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Show 168 ORIGIN OF SOCIETY. CANTO lV. IV. Now sinks the golden sun,-the vesper song Den1ands the tribute ofUnANrA's tongue; 470 Onward she steps, her fair associates calls From leaf-wove avenues, and vaulted halls. Fair virgin trains in bright procession move, Trail their long robes, and whiten all the grove ; Pair after pair to Nature's temple sweep, Thread the broad arch, ascend the winding steep; Through brazen gates along susurrant ailes Stream round their GoDDEss the successive files; Curve above curve to golden seats retire, And star with beauty the refulgent quire. ANn first to HEAVEN the consecrated throng With chant alternate pour the adoring song, Swell the full hymn, now high, and now profound, With sweet responsive symphony of sound. Seen through their wiry harps, below, above, Nods the fair brow, the twinkling fingers move; 480 CANTO IV. OF GOOD AND EVIL. Soft-warbling :flutes the ruby lip commands, And cymbals ring with high uplifted hands. To CHAos next the notes melodious pass, How suns exploded from the kindling mass, Waved o'er the vast inane their tresses bright, 169 4QO And charm'd young Nature's opening eyes with light. Next from each sun how spheres reluctant burst, And second planets issued from the first. And then to EARTH descends the moral strain, How isles, emerging from the shoreless main, With sparkling streams and fruitful groves began, And form'd a Paradise for mortal man. Sublimer notes record CELESTI.AL LovE, And high rewards in brighter climes above; To Chaos nea:t. 1. 489. N am que cane bat uti magnum per inane coacta Semina terrarnmque, animreque, marisquc fuissent; Et liquidi simul ignis; ut his exordia prim is Omnia, et ipse tener mundi concreverit orb is. VrRG. Ec. VI. 1. SJ. z 500 |
