The Works of Soame Jenyns ... In Four Volumes. Including Several Pieces Never Before Published. To Which are Prefixed, Short Sketches of the History of the Author's Family, and also of his Life; By Charles Nalson Cole |
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THE TEMPLE OF VENUS. |
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 | The Works of Soame Jenyns |  |
THE TEMPLE OF VENUS.
In her own isle's remotest grove
Stands Venus' lovely shrine,
Sacred to beauty, joy, and love,
And built by hands divine.
Stands Venus' lovely shrine,
Sacred to beauty, joy, and love,
And built by hands divine.
The polish'd structure, fair and bright
As her own ivory skin,
Without is alabaster white,
And ruby all within.
As her own ivory skin,
Without is alabaster white,
And ruby all within.
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Above, a cupola charms the view,
White as unsully'd snow;
Two columns of the same fair hue
Support the dome below.
White as unsully'd snow;
Two columns of the same fair hue
Support the dome below.
Its walls a trickling fountain laves,
In which such virtue reigns,
That, bath'd in its balsamic waves,
No lover feels his pains.
In which such virtue reigns,
That, bath'd in its balsamic waves,
No lover feels his pains.
Before th' unfolding gates there spreads
A fragrant spicy grove,
That with its curling branches shades
The labyrinths of Love.
A fragrant spicy grove,
That with its curling branches shades
The labyrinths of Love.
Bright Beauty here her captives holds,
Who kiss their easy chains,
And in softest closest folds
Her willing slaves detains.
Who kiss their easy chains,
And in softest closest folds
Her willing slaves detains.
Wouldst thou, who ne'er these seas hast try'd,
Find where this island lies,
Let pilot Love the rudder guide,
And steer by Chloe's eyes.
Find where this island lies,
Let pilot Love the rudder guide,
And steer by Chloe's eyes.
| The Works of Soame Jenyns | |