University of Virginia Library

Verses in imitation of WALLER.

By a Youth of thirteen.

I. Of the Lady who could not sleep in a stormy Night.

As gods sometimes descend from heav'n and deign
On earth a while with mortals to remain,
So gentle sleep from Serenissa flies,
To dwell at last upon her lover's eyes.
That god's indulgence can she justly crave,
Who flies the tyrant to relieve the slave?
Or should those eyes alone that rest enjoy,
Which in all others they themselves destroy?
Let her whom fear denies repose to take,
Think for her love what crowds of wretches wake.
So us'd to sighs, so long inur'd to tears,
Are winds and tempests dreadful to her ears?
Jove with a nod may bid the world to rest,
But Serenissa must becalm the breast.

II. Of her Picture.

The nymph her graces here express'd may find,
And by this picture learn to dress her mind;
For here no frowns make tender love afraid,
Soft looks of mercy grace the flatt'ring shade,
And, while we gaze, the gracious form appears
T'approve our passion and forbid our fears.
Narcissus here a different fate had prov'd,
Whose bright resemblance by himself was lov'd;
Had he but once this fairer shade descry'd,
Not for his own, but hers, the youth had dy'd.

III. Of her Sickness.

Ah Serenissa, from our arms
Did you for death's preserve your charms;
From us that serv'd so long in vain,
Shall heav'n so soon the prize obtain?
Sickness, its courtship, makes the fair
As pale as her own lovers are.
Sure you, the goddess we adore,
Who all cœlestial seem'd before,
While vows and service nothing gain'd,
Which, were you woman, had obtain'd;
At last in pity, for our sake,
Descend an human form to take,
And by this sickness chuse to tell
You are not now invincible.

IV. Of her walking in a Garden after a Shower.

See how the sun in dusky skies
Veils his fair glories, while he spies
Th'unclouded lustre of her eyes!
Her bashful beauties once descry'd,
The vanquish'd roses lose their pride,
And in their buds their blushes hide.
Myrtles have lost their balmy smell,
And drooping lillies seem to tell
How much her sweets their own excel.
See! She retires: Nor can we say
If light breaks out or goes away,
For Sol's is now the only ray.
Lo how their heads the lillies rear,
And with fresh sweets perfume the air,
When their bright rival is not there.
Again grown proud, the spreading rose
Its bloomy beauties does disclose,
And to the skies its incense throws.
Her glorious charms eclipse the day;
Nature itself is only gay,
When Serenissa is away.
Like, yet unlike these flow'rs am I;
I languish when her charms draw nigh,
But if she disappears, I dye.

V. Of her Sighing.

When love would strike th'offending fair,
This incense bribes the god to spare;
And Cytheræa now does prize
No sweets but Serenissa's sighs.
The yielding nymph by these confest,
Encourag'd lovers seek her breast:
So spicy gales at once betray
Th'Arabian coast, and waft us on our way.