 | The triumph of music |  |
CANTO I.
Fav'rites of Heaven! who, with delight profound,
Enjoy the magic of melodious sound!
Ye fair! whose beauty mental charms endear,
Who chaste affection's hallowed warmth revere!
Whose graces from that source of radiance rise,
As colours from the sun adorn the skies!
Kindly to truth's eventful tale attend,
Where spells of harmony, and nature blend!
Where love exults new wonders to display;
And Music proves her soul-reforming sway!
Enjoy the magic of melodious sound!
Ye fair! whose beauty mental charms endear,
Who chaste affection's hallowed warmth revere!
Whose graces from that source of radiance rise,
As colours from the sun adorn the skies!
Kindly to truth's eventful tale attend,
Where spells of harmony, and nature blend!
Where love exults new wonders to display;
And Music proves her soul-reforming sway!
2
In pleasure's palace, her Venetian dome!
That echoes to her songs, her fav'rite home!
In that fair city, whose gay scenes inspire
The simple gondolier with tuneful fire,
To woman's height the young Venusia grew;
A form more lovely nature never knew:
Tho' young, majestic! tho' majestic, mild!
Modestly gay, and delicately wild!
The rays of fancy in her features shone;
Her eyes had all the power of beauty's zone.
Instructive love a stranger to her breast,
She knew not yet the magic she possest;
Or knew it darkly; as her sole desire
Was but to soothe the spirit of her sire:
For him, with rare exertion, she combin'd
All arts, that grace the person, and the mind.
Each talent her's, that softens, or alarms!
She much excell'd in all; but most in vocal charms.
Her speech was melody; and, when she sung,
Enchanted age believ'd, that he was young,
Her sire, the stern Donado! with delight
Train'd his sweet child, for ever in his sight;
Himself a noble of Venetian pride,
He destin'd her to be a brother's bride;
A brother of the state; in rank his peer;
One, whose wealth made him to ambition dear;
Such vain ambition may proud beauty melt;
But such the pure Venusia never felt.
That echoes to her songs, her fav'rite home!
In that fair city, whose gay scenes inspire
The simple gondolier with tuneful fire,
To woman's height the young Venusia grew;
A form more lovely nature never knew:
Tho' young, majestic! tho' majestic, mild!
Modestly gay, and delicately wild!
The rays of fancy in her features shone;
Her eyes had all the power of beauty's zone.
Instructive love a stranger to her breast,
She knew not yet the magic she possest;
Or knew it darkly; as her sole desire
Was but to soothe the spirit of her sire:
For him, with rare exertion, she combin'd
All arts, that grace the person, and the mind.
Each talent her's, that softens, or alarms!
She much excell'd in all; but most in vocal charms.
Her speech was melody; and, when she sung,
Enchanted age believ'd, that he was young,
Her sire, the stern Donado! with delight
Train'd his sweet child, for ever in his sight;
3
He destin'd her to be a brother's bride;
A brother of the state; in rank his peer;
One, whose wealth made him to ambition dear;
Such vain ambition may proud beauty melt;
But such the pure Venusia never felt.
Her sire, tho' eager her young form to place
In hoary grandeur's winterly embrace,
Subtly resolv'd to keep her youthful mind
Unconscious of the scheme, his pride design'd,
Till the rash project, rais'd on wealth and power,
Was ripe, for him, to fix her nuptial hour;
Convinc'd, his pliant child could ne'er withstand
The sudden impulse of his strong command!
Now, as her sire, with proud delight, survey'd
The various talents, that his child display'd;
Her vocal powers, pre-eminently sweet,
He wish'd, with fondest culture, to complete,
While, blest in quick docility, the fair
Shone the bright idol of paternal care.
In hoary grandeur's winterly embrace,
Subtly resolv'd to keep her youthful mind
Unconscious of the scheme, his pride design'd,
Till the rash project, rais'd on wealth and power,
Was ripe, for him, to fix her nuptial hour;
Convinc'd, his pliant child could ne'er withstand
The sudden impulse of his strong command!
Now, as her sire, with proud delight, survey'd
The various talents, that his child display'd;
Her vocal powers, pre-eminently sweet,
He wish'd, with fondest culture, to complete,
While, blest in quick docility, the fair
Shone the bright idol of paternal care.
It chanc'd, that Venice with her sons had rear'd
A genius, much to harmony endear'd!
A man he was, thro' storms of anguish tost,
By nature cherish'd, as by trouble crost:
Of parts so quick, so various in his power,
It seem'd, kind fancy in his natal hour
Had told him, with munificence divine,
Wish for a talent, it will straight be thine!
His griefs he could, by different arts, controul;
But music was the darling of his soul;
And grief had made him (grief severe, and long)
A mighty master of pathetic song.
His name Lucilio! once he had attain'd
An height of bliss, by mortals rarely gain'd,
What most they pray for from the powers above,
Health, and renown, and affluence, and love:
In his domestic scene supremely blest,
A peerless wife, and daughter, he possest;
The living treasures of his lively heart,
Both deeply skill'd (sweet rivals) in his art.
With these, his prime associates, and his pride;
'Twas oft his joy to sail, at even tide;
And, teaching his light boat to glide along,
Charm the mute current with a triple song:
But ah! how oft, in man's precarious state,
Gay pastime ministers to ruthless fate:
One starless eve a sudden tempest blew;
And instant sunk the love-united crew.
The strong Lucilio gain'd the neighb'ring shore;
And (wond'rous effort!) thro' the waves he bore
His dear companions both—all perils brav'd,
He wildly deem'd his life's best portion sav'd:
Each rescued darling, in high hopes, he prest,
With fondest question, to his panting breast;
Cried “speak!” but sought in vain their stifled breath;
And soon his agonies grew worse than death,
His chearless heart seem'd turning into stone;
He loath'd the life, preserv'd to him alone.
