more white, if more might be: Nor the fine nets, which oft we woven see LXXVIII Her snowy breast was bare to ready spoil Moistened their fiery beams, with which she thrilled Frail hearts, yet quenched not; like starry light, Which, sparkling on the silent waves, does seem more bright. (II. 12.) Q CELESTIAL AIDANCE.* I AND is there care in heaven? And is there love In heavenly spirits to these creatures base, That may compassion of their evils move? There is: else much more wretched were the case Of men than beasts. But oh! th' exceeding grace Of highest God that loves his creatures so, And all his works with mercy doth embrace, That blessed angels he sends to and fro, To serve to wicked man, to serve his wicked foe. II How oft do they their silver bowers leave, And their bright squadrons round about us plant; And all for love, and nothing for reward. Oh! why should heavenly God to men have such regard? (II. 8.) * Compare with this charming poetic fiction the fancies of Milton, Par. Lost, i. 423-431, and iv. 677, 678. For a particular instance, see the exquisite concluding verses of Eneis iv., where the Queen of Heaven despatches her celestial messenger' to the relief of the suffering Dido: Longum miserata dolorem, Difficilesque obitus, Irim demisit Olympo. Quæ luctantem animam nexosque resolveret artus, &c. THE TEMPLE OF VENUS. XXXVII INTO the inmost Temple thus I came, Which fuming all with frankincense I found The roof up high was reared from the ground, pay; And all the ground was strewed with flowers as fresh as May. XXXVIII A hundred altars round about were set, All flaming with their sacrifices' fire, That with the steam thereof the Temple sweat, Every of which was to a damsel hight ; For all the priests were damsels in soft linen dight. XXXIX Right in the midst the Goddess self did stand 2 |