MILD was the vernal gale, and calm the day,
When Maia near a crystal fountain lay:
Young Maia, fairest of the blue-eyed maids,
That rov'd at noon in Tibet's musky shades;
But, haply, wandering through the fields of air,
Some fiend had whisper'd—Maia, thou art fair!
Hence swelling pride had fill'd her simple breast,
And rising passions rob'd her mind of rest;
In courts and glittering towers she wish'd to dwell,
And scorn'd her labouring parents lowly cell.
And now, as gazing o'er the glassy stream,
She saw her blooming cheek's reflected beam,
Her tresses brighter than the morning sky,
And the mild radiance of her sparkling eye,
Low sighs and trickling tears by turns she stole
And thus discharg'd the anguish of her soul:
Why glow those cheeks, if unadmir'd they glow? Why flow those tresses, if unprais'd they flow?
Why dart those eyes their liquid ray serene,
Unfelt their influence, and their light unseen?
Ye heav'ns! was that love-breathing bosom made
To warm dull groves, and cheer the lonely glade ?
Ah, no: those blushes, that enchanting face,
Some tap'stried hall, or gilded bower, might grace;
Might deck the scenes, where love and pleasure reign,
And fire with amorous flames the youthful train.'
While thus she spoke, a sudden blaze of light Shot through the clouds, and struck her dazzled sight. She rais'd her head, astonish'd, to the skies, And veil'd with trembling hands her aching eyes; When through the yielding air she saw from far A goddess gliding in a golden car,
That soon descended on the flowery lawn,
By two fair yokes of starry peacocks drawn:
A thousand nymphs with many a sprightly glance
Form'd round the radiant wheels an airy dance,
Celestial shapes! in fluid light array'd;
Like twinkling stars their beamy sandals play'd,
Their lucid mantles glitter'd in the sun,
(Webs half so bright the silk-worm never spun)
Transparent robes, that bore the rainbow's hue,
And finer than the nets of pearly dew,
That morning spreads o'er every opening flow'r,
When sportive summer decks his bridal bow'r.
The queen herself, too fair for mortal sight,
Sat in the centre of encircling light.
Soon with soft touch she rais'd the trembling maid,
And by her side in silent slumber laid:
Straight the gay birds display'd their spangled train,
And flew refulgent through th' aerial plain;
The fairy band their shining pinions spread,
And, as they rose, fresh gales of sweetness shed;
Fan'd with their flowing skirts, the sky was mild;
And heaven's blue fields with brighter radiance smil❜d.
Now in a garden deck'd with verdant bow'rs
The glittering car descends on bending flow'rs:
The goddess still with looks divinely fair
Surveys the sleeping object of her care;
Then o'er her cheek her magic finger lays,
Soft as the gale that o'er a violet plays,
And thus in sounds, that favour'd mortals hear,
She gently whispers in her ravish'd ear.
Awake, sweet maid, and view this charming scene, For ever beauteous, and for ever green;
Here living rills of purest nectar flow
O'er meads that with unfading flow'rets glow;
Here amorous gales their scented wings display,
Mov'd by the breath of ever-blooming May;
Here in the lap of pleasure shalt thou rest,
Our lov❜d companion, and our honour'd guest.'
The damsel hears the heav'nly notes distil
Like melting snow, or like a vernal rill.
She lifts her head, and, on her arm reclin❜d,
Drinks the sweet accents in her grateful mind:
On all around she turns her roving eyes,
And views the splendid scene with glad surprize;
Fresh lawns, and sunny banks, and roseate bow'rs,
Hills white with flocks, and meadows gem'd with
flow'rs;
Cool shades, a sure defence from summer's ray,
And silver brooks, (where wanton damsels play),
Which with soft notes their dimpled crystal roll'd
O'er colour'd shells, and sand of native gold;
A rising fountain play'd from every stream,
Smil❜d as it rose, and cast a transient gleam,
Then, gently falling in a vocal show'r,
Bath'd every shrub, and sprinkled every flow'r,
That on the banks, like many a lovely bride,,
View'd in the liquid glass their blushing pride;
Whilst on each branch, with purple blossoms hung,
The sportful birds their joyous descant sung.
While Maia, thus entranc'd in sweet delight,
With each gay object fed her eager sight,
The goddess mildly caught her willing hand,
And led her trembling o'er the flow'ry land;
Soon she beheld where, through an opening glade,
A spacious lake its clear expanse display'd;
In mazy curls, the flowing jasper wav'd
O'er its smooth bed, with polish'd agate pav'd;
And on a rock of ice, by magic rais'd,
High in the midst a gorgeous palace blaz'd;
The sun-beams on the gilded portals glanc'd,
Play'd on the spires, and on the turrets danc'd;
To four bright gates four ivory bridges led,
With pearls illumin'd, and with roses spread:
And
now, more radiant than the morning sun,
Her easy way the gliding goddess won ;
Still by her hand she held the fearful maid,
And, as she pass'd, the fairies homage paid:
They enter'd, strait, the sumptuous palace-hall
Where silken tapestry emblaz'd the wall,
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