The Poetical Works of Anna Seward :: :: University of Virginia Library

When, to thy own Roxana's arms,
Wilt thou, my lovely lord, return?
When on thy blaze of youthful charms
Shall these desiring glances turn?
Anxious I wait thee in the spicy grove;—
My eye-balls ache with watching for my love.

296

The sofa, for my lord's repose,
Is scattered o'er with jess' mine wreaths;
There every flower, that Persia knows,
Voluptuous odour breathes;
While in full drops descend the roseate oils,
Press'd from the glowing Orient's ripen'd spoils.

Light on my couch the virgins shed
Zest, from the rich Latura drawn;
And all in soft profusion spread,
Embath'd in sweets, the snowy lawn.
Haste then, O haste, to glad these longing eyes,
Pride of my life, and transport of my joys!

This, and the ensuing and very superior poem, the Song of Zillia, are from the under-written prose translations, of strains, sung by dancing nymphs in Persia, at the Grand Vizier's feast, at which a gentleman was present, who made these prose translations.

SONG OF ROXANA, A NAME SIGNIFYING SPLENDOUR. I.

“When, O my beloved Lord, will thou return? My heart's “idol, my soul's treasure! when wilt thou return to bless the “eyes of thy Roxana?—In vain do I look for thee—my eyelids “ache in watching for thy approach.

II.

“The sofa for my beloved is dressed with garlands of jessamine. “I have strewed it with the beauties of my garden, “and perfumed it with the oil of roses.

III.

“My chamber is scented with the rich essence of the Latura. “Hasten then, my beloved!—every thing is prepared “for thy reception. Gladden the heart of thine handmaid by “thy presence, thou first of her joys, chief happiness of her “soul!”