A POEM.
67
The figured arras lines each spacious hall,
And forms for ancient chiefs a gorgeous pall.
So gleamed the splendid halls in lambent flame,
When to his court bright Phœbus' offspring came.
Lost and confounded in a storm of light,
Each radiant view o'erpowered his darkened sight.
With gold and silver bright pyropus strove,
And glittering ivory crowned the roofs above.
But fairer here the roofs than ivory show, 720
Smoother than glass, more white than falling snow.
The polished marble owns each latent grace,
And shaded canvas shows the living face:
Dread heroes frown in all their ancient ire,
And softer eyes still dart the heavenly fire.
The mansion's lords, whose lofty lineage springs
From the long line of Caledonian kings,
Hold, with their consorts bright, the foremost place,
The dames, the chiefs of that illustrious race.
But who could hope Eliza's form to paint! 730
To blend in one the angel and the saint!
In whom her beauty is her lowest praise,
Though that the brightest that the sun surveys.
To heaven and nature just, their darling care
Repaid their bounty to each orphan-fair:
And forms for ancient chiefs a gorgeous pall.
So gleamed the splendid halls in lambent flame,
When to his court bright Phœbus' offspring came.
Lost and confounded in a storm of light,
Each radiant view o'erpowered his darkened sight.
With gold and silver bright pyropus strove,
And glittering ivory crowned the roofs above.
But fairer here the roofs than ivory show, 720
Smoother than glass, more white than falling snow.
The polished marble owns each latent grace,
And shaded canvas shows the living face:
Dread heroes frown in all their ancient ire,
And softer eyes still dart the heavenly fire.
The mansion's lords, whose lofty lineage springs
From the long line of Caledonian kings,
Hold, with their consorts bright, the foremost place,
The dames, the chiefs of that illustrious race.
But who could hope Eliza's form to paint! 730
To blend in one the angel and the saint!
In whom her beauty is her lowest praise,
Though that the brightest that the sun surveys.
To heaven and nature just, their darling care
Repaid their bounty to each orphan-fair:
