Delighted friendship hails: while Cadwall prest
His long-lost brother to his manly breast,

"Welcome! thy toils are past!" Melissa cries,
"And blissful years in fair succession rise.
"Fall'n is the foe, and glorious is the meed,
"Due to thy pitying heart, and gen'rous deed."
As when wide-wasting fires, with rapid sway,
Spread through the village ruin and dismay;
And, plung'd in deep despair, the swain surveys,
Pour'd on his smoking roof, the bickering blaze;
Sudden the seraph Mercy, sent from high,

Unbars the adverse portals of the sky,

And fav'ring gales the flaming tempest bear

To waste its harmless fury on the air:

Swift through his frame the bounding spirits flow,

Joy fills his glowing heart, and sparkles on his brow.

So Paladour rejoiced. But still his breast

One anxious thought, one tender dread confest.

Where was the matchless maid? Did proud disdain

Avert her steps, or virgin fears restrain ?

Thus musing, through the well-known walks he stray'd,

The rosy bower, the green, and fragrant glade,

Till she he sought, as fair as orient dawn,

When its first radiance lights the dewy lawn,
Appear'd in view. The maid, with graceful pride,

Nor met his eager step, nor turn'd aside.

Somewhat of anger too her eyes declare;

But gentle is the anger of the fair.

Conscious of worth, and willing to be woo'd,

Soft blushing like the Sestian nymph she stood,

When young Leander pressing to her side

Whisper'd his plea of love, and won his nightly bride.

Nor Paladour in vain the damsel mov'd;

Silent she heard, relented, and approv'd.

The blissful bow'r with gratulation rung,

And spirits, call'd from heav'n, the spousal sung.

From that auspicious union sprang a race,

Brave, beauteous, rich in virtue, and in grace.

Delighted Paladour with pride reviews

The glory which his progeny renews;

And, nobly true to friendship's holy laws,
Scarce with less transport hears the loud applause

Which nations shout, when, full of martial fire,
The sons of Cadwall emulate their sire.

Thus flew the joyous years, while o'er his head
Age, unperceiv'd, her snow full lightly spread,
Till he, who leads the spirits of the blest,
The gentle angel, to eternal rest,

Unbarr'd the golden gates, and bade him shine,

Rich in eternal youth, and heir of bliss divine.