Supremely happy in th' awaken'd power So pass’d their life, a clear united stream, By care unruffied; till, in evil hour, The tempest caught them on the tender walk, Heedless how far, and where its mazes stray'a, While, with each other blest, creative love Still bade eternal Eden smile around. Heavy with instant fate her bosom heav'd Unwonted sighs; and stealing oft a look Tow'rds the big gloom, on CELADON her eye Feil tearful, wetting her disorderd cheek. In vain assuring love, and confidence In HEAVEN, repress’d her fear; it grew, and.shook Her frame near dissolution. He perceiv'd Th'unequal conflict, and as angels look On dying saints, his eyes compassion shed, With love illumin'd high. « Fear not,» he said, » Sweet innocence ! thou stranger to offence, » And inward storm! He, who yon skies involves » In frowns of darkness, ever smiles on thee » With kind regard. O'er thee the secret shaft » That wastes at midnight, or th’undreaded liour 's Of noon, Bies harmless; and that very voice, » Which thunders terror thro' the guilty heart, » With tongues of seraphs whispers peace to thine. » 'Tis safety to be near thee sure, and thus » To clasp perfection ! - From his void embrace, (Mysterious Heaven!) that moment to the ground, A blacker'd corse, was struck the beauteous maid. But who can paint the lover as he stood, Pierc'd by severe amazement, hating life, Speechless, and fix'd in all the death of woe! So, faint resemblance! on the marble tomb, The well-dissembled mourner stooping stands, For ever silent, and for ever-sad. THOMSON CH A P. X V I I. Junio and Theana. Doon as young reason dawn'd in Junio's breast, all. His taste mature approv'd his infant choice. And shall not Hymen light his brightest torcha While she ( and many a tear that parting drew) Embark'd , reluctant, for her native isle. Tho' learned, curious, and tho' nobly bent With each rare talent to adorn his mind, His native land to serve; no joys he found. Yet sprightly Gaul; yet Belgium, Saturn's reign; Yet Greece, of old the seat of every Muse, Of freedom , courage ; yet Ausonia's clime, His steps explor'd; where painting, music's strains, Where arts, where laws, Philosophy's best child, With rival beauties his aitention claim'd. To his just-judging, his instructed eye The all-perfect Medicean Venus seem'd A perfect semblance of his Indian fair : But when she spoke of love, her voice surpass'd The harmonious warblings of Italian song, Twice one long year elaps'd, when letters came, Which briefly told him of his father's death, Afflicted , filial, yet to Heav'n resign'd, Soon he reach'd Albion, and as soon embark'd, Eager to clasp the object of his love. Blow, prosperous breezes! swiftly sail, thou Po.! Swift sail'd the Po, and happy breezes blew. In Biscay's stormy seas an armed ship Of force superior, from loud Charente's wave Clapt them on board. The frighted-flying crew Their colours strike; when dauntless JUNIO fird With noble indignation , kill'd the chief, Who on the bloody deck dealt slaughter round. The Gauls retreat, the Britons loud huzza; And touch'd with shame, with emulation stung, So plied their cannon, plied their missile fires, That soon in air the hapless Thunderer blew. Blow, prosperous breezes ! swiftly sail, thou Po! May no more dang’rous fights retard thy way! Soon Porto Santo's rocky heights they spy, The little nautilus, with purple pride Tho' faster than the Tropic.bird they flew, One eve ( faint calms for many a day had rag'd) The winged dæmons of the tempest rose Thunder, and rain, and lightning's awful power. She fled ;. could innocence, could beauty claim Exemption from the grave; th’etbereal bolt, That stretch'd her speechless , o'er her lovely head Had innocently rolld. Meanwhile impatient Junio leap'd ashore, Regardless of the dæmons of the storm. Ah youth! what woes too great for man to bear, Are ready to burst on thee! Urge not so Thy flying courser. Soon TheaNA's porch Receiv'd him ; at his sight the ancient slaves Affrighted shriek , and to the chamber point; Confounded, yet unknowing what they meant, He enter'd hasty Ah! what a sight for one who lor'd so well! All pale and cold , in every feature death, TheAna lay; and yet a glimpse of joy Play'd on her face, while with faint faltering voice, She thus address'd the youth, whom yet she knew: « Welcome, my JUNIO, to thy native shore ! » Thy sight repays this summons of my fate; » Live, and live happy ; sometimes think of me; » By night , by day , you still engag'd my care; » And next to God, you now my thoughts employ: » Accept of this My little all I give; » Would it were larger » Nature could no more; She look'd, embrac'd him, with a groan expired. But say, what strains, what language can ex press The thousand pangs, which tore the lover's breast ! Upon her breathless corse himself he threw, And to her clay-cold lips, with trembling haste, Ten thousand kisses gave. He strove to speak; Nor words he found: he claspt her in his arms; He sigh’d, be swoon'd, lookd up, and died away. One grave contains this hapless faithful pair! And still the Cane-isles tell their matchless love! INGER CHA P. X VIII. . Ily name is NORVAL: on the Grampian hills shield, |