ELEGY 5th. On the Pleasures of Imagination

Hail, dear delusion! fascinating form! Thou flattering mirror of each soft delight! Benign bestower of each varied charm That prompts our rapture, or transports our sight!

Be thou my guide through life's indignant storm— Lead me through vernal fancy's flow'ry maze; With airy hopes my beating bosom warm, And gild th' allotted tenor of my days.

Borne up aloft on Expectation's wings, Through fairy'd realms of pleasure let me soar! Scarce stoop to taste the good that fortune brings, But shifting scenes, new paths of bliss explore.

Ideal bliss, is bliss the most extreme, Which, once possess'd, in tasteless langour dies: The joys we find ecstatic in a dream, Lose half their zest when e'er we realize.

No—still enamour'd of some gay deceit, By ardor's pencil drawn divinely fair, Eager let me pursue the foster'd cheat— In thee, Delusion, constant raptures share.

'Tis thine, Imagination, bright decoy! The purpos'd bliss with lustre to improve— Refine and heighten the intended joy, And wake indiff'rence to the glows of love.

Form'd by the chrystall'd scepter of thy sway, What rais'd ideas brighten through the heart! Thy magic touch can added charms display, And to the wish superior grace impart!

Modell'd by thee, what vivid beauties rise, And dazzling, strike the captivated view! Around 'tis Heav'n that blooms beneath the skies, And all creation charms again anew!

Still lead me onward, gently pleasing pow'r! O'er all th' elysium of fond desire; Through smiling hope's luxuriant, roseate bow'r, And my wrapt soul to ecstacy inspire!

'Mid sweet delusions—high wrought visions lost, Supremest luxury of bliss I feel! Convinc'd by wayward fortune, to my cost, That joys imagin'd far transcend the real!