A genius, much to harmony endear'd!
4
By nature cherish'd, as by trouble crost:
Of parts so quick, so various in his power,
It seem'd, kind fancy in his natal hour
Had told him, with munificence divine,
Wish for a talent, it will straight be thine!
His griefs he could, by different arts, controul;
But music was the darling of his soul;
And grief had made him (grief severe, and long)
A mighty master of pathetic song.
His name Lucilio! once he had attain'd
An height of bliss, by mortals rarely gain'd,
What most they pray for from the powers above,
Health, and renown, and affluence, and love:
In his domestic scene supremely blest,
A peerless wife, and daughter, he possest;
The living treasures of his lively heart,
Both deeply skill'd (sweet rivals) in his art.
With these, his prime associates, and his pride;
'Twas oft his joy to sail, at even tide;
And, teaching his light boat to glide along,
Charm the mute current with a triple song:
5
Gay pastime ministers to ruthless fate:
One starless eve a sudden tempest blew;
And instant sunk the love-united crew.
The strong Lucilio gain'd the neighb'ring shore;
And (wond'rous effort!) thro' the waves he bore
His dear companions both—all perils brav'd,
He wildly deem'd his life's best portion sav'd:
Each rescued darling, in high hopes, he prest,
With fondest question, to his panting breast;
Cried “speak!” but sought in vain their stifled breath;
And soon his agonies grew worse than death,
His chearless heart seem'd turning into stone;
He loath'd the life, preserv'd to him alone.
Tho' long, in dreary solitude, he pin'd,
Religion shed her balm upon his mind;
And lenient friendship led his wounded heart
First to endure his long relinquish'd art:
Then, as mild piety her powers had shewn,
And love's torn heart-strings gain'd a firmer tone,
He used, reclining on their tomb, to shed
Affection's tuneful incense o'er the dead:
Religion shed her balm upon his mind;
And lenient friendship led his wounded heart
First to endure his long relinquish'd art:
Then, as mild piety her powers had shewn,
And love's torn heart-strings gain'd a firmer tone,
He used, reclining on their tomb, to shed
Affection's tuneful incense o'er the dead:
6
SONG.
HEAVEN! to whose indulgent smile
Nature leads the drooping soul,
When the world's delusive guile
Yield's to reason's calm controul.
Nature leads the drooping soul,
When the world's delusive guile
Yield's to reason's calm controul.
Yet, ere clouds of dark decay
Round my aching temples spread,
Grant me mental power, to pay
Sacred duties to the dead!
Round my aching temples spread,
Grant me mental power, to pay
Sacred duties to the dead!
SONG.
O my friends! who are gone to the skies,
And have left upon earth a good name!
To your virtue my song shall arise,
And yours be affection, and fame,
For ever!
And have left upon earth a good name!
To your virtue my song shall arise,
And yours be affection, and fame,
For ever!
On the tomb where your relicks repose,
I pay them fond memory's debt:
There my sorrow incessantly flows,
And that duty I never forget,
No, never!
I pay them fond memory's debt:
There my sorrow incessantly flows,
And that duty I never forget,
No, never!
7
Sweet the joy that mild evening bestows
Whom her pensive attractions endear!
But sweeter the vision, that shows
All the worth of the dead we revere,
For ever!
Whom her pensive attractions endear!
But sweeter the vision, that shows
All the worth of the dead we revere,
For ever!
In the season of silence, and night,
Ye idols, ador'd in my heart,
From gratitude's spiritual sight
May your images never depart!
No, never!
Ye idols, ador'd in my heart,
From gratitude's spiritual sight
May your images never depart!
No, never!
SONG.
THERE is, good Heaven! a sacred charm,
In that pure love, we pay the dead,
Which may the rage of grief disarm,
Nor let her dark delirium spread:
In that pure love, we pay the dead,
Which may the rage of grief disarm,
Nor let her dark delirium spread:
Tis when fair truth to her fond gaze,
In glory's light, her idol shows;
Then, list'ning to that idol's praise,
Grief feels a tender, proud repose.
In glory's light, her idol shows;
Then, list'ning to that idol's praise,
Grief feels a tender, proud repose.
Such were the songs, that, in his plaintive gloom,
Lucilio breath'd around his darlings' tomb.
Friendship, whose zeal had led him to forego
Sorrow's dread silence, and inactive woe,
To chear his mind, induc'd him to impart
To early genius his peculiar art:
At friendship's call, he taught a youthful fair
To give sweet pathos to the vocal air,
In songs, that, on his unexampled woes,
It sooth'd his wounded spirit to compose.
Lucilio breath'd around his darlings' tomb.
8
Sorrow's dread silence, and inactive woe,
To chear his mind, induc'd him to impart
To early genius his peculiar art:
At friendship's call, he taught a youthful fair
To give sweet pathos to the vocal air,
In songs, that, on his unexampled woes,
It sooth'd his wounded spirit to compose.
Pitied, esteem'd, admir'd, he much was sought:
Yet shun'd society for lonely thought;
His kind instruction many wish'd to gain,
But youth and beauty ask'd it oft in vain:
His precepts he confin'd to one alone,
To whom in early life his child was known;
This nymph appeas'd his anguish, while she prais'd
Her, whom his love to rare perfection rais'd:
And when attentive to his tuneful law
This young enthusiast of the harp he saw,
When, sweetly docile, she improv'd her strain,
Then his lost daughter seem'd to live again;
Or rather then, from lonely pangs releas'd,
His soul did homage to the dear deceas'd.
Then, with preceptive tenderness, he smil'd
On the young friend, he honor'd as his child.
His sunk eye glisten'd with a hallow'd joy,
His cold heart quicken'd in the blest employ.
