In the heroical times, when loved each god and each goddess, Longing attended on sight; then with fruition was bless'd. Think'st thou the goddess had long been thinking of love and its pleasures When she, in Ida's retreats, own'd to Anchises her flame? Had but Luna delay'd to kiss the beautiful sleeper, Oh, by Aurora, ere long, he had in envy been rous'd! Hero Leander espied at the noisy feast, and the lover Hotly and nimbly, ere long, plunged in the night-cover'd flood. Rhea Silvia, virgin princess, roam'd near the Tiber, Seeking there water to draw, when by the god she was seiz'd. Thus were the sons of Mars begotten! The twins did a she-wolf Suckle and nurture, -- and Rome call'd herself queen of the world, ALEXANDER, and Cæsar, and Henry, and Fred'rick, the mighty, On me would gladly bestow half of the glory they earn'd, Could I but grant unto each one night on the couch where I'm lying; But they, by Orcus's night, sternly, alas! are held down. Therefore rejoice, oh thou living one, blest in thy love- lighted homestead, Ere the dark Lethe's sad wave wetteth thy fugitive foot. THESE few leaves, oh ye Graces, a bard presents, in your honour, On your altar so pure, adding sweet rosebuds as well, And he does it with hope. The artist is glad in his work- shop, When a Pantheon it seems round him for ever to bring. Jupiter knits his godlike brow, -- her's, Juno up-lifteth; Phᔻus strides on before, shaking his curly-lock'd head; Calmly and drily Minerva looks down, and Hermes the light one, Turneth his glances aside, roguish and tender at once. -280- |