RECITATIVE.
Now Morn her rosy steps in th'eastern clime
Advancing, sow'd the earth with orient pearl,
When Adam wak'd, so custom'd, for his sleep
Was airy light, from pure digestion bred,
And temp'rate vapours bland, which th'only sound
Of leaves, and fuming rills, Aurora's fan,
Lightly dispers'd, and the shrill matin song
Of birds on ev'ry bough. Unwaken'd Eve
Close at his side, in naked beauty lay,
Beauty! which, whether waking, or asleep,
Shot forth peculiar charms. He, on his side,
Leaning, half rais'd, with looks of cordial love
Hung over her enamour'd: then, with voice,
Mild as when Zephyrus on Flora breathes,
Her hand soft-touching, whisper'd thus.
SONG.
“Awake!
“My fairest, my espous'd, my latest found,
“Heav'n's last, best gift, my ever newdelight,
“Awake! the morning shines, and the fresh field
“Calls us; we lose the prime, to mark how spring
“Our tended plants, how blows the citron grove,
“What drops the myrrh, and what the balmy reed;
“How Nature paints her colours; how the bee
“Sits on the bloom, extracting liquid sweets.”
