Page:Hero and Leander; a poem (IA heroleanderpoem00musa).pdf/19

 Swift to the fane's recess the Virgin bends Her sedulous footsteps, from her radiant eyes Mildly majestie steals the lambent flame, As gleams the silver Luna's orient ray; Her cheeks, whose velvet slope Hygeia streaks With pure vermilion, twin-born roses blush, Just op'ning to the dawn; her polish'd limbs, Smooth as the vernal meads, profusely shed Fair beauty's softest colors; through its folds Her variegated vest expands the charms Of purple deck'd with ivory; o'er her mien, Perfection's fine assemblage, Graces sport Familiar; say, ye Bards of antient fame, Why limit thus the Sisters? Hero darts From either orb, in every smile of love, Myriads of graces; hail, whom Beauty's Queen, The first of beauties for her priestess chose!

O'er all, in meek pre-eminence, she moves Goddess herself of Love, th'incircling youth Gaze admiration, through each fev'rish pulse The soft infection thrills, her every step Their eyes, their souls pursue; they dare to wish Possession—-'Mid the crowd some dying swain