 | Poems upon several Occasions |  |
361
Hersilia chang'd into the Goddess ORA.
When Royal Juno heard Hersilia moan,
Since the Dear Lord of all her Vows was gone,
She Iris sent her swift Commands to bear,
And comfort with these Words the mourning Fair.
Since the Dear Lord of all her Vows was gone,
She Iris sent her swift Commands to bear,
And comfort with these Words the mourning Fair.
‘O Thou the Glory, and unequal'd Grace
‘Of all the Roman, and thy Sabine Race,
‘Worthy your Hero, whilst He here abode,
‘As worthy of him now, tho' made a God;
‘No more lament, no more indulge your Cares,
‘But with those Sighs suppress your flowing Tears.
‘If you'd behold the Form you so much love,
‘Approach with me that Hill, and Sacred Grove
‘That does thy Romulus his Temple grace,
‘And spreads a Reverend Shade around the Hallow'd Place.
‘Of all the Roman, and thy Sabine Race,
‘Worthy your Hero, whilst He here abode,
‘As worthy of him now, tho' made a God;
362
‘But with those Sighs suppress your flowing Tears.
‘If you'd behold the Form you so much love,
‘Approach with me that Hill, and Sacred Grove
‘That does thy Romulus his Temple grace,
‘And spreads a Reverend Shade around the Hallow'd Place.
Streight Iris by her painted Bow descends,
Pleas'd to obey her Goddess's Commands.
Pleas'd to obey her Goddess's Commands.
The Charge receiv'd, Hersilia's Blushes rise,
And gently raising her unwilling Eyes,
Says She, O Goddess (for thro' all your Frame
A Goddess shines, tho' it conceals your Name,)
Direct my Steps, your promis'd Aid afford,
And O! conduct me to my Dearest Lord;
Let but the Glory of his Eyes appear,
You give me Heav'n, for all my Heav'n is there.
And gently raising her unwilling Eyes,
Says She, O Goddess (for thro' all your Frame
A Goddess shines, tho' it conceals your Name,)
Direct my Steps, your promis'd Aid afford,
And O! conduct me to my Dearest Lord;
Let but the Glory of his Eyes appear,
You give me Heav'n, for all my Heav'n is there.
363
Transported with her faithful Guide She pass'd,
And panting, climbs the Hill wirh eager Haste.
Shot from its Sphere, a Meteor downward fled,
Gilding her flaming Hair with Beams, that spread
A Glory round her Consecrated Head:
Her Grosser Parts refin'd, to Heav'n aspire,
And with her Guardian-Star She mounts in Fire.
Rome's Founder, yet Uxorious, feels Love's Flame,
And Clasping in his Arms the Royal Dame,
At once he chang'd her Body, and her Name.
Now Ora call'd, a Goddess She remains,
And by Quirinus blest, with him She jointly reigns.
And panting, climbs the Hill wirh eager Haste.
Shot from its Sphere, a Meteor downward fled,
Gilding her flaming Hair with Beams, that spread
A Glory round her Consecrated Head:
Her Grosser Parts refin'd, to Heav'n aspire,
And with her Guardian-Star She mounts in Fire.
Rome's Founder, yet Uxorious, feels Love's Flame,
And Clasping in his Arms the Royal Dame,
At once he chang'd her Body, and her Name.
Now Ora call'd, a Goddess She remains,
And by Quirinus blest, with him She jointly reigns.
| Poems upon several Occasions | |