Yet shun'd society for lonely thought;
His kind instruction many wish'd to gain,
But youth and beauty ask'd it oft in vain:
His precepts he confin'd to one alone,
To whom in early life his child was known;
This nymph appeas'd his anguish, while she prais'd
Her, whom his love to rare perfection rais'd:
And when attentive to his tuneful law
This young enthusiast of the harp he saw,
When, sweetly docile, she improv'd her strain,
Then his lost daughter seem'd to live again;
Or rather then, from lonely pangs releas'd,
His soul did homage to the dear deceas'd.
9
On the young friend, he honor'd as his child.
His sunk eye glisten'd with a hallow'd joy,
His cold heart quicken'd in the blest employ.
In this pure light, by destiny impell'd,
Venusia's youthful charms he first beheld:
Her sire esteem'd him; and the nymph rever'd:
She grew a scholar to his soul endear'd,
For she had powers, angelically strong,
To soothe his sorrow, and to grace his song.
A perfect angel, in his sight, she seem'd;
And from her eyes celestial comfort beam'd,
When thus she sung, aspiring to his praise,
The fav'rite close of his pathetic lays:
Venusia's youthful charms he first beheld:
Her sire esteem'd him; and the nymph rever'd:
She grew a scholar to his soul endear'd,
For she had powers, angelically strong,
To soothe his sorrow, and to grace his song.
A perfect angel, in his sight, she seem'd;
And from her eyes celestial comfort beam'd,
When thus she sung, aspiring to his praise,
The fav'rite close of his pathetic lays:
SONG.
BY a tomb, that held his treasure,
All his filial pride, and pleasure!
Thus a father mourn'd his child:
Leave, ah leave me to my sorrow!
Dark my day! and dark my morrow!
Life is now a dreary wild:
Hope forsook me,
Misery took me,
When in death my darling smil'd.
All his filial pride, and pleasure!
Thus a father mourn'd his child:
Leave, ah leave me to my sorrow!
Dark my day! and dark my morrow!
Life is now a dreary wild:
Hope forsook me,
Misery took me,
When in death my darling smil'd.
10
Ere his plaint of woe was ended,
From an azure sky descended,
Gracious Pity cheer'd his sight:
Know, she said, and cease to languish,
Heaven afflicts, with transient anguish,
Hearts, that sacred bonds unite;
But to render
Bliss more tender
In eternal scenes of light.
From an azure sky descended,
Gracious Pity cheer'd his sight:
Know, she said, and cease to languish,
Heaven afflicts, with transient anguish,
Hearts, that sacred bonds unite;
But to render
Bliss more tender
In eternal scenes of light.
The lovely songstress, with a power sublime,
Breathing sweet magic thro' the plaintive rhyme,
Felt, as she sung, in every thrilling vein,
Delight combin'd with melancholy pain;
Her friend's lost daughter she had lov'd a child,
And said this melody her grief beguil'd;
But grief was mingled, in her feeling mind,
With secret envy; of a tender kind!
She thought, she willingly could yield her breath,
To be so fondly honor'd after death.
Breathing sweet magic thro' the plaintive rhyme,
Felt, as she sung, in every thrilling vein,
Delight combin'd with melancholy pain;
Her friend's lost daughter she had lov'd a child,
And said this melody her grief beguil'd;
But grief was mingled, in her feeling mind,
With secret envy; of a tender kind!
She thought, she willingly could yield her breath,
To be so fondly honor'd after death.
Ah pure Venusia! Thou could'st ne'er surmize
How latent seeds of destin'd love arise!
Chaste as the smile of infancy, regard
Rose in thy soul for this parental bard:
To thee, while pity thy kind feelings nurst,
He seem'd a second sire, but gentler than the first:
And never father view'd a daughter's charms,
More purified from passion's coarse alarms,
Than now Lucilio on Venusia gaz'd,
Proud of her talents, at her skill amaz'd.
In his pure eye there lurk'd no sparks of fire,
To wake suspicion in her watchful sire;
He deem'd Lucilio but a living shade;
His frame by deep dejection had decay'd;
Tho' strength and grace had deck'd his youthful form,
Both were impair'd by grief's convulsive storm,
And his fond soul seem'd eager to rejoin
His buried darlings' in a choir divine.
How latent seeds of destin'd love arise!
Chaste as the smile of infancy, regard
Rose in thy soul for this parental bard:
11
He seem'd a second sire, but gentler than the first:
And never father view'd a daughter's charms,
More purified from passion's coarse alarms,
Than now Lucilio on Venusia gaz'd,
Proud of her talents, at her skill amaz'd.
In his pure eye there lurk'd no sparks of fire,
To wake suspicion in her watchful sire;
He deem'd Lucilio but a living shade;
His frame by deep dejection had decay'd;
Tho' strength and grace had deck'd his youthful form,
Both were impair'd by grief's convulsive storm,
And his fond soul seem'd eager to rejoin
His buried darlings' in a choir divine.
Hence keen Donado felt no anxious dread,
If chance his step from her apartment led.
When, in sweet privacy, the tuneful maid
Improv'd her music by Lucilio's aid.
Not without reason had her sire relied
On young Venusia's honorable pride;
She, from the season of her infant life,
Was train'd to form a noble's future wife.
Rash freedoms never had she caus'd, or fear'd:
In conscious virtue she herself rever'd.
A modest majesty adorn'd her face,
Her smile was bounty; her attention grace:
And could a man, deprest by grief, endure
To wound the dignity of charms so pure?
If chance his step from her apartment led.
When, in sweet privacy, the tuneful maid
Improv'd her music by Lucilio's aid.
Not without reason had her sire relied
On young Venusia's honorable pride;
She, from the season of her infant life,
Was train'd to form a noble's future wife.
12
In conscious virtue she herself rever'd.
A modest majesty adorn'd her face,
Her smile was bounty; her attention grace:
And could a man, deprest by grief, endure
To wound the dignity of charms so pure?
