Page:The Pleasures of Imagination - Akenside (1744).djvu/104

90 Of nature's great original we scan The lively child of art; while line by line, And feature after feature we refer To that sublime exemplar whence it stole Those animating charms. Thus beauty's palm Betwixt 'em wav'ring hangs: applauding love Doubts where to chuse; and mortal man aspires To tempt creative praise. As when a cloud Of gath'ring hail with limpid crusts of ice Inclos'd and obvious to the beaming sun, Collects his large effulgence; strait the heav'ns With equal flames present on either hand The radiant visage: Persia stands at gaze, Appall'd; and on the brink of Ganges waits The snowy-vested seer, in Mithra's name, To which the fragrance of the south shall burn, To which his warbled orisons ascend.


 * Such various bliss the well-tun'd heart enjoys,

Favour'd of heav'n! while plung'd in sordid cares The unfeeling vulgar mocks the boon divine: And harsh austerity, from whose rebuke Young love and smiling wonder shrink away, Abash'd and chill of heart, with sager frowns Condemns the fair inchantment. On, my strain, Perhaps ev'n now, some cold, fastidious judge Casts a disdainful eye; and calls my toil, And calls the love and beauty which I sing, The