The temple of nature or, the origin of society: a poem, with philosophical notes. By Erasmus Darwin |
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 | The temple of nature |  |
VII.
Now paused the beauteous Teacher, and awhile
Gazed on her train with sympathetic smile.
‘Beware of Love! she cried, ye Nymphs, and hear
‘His twanging bowstring with alarmed ear;
‘Fly the first whisper of the distant dart,
‘Or shield with adamant the fluttering heart;
‘To secret shades, ye Virgin trains, retire,
‘And in your bosoms guard the vestal fire.”
—The obedient Beauties hear her words, advised,
And bow with laugh repress'd, and smile chastised.
Gazed on her train with sympathetic smile.
‘Beware of Love! she cried, ye Nymphs, and hear
‘His twanging bowstring with alarmed ear;
‘Fly the first whisper of the distant dart,
‘Or shield with adamant the fluttering heart;
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‘And in your bosoms guard the vestal fire.”
—The obedient Beauties hear her words, advised,
And bow with laugh repress'd, and smile chastised.
Now at her nod the Nymphs attendant bring
Translucent water from the bubbling spring;
In crystal cups the waves salubrious shine,
Unstain'd untainted with immodest wine.
Next, where emerging from its ancient roots
Its widening boughs the Tree of Knowledge shoots;
Pluck'd with nice choice before the Muse they placed
The now no longer interdicted taste.
Awhile they sit, from higher cares released,
And pleased partake the intellectual feast.
Of good and ill they spoke, effect and cause,
Celestial agencies, and Nature's laws.
Translucent water from the bubbling spring;
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Unstain'd untainted with immodest wine.
Next, where emerging from its ancient roots
Its widening boughs the Tree of Knowledge shoots;
Pluck'd with nice choice before the Muse they placed
The now no longer interdicted taste.
Awhile they sit, from higher cares released,
And pleased partake the intellectual feast.
Of good and ill they spoke, effect and cause,
Celestial agencies, and Nature's laws.
So when angelic Forms to Syria sent
Sat in the cedar shade by Abraham's tent;
A spacious bowl the admiring Patriarch fills
With dulcet water from the scanty rills;
Sweet fruits and kernels gathers from his hoard,
With milk and butter piles the plenteous board;
While on the heated hearth his Consort bakes
Fine flour well kneaded in unleaven'd cakes.
The Guests ethereal quaff the lucid flood,
Smile on their hosts, and taste terrestrial food;
And while from seraph-lips sweet converse springs,
Lave their fair feet, and close their silver wings.
Sat in the cedar shade by Abraham's tent;
A spacious bowl the admiring Patriarch fills
With dulcet water from the scanty rills;
Sweet fruits and kernels gathers from his hoard,
With milk and butter piles the plenteous board;
While on the heated hearth his Consort bakes
Fine flour well kneaded in unleaven'd cakes.
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Smile on their hosts, and taste terrestrial food;
And while from seraph-lips sweet converse springs,
Lave their fair feet, and close their silver wings.
| The temple of nature | |