Page:The Poetical Works of Thomas Parnell (1833).djvu/139

Rh Her gay descent the man perceiv'd afar, Wondering he run to catch the falling star; But so surpris'd, as none but he can tell, Who lov'd so quickly, and who lov'd so well. O'er all his veins the wandering passion burns, He calls her nymph, and every nymph by turns. Her form to lovely Venus he prefers, Or swears that Venus' must be such as hers. She, proud to rule, yet strangely fram'd to teize, Neglects his offers while her airs she plays, Shoots scornful glances from the bended frown, In brisk disorder trips it up and down, Then hums a careless tune to lay the storm, And sits, and blushes, smiles, and yields, in form.

"Now take what Jove design'd," she softly cried, "This box thy portion, and myself thy bride:" Fir'd with the prospect of the double charms, He snatch'd the box, and bride, with eager arms. Unhappy man! to whom so bright she shone: The fatal gift, her tempting self, unknown! The winds were silent, all the waves asleep, And heaven was trac'd upon the flattering deep; But whilst he looks unmindful of a storm, And thinks the water wears a stable form, What dreadful din around his ears shall rise! What frowns confuse his picture of the skies!

At first the creature man was fram'd alone,