No! just Lucilio had in silence died,
Rather than wish Venusia for his bride,
Had not her sire, with base tyrannic might,
Tried to deprive her of a daughter's right,
And barbarously doom'd her blooming charms
To the cold mildew of a dotard's arms.
The nymph, on graceful studies solely bent,
Felt no suspicion of her sire's intent:
Tho' fondly pompous, with officious care,
The rich Zanetti often prais'd the fair,
And oft familiar for admission pray'd,
When to the fair one's song Lucilio play'd.
This old Magnifico, more dull than pert,
Engag'd her notice only to divert
Her playful fancy, when she saw him melt
With taste assum'd for arts he never felt,
Since weak and corpulent, and apt to doze,
Sometimes he slumber'd in her music's close;
She smil'd, not thinking (innocently gay)
His wealth and weakness were her father's prey.
The base ambition, that his heart defil'd,
Fixt his resolve to sacrifice his child.
Chance to Lucilio that resolve betray'd,
He madden'd at the thought: yet undismay'd,
Of love unconscious, with no selfish care
He wish'd from wretchedness to shield the fair.
Rather than wish Venusia for his bride,
Had not her sire, with base tyrannic might,
Tried to deprive her of a daughter's right,
And barbarously doom'd her blooming charms
To the cold mildew of a dotard's arms.
The nymph, on graceful studies solely bent,
Felt no suspicion of her sire's intent:
Tho' fondly pompous, with officious care,
The rich Zanetti often prais'd the fair,
And oft familiar for admission pray'd,
When to the fair one's song Lucilio play'd.
This old Magnifico, more dull than pert,
Engag'd her notice only to divert
Her playful fancy, when she saw him melt
With taste assum'd for arts he never felt,
13
Sometimes he slumber'd in her music's close;
She smil'd, not thinking (innocently gay)
His wealth and weakness were her father's prey.
The base ambition, that his heart defil'd,
Fixt his resolve to sacrifice his child.
Chance to Lucilio that resolve betray'd,
He madden'd at the thought: yet undismay'd,
Of love unconscious, with no selfish care
He wish'd from wretchedness to shield the fair.
What could he do? in his distracted thought,
Plans for that purpose, still in vain, he sought.
But powers ætherial, who, tho' viewless, seem
To aid of virtuous zeal the wildest dream,
In two pure hearts, from conscious passion free,
Wak'd mutual kindness, till by Heaven's decree,
It made them, ere they knew its secret might,
In love's indissoluble ties unite.
Plans for that purpose, still in vain, he sought.
But powers ætherial, who, tho' viewless, seem
To aid of virtuous zeal the wildest dream,
In two pure hearts, from conscious passion free,
Wak'd mutual kindness, till by Heaven's decree,
It made them, ere they knew its secret might,
In love's indissoluble ties unite.
When next Lucilio his Venusia saw
It chanc'd no witness made him mute with awe.
His features spoke his pain in all its force,
The nymph perceiv'd, and begg'd to know its source;
She little dream'd it from herself arose,
But in kind pity sought to soothe his woes,
It chanc'd no witness made him mute with awe.
His features spoke his pain in all its force,
The nymph perceiv'd, and begg'd to know its source;
14
But in kind pity sought to soothe his woes,
Ere he would tell this source of grief profound,
The fair he first by adjurations bound,
Not to reveal, or by a sign make known,
A secret, that concern'd herself alone,
And pregnant with such misery to her,
Rather than see it he would racks prefer.
Venusia gave (her eager fancy fir'd)
Each promise of concealment he requir'd;
Then having drawn the secret from his breast,
She smil'd, and tried to make his fear a jest;
But seeing how the phantom pierc'd his brain,
And anxious only to relieve his pain,
“By Heaven I swear!” the sweet enthusiast cried,
“Me you shall ne'er behold Zanetti's bride.”
That sound exalted him to feverish bliss,
Grateful he gave her hand a burning kiss.
Intoxicated friendship made a trip,
He touch'd, in blind temerity, her lip;
But angry light'ning from Venusia's eye,
Pierc'd his pale form—he could not speak or sigh!
Down his wan cheek the tears of anguish stole,
And spoke the deep distresses of his soul:
Tears drew a silent pardon from the fair;
To end the troubled scene was now her care;
She clos'd her book.—In penitential awe,
The mute instructor hasten'd to withdraw:
The modest maiden would not bid him stay,
But for their meeting nam'd a future day.
Before that day arrived, a day that each,
Fear'd the slow feet of time would never reach;
What quick vicissitudes of various thought,
By Heaven suggested, and by nature taught!
Roll'd thro' Lucilio's and Venusia's breast,
To rob each sympathizing heart of rest.
The fair he first by adjurations bound,
Not to reveal, or by a sign make known,
A secret, that concern'd herself alone,
And pregnant with such misery to her,
Rather than see it he would racks prefer.
Venusia gave (her eager fancy fir'd)
Each promise of concealment he requir'd;
Then having drawn the secret from his breast,
She smil'd, and tried to make his fear a jest;
But seeing how the phantom pierc'd his brain,
And anxious only to relieve his pain,
“By Heaven I swear!” the sweet enthusiast cried,
“Me you shall ne'er behold Zanetti's bride.”
That sound exalted him to feverish bliss,
Grateful he gave her hand a burning kiss.
Intoxicated friendship made a trip,
He touch'd, in blind temerity, her lip;
But angry light'ning from Venusia's eye,
Pierc'd his pale form—he could not speak or sigh!
15
And spoke the deep distresses of his soul:
Tears drew a silent pardon from the fair;
To end the troubled scene was now her care;
She clos'd her book.—In penitential awe,
The mute instructor hasten'd to withdraw:
The modest maiden would not bid him stay,
But for their meeting nam'd a future day.
Before that day arrived, a day that each,
Fear'd the slow feet of time would never reach;
What quick vicissitudes of various thought,
By Heaven suggested, and by nature taught!
