Page:Tale of Paraguay - Southey.djvu/109

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No art of barbarous ornament had scarr'd And stain'd her virgin limbs, or 'filed her face: Nor ever yet had evil passion marr'd In her sweet countenance the natural grace Of innocence and youth; nor was there trace Of sorrow, or of hardening want and care. Strange was it in this wild and savage place, Which seem'd to be for beasts a fitting lair, Thus to behold a maid so gentle and so fair.

Across her shoulders was a hammock flung, By night it was the maiden's bed, by day Her only garment. Round her as it hung, In short unequal folds of loose array, The open meshes, when she moves, display Her form. She stood with fix'd and wondering eyes, And trembling like a leaf upon the spray, Even for excess of joy, with eager cries She call'd her mother forth to share that glad surprize.