Classic Poem

Round Love's elysian bowers,
The softest prospects rise,
There bloom the sweetest flowers,
There shine the purest skies;
And joy and rapture gild awhile,
The radiant heaven of Beauty's smile.

Round Love's deserted bowers,
Tremendous rocks arise,
Cold mildew blights the flowers,
Tornadoes rend the skies;
And Pleasure's waning moon goes down,
Amid the night of Beauty's frown.

Then youth, thou fond believer!
The wily syren shun,
Who trusts the sweet deceiver,
Will surely be undone!
When Beauty triumphs, ah beware!
Her smile is Hope, her frown Despair!