Roll'd thro' Lucilio's and Venusia's breast,
To rob each sympathizing heart of rest.
The startled nymph contriv'd with subtle skill,
To sound an aged aunt against her will;
And learn'd, with all the aptitude of youth,
Donado's cunning, and Lucilio's truth.
What potent feelings in her bosom blend,
To raise her pity for her suffering friend!
Meantime his misery assumes an air,
Of hope-chear'd love renouncing dark despair;
The lip he wildly prest had wak'd a flame,
Of new existence in his manly frame,
Nature and genius, with their blended fire,
Bade him to bliss, he merited, aspire,
And spite of terror taught him to prepare,
Music and verse to fascinate the fair.
While lull'd in visions of a darker plot,
The social elders on a distant spot,
Deck'd, in blind vanity, a nuptial bed,
Which, as a snare, indignant virtue fled;
For quick, tho' seeming slow, arriv'd the morn,
When, like a nightingale upon a thorn,
The tender songstress ceas'd her song; to greet
Her kind preceptor.—Now alone they meet!
The blest musician o'er his idol hung,
And thus in softest harmony he sung:
To sound an aged aunt against her will;
And learn'd, with all the aptitude of youth,
Donado's cunning, and Lucilio's truth.
What potent feelings in her bosom blend,
To raise her pity for her suffering friend!
Meantime his misery assumes an air,
Of hope-chear'd love renouncing dark despair;
16
Of new existence in his manly frame,
Nature and genius, with their blended fire,
Bade him to bliss, he merited, aspire,
And spite of terror taught him to prepare,
Music and verse to fascinate the fair.
While lull'd in visions of a darker plot,
The social elders on a distant spot,
Deck'd, in blind vanity, a nuptial bed,
Which, as a snare, indignant virtue fled;
For quick, tho' seeming slow, arriv'd the morn,
When, like a nightingale upon a thorn,
The tender songstress ceas'd her song; to greet
Her kind preceptor.—Now alone they meet!
The blest musician o'er his idol hung,
And thus in softest harmony he sung:
SONG.
SHOULD a mortal, rais'd in vision
To a glimpse of scenes divine,
Madly cry, with bold decision,
Bliss of angels! thou art mine.
To a glimpse of scenes divine,
Madly cry, with bold decision,
Bliss of angels! thou art mine.
17
At the gate of Heaven presiding!
Seraphs might his zeal reprove;
But to teach, by heavenly chiding,
Future hope to patient love.
Seraphs might his zeal reprove;
But to teach, by heavenly chiding,
Future hope to patient love.
I was that presumptuous mortal!
And thy heart the heaven I view'd!
Truth, the seraph at the portal,
Tells me I too rashly sued.
And thy heart the heaven I view'd!
Truth, the seraph at the portal,
Tells me I too rashly sued.
Teach me now in true contrition,
(Injur'd Heaven requires no more)
How to soothe by just submission,
How deserve what I adore!
(Injur'd Heaven requires no more)
How to soothe by just submission,
How deserve what I adore!
While in sweet tumults of the heart, the fair,
Stood rapt in wonder at love's tuneful prayer!
The tear of tremulous delight, the flush
Of fond surprize, and joy's triumphant blush,
Gave such bright force to beauty's richest hue,
On her angelic face such lustre threw,
She seem'd a seraph, in Lucilio's eyes,
Fit to unfold the mandate of the skies!
Nor could a seraph raise a higher flame,
Of wond'rous transport in a mortal frame,
Than she excited, when, in quick reply,
She spoke his fate appointed in the sky:
Stood rapt in wonder at love's tuneful prayer!
The tear of tremulous delight, the flush
Of fond surprize, and joy's triumphant blush,
Gave such bright force to beauty's richest hue,
On her angelic face such lustre threw,
She seem'd a seraph, in Lucilio's eyes,
Fit to unfold the mandate of the skies!
Nor could a seraph raise a higher flame,
Of wond'rous transport in a mortal frame,
18
She spoke his fate appointed in the sky:
“O born to save me! long as life endures,
From vile abasement, that my heart abjures;
I bless the lot, the Heavens to me disclose,
'Tis mine to recompence thy signal woes;
For know, commission'd to preserve thy life,
I am in truth thy Heaven-elected wife!
And know, to magnify surprize so fond,
A parent sanctifies our nuptial bond!”
“What can thy sire!”—“Ah no!” (with shudd'ring dread
That thro' the warmth of hallow'd rapture spread,
The still exulting fair exclaim'd) “yet see
A parent quit her paradise for thee!
Listen, in calmer joy, while I relate,
The blessed marvels of our blended fate!”
From vile abasement, that my heart abjures;
I bless the lot, the Heavens to me disclose,
'Tis mine to recompence thy signal woes;
For know, commission'd to preserve thy life,
I am in truth thy Heaven-elected wife!
And know, to magnify surprize so fond,
A parent sanctifies our nuptial bond!”
“What can thy sire!”—“Ah no!” (with shudd'ring dread
That thro' the warmth of hallow'd rapture spread,
The still exulting fair exclaim'd) “yet see
A parent quit her paradise for thee!
Listen, in calmer joy, while I relate,
The blessed marvels of our blended fate!”
“When first alarm'd, by what thy friendship told,
I sought my guardian aunt, still kind, tho' old,
All that she knew, she scrupled to confess,
But rais'd such doubts, as doubled my distress;
Some hints she gave, as if she gave them not,
From ill-dissembled pity of my lot.
And much I fear'd in night's first lonely hour,
Her awful feelings of paternal power!
I steep'd my pillow in the tears of grief,
But, ere I rose, receiv'd divine relief.
At morning's dawn she stood beside my bed,
And, as amaz'd I blest her, thus she said:”
I sought my guardian aunt, still kind, tho' old,
All that she knew, she scrupled to confess,
But rais'd such doubts, as doubled my distress;
Some hints she gave, as if she gave them not,
From ill-dissembled pity of my lot.
