Page:The Domestic Affections, and Other Poems.pdf/121



There, tho' Religion smile with seraph-eye, And shed her gifts, like manna, from the sky; While Faith and Hope, exulting in her sight, Pour the full noon of glory's living light; There still Ambition bids his victims bleed, Still rolls his whirlwind, with destructive speed! Still in his flame, devoted realms consume, Fled is their smile and wither'd is their bloom! With every charm has Nature's lavish hand Adorn'd, sweet Italy! thy favor'd land! There Summer laughs, with glowing aspect fair, Unfolds her tints, and "waves her golden hair;" Bids her light sylphs delicious airs convey, On their soft pinions, waving as they play; O'er cluster'd grapes, the lucid mantle throw, And spread gay life in one empurpling glow? Paint all the rainbow on perennial flow'rs, And shed exuberance o'er thy myrtle-bow'rs! Verdure in ev'ry shade thy woods display,