Ode on Health

She comes—and on each blooming cheek she wears The blush, which bright Aurora's pencil drew: Her eye looks life; she breathes etherial sweets, And decks her hair with glittering gems of dew.

She comes, and with her Hebe, ever young, The sweetest, loveliest children of the skies: Health, most good-natur'd, makes a longer stay, But Hebe, charming, cruel Hebe flies.

Oh! while I feel thy sister's genial ray, Do thou, dear Health! thy benison bestow: With bounding spirits fill my thirsty soul, And tinge my cheek with thy celestial glow.

Ah! leave me not, unpitied and forlorn, But listen to thy sister's tender cry: For me she pleads—for me she lifts her hand, Oh! hear her, Goddess—hear her, else I die.

Grant me thy smile, and I will shape my course To whatsoever spot thy footsteps lead: Thro' bleating vallies, and thro' sighing groves, Or o'er the mountains tall majestic head.

Or when the sun imprints his virgin kiss, Soft on the surface of the trembling wave, At thy command I'll plunge into the flood, And wake each drowsy Naiad, as I lave.

List to my prayer—but if thou art resolv'd That all thy benefits to me shall cease: Grant me some little notice to prepare My long, long journey to the Land of Peace.