19
Her awful feelings of paternal power!
I steep'd my pillow in the tears of grief,
But, ere I rose, receiv'd divine relief.
At morning's dawn she stood beside my bed,
And, as amaz'd I blest her, thus she said:”
“My child! as such, I long have held thee dear,
Now as the ward of Heaven I more revere;
For love and duty bid me now declare
Thee, in this crisis, Heaven's immediate care,
Thy mother (call'd to glory at thy birth)
For thee descended, this blest night to earth,
Confest in vision, she before me stood;
I speak her dictates for my darling's good:”
‘Ere three days end to Milan thou must fly,
Love will,’ she said, ‘a secret guard supply.’
“Her spirit, from maternal terror free,
Was troubled for thy sire, but not for thee,
O'er him dark perils of deep guilt impend;
For thee, she bade me fear not, but defend,
By telling thee her mandate—all the rest,
The love, that has her sanction, will suggest.
I felt an awful pleasure in her sight,
Serenely soothing as the lunar light;
Her presence rais'd my hopes, my wonder more,
That her pure breast an infant angel bore!
She bade me trust thee to thyself alone,
And keep thy wond'rous destiny unknown,
Nor hazard aught thyself, nor aught enquire,
That may betray thee, to thy hasty sire,
Whose barb'rous plot against thy native right,
'Tis now thy duty to evade by flight.
I bless and leave thee, that my feeble age
May 'scape by ignorance thy father's rage;
When here returning—soon will he return,
And fiercely will ambitious anger burn
To find thee gone.—'Tis mine to bid thee go,
But how and when, are points, I must not know.”—
“She bless'd me—then she hasten'd to withdraw.—
With heavenly zeal, and heaven-awaken'd awe,
Amaz'd, yet in amazement undismay'd,
Thus to the saint, who gave me birth, I pray'd:
Now as the ward of Heaven I more revere;
For love and duty bid me now declare
Thee, in this crisis, Heaven's immediate care,
Thy mother (call'd to glory at thy birth)
For thee descended, this blest night to earth,
Confest in vision, she before me stood;
I speak her dictates for my darling's good:”
‘Ere three days end to Milan thou must fly,
Love will,’ she said, ‘a secret guard supply.’
“Her spirit, from maternal terror free,
Was troubled for thy sire, but not for thee,
O'er him dark perils of deep guilt impend;
For thee, she bade me fear not, but defend,
By telling thee her mandate—all the rest,
The love, that has her sanction, will suggest.
20
Serenely soothing as the lunar light;
Her presence rais'd my hopes, my wonder more,
That her pure breast an infant angel bore!
She bade me trust thee to thyself alone,
And keep thy wond'rous destiny unknown,
Nor hazard aught thyself, nor aught enquire,
That may betray thee, to thy hasty sire,
Whose barb'rous plot against thy native right,
'Tis now thy duty to evade by flight.
I bless and leave thee, that my feeble age
May 'scape by ignorance thy father's rage;
When here returning—soon will he return,
And fiercely will ambitious anger burn
To find thee gone.—'Tis mine to bid thee go,
But how and when, are points, I must not know.”—
“She bless'd me—then she hasten'd to withdraw.—
With heavenly zeal, and heaven-awaken'd awe,
Amaz'd, yet in amazement undismay'd,
Thus to the saint, who gave me birth, I pray'd:
21
SONNET.
THOU tender guide of that angelic band,Who, friendly guardians of my feeling soul,
Shield it from evils, that around me roll;
Shade of my mother! teach me self-command;
Those fiery storms, of trouble to withstand,
Where the weak mind, is like a shrivell'd scroll;
Be mine thy courage, of divine controul!
Modestly firm, and confidently grand!
I hold thy dictates to my soul most dear,
Awfully sweet, as Heaven's descending dove!
Yet if thy voice devoutly I revere,
Once, in brief vision, to thy child appear!
So, strong in thy blest sanction from above,
My lighten'd heart may spring, to liberty and love.
“With filial hopes, now painfully intense,
I look'd to Heaven! till slumber seiz'd my sense.
My prayer was granted, the blest vision came;
A being, mantled in ætherial flame,
Wav'd o'er me smiling, and these words exprest:”
‘Trust thy pure heart, be fearless, and be blest!’
“I rose in trembling joy, and now I see
The guardian, she announc'd, reveal'd in thee.
Hence have I dar'd, in filial duty's pride,
Proclaim myself thy Heaven-elected bride.
Thy heart confirming what our stars enjoin,
Thy path shall be my path, thy laws are mine;
Justly to thee, my plighted faith is given,
Dearer than life, thou delegate of Heaven!”
I look'd to Heaven! till slumber seiz'd my sense.
My prayer was granted, the blest vision came;
A being, mantled in ætherial flame,
Wav'd o'er me smiling, and these words exprest:”
‘Trust thy pure heart, be fearless, and be blest!’
“I rose in trembling joy, and now I see
The guardian, she announc'd, reveal'd in thee.
22
Proclaim myself thy Heaven-elected bride.
Thy heart confirming what our stars enjoin,
Thy path shall be my path, thy laws are mine;
Justly to thee, my plighted faith is given,
Dearer than life, thou delegate of Heaven!”
With mute obedience, and with blushing grace,
Chastely she sunk in gratitude's embrace.
But O Lucilio! how did joy's high flame
Convulse thy fondly agitated frame,
'Till proudly gushing on thy fair one's cheek,
Heart-easing tears restor'd thy power to speak;
Thy tears, thy words, collected tho' not calm,
Seem'd to contend for eloquence's palm;
Nor fail'd those arts, that forceful love attend,
To grace the triumph of their fav'rite friend:
Prophetic fondness, in quick fancy strong,
Had rais'd the tribute of successive song.
