Seven Epigrams.[67:1]

[Plato.]

I. Upon One named Aster.

The stars, my Star! thou view'st: heaven I would be, That I with thousand eyes might gaze on thee.

II. Upon Aster's Death.

A Phosphor 'mongst the living late wert thou, But shin'st, among the dead, a Hesper now.

III. On Dion, engraved on his Tomb at Syracuse.

Old Hecuba, the Trojan matron's, years Were interwoven by the Fates with tears, But thee, with blooming hopes, my Dion! deck'd, Gods did a trophy of their power erect. Thy honour'd relics in thy country rest, Ah, Dion! whose love rages in my breast.

IV. On Alexis.

'Fair is Alexis,' I no sooner said, When every one his eyes that way convey'd. My soul, as when some dog a bone we show Who snatcheth it,--lost we not Phaedrus so?

V. On Archaeanassa.

To Archaeanassa, on whose furrow'd brow Love sits in triumph, I my service vow. If her declining graces shine so bright, What flames felt you who saw her noon of light?

VI. Love Sleeping.

Within the covert of a shady grove We saw the little red-cheek'd god of Love: He had nor bow nor quiver: these among The neighbouring trees upon a bow were hung. Upon a bank of tender rosebuds laid, He smiling slept; bees with their noise invade His rest, and on his lips their honey made.

VII. On a Seal.

Five oxen, grazing in a flowery mead, A jasper seal, (done to the life,) doth hold; The little herd away long since had fled, Were't not enclos'd within a pale of gold.