Page:Poems, Consisting Chiefly of Translations from the Asiatick Languages.djvu/48

 His sunny plumes defending he display'd, And softly thus address'd the mournful maid:


 * "Say, thou, who dost yon wondrous ring possess,

"What cares disturb thee, or what wants oppress; "To faithful ears disclose thy secret grief, "And hope (so heaven ordains) a quick relief."


 * The maid replied, "Ah, sacred genius, bear

"A hopeless damsel from this land of care; "Wast me to softcr climes and lovelier plains, "Where nature smiles, and spring eternal reigns."


 * She spoke; and swifter than the glance of thought

To a fair isle his sleeping charge he brought.


 * Now morning breath'd: the scented air was mild,

Each meadow blossom'd, and each valley smil'd; On every shrub the pearly dewdrops hung. On every branch a feather'd warbler sung; The cheerful spring her flowery chaplets wove, And incense-breathing gales perfum'd the grove.