Page:The works of Anna Laetitia Barbauld volume 1.djvu/261

Rh And with unruffled mien, and placid sounds, Contriving torture, and inflicting wounds. Nor, in their palmy walks and spicy groves, The form benign of rural Pleasure roves; No milk-maid's song, or hum of village talk, Soothes the lone poet in his evening walk: No willing arm the flail unwearied plies, Where the mixed sounds of cheerful labour rise; No blooming maids and frolic swains are seen To pay gay homage to their harvest queen: No heart-expanding scenes their eyes must prove Of thriving industry and faithful love: But shrieks and yells disturb the balmy air, Dumb sullen looks of woe announce despair And angry eyes through dusky features glare Far from the sounding lash the Muses fly, And sensual riot drowns each finer joy. Nor less from the gay East, on essenced wings, Breathing unnamed perfumes, Contagion springs;