Ere to the bright enchantress he replied,
Her harp he seiz'd, with an extatic pride;
Call'd forth its spirit with a sovereign power,
To tell the transport of the blissful hour;
And as inspir'd with momentary lays,
Proudly pour'd forth his own Venusia's praise.
Chastely she sunk in gratitude's embrace.
But O Lucilio! how did joy's high flame
Convulse thy fondly agitated frame,
'Till proudly gushing on thy fair one's cheek,
Heart-easing tears restor'd thy power to speak;
Thy tears, thy words, collected tho' not calm,
Seem'd to contend for eloquence's palm;
Nor fail'd those arts, that forceful love attend,
To grace the triumph of their fav'rite friend:
Prophetic fondness, in quick fancy strong,
Had rais'd the tribute of successive song.
Ere to the bright enchantress he replied,
Her harp he seiz'd, with an extatic pride;
Call'd forth its spirit with a sovereign power,
To tell the transport of the blissful hour;
23
Proudly pour'd forth his own Venusia's praise.
SONG.
ART thou, my Venusia? yes thou art the maid,
By our stars pre-ordain'd, all my woes to repay,
Delightfully now will they all be o'erpaid,
For thy charms, and my love, are exempt from decay.
By our stars pre-ordain'd, all my woes to repay,
Delightfully now will they all be o'erpaid,
For thy charms, and my love, are exempt from decay.
If thy roses should fade, those intelligent rays,
Of tenderness darting from eyes so benign,
Will transmit from thy heart, more than language conveys,
And with sympathy's magic re-animate mine.
Of tenderness darting from eyes so benign,
Will transmit from thy heart, more than language conveys,
And with sympathy's magic re-animate mine.
If my features exhibit, as surely they will,
Too visible traces of trouble and time;
Yet with love's genial fervor, my fancy may still
Seem but just to have reach'd the sweet season of prime.
Too visible traces of trouble and time;
Yet with love's genial fervor, my fancy may still
Seem but just to have reach'd the sweet season of prime.
A garland with Amaranths gracefully starr'd,
To thee, my preserver, henceforth shall belong;
Thy beauties for lavishing bliss on a bard,
Shall immortally bloom in his rapturous song.
To thee, my preserver, henceforth shall belong;
Thy beauties for lavishing bliss on a bard,
Shall immortally bloom in his rapturous song.
His verse he grac'd, by passion's soft controul,
With melting notes that penetrate the soul.
And from the trembling partner of his bliss,
Took the just tribute of a grateful kiss;
Then, as still speaking, in a trance of joy,
That earth's dark perils never could destroy:
“Queen of my life,” the blest Lucilio cried,
“Mark how Heaven sends thee, thy predicted guide!
Me, at my house, a friendly priest attends,
In Milan bred, the first of faithful friends;
Of heart most fervent, and of soul serene,
He comes to draw me to his native scene;
Eager with friendship's tutelary care,
To nurse my wasted health, that woes impair.
But little thinks he what a gracious power,
Sent him to Venice in this fateful hour;
How will his glowing heart rejoice to see,
Refuge in Milan, paradise to me.
How bless my angel, who, with aid divine,
Gives me to feel that paradise is mine.
Come then celestial guardian of my life,
To night assume the sacred name of wife;
Friendship and love in evening's fav'ring hour,
Shall watch and guide thee, to thy nuptial bower;
My heaven-deputed friend shall join our hands,
The spirit of the blest have sanctified our bands.
Rich in such union, may to-morrow's sun,
To Milan see our blissful course begun.
Too nobly frank to hint a cold delay,
Venusia promis'd, at the close of day,
To join her destin'd lord.—With joy intense,
He felt her charms, thro' each enchanted sense.
He almost doubts his bliss; and thus exprest,
The tender tumult of his throbbing breast:
With melting notes that penetrate the soul.
24
Took the just tribute of a grateful kiss;
Then, as still speaking, in a trance of joy,
That earth's dark perils never could destroy:
“Queen of my life,” the blest Lucilio cried,
“Mark how Heaven sends thee, thy predicted guide!
Me, at my house, a friendly priest attends,
In Milan bred, the first of faithful friends;
Of heart most fervent, and of soul serene,
He comes to draw me to his native scene;
Eager with friendship's tutelary care,
To nurse my wasted health, that woes impair.
But little thinks he what a gracious power,
Sent him to Venice in this fateful hour;
How will his glowing heart rejoice to see,
Refuge in Milan, paradise to me.
How bless my angel, who, with aid divine,
Gives me to feel that paradise is mine.
Come then celestial guardian of my life,
To night assume the sacred name of wife;
Friendship and love in evening's fav'ring hour,
Shall watch and guide thee, to thy nuptial bower;
25
The spirit of the blest have sanctified our bands.
Rich in such union, may to-morrow's sun,
To Milan see our blissful course begun.
Too nobly frank to hint a cold delay,
Venusia promis'd, at the close of day,
To join her destin'd lord.—With joy intense,
He felt her charms, thro' each enchanted sense.
He almost doubts his bliss; and thus exprest,
The tender tumult of his throbbing breast:
SONG.
I know not, Venusia, if thou art indeed,
The being ordain'd to compensate my woes,
But I know that idea is part of my creed,
And a part, where my spirit delights to repose.
The being ordain'd to compensate my woes,
But I know that idea is part of my creed,
And a part, where my spirit delights to repose.
In a vision, that waking, I fondly behold,
I see thee that office angelic assume,
Teach a petrified heart with new life to unfold,
And a fancy, grief blighted, with extacy bloom.
I see thee that office angelic assume,
Teach a petrified heart with new life to unfold,
And a fancy, grief blighted, with extacy bloom.
It may all be illusion, yet surely to me,
No reality ever could seem more divine,
And I prize it the more, as I constantly see,
True tenderness, mixt with true piety, thine.
