Classic Poem

FROM THE ITALIAN OF THE ABBATE MONTI .

A holy zeal the lovely soul o'erpowers,
And bids Licoris to the cloister fly;
Forth from her eyes serene a lustre showers,
Soft as descends the paradisial sky.
Love vanquish'd, piqued, in idle ambush lours,
Stamping his broken arrows angrily;
On the shorn hair, discrown'd of bridal flowers,
Weeping lies scorn'd and trampled L IBERTY .
Blithe P LEASURE , too, his spangled garment shook,
Offering the spicy cup, the fragrant wreath,
And beckoning to the silky-curtain'd nook.
With bitter smile the damsel meets his look,
Closes the holy gates, and proudly saith,
" The keys in keeping I consign to D EATH . "