| |
| THE SUN declined; besmear’d with dust and blood, | |
| Slow o’er the plain the wearied squadrons trod; | |
| When fair as Phosphor leads the morning train, | |
| Dress’d in new beams, and beauteous from the main; | |
| Crown’d with white flowers, that breath’d a rich perfume, | 5 |
| And clothed in loveliness of gayest bloom, | |
| Rose in soft splendor Caleb’s youngest pride, | |
| A thousand maidens following at her side. | |
| In snow white robes of flowing silk array’d, | |
| First of the virgins walk’d the blushing maid; | 10 |
| Her long, dark hair loose floated in the wind; | |
| Her glowing eyes confess’d the etherial mind; | |
| A wreath of olive flourish’d in her hand; | |
| A silver lyre obey’d her soft command; | |
| With sounds harmonious rang the warbled strings, | 15 |
| And thus the maids, and thus Selima sings. | |
| “Who comes from Ai, adorn’d with gay attire, | |
| Bright as the splendor of the morning fire? | |
| Fair as the spring, ascends the lovely form, | |
| And dreadful as the blaze that lights the storm! | 20 |
| Ye maids, with flowerets strew the conqueror’s way, | |
| Strike the loud harp, and sing the dreadful day!” | |
| To Irad’s steps the matchless fair one came, | |
| Her breast quick panting, and her cheeks on flame; | |
| Her beauteous hand the verdant crown display’d; | 25 |
| Graceful he bow’d, and placed it on his head. | |
| Slow to her train the trembling fair withdrew, | |
| The charm’d youths following with a moveless view. | |
| So, wing’d with light, and dress’d in strange array, | |
| The mantling glory of the rising day, | 30 |
| With sweet complacence, such as angels show | |
| To souls unprison’d from this world of woe, | |
| Parted soft smiling from our general sire | |
| Some bright-eyed virtue, of the heavenly choir, | |
| Far in the solar walk, with wondrous flight, | 35 |
| The form celestial lessen’d on his sight. | |
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