“What miracle thus dazzles with surprise!

Distinct in rows the radiant columns rise;

The walls, where’er my wondering sight I turn,

And roofs, amidst a blaze of glory burn!

Some visitant of pure ethereal race

With his bright presence deigns the dome to grace.”


“Be calm (replies the sire); to none impart,

But oft revolve the vision in thy heart:

Celestials, mantled in excess of light,

Can visit unapproach’d by mortal sight.

Seek thou repose: whilst here I sole remain,

To explore the conduct of the female train:

The pensive queen, perchance, desires to know

The series of my toils, to soothe her woe.”


With tapers flaming day his train attends,

His bright alcove the obsequious youth ascends:

Soft slumberous shades his drooping eyelids close,

Till on her eastern throne Aurora glows.


Whilst, forming plans of death, Ulysses stay’d,

In counsel secret with the martial maid,

Attendant nymphs in beauteous order wait

The queen, descending from her bower of state.

Her cheeks the warmer blush of Venus wear,

Chasten’d with coy Diana’s pensive air.

An ivory seat with silver ringlets graced,

By famed Icmalius wrought, the menials placed:

With ivory silver’d thick the footstool shone,

O’er which the panther’s various hide was thrown.

The sovereign seat with graceful air she press’d;

To different tasks their toil the nymphs address’d:

The golden goblets some, and some restored

From stains of luxury the polish’d board:

These to remove the expiring embers came,

While those with unctuous fir foment the flame.


’Twas then Melantho with imperious mien

Renew’d the attack, incontinent of spleen:

“Avaunt (she cried), offensive to my sight!

Deem not in ambush here to lurk by night,

Into the woman-state asquint to pry;

A day-devourer, and an evening spy!

Vagrant, begone! before this blazing brand

Shall urge”—and waved it hissing in her hand.


The insulted hero rolls his wrathful eyes