And soon, a band of damsels,* blithe and fair,
With flowing mantles and dishevell'd hair,
Rush'd with quick pace, along the solemn wood,
Where rapt in wonder and delight he stood :
In loose transparent robes they were array'd,
Which half their beauties hid, and half display'd.

A lovely nymph approach'd him with a smile,
And said, O, welcome to this blissful isle;
For thou art he, whom ancient bards foretold,
Doom'd in our clime to bring an age of gold:
Hail, sacred king! and from thy subject's hand,
Accept the robes and sceptre of the land.'

• Sweet maid,' said he, 'fair learning's heavenly beam, O'er my young mind ne'er shed her favouring gleam; Nor has my arm e'er hurl'd the fatal lance, While desperate legions o'er the plain advance. How should a simple youth, unfit to bear The steely mail, that splendid mantle wear?' Ah!' said the damsel, ' from this happy shore, We banish wisdom, and her idle lore! No clarions here the strains of battle sing : With notes of mirth our joyful vallies ring.

Peace to the brave: o'er us the beauteous reign;
And ever-charming pleasures form our train.'

This said, a diadem, inlay'd with pearls, She plac'd respectful on his golden curls; Another, o'er his graceful shoulder, threw A silken mantle of the rose's hue, Which, clasp'd with studs of gold, behind him flow'd, And through the folds his glowing bosom shew'd. Then in a car, by snow-white coursers drawn, They led him o'er the dew-besprinkled lawn, Through groves of joy and arbours of delight, With all that could allure his ravish'd sight; Green hillocks, meads, and rosy grots he view'd, And verdurous plains with winding streams bedew'd. On every bank, and under every shade, A thousand youths, a thousand damsels play'd; Some wantonly were tripping in a ring On the soft border of a gushing spring; While some, reclining in the shady vales, Told to their smiling loves their amorous tales: But when the sportful train beheld from far The nymphs returning with the stately car, O'er the smooth plain with hasty steps they came, And hail'd their youthful king with loud acclaim; With flowers of every tint the paths they strow'd, And cast their chaplets on the hallow'd road.

At last they reach'd the bosom of a wood,
Where, on a hill, a radiant palace stood;
A sumptuous dome, by hands immortal made,
Which, on its walls and on its gates, display'd

The gems that in the rocks of Tibet glow,
The pearls that in the shells of Ormus grow.
And now a numerous train advance to meet
The youth, descending from his regal seat;
Whom to a rich and spacious hall they led,
With silken carpets delicately spread;
There, on a throne, with gems unnumber'd grac'd,
Their lovely king six blooming damsels* plac'd,
And, meekly kneeling, to his modest hand
They gave the glittering sceptre of command;
Then on six smaller thrones they sat reclin'd,
And watch'd the rising transports of his mind:
When thus the youth a blushing nymph address'd,
And, as he spoke, her hand with rapture press'd :

• Say, gentle damsel, may I ask unblam'd
How this gay isle, and splendid seats are nam'd?
And you, fair queens of beauty and of grace,
Are you of earthly or celestial race?

To me the world's bright treasures were unknown, Where late I wander'd, pensive and alone;

And, slowly winding on my native shore,
Saw the vast ocean roll, but saw no more;
Till from the waves with many a charming song,
A barge arose, and gayly mov'd along;
The jolly rowers reach'd the yielding sands,
Allur'd my steps, and wav'd their shining hands :
I went, saluted by the vocal train,
And the swift pinnace cleav'd the waves again;
When on this island struck the gilded prow,
I landed, full of joy: the rest you know.
Short is the story of my tender years :
Now speak, sweet nymph, and charm my listening ears.'

These are the groves, for ever deck'd with flowers,' The maid replied, and these the fragrant bowers, Where Love and Pleasure hold their airy court, The seat of bliss, of sprightliness, and sport; And we, dear youth! are nymphs of heavenly line; Our souls immortal, as our forms divine : For Maia, fill'd with Zephyr's warm embrace, In caves and forests cover'd her disgrace; At last she rested on this peaceful shore, Where, in yon grot, a lovely boy she bore, Whom, fresh and wild and frolick from his birth, She nurs'd in myrtle bowers, and call'd him Mirth.

He, on a summer's morning, chanc'd to rove
Through the green labyrinth of some shady grove,
Where, by a dimpled rivulet's verdant side,
A rising bank, with woodbine edg'd, he spied:
There, veil'd with flowerets of a thousand hues,
A nymph lay bath'd in slumber's balmy dews;
(This maid by some, for some our race defame,
Was Folly call'd, but Pleasure was her name :)
Her mantle, like the sky in April, blue,
Hung on a blossom'd branch that near her grew ;
For, long disporting in the silver stream,
She shun'd the blazing day-star's sultry beam;
And, ere she could conceal her naked charms,
Sleep caught her trembling in his downy arms :
Borne in the wings of Love, he flew, and press'd
Her breathing bosom to his eager breast.
At his wild theft the rosy morning blush'd,
The rivulet smil'd, and all the woods were hush'd.
Of these fair parents, on this blissful coast,
(Parents like Mirth and Pleasure who can boast?)
I with five sisters, on one happy morn,
All fair alike, behold us now! were born.
When they to brighter regions took their way,
By Love invited to the realms of day,
To us they gave this large, this gay domain,
And said, departing, Here let Beauty reign.