Page:The Pleasures of Imagination - Akenside (1744).djvu/64

50 Nought lovely, nought propitious comes to pass, Nor hope, nor praise, nor honour. Her the sire Gave it in charge to rear the blooming mind, The folded pow'rs to open, to direct The growth luxuriant of his young desires, And from the laws of this majestic world To teach him what was good. As thus the nymph Her daily care attended, by her side With constant steps her gay companion stay'd, The fair Euphrosyné, the gentle queen Of smiles, and graceful gladness, and delights That chear alike the hearts of mortal men And pow'rs immortal. See the shining pair! Behold, where from his dwelling now disclos'd, They quit their youthful charge and seek the skies.


 * I look'd, and on the flow'ry turf there stood,

Between two radiant forms, a smiling youth Whose tender cheeks display'd the vernal flow'r Of beauty; sweetest innocence illum'd His bashful eyes, and on his polish'd brow Sate young simplicity. With fond regard He view'd th'associates, as their steps they mov'd The younger chief his ardent eyes detain'd, With mild regret invoking her return. Bright as the star of evening she appear'd Amid the dusky scene. Eternal youth O'er all her form its glowing honours breath'd; And