The Rosary, or Beads of Love [Verse]. with the Poem of Sula (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1812. Excerpt: ... LOVE ON THE WAVE. TO MISS I. C. D. Say, bast thou seen, on blithsome day, A butterfly 'mid roses play? Each fragrant bloom receives the kiss, Variety's the soul of bliss. Or hast thou view'd in smiling spring The nestling try its tender wing? With timid pinion panting flies, Then dauntless skims along the skies. So Cupid in a sportive mood With fear beheld the lucid flood, Yet wish'd his conq'ring pow'rs to prove; Who would control the wish of Love? Two sister swans adorn'd the wave, And lur'd the wanton God to lave; As am'rous Jove seducing fair, When Leda was his bosom's care. Their tow'ring necks of virgin snow Receiv'd his arrows and his bow; A new delight entranc'd the boy, For novelty to Love was joy The laughing youth with tim'rous hand Entwin'd their necks with silver band; Then div'd beneath the shining tide, In raptures soft the waves divide. A sight so fair is seldom seen, Two lovely swans--a God between The winds and waves in joy were pressing, And Zephyr breath'd o'er Love a blessing; Leda, the wife of Tyndarus, was seduced by Jupiter in the shape of a swan. Till tired with the lucid play, He kiss'd the swans, and flew away. To thee he came, with matchless beauty blest, And sunk reclining on thy snowy breast; From thence securely all his arrows fly, And where the wound's uncur'd, 'tis bliss--to die. Why, when I ask one kiss and sigh, Do'st thou, fair Thais, say, Oh fie? Or do'st thou not of joy approve? Or is it sin, dear girl, to love i Sure 'twas not right to scorn of Heaven The dearest feeling it has given, Its own ecstatic bliss And Heav'n it was in generous hour, When sparkling nectar warm'd the soul, While pleasure sway'd without control, That taught the lips to kiss, Giving delight still sweeter than before. Then leave the cold, ...