Classic Poem

XI.

Young-circling Roses, blushing, round them throw
The sweet Abundance of their purple Rays,
And Lillies, dip'd in Fragrance, freshly blow,
With blended Beauties, in her Angel-Face.
The humid Radiance beaming from her Eyes
The Air and Seas illumes, the Earth and Skies;
And open, where she smiles, the Sweets of Paradise .

XII.

On Zephyr 's Wing the laughing Goddess view,
Distilling Balm. She cleaves the buxom Air,
Attended by the silver-footed Dew,
The Ravages of Winter to repair.
She gives her naked Bosom to the Gales,
Her naked Bosom down the Æther Sails;
Her Bosom breaths Delight; her Breath the Spring exhales.

XIII.

All as the Phenix , in Arabian Skies,
New-burnish'd from his spicy Funeral Pyres,
At large, in roseal Undulation, flies;
His Plumage dazzles and the Gazer tires:
Around their King the plumy Nations wait,
Attend his Triumph, and augment his State:
He tow'ring, claps his Wings, and wins th' Æthereal Height.

XIV.

So round this Phenix of the gawdy Year
A thousand, nay ten thousand Sports and Smiles,
Fluttering in Gold, along the Hemisphere,
Her Praises chaunt; her Praises Glad the Isles.
Conscious of her approach (to deck her Bow'rs)
Earth from her fruitful Lap and Bosom pours
A waste of springing Sweets, and voluntary Flow'rs.

XV.

Narcissus fair, in snowy Velvet gown'd;
Ah foolish! still to love the Fountain-brim:
Sweet Hyacinth , by Phebus erst bemoan'd;
And Tulip, flaring in her powder'd Trim.
Whate're, Armida , in thy Gardens blew;
Whate're the Sun inhales, or sips the Dew;
Whate're compose the Chaplet on Ianthes ' Brow.