III.
The heavens became a splendour far and near,
And bloom'd and blossom'd into flower each plain
As Love began her mild but sov'ran reign,
And ruled with golden sceptre o'er each sphere:
In bush and tree the birds sang loud and clear,
And echo answered softly back again,
Glad to repeat, and linger o'er the strain,
Which the earth heard with open heart and ear
O Love, the old world still thou keepest young!
O Beauty, thou dost hold it still as fair
As when your praise in dawn of time was sung
By him whose voice was sweet beyond compare,
Whose lyre divine, on high Olympus strung,
Took captive all things, both of earth and air!
