Classic Poem

THE POET INVOKES THE SPIRITS OF THE ELEMENTS TO APPROACH DELIA. — HE DESCRIBES HER SINGING .

Y E Sylphs , who banquet on my Delia's blush,
Who on her locks of FLOATING GOLD repose,
Dip in her cheek your GOSSAMERY BRUSH ,
And with its bloom of beauty tinge THE ROSE .

Hover around her lips on rainbow wing ,
Load from her honey'd breath your viewless feet,
Bear thence a richer fragrance for the Spring,
And make the lily and the violet sweet.

Ye G NOMES , whose toil through many a dateless year
Its nurture to the infant gem supplies,
From central caverns bring your diamonds here,
To ripen in the SUN OF DELIA'S EYES .

And ye who bathe in Etna's lava springs,
Spirits of fire! to see my love advance;
Fly, S ALAMANDERS , on A SBESTOS ' wings,
To wanton in my Delia's fiery glance.

She weeps, she weeps! her eye with anguish swells,
Some tale of sorrow melts my FEELING GIRL !
N YMPHS ! catch the tears, and in your lucid shells
Enclose them, EMBRYOS OF THE ORIENT PEARL .

She sings! the Nightingale with envy hears,
The C HERUB listens from his starry throne,
And motionless are stopp'd the attentive Spheres ,
To hear more heavenly music than their own.

Cease, Delia, cease! for all the ANGEL THRONG ,
Hearkening to thee, let sleep their golden wires!
Cease, Delia, cease that too surpassing song,
Lest, stung to envy , they should break their lyres.

Cease, ere my senses are to madness driven
By the strong joy! Cease, Delia, lest my soul,
Enrapt, already THINK ITSELF IN HEAVEN ,
And burst the feeble Body's frail control.