III. A sullen languor still the skies opprest, And held th' unwilling Ship in strong arrest: High in his chariot glowed the lamp of day, O'er Ida flaming with meridian ray;

Relaxed from toil, the Sailors range the shore, and storm are felt no more;

Where famine, war,

The hour to social pleasure they resign,

And black remembrance drown in generous wine.

On deck, beneath the shading canvas spread,
RODMOND a rueful tale of wonders read

Of dragons roaring on th' enchanted coast;
The hideous Goblin, and the yelling Ghost:
But with ARION, from the sultry heat

Of Noon, PALEMON sought a cool retreat.

And lo! the Shore with mournful prospects crown'd,
The Rampart torn with many a fatal wound,
The ruined Bulwark tottering o'er the strand,
Bewail the stroke of War's tremendous hand:
What scenes of woe this hapless Isle o'erspread!
Where late thrice fifty thousand warriors bled.
Full twice twelve summers were yon towers assailed,
Till barbarous OTTOMAN at last prevailed;

While thundering mines the lovely plains o'erturned,
While heroes fell, and domes, and temples burned.
But now before them happier Scenes arise,
Elysian Vales salute their ravished eyes;
Olive, and Cedar, formed a grateful shade

Where light, with gay romantic error strayed:
The Myrtles here with fond caresses twine,
There, rich with nectar, melts the pregnant Vine:
And lo! the Stream, renowned in classic song,
Sad LETHE, glides the silent vale along.

On mossy banks, beneath the Citron grove,
The youthful Wanderers found a wild Alcove;
Soft o'er the fairy region Languor stole,
And with sweet Melancholy charmed the Soul.
Here first PALEMON, while his pensive mind
For consolation on his friend reclin'd,

In pity's bleeding bosom, poured the stream
Of Love's soft anguish, and of grief supreme:
"Too true thy words! by sweet remembrance taught,
My heart in secret bleeds with tender thought;
"In vain it courts the solitary shade,

"By every action, every look betrayed:

"The pride of generous woe disdains appeal
"To hearts that unrelenting frosts congeal;
"Yet sure, if right PALEMON can divine,
"The sense of gentle pity dwells in thine:
"Yes! all his cares thy sympathy shall know,
"And prove the kind companion of his woe.

"ALBERT thou know'st, with Skill and Science graced; "In humble station though by Fortune placed,

"Yet never Seaman more serenely brave

"Led Britain's conquering Squadrons o'er the wave: "Where full in view AUGUSTA's spires are seen

"With flowery lawns, and waving woods between,
"An humble habitation rose, beside

"Where Thames meandring rolls his ample tide:
"There live the hope and pleasure of his life,
"A pious Daughter, and a faithful Wife:
"For his return with fond officious care
"Still every grateful object these prepare :
"Whatever can allure the smell or sight,
"Or wake the drooping spirits to delight.

"This blooming Maid in Virtue's path to guide

"Th' admiring Parents all their care applyed;

"Her spotless soul to soft affection trained,

"No voice untuned, no sickening folly stained:
"Not fairer grows the Lily of the vale,
"Whose bosom opens to the vernal gale:
"Her eyes, unconscious of their fatal charms,
"Thrilled every heart with exquisite alarms :
"Her face, in Beauty's sweet attraction drest,
"The smile of maiden innocence exprest;

"While Health, that rises with the new-born day,
"Breathed o'er her cheek the softest blush of May:
"Still in her look Complacence smiled serene;

"She moved the Charmer of the rural scene!

""Twas at that Season, when the fields resume

"Their loveliest hues, arrayed in vernal bloom: "Yon Ship, rich freighted from th' Italian shore, "To Thames' fair banks her costly tribute bore: "While thus my Father saw his ample hoard, "From this return, with recent treasures stor'd; "Me, with affairs of commerce charged, he sent "TO ALBERT's humble mansion-soon I went!

"Too soon, alas! unconscious of th' event,

"There, struck with sweet surprise and silent awe, "The gentle Mistress of my hopes I saw;

"There, wounded first by Love's resistless arms,

My glowing bosom throbbed with strange alarms:

My eyer charming ANNA! who alone

"Can all the frowns of cruel fate atone;

"Oh! while all-conscious Memory holds her power, "Can I forget that sweetly-painful hour,

"When from those eyes, with lovely lightning fraught,

"My fluttering spirits first th' infection caught?

When, as I gazed, my faltering tongue betray'd

"The heart's quick tumults, or refused its aid;
"While the dim light my ravished eyes forsook,
"And every limb, unstrung with terror, shook:
"With all her powers, dissenting Reason strove
"To tame at first the kindling flame of Love:
"She strove in vain; subdued by charms divine,
"My soul a victim fell at beauty's shrine.
"Oft from the din of bustling life I strayed,

“In happier scenes to see my lovely Maid;

"Full oft, where Thames his wandering current leads, "We roved at evening hour through flowery meads;