BOOK THE NINTH.
361
I will not hover near! and at that hour
When from it's fleshly sepulchre let loose,
Thy phœnix soul shall soar, O best-beloved!
I will be with thee in thine agonies, 885
And welcome thee to life and happiness,
Eternal infinite beatitude!"
When from it's fleshly sepulchre let loose,
Thy phœnix soul shall soar, O best-beloved!
I will be with thee in thine agonies, 885
And welcome thee to life and happiness,
Eternal infinite beatitude!"
He spake, and led her near a straw-roof'd cot,
Love's Palace. By the Virtues circled there,
The cherub listen'd to such melodies,
As aye, when one good deed is register'd 890
Above, re-echo in the halls of Heaven.
Labor was there, his crisp locks floating loose,
Clear was his cheek, and beaming his full eye,
And strong his arm robust; the wood-nymph Health
Still follow'd on his path, and where he trod 895
Fresh flowers and fruits arose. And there was Hope,
The general friend; and Mercy, whose mild eye
Wept o'er the widowed dove; and, loveliest form,
Majestic Chastity, whose sober smile
Love's Palace. By the Virtues circled there,
The cherub listen'd to such melodies,
As aye, when one good deed is register'd 890
Above, re-echo in the halls of Heaven.
Labor was there, his crisp locks floating loose,
Clear was his cheek, and beaming his full eye,
And strong his arm robust; the wood-nymph Health
Still follow'd on his path, and where he trod 895
Fresh flowers and fruits arose. And there was Hope,
The general friend; and Mercy, whose mild eye
Wept o'er the widowed dove; and, loveliest form,
Majestic Chastity, whose sober smile
Delights