No reality ever could seem more divine,
And I prize it the more, as I constantly see,
True tenderness, mixt with true piety, thine.
26
Such to me are thy charms, so imprest on my mind,
They seem to me present e'en when I'm alone,
Such a part of my being thy virtues I find,
Venusia's kind heart is the half of my own.
They seem to me present e'en when I'm alone,
Such a part of my being thy virtues I find,
Venusia's kind heart is the half of my own.
While love's and harmony's united powers,
Give double speed to hope's extatic hours.
Venusia list'ning to her lover's rhyme,
Hardly perceives the hasty flight of time.
At length she tells him 'tis their hour to part,
Then, as she said it, sighing from her heart;
“But go not yet,” she cried, “once more prolong
The soothing magic of thy tender song;
For love I see, and in the sight rejoice,
Improves the sweetness of the sweetest voice.
Thine ever seem'd delightful to my ear!
Yet how does love its every grace endear;
That voice is now my sovereign.—Charm to rest
A timid slutter in my anxious breast;
Not for myself I fear, or thee my friend,
I feel the Heavens, who join, us will defend.
Yet for my blinded sire, base passion's prey,
The sire, whom duty bids me disobey!
For him!”—Her starting tears here stopt her tongue;
To her quick beating heart Lucilio clung,
And calm'd the soft inquietude of youth
With genuine sympathy, and manly truth.
He prais'd her filial tenderness; he pray'd,
That love might lead him, with celestial aid,
To win her sire, and, ere his days could close,
Lead his fierce spirit to divine repose!
Clasping with pride his voluntary wife,
“Thy peace,” he said, “is dearer than my life!”
And thus, in notes of magical controul,
He sung the dictates of his feeling soul.
Give double speed to hope's extatic hours.
Venusia list'ning to her lover's rhyme,
Hardly perceives the hasty flight of time.
At length she tells him 'tis their hour to part,
Then, as she said it, sighing from her heart;
“But go not yet,” she cried, “once more prolong
The soothing magic of thy tender song;
For love I see, and in the sight rejoice,
Improves the sweetness of the sweetest voice.
Thine ever seem'd delightful to my ear!
Yet how does love its every grace endear;
That voice is now my sovereign.—Charm to rest
A timid slutter in my anxious breast;
Not for myself I fear, or thee my friend,
I feel the Heavens, who join, us will defend.
Yet for my blinded sire, base passion's prey,
The sire, whom duty bids me disobey!
27
To her quick beating heart Lucilio clung,
And calm'd the soft inquietude of youth
With genuine sympathy, and manly truth.
He prais'd her filial tenderness; he pray'd,
That love might lead him, with celestial aid,
To win her sire, and, ere his days could close,
Lead his fierce spirit to divine repose!
Clasping with pride his voluntary wife,
“Thy peace,” he said, “is dearer than my life!”
And thus, in notes of magical controul,
He sung the dictates of his feeling soul.
SONG.
LET the lover who burns with mere earthly desire,
In vows to his fair vent his amorous fire,
And protest with presumption's importunate kiss,
He must die, if she fails to accomplish his bliss!
In vows to his fair vent his amorous fire,
And protest with presumption's importunate kiss,
He must die, if she fails to accomplish his bliss!
The love, that for thee, my Venusia, I own,
With a view more sublime, takes a different tone;
More nobly I bend to felicity's shrine,
With a primary wish, that her gifts may be thine.
With a view more sublime, takes a different tone;
More nobly I bend to felicity's shrine,
With a primary wish, that her gifts may be thine.
28
I know that thy heart, from its infantine hours,
Was to excellence train'd by angelical powers!
All the love of that heart may they guide and enlarge,
As their foresight sees best, for the good of their charge!
Was to excellence train'd by angelical powers!
All the love of that heart may they guide and enlarge,
As their foresight sees best, for the good of their charge!
If to make thy heart mine is a triumph to them,
I with rapturous gratitude value the gem!
The delight of the blessing I feel in each nerve,
And the gift, they bestow, duly pray to preserve.
I with rapturous gratitude value the gem!
The delight of the blessing I feel in each nerve,
And the gift, they bestow, duly pray to preserve.
But if now in my lot aught of ill they discern,
That for thee a brief joy to long sorrow may turn,
Though imagin'd my own, I the treasure forego,
And would sacrifice bliss to be bought by thy woe!
That for thee a brief joy to long sorrow may turn,
Though imagin'd my own, I the treasure forego,
And would sacrifice bliss to be bought by thy woe!
But here smiling in vision those angels I see,
For thy sake my Venusia they smile upon me,
And they tell me, that form'd for each other we live;
Our reciprocal love is the blessing they give.
For thy sake my Venusia they smile upon me,
And they tell me, that form'd for each other we live;
Our reciprocal love is the blessing they give.
Let not either, they say, our pure present disclaim,
It is love from the fount of seraphical flame!
It shall light you on earth, while on earth either stays,
And at last lead you both to beatitude's blaze.
It is love from the fount of seraphical flame!
It shall light you on earth, while on earth either stays,
And at last lead you both to beatitude's blaze.
As thus in mutual truth their hearts accord,
The chaste Venusia blest her chosen lord;
And with a proud esteem, and tender praise,
Hail'd him the sov'reign of her future days!
Then rapidly dismiss'd: for thought and care,
Bade her for evening's fateful hour prepare;
When she must seek, against the worst alarms,
The heaven-rais'd refuge of a husband's arms!
The chaste Venusia blest her chosen lord;
29
Hail'd him the sov'reign of her future days!
Then rapidly dismiss'd: for thought and care,
Bade her for evening's fateful hour prepare;
When she must seek, against the worst alarms,
The heaven-rais'd refuge of a husband's arms!
END OF THE FIRST CANTO.
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