While, by the taper's trembling light,
I feem thofe awful scenes to tread
Where chiefs or legislators lie,
Whofe triumphs move before my eye
In arms and antique pomp array'd;
While now i tafte the Ionian fong,
Now bend to Plato's godlike tongue
Refounding through the olive shade.

VIII.

But should some chearful, equal friend

Bid leave the ftudious page awhile,
Let mirth on wisdom then attend,

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And focial ease on learned toil.

Then while, at love's uncareful shrine,

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Each dictates to the god of wine

Her name whom all his hopes obey,

What flattering dreams each bosom warm,
While abfence, heightening every charm,
Invokes the flow-returning May!

IX.

May, thou delight of heaven and earth,
When will thy genial star arise?

The aufpicious morn, which gives thee birth,
Shall bring Eudora to my eyes.
Within her fylvan haunt behold,
As in the happy garden old,

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She moves like that primeval fair:
Thither, ye filver-founding lyres,
Ye tender fmiles, ye chafte defires,
Fond hope and mutual faith, repair.

X.

And if believing Love can read

His better omens in her eye,

Then shall my fears, o charming maid,
And every pain of absence die:

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Awhile to rule the vacant sky,
Till she shall to her lamp fupply
A ftream of brighter rays.

II.

O Hefper, while the starry throng
With awe thy path furrounds,
Oh liften to my fuppliant fong,
If haply now the vocal sphere
Can fuffer thy delighted ear
To ftoop to mortal founds.

So may the bridegroom's genial strain
Thee ftill invoke to shine:

So may the bride's unmarried train

To Hymen chaunt their flattering vow,

Still that his lucky torch may glow

With luftre pure as thine.

IV.

Far other vows must i prefer
To thy indulgent power.
Alafs, but now i paid my tear
On fair Olympia's virgin tomb:

And lo, from thence, in queft i roam

Of Philomela's bower.

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V.

Propitious fend thy golden ray,
Thou pureft light above :

Let no falfe flame feduce to ftray

Where gulph or steep lie hid for harm:
But lead where mufic's healing charm

May footh afflicted lave.

VI.

To them, by many a grateful fong

In happier seasons vow'd,

Thefe lawns, Olympia's haunt, belong:

Oft by yon filver ftream we walk'd,

Or fix'd, while Philomela talk'd,

Beneath yon copfes stood.

VII.

Nor feldom, where the beechen' boughs
That rooflefs tower invade,

We came while her inchanting Mufe
The radiant moon above us held:

Till by a clamorous owl compell'd

She fled the folemn fhade.

VIII.

But hark; i hear her liquid tone.

Now, Hefper, guide my feet

Down the red marle with mofs o'ergrown,

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Through yon wild thicket next the plain, Whofe hawthorns choke the winding lane !. Which leads to her retreat.

IX.

See the green space: on either hand
Inlarg'd it spreads around:

See, in the midst she takes her ftand,
Where one old oak his awful fhade
Extends o'er half the level mead

Inclos'd in woods profound.

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X.

Hark, how through many a melting note

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She now prolongs her lays :

How fweetly down the void they float!

The breeze their magic path attends:

The stars fhine out: the foreft bends:

The wakeful heifers gaze.

XI.

Whoe'er thou art whom chance may bring

To this fequefter'd spot,

If then the plaintive Syren fing,

Oh foftly tread beneath her bower,

And think of heaven's difpofing power,

Of man's uncertain lot.