A POEM.
41
Yet, mortals, fear the first of crimes, be wise;
Prize what Heaven gives, forbear what Heaven denies;
Who numerous flocks o'er every mountain pours,
And makes the fleece and harmless bearer yours; 90
Burdened with milk, o'er all the hills they bleat,
Or, clad with wool, they crop the pasture sweet.
His glossy silks let the soft Indian show,
Or boast his cotton white as flickering snow;
Boast we the fleece, as downy cotton fair,
Outshining every dye his silk can wear.
When Lucifer, unrivall'd, marks his way
Through fainting stars, to usher in the day;
And soft-awakening morn, serenely bright,
Pours from her opening eyes the silver light; 100
Less huge the hills, the steeps less dreadful seem,
O'er dewy valleys shoots a silver gleam;
Brighter and wider dart the reddening rays,
Till the pale stars expire amidst the blaze,
And all the east, the veil of clouds unroll'd,
Flames bright in purple and celestial gold.
Then glorious as a hero drest for war,
Forth issues Phœbus in his radiant car;
Inflames the heavens, and rushing on his way,
O'erflows the world with blazing boundless day. 110
Prize what Heaven gives, forbear what Heaven denies;
Who numerous flocks o'er every mountain pours,
And makes the fleece and harmless bearer yours; 90
Burdened with milk, o'er all the hills they bleat,
Or, clad with wool, they crop the pasture sweet.
His glossy silks let the soft Indian show,
Or boast his cotton white as flickering snow;
Boast we the fleece, as downy cotton fair,
Outshining every dye his silk can wear.
When Lucifer, unrivall'd, marks his way
Through fainting stars, to usher in the day;
And soft-awakening morn, serenely bright,
Pours from her opening eyes the silver light; 100
Less huge the hills, the steeps less dreadful seem,
O'er dewy valleys shoots a silver gleam;
Brighter and wider dart the reddening rays,
Till the pale stars expire amidst the blaze,
And all the east, the veil of clouds unroll'd,
Flames bright in purple and celestial gold.
Then glorious as a hero drest for war,
Forth issues Phœbus in his radiant car;
Inflames the heavens, and rushing on his way,
O'erflows the world with blazing boundless day. 110
