A HYMN TO VENUS.

'O, VENUS! Beauty of the skies! To whom a thousand Temples rise, Gaily false in gentle smiles,

Full of love-perplexing wiles;

O, Goddess! from my heart remove
The wasting cares and pangs of love!

'If ever thou hast kindly heard A Song in soft distress preferred; Propitious to my tuneful vow,

O, gentle Goddess! hear me now!
Descend, thou bright, immortal guest,
In all thy radiant charms confessed!

Thou, once, didst leave almighty Jove; And all the golden roofs above!

The car thy wanton sparrows drew,
Hovering in air, they lightly flew ;
As to my bower they winged their way,
I saw their quiv'ring pinions play!

'The birds dismissed, while you remain, Bore back their empty car again. Then you, with looks divinely mild, In ev'ry heavenly feature smiled,

And asked, What new complaints I made? And, Why I called you to my aid?

'What frenzy in my bosom raged? And by what care to be assuaged? What gentle Youth I would allure, Whom in my artful toils secure? "Who does thy tender heart subdue? Tell me, my SAPPHO! tell me, Who?

"Though now he shuns thy longing arms; He soon shall court thy slighted charms! Though now thy off'rings he despise ; He soon to thee shall sacrifice!

Though now he freeze; he soon shall burn, And be thy victim in his turn!"

'Celestial Visitant! once more,
Thy needful presence I implore!
In pity, come, and ease my griefs!
Bring my distempered soul relief!
Favour thy Suppliant's hidden fires;
And give me all my heart desires!'

BLESSED as th' immortal Gods is he,
The Youth who fondly sits by thee;
And hears and sees thee, all the while,
Softly speak and sweetly smile!

'Twas this deprived my soul of rest,
And raised such tumults in my breast;
For, while I gazed, in transport tossed,
My breath was gone! my voice was lost!

My bosom glowed! The subtle flame
Ran quickly through all my vital frame!
O'er my dim eyes a darkness hung!
My ears, with hollow murmurs rung!

In dewy damps, my limbs were chilled!
My blood with gentle horrors thrilled!
My feeble pulse forgot to play;
I fainted, sunk, and died away!

WHY we love, and why we hate,
Is not granted us to know!
Random Chance, or wilful Fate,
Guides the shaft from CUPID'S bow!

If on me ZELINDA frown;

Madness 'tis in me to grieve! Since her will is not her own, Why should I uneasy live?

If I for ZELINDA die,

Deaf to poor MIZELLA's cries; Ask me not the reason Why? Seek the riddle in the skies!

THE STRAY NYMPH.

CEASE your music, gentle Swains! Saw ye DELIA cross the plains? Every thicket, every grove,

Have I ranged, to find my Love!
A kid, a lamb, my flock, I give!
Tell me only, Doth she live?

White her skin as mountain snow! In her cheek the roses blow;

And her eye is brighter far
Than the beamy Morning Star!
When her ruddy lip ye view,
'Tis a berry moist with dew!
And her breath-O, 'tis a gale
Passing o'er a fragrant vale!
Passing when a friendly shower
Freshens every herb and flower!
Wide her bosom opens, gay
As the primrose dell in May!
Sweet as violet borders growing
Over fountains ever flowing!
Like the tendrils of the vine
Do her auburn tresses twine!
Glossy ringlets all behind,
Streaming buxom to the wind;
When along the lawn she bounds,
Light as hind before the hounds!

And the youthful ring she fires,
Hopeless in their fond desires,
As her flitting feet advance,
Wanton in the winding dance.

Tell me, Shepherds! have ye seen My delight, my Love, my Queen?

From WHITE's and WILL'S,
To purling rills,

The love-sick STREPHON flies!
There, full of woe,

His Numbers flow;
And all in rhyme he dies!

The fair Coquette,
With feigned regret,

Invites him back to Town;

But when, in tears,

The Youth appears;

She meets him with a frown!

Full oft the Maid,
This prank had played,
'Till angry STREPHON swore;
And what is strange,

Though loth to change,

Would never see her more!