Poems, moral and descriptive By the late Richard Jago ... (Prepared for the press, and improved by the author, before his death.) To which is added, some account of the life and writings of Mr. Jago |
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RECITATIVE. |
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 | Poems, moral and descriptive |  |
RECITATIVE.
Thus talking, hand in hand, alone they pass'd
On to their blissful bow'r. It was a place,
Chos'n by the Sov'reign Planter, when he fram'd
All things to man's delightful use; the roof,
Of thickest covert, was in-woven shade,
Laurel, and myrtle, and what higher grew
Of firm, and fragrant leaf; on either side,
Acanthus, and each od'rous, bushy shrub
Fenc'd up the verdant wall, each beauteous flow'r,
Iris, all hues, roses, and jessamine
Rear'd high their flourish'd heads between, and wrought
Mosaic; under foot the violet,
Crocus, and hyacinth, with rich inlay,
Broider'd the ground, more colour'd than with stone
Of costliest emblem. Other creature here
Beast, bird, insect, or worm, durst enter none,
Such was their awe of Man. In shady bow'r,
More sacred, and sequester'd; tho' but feign'd,
Pan, or Sylvanus never slept, nor Nymph,
Or Faunus haunted. Here, in close recess,
With flow'rs, and garlands, and sweet smelling herbs
Espoused Eve deck'd first her nuptial bed,
And heav'nly quires the Hymenæan sung.
On to their blissful bow'r. It was a place,
Chos'n by the Sov'reign Planter, when he fram'd
All things to man's delightful use; the roof,
Of thickest covert, was in-woven shade,
Laurel, and myrtle, and what higher grew
Of firm, and fragrant leaf; on either side,
Acanthus, and each od'rous, bushy shrub
Fenc'd up the verdant wall, each beauteous flow'r,
Iris, all hues, roses, and jessamine
Rear'd high their flourish'd heads between, and wrought
Mosaic; under foot the violet,
Crocus, and hyacinth, with rich inlay,
Broider'd the ground, more colour'd than with stone
237
Beast, bird, insect, or worm, durst enter none,
Such was their awe of Man. In shady bow'r,
More sacred, and sequester'd; tho' but feign'd,
Pan, or Sylvanus never slept, nor Nymph,
Or Faunus haunted. Here, in close recess,
With flow'rs, and garlands, and sweet smelling herbs
Espoused Eve deck'd first her nuptial bed,
And heav'nly quires the Hymenæan sung.
Thus at their shady lodge arriv'd, both stood,
Both turn'd, and, under open Sky, ador'd
The God that made both Sky, Air, Earth, and Heav'n,
Which they beheld, the Moon's resplendent globe,
And starry pole.
Both turn'd, and, under open Sky, ador'd
The God that made both Sky, Air, Earth, and Heav'n,
Which they beheld, the Moon's resplendent globe,
And starry pole.
| Poems, moral and descriptive | |