Classic Poem

I.

Forth went my Love to breathe the gale of Eve,
And quaff the liquid radiance of the west;
Joy hover'd o'er her, — Passions frolic'd round,
And virgin Loves sat smiling on her breast:

II.

Fair as a Vision dimly seen afar
On the grey Mountain-ridge, or Sky-girt plain,
Or onward gliding thro' the Heaven's wide way,
Or luming like a Meteor on the main:

III.

In awful Loveliness it looks abroad
With Sternness mingled in its sunny smile: —
Stillness and Space in blank attendance wait,
And gazing Wonder is all Eye the while;

IV.

Beams of peculiar radiance flame around,
Clear fluid amber and white watery rays;
Center'd within its own pure light it stands
And sheds thro' air a Seraph's burning blaze:

V.

Its silvery-fringed robes of azure pale,
Mild moon-light eye, and high commanding mein
Speak it of heavenly birth; or else of those
That in the shaping Mind alone are seen:

VI.

All as a Spirit of Peace — or Beauty's shade —
Or Truth within the Morning's beams enshrin'd —
Or Virtue speaking the behests of Heav'n,
It waves an arm of Light, and whispers to the Wind.

VII.

So bright, so mild, so Phantom-like and fair,
Such breathing beauty and such floating grace
Is Laura, when the fiery-fronted Sun
Gilds all her glowing form, and lights her Angel's face.

VIII.

Soft as in wavy Elegance she moves
Gay flowers spring trooping from th' enamour'd ground,
Heaven smiles, Earth gladdens, and a sunny gleam
Of Love and laughing Pleasance wraps her round.

IX.

The love-sick breeze went sighing thro' her hair
And kiss'd her charming head in circling play,
Or on the ripeness of her sever'd lips
Hung panting for a while — then died away:

X.

So dainty featur'd was her beatuous face,
And such a rose-blush crimson'd the smooth white,
I felt the blood run mantling to my heart
That danc'd as drown'd and drunken in delight.

XI.

Blushingly modest, her dejected Eye
Dwelt on the ground — or did but gently roll
To where the rival Eve-star heavenly shone
Chaste as the maid, and gentle as her soul.

XII.

Not the fair Tenant for Companion vales,
The flowering Orange so can charm the sight,
Or shed such sweets, tho' all of balm its breath,
And all its silken bells are snowy white:

XIII.

Such notes of rapture from her liquid throat
Steal thro' the ear and wind into the heart;
The opening Heavens scarce breathe a sweeter sound
When sainted Souls from mortal bonds depart.

XIV.

Amazement held me in a stupid gaze
And marble muteness, till Confusion came
Flush'd my sham'd cheek, abash'd my down-cast eye
And bath'd in blushes all my trembling frame;

XV.

Now could I prostrate throw me to the ground,
And on the hard earth fling my entranced breast,
And shame the zeal of him that bows him down,
And on his face adores th' inflamed East.

XVI.

Thou, dear extatic Power of holy Love,
O! ever may this kindling bosom glow
With thy most sacred flame of heavenly fire,
And ever these fine throbbing tumults know!

XVII.

" Far be it that I should write thee sin or blame, "
Or deem unworthy of the Sage's breast
That " right Promethean spark " that lights the world,
And lives, and burns, and animates the rest.