I look'd, and on the flowery turf there stood Between two radiant forms a smiling youth 400 Whose tender cheeks display'd the vernal flower Of beauty: sweetest innocence illumed His bashful eyes, and on his polish'd brow Sate young simplicity. With fond regard He view'd the associates, as their steps they moved; The younger chief his ardent eyes detain'd, With mild regret invoking her return. Bright as the star of evening she appear'd Amid the dusky scene. Eternal youth O'er all her form its glowing honours breathed; 410 And smiles eternal from her candid eyes Flow'd, like the dewy lustre of the morn Effusive trembling on the placid waves. The spring of heaven had shed its blushing spoils To bind her sable tresses: full diffused Her yellow mantle floated in the breeze; And in her hand she waved a living branch Rich with immortal fruits, of power to calm The wrathful heart, and from the brightening eyes To chase the cloud of sadness. More sublime 420 The heavenly partner moved. The prime of age Composed her steps. The presence of a god, High on the circle of her brow enthroned, From each majestic motion darted awe, Devoted awe! till, cherish'd by her looks Benevolent and meek, confiding love To filial rapture soften'd all the soul. Free in her graceful hand she poised the sword Of chaste dominion. An heroic crown Display'd the old simplicity of pomp 430 Around her honour'd head. A matron's robe, White as the sunshine streams through vernal clouds, Her stately form invested. Hand in hand The immortal pair forsook the enamel'd green, Ascending slowly. Rays of limpid light Gleam'd round their path; celestial sounds were heard, And through the fragrant air ethereal dews Distill'd around them; till at once the clouds, Disparting wide in midway sky, withdrew Their airy veil, and left a bright expanse 440 Of empyrean flame, where, spent and drown'd, Afflicted vision plunged in vain to scan What object it involved. My feeble eyes Endured not. Bending down to earth I stood, With dumb attention. Soon a female voice, As watery murmurs sweet, or warbling shades, With sacred invocation thus began: