A grotto too appears of living stone,

Here bright with spars, and there with moss o'ergrown,

From pendent rocks while trickling waters flow,

• That wind, and spread among the flowers below. • Delightful seat! where rural nymphs might dwell, That tend the grove, and feed the crystal well;

Or Venus from the noontide heat retire,

'To cherish amorous thoughts, and soft desire. Soon as confest the fairy rose to view,

A troop of lovely females round her drew.'
"Receive," she cried, "Melissa's honour'd guest,
"Of all the race of man belov'd the best.

"Preserv'd by him, I view my favourite bow'r,
“And hail the daughters of my love once more.
"Each soothing art, each winning charm employ,
"He gave me freedom, move his heart to joy."
With graceful gesture, and with courtly phrase,

• Where the mild virtues with the graces meet.

'Now the gay dance my willing steps invites, 'And now the song's resistless charm delights. 'Fair was each nymph, but o'er the rest was found 'One lovely maid, with matchless beauty crown'd. 'Not half so bright were Helen's virgin charms,

When Theseus prest her trembling in his arm: 'Nor thus she met the Phrygian youth's embrace, 'When favouring Venus heighten'd every grace. 'Ah who unmov'd that heavenly face had seen, 'That sweet simplicity, that modest mien ? 'I lov'd, and soon avow'd my amorous pain,

'The blushing maiden heard not with disdain;

In listless languor every sense is bound,

And clos'd my eyes in magic sleep profound.

'But when I wake, again the beechen shade,

The tangled forest, and the lonely glade,

Rush on my view. With pensive steps, and slow, Back to the city's crowded walls I go;

'There seem the pleasures of the throng to share, ✓ While my full bosom heaves with anxious care; 'Doubtful, if true, the visions of the night,

'Or sleep deceiv'd me with illusions bright. And still the curse denounc'd assails my ear, Shakes my resolve, and chills my soul with fear.' 'Shall dreams,' incens'd the noble Cadwall cried, Thus quell thy spirit? Oh, forbid it, pride? 'The generous pride that manly bosoms fires, ' And lofty thoughts, and daring deeds inspires.

'Soon shall the martial plain, the lists prepar'd,

The sounding trumpet, the recording bard,

Renew the thirst of never-dying, fame,

And love be vanquish'd by a nobler flame.' He said, meanwhile, regardless of their way, Deep in the mazes of the wood they stray. Descending now from his meridian throne, The glorious sun with milder lustre shone : The western sky was ting'd with vivid gold, And ruddy beams the close of day foretold.

When sudden, where the beaten paths divide,
Cadwall restrain'd his eager steed, and cried,

'Ere yet descend the viewless shades of night,
'Do thou the left explore, and I the right;

And if again our destin'd course appear,

Let thy loud horn assail my list'ning ear.'

He said, the gentle Paladour obey'd,

And turning journey'd through the shadowy glade.

Now easy was the way, and plain to sight,

Now meeting branches spread untimely night.

Dark, and more dark, the growing woods appear;

Scar'd by the clash of arms, the bounding deer Starts from his lair, and wolves are howling near. Pondering he stood, uncertain to pursue

His search, or backward trace his steps anew.

When, lo, Melissa stood reveal'd to sight,

Clear shone the distant trees with sudden light.
To me are known,' the gracious fairy cried,

What doubts, what fears thy anxious breast divide.

Now to my words give ear.

The blissful grove,

'The seat of peace, and innocence and love,

"Where thy rapt soul was held in soft delight, ' Was no delusive vision of the night.

For thee the forest spreads his ample shade, 'And contemplation woos thee to the glade, 'Where nature's volume to thy view is giv'n,

And sacred science lifts the soul to heav'n; "While art shall bid, before thy wond'ring eyes, 'Her graceful forms in sweet enchantment rise, 'Beauty to thee her willing ear incline,

'And all the raptures love bestows be thine. But long oblivion waits thy fading name;

These rosy bowers are not the path to fame.' She spoke, and rais'd aloft her magic wand, Delightful scenes arise at her command,

Through myrtle groves the zephyr plies his wings, And dulcet sounds, and balmy fragrance brings; Nor distant far, amid the flow'ry glade,

Th' enamour'd youth beholds his fav'rite maid.