Ode IV. the Birth of Jealousy

'Twas noon. The summer air A sultry silence held; The bees incessant care Alone enjoyed the field: When Love, then late to mortals given, (The richer boon of bounteous Heaven) Faint to endure the fervor of the day, To a cool wood pursued her lonely way.

Above, beneath, around, One cooling freshness breathed; The birds with liquid sound Their varied notes bequeathed: The flowers that sparkled thro' the gloom Exhaled their souls in balmy fume: Yet oft when Night her sable ensign reared, Quaint shapes were seen, and shrieks of horror heard.

The tyrant slave for Fear There chosen had his home: Fenced with attendance drear Arose the savage dome; With Sorrow wan, and coward Shame, And fell Suspicion's hated name: So wide his power that Fancy knew him lord, And Reason stern his feeble will adored.

Beside a crystal wave That murmured thro' the glade, Intent her limbs to lave, Reclined the heedless maid. The golden errors of her hair Released she to the sportive air; And soon confest in all her charms she stood Amid the wanton eddies of the flood.

Till satiate of the stream She left the soothing joy, All on the velvet brim In naked state to lie. Her solitary sense around The gales diffused their sighing sound; And o'er her lovely eyes soft slumbers threw The melting solace of their honeyed dew.

As he the spicy shade Of Ceylon's groves among, In happy sleep who laid Some lilied bank along, Awaked by sudden outcry dire Beholds a tyger's eyes of fire: So seemed the goddess when she reared her view, And in her arms wild Fear the traitor knew.

The fruit of his embrace The flying days defined Lord of the faded face, Mad port, and stormy mind. The glowing blossoms of desire 'Tis his to taint with fatal ire; And from his mother's nectared cup of weal The deadly draught of misery to deal.

Oh far be from my soul Thou author of despight! Ne'er may thy poisoned bowl The feast of rapture blight. Be mine far from thy frantic strife To tread the sunny paths of life: The valued rose of happiness to find, But leave the bitter thorn of woe behind.