The Botanic Garden - A Poem in Two Parts. Part 1: the Economy of Vegetation by Erasmus Darwin
page 70 of 441 (15%)
page 70 of 441 (15%)
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"O'er those blest isles no ice-crown'd mountains tower'd,
40 No lightnings darted, and no tempests lower'd; Soft fell the vesper-drops, condensed below, Or bent in air the rain-refracted bow; Sweet breathed the zephyrs, just perceiv'd and lost; And brineless billows only kiss'd the coast; 45 Round the bright zodiac danced the vernal hours, And Peace, the Cherub, dwelt in mortal bowers! "So young DIONE, nursed beneath the waves, And rock'd by Nereids in their coral caves, Charm'd the blue sisterhood with playful wiles, 50 Lisp'd her sweet tones, and tried her tender smiles. Then, on her beryl throne by Triton's borne, Bright rose the Goddess like the Star of morn; When with soft fires the milky dawn He leads, And wakes to life and love the laughing meads;-- 55 With rosy fingers, as uncurl'd they hung Round her fair brow, her golden locks she wrung; O'er the smooth surge on silver sandals flood, And look'd enchantment on the dazzled flood.-- The bright drops, rolling from her lifted arms, 60 In slow meanders wander o'er her charms, Seek round her snowy neck their lucid track, Pearl her white shoulders, gem her ivory back, Round her fine waist and swelling bosom swim, And star with glittering brine each crystal limb.-- 65 --The immortal form enamour'd Nature hail'd, And Beauty blazed to heaven and earth, unvail'd. |
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