Love changed his plan, with warmth exclaiming, "How rosy was her lip's soft dye!" And much that flute, the flatt'rer, blaming, For twisting lips so sweet awry. The nymph look'd down, beheld her features, Reflected in the passing rill, And started, shock'd-for, ah, ye creatures! Ev'n when divine, you're women still. Quick from the lips it made so odious, That graceless flute the Goddess took, And, while yet fill'd with breath melodious, Flung it into the glassy brook; Where, as its vocal life was fleeting Adown the current, faint and shrill, Twas heard in plaintive tone repeating, "Woman, alas, vain woman still!" An interval of dark repose Such as the summer lightning knows, A bow'r it seem'd, an Indian bow'r, The wonders that now bless her sight! And now-oh speed of pinion, known To Love's light messengers alone!- Its farewell of the golden lakes, With the wish'd answer, through the sky. SONG. WELCOME, Sweet bird, through the sunny air winging, Swift hast thou come o'er the far-shining sea, Like Seba's dove, on thy snowy neck bringing Love's written vows from my lover to me. Oh, in thy absence, what hours did I number!Saying oft, "Idle bird, how could he rest?" But thou art come at last, take now thy slumber, And lull thee in dreams of all thou lov'st best. Yet dost thou droop-even now while I utter Will now all be turn'd into weeping for thee. While thus the scene of song (their last Whose watch we feel, but cannot see, Had from the circle-scarcely miss'd, Ere they were sparkling there again— Glided, like fairies, to assist Their handmaids on the moonlight plain, Where, hid by intercepting shade From the stray glance of curious eyes, A feast of fruits and wines was laid Soon to shine out, a glad surprise! And now the moon, her ark of light Gay was the picture-ev'ry maid Beside the nymph of India's sky; While there the Mainiote mountainee Whisper'd in young Minerva's ear, And urchin Love stood laughing t Meantime the elders round the board, By mirth and wit themselves made young, High cups of juice Zacynthian pour'd, And, while the flask went round, thus sung.— SONG. Up with the sparkling brimmer, "Twixt the flood and brim. When hath the world set eyes on Aught to match this light, Which, o'er our cup's horizon, Dawns in bumpers bright? Truth in a deep well lieth- Thus circled round the song of glee, And all was tuneful mirth the while, Save on the cheeks of some, whose smile, As fix'd they gaze upon the sea, Turns into paleness suddenly! What see they there? a bright blue light That, like a meteor, gliding o'er The distant wave, grows on the sight, As though 'twere wing'd to Zea's shore. To some, 'mong those who came to gaze, Of pine torch, luring on his prey; Which mariners see on sail or mast, Of pain-like joy, ""Tis he! 'tis he!" The assembled throng, rush'd tow'rds the sea. At burst so wild, alarm'd, amazed, All stood, like statues, mute, and gazed What meant such mood, in maid so meek? Till now, the tale was known to few, Who late had left this sunny shore, By his sad brow, too plainly told Th' ill-omen'd thought which cross'd him then, That once those hands should loose their hold, They ne'er would meet on earth again! In vain his mistress, sad as he, But with a heart from Self as free As gen'rous woman's only is, His favorite once, ere Beauty's eye SONG. MARCH! nor heed those arms that hold thee, Though so fondly close they come; Closer still will they enfold thee, When thou bring'st fresh laurels home. Dost thou dote on woman's brow? Dost thou live but in her breath? March!-one hour of victory now Wins thee woman's smile till death. Oh, what bliss, when war is over, Beauty's long-miss'd smile to meet, And, when wreaths our temples cover, Lay them shining at her feet! Who would not, that hour to reach, Breathe out life's expiring sigh, |