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Show P R O G R A M M E S OF BALLETS. 329 presided at the birth of Venus. Both gods and mortals are wrapt in admiration at her extraordinary beauty.- The youthful Goddess, lifting now her eyes, Throws round a gaze of terror and surprise ; She wonders at the waves, the skies, the light, Whose brightness wounds her unaccustom'd sight; Sighing she speaks, and her first accent tells The future mistress of enchanting spells. Where a m I ? whence awaked ? what bliss I feel ! W h a t gentle gales perfum'd around m e steal! H o w beautiful is nature, and h o w blest! W h a t genial warmth pervades m y heaving breast ! What's this that beats so quick beneath m y hands ? And as it beats the gentle heat expands. O n breasts exposed, her downcast looks are stayed, Vainly she tries their nakedness to shade ; O'er the soft hills, her pressing fingers stray, She droops confus'd, and seems to die away. From the French O / D E M O U S T I E R *. * La jeune deite levant enfin les yeux, Promene ses regards, craintifs et curieux. Elle admire le ciel et 1' onde et la lumiere Dont l'eclatblesse encor sa timide paupiire. Sa bouche s' ouvre, et son premier soupir, Son premier mot est 1" accent du plaisir. Ou suis-je? quel reVeil? quelle volupte pure! O que cet air est doux! que ce jour est serein ! Que tout est beau dans la nature ! Quelle douce chaleur circule dans mon sein ! . . Que sens-je battre sous m a main ? . . . . Vers son cceur palpitant alors baissant la vue Elle admire, sourit, et rougit d'etre nue! Ses mains volent, mais ces mobiles remparts, Ses tresors innocens, percent de toutes parts. Quelle confusion! DEMOUSTIER. |