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L E L I A. 



BY P. GASKELL, ESQ. 



CANTO I. 



ARGUMENT. Apostrophe to Woman The Roman Sisters The Roman Father 



His campaign described The Christian Slave Sufferings of her race Roman 

 opinion of Christ History of Cams Hope Directing power of Providence 

 Plague in Rome Notes. 



O LOVELY woman ! God to thee has given 

 The power to make this earth a lower heaven ! 

 To thee has given the wiser, happier part, 

 To make thy life a picture of the heart ; 



To thee has given an angel's form and face, 5 



To thee has given a spark of heavenly grace. 

 Thine influence falls amidst the mortal strife 

 Man madly calls the bliss of human life 

 Like the cool breeze, that fans the fever'd brain, 

 And turns to hope the pang of sickening pain ! 10 



Within thee glows the quenchless flame of love, 

 That, like a beacon light, soars high above 

 The storm of passion, and the cankering care, 

 Which make man's heart the victim of despair ! 



The bitter world may scorn thy gentle fears ; 15 



The bitter world may staunch thy ready tears ; 

 Yet still untouch'd thy richest treasure lies, 

 Press but its spring what clouds of incense rise ! 

 Though deck'd in costly robes of Tyrian dye, 



This cannot still thy heart, or quench thine eye : 20 



Though humble russet may thy form debase, 

 This cannot steal thy charms, nor hide thy grace. 

 Dwell where thou wilt, in palace or in cave 

 Love whom thou wilt, the coward or the brave 

 Thou hast the power a power which God has given, 25 



To bless man's life, and make this earth a heaven. 



Proud peerless Rome, though long by luxury cursed, 

 Within her breast the seeds of virtue nursed ; 

 Though wealth and power and universal sway 



Had made her sons to vice a willing prey ; 30 



Though heathen rites had steel'd the Roman mind, 

 Till not a trace of God was left behind ; 

 Yet Rome's proud daughters played the woman's part, 

 And woman's love was shrined within their heart : 

 Eros nor Anteros had touch'd its flame, 35 



Which burnt as pure as when from heaven it came : 

 Pity and tenderness, love's softer powers, 

 Their dwelling found amidst Rome's proudest bowers. 

 Alike these fell on noble and on slave, 



And this had power to bless, and that to save. 40 



M.M, No. 4. 2 Y 



