And Constance? sever'd from a husband's side, No heart to cherish, and no hand to guide, Still, as if ev'n the very name of wife Drew her soul upward into loftier life, The solemn sense of woman's holiest tie Arm'd every thought against the memory. 'Mid shatter'd Lares stood the Marriage Queen-- As on a Roman's hearth, with marble smile serene: New to her sight that galaxy of mind Which moves round men who light and guide their kind, Where all shine equal in their joint degrees And rank's harsh outlines vanish into ease. As Power and Genius interchange their hues So genial life the classic charm renews; Some Scipio's wit a Terence may refine, Some Caesar's pomp exalt a Maro's line-- The polish'd have their flaws, but least espied Amongst the polish'd is the angle pride; And, howsoever Envy grudge their state, Their own bland laws democratize the great. IV. With those fair orbs which lit her common air } That which should be her guardian planet there } Now cold if radiant did the wife compare? } If so, alas we lose the Chaldee's power To shape the life if we neglect the hour. And in the crowd was now their only meeting-- They who from crowds should so have hail'd retreating. But in the crowd if eye encounter'd eye, Whence came her blush, or wherefore heaved his sigh? Ah! woe when lost the Heavenly confidence, Man's gentle right, and woman's strong defence!-- Like the frank sunflower, Household Love to-day Must ope its leaves;--what shades it, brings decay. V.