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XLIV. YOUNG BEAUTY SAILED A SUMMER SEA.
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XLIV. YOUNG BEAUTY SAILED A SUMMER SEA.

Young Beauty sail'd a summer sea
Within a buoyant bark reclining;
Its prow was painted daintilie,
With gems and roses rarely shining:
And light and gay the maiden smiled,
The while she wove a garland glowing:
And at the helm a laughing child—
'Twas Pleasure—watch'd the waters flowing.

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She steer'd the boat by blooming isles,
Where languid gales breathed softly o'er it,
And in the bay, with treacherous smiles,
Mid poison-flowers she strove to moor it:
But Beauty's cheek grew sad and pale;
And Beauty's heart was tired of leisure;
She whisper'd Love to “set the sail,”
And Passion took the helm from Pleasure.
Then dash'd around that graceful prow
The rising waves, in pride and power;
And Beauty bent her glorious brow,
While tears fell on each fading flower.
Sublimely wild and grand, above
Her fragile bark, the storm-cloud lighten'd,
With such a vivid flame, that Love
Let go the sail, ashamed and frighten'd!
The maiden rose, and by her side
A radiant angel stood serenely;
“Take thou the helm!” she proudly cried,
And paced the deck erect and queenly.
Then changed to gold those clouds so wild;
A beauteous rainbow bloom'd in heaven;
And Love, the fond, impetuous child,
Smiled through his tears—his fault forgiven!