Classic Poem

The fairy bark is ready, and by the shore is moored;
Ye Fair! the pilot Cupid inviteth ye on board.
See!—see!—the anchor stirs, amid the waters dark,
And the little wingéd mariners are eager to embark!

Of purple are her sails, which tremble in the breeze,
And Laughter is the captain bold, who guides her through the seas.
The enamoured air floats round, with sportive wing and lip,
And swells the silken canvass, and moves the gallant ship!

Her sail-yards are of silver, divinely laboured o'er,
And art has lent a thousand charms, even to the precious ore;
Her poop is all of ivory, and ebony, and gold,
Where Pleasure sits with Beauty, and dares the voyage bold.

Hope the rudder rules, and round in circles sweet
Move the soft Desires their many-twinkling feet,
A hundred coy allurements pace that vessel grand,
And Faith and constant Servitude go joyful hand in hand!

Garlands of sweet flowers, vermilion, white, and blue,
In fragrant wreaths, adorn her sides of glossy hue;
And sits the God of Joy mid busts and paintings fair,
Odorous roses twining around his golden hair!

Beneath the haughty vessel, as if inflamed with love,
Proud of their beauteous burden, the friendly billows move.
The fish within the wave, the rocks upon the shore,
With joy perceive the present God, and lovingly adore!

Love opes his rosy mouth, and at the sounds divine
The noisy winds are silent, the Heavens serenely shine.
To listen to his voice the sea nymphs leave their home,
With snow-white breasts uprising above the curling foam!

“To sea!” he cried, “to sea!—ye Fair who crowd the beach!—
Oh! come with me and learn the arts which Love can teach.
Not far an island lies where flowers and blossoms shine,
Where simple hearts are trying this wondrous art of mine!”

He ceased, and blooming Phillis, and Galatea dark,
And snow-white Nerea, climbing, crowd that little fairy bark;
And Doris, Nisa, Cloris, too, and many more beside,
While quick as thought the vessel flies across the sparkling tide

They reach the happy shore, and first to meet them came
A form whom Love could never please, and Shyness was her name;
And cold Repulses, too, who shun the torch of fire,
And by their opposition increase the fond desire.

Then Pity, bashful maid, before the band arose,
And spoke with mournful sweetness of wretched lovers' woes.
She spoke of waking nights, of tears that vainly fall,
And praised their pure fidelity and constancy o'er all.

Tenderness then came, and with her gentle sighs,
Some vivid sparks enkindled within their weary eyes;
And in their willing bosoms, down creeping from above,
She silent lit a thousand fires, and counselled them to love!

Last came Deception's form, who, looking in their eyes,
Said, “Gentle ladies, listen unto advice more wise;
If haply thou shouldst love, the burning secret screen
Under a varying aspect, now cruel, now serene.

“When most securely dreaming thy lover's bosom glows,
With feigned displeasure wake him from his too sweet repose;
The wretch will then lament, and pine with inward pain,
And of your sudden anger will ask the cause in vain!

“Let him fear the ancient fire now cold and conquered lies,—
That, within your breast extinguished, the growing ardour dies;
And let that fervid flame that in his breast you light,
By fear increase and burn more vividly and bright!

“Then when he looks around, and his soul with care's oppress'd,
And when Hope, the heart's sweet poison, dieth within his breast,
Then with a sudden sweetness let thy pitying glances beam,
Through his troubled bosom shining quick as the lightning's gleam.”

He said, and the Nymphs attentive list to his subtle lay,
While a tremulous smile was seen over each face to play;
Then, following their wingéd guide through many a shady grove
They learn the thousand wiles and the unknown laws of love.

Returning through that isle they try that wondrous power,
Which from the subtle god they learned in evil hour.
Doris makes Corilus pine, for Nisa her Tytyrus dies,
While I for the beautiful Phillis heave unavailing sighs!