Poems, chiefly pastoral By John Cunningham. The second edition. With the Addition of several pastorals and other pieces |
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A PASTORAL.
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 | Poems, chiefly pastoral |  |
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A PASTORAL.
[Where the fond zephir thro' the woodbine plays]
[_]
MOSCHUS. IDYLLIUM VII.
TO THE EVENING STAR.
(As translated by Dr Broome.)
Hail, Golden Star, of ray serene!
Thou fav'rite of the Cyprian Queen!
O Hesper! glory of the night,
Diffusing thro' the gloom, delight!
Whose beams, all other stars outshine,
As much as silver Cynthia, thine:
O guide me, speeding o'er the plain,
To him I love, my shepherd swain;
He keeps the mirthful feast, and soon
Dark shades will cloud the splendid moon.
Of lambs I never robb'd the fold,
Nor the lone traveller of gold:
Love is my crime: O! lend thy ray
To guide a lover on her way.
May the bright star of Venus prove
The gentle harbinger of Love!
Thou fav'rite of the Cyprian Queen!
O Hesper! glory of the night,
Diffusing thro' the gloom, delight!
Whose beams, all other stars outshine,
As much as silver Cynthia, thine:
O guide me, speeding o'er the plain,
To him I love, my shepherd swain;
He keeps the mirthful feast, and soon
Dark shades will cloud the splendid moon.
Of lambs I never robb'd the fold,
Nor the lone traveller of gold:
Love is my crime: O! lend thy ray
To guide a lover on her way.
May the bright star of Venus prove
The gentle harbinger of Love!
I
Where the fond zephir thro' the woodbine plays,And wakes sweet fragrance in the mantling bow'r,
Near to that grove my lovely bridegroom stays
Impatient,—for 'tis past—the promis'd hour!
II
Lend me thy light, O ever-sparkling star!Bright Hesper! in thy glowing pomp array'd,
Look down, look down, from thy all-glorious car,
And beam protection on a wand'ring maid.
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III
'Tis to escape the penetrating spy,And pass, unnotic'd, from malignant sight,
This dreary waste, full resolute, I try,
And trust my footsteps to the shades of night.
IV
The Moon has slipp'd behind an envious cloud,Her smiles, so gracious, I no longer view;
Let her remain behind that envious shroud,
My hopes, bright Hesperus, depend on you.
V
No rancour ever reach'd my harmless breast;I hurt no birds, nor rob the bustling bee:
Hear, then, what Love and Innocence request,
And shed your kindest influence on me.
VI
Thee—Venus loves—First twinkler of the sky,Thou art her star—in golden radiance gay!
On my distresses cast a pitying eye,
Assist me—for, alas! I've lost my way.
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VII
I see the darling of my soul—my Love!Expression can't the mighty rapture tell:
He leads me to the bosom of the grove:
Thanks, gentle star—kind Hesperus, farewell!
| Poems, chiefly pastoral | |