6 Forth from the thicket burst a hind in flight, 'White as the snow on proud Plinlimmon's height And through the glade her trembling speed renews, While close behind a ravenous wolf pursues. 'Compassion touch'd me, and my pointed dart 'Had reach'd, with certain aim, the monster's heart; Dire yells were heard, and shrieks of wild affright, And all the vision vanish'd from my sight.` 'Wondering I stood, with sacred horror fill'd, In ev'ry vein the vital current chill'd; When, lo, a female form divinely bright, 'Like the mild radiance of the queen of night, 'Rose on the shade. A lucid robe she wore, A golden wand her rosy fingers bore; But when the smiling nymph her silence broke, 'Celestial music warbled as she spoke.' Receive," she cried, "Oh youth for ever dear, My thanks, my love, and to my words give ear. "By thee preserv'd, I draw the vital air, "My wonted shape, my wonted power I bear. "Bound by strong spells, a milk-white hind I seem'd, "Till by thy prowess from the wolf redeem'd. "A false magician Archimago nam'd, "My favour sought, by mighty love inflam'd; "But sought in vain, I loath'd his impious kind, "Of fairy race, Melissa is my name. "One day surpriz'd, defenceless, o'er my head, "While yet I slept, the mutter'd charm he read. "Starting I fled. Where'er my steps he view'd "A fiend, in likeness of a wolf, pursu'd. "Oh, could my art a length of years bestow, "The boon were thine! But thou submiss attend. "The bliss of man must on himself depend. Such is the will of fate. One choice is giv'n "Of good, or ill, by all disposing Heav'n. "Fair be thy lot! But if thy judgment fail, "Know patient courage may at length prevail, “To milder doom the favouring powers dispose, "And fix the period of thy toils and woes. "But for th' ignoble herd, the dastard crew, "Afraid to choose, or choosing to pursue; "By men despis'd, nor more of gods the care, "Their lot is pain and anguish, and despair." The fairy spoke, and shook her flowing hair. 'That heavenly fragrance fill'd the circling air. Light breezes now through trembling oziers play; And lengthen'd shadows tell the closing day; 'A pleasing languor crept through all my frame, And sleep resistless o'er my senses came: • But when awake at length I raise my eyes, 'What charming scenes, what new elysiums rise! < Here the thick forest spreads profoundest night; Or winds along the dale the murmuring rill; < Through parting boughs now bursts the blazing day, • Distinct and clear appears the streaming ray, The distant trees reflect the vivid beam, And all the glowing forest seems to flame: At length the glory of the plain is seen, · A thousand beauties deck the varied scene; 'Slow through enamell'd meadows glides the stream, And distant lakes with silvery lustre gleam : Alone, majestic, here the oak ascends, Himself a wood, and wide his shade extends : Of softer beauty, and inferior size, 'Here mix'd with fir, the graceful birch arise, 'Whose drooping boughs, when zephyr wakes the dawn, 'Sweep the light drops that glitter on the lawn. Th' expanse beyond presents its varying dyes, 'Farms, temples, cities, turret-crown'd, arise. Blue hills that hide in clouds the lofty head, Rocks, fields, and woods, in bright confusion spread. 'Here while I gaz'd, Melissa stood beside, And press'd my hand, while smiling thus she cry'd:' "If shady groves, and flow'ry plains delight, "Well may these groves and plains attract the sight: "But soon the scene shall other joys dispense, "And charms superior greet thy ravish'd sense." Then through a winding path, with boughs o'erspread, Yet unexplor'd, my willing steps she led, To where the turf with brighter verdure glows, 'Proud to display the beauty of the rose, "Which summer's warm embraces blushing meets, 'And yields reluctant her unrivall'd sweets. 'There blooms the violet beneath the shade, By the light zephyr's balmy theft betray'd; The bright carnation, and the lily pale, |