Page:The Seasons - Thomson (1791).djvu/141

 The rival-goddesses the veil divine Cast unconfin'd, and gave him all their charms, Than,, thou; as from the snowy leg, And slender foot, th' inverted silk she drew; As the soft touch dissolv'd the virgin zone; And, thro' the parting robe, th' alternate breast, With youth wild-throbbing, on thy lawless gaze In full luxuriance rose. But, desperate youth, How durst thou risque the soul-distracting view; As from her naked limbs, of glowing white, Harmonious swell'd by Nature's finest hand, In folds loose-floating fell the fainter lawn; And fair-expos'd she stood, shrunk from herself, With fancy blushing, at the doubtful breeze Alarm'd, and starting like the fearful fawn? Then to the flood she rush'd; the parted flood Its lovely guest with closing waves receiv'd; And every beauty softening, every grace Flushing anew, a mellow luster shed; As shines the lily thro' the crystal mild; Or as the rose, amid the morning-dew Fresh from Aurora's hand, more sweetly glows. While thus she wanton'd, now beneath the wave But ill-conceal'd; and now with streaming locks, That half-embrac'd her in a humid veil, Rising again, the latent drew Such madning draughts of beauty to the soul, As for a while o'erwhelm'd his raptur'd thought With luxury too-daring. Check'd, at last, By love's respectful modesty, he deem'd The theft profane, if aught profane to love Can e'er be deem'd; and, struggling from the shade, With headlong hurry fled: but first these lines, Trac'd by his ready pencil, on the bank With trembling hand he threw. "Bathe on, my fair, "Yet