CANTO ir. REPRODUCTION OF LIFE. 5.9 



Hears on the new-turn'd sod with gestures wild 







The kneeling Beauty call her buried child; 

 Upbraid with timorous accents Heaven's decrees, 

 And with sad sighs augment the passing breeze. 200 

 * Stern Time,' She cries, ' receives from Nature's womb 

 Her beauteous births, and bears them to the tomb; 

 Calls all her sons from earth's remotest bourn. 

 And from the closing portals none return 1' 



V. URANIA paused, upturn'd her streaming eyes, 

 And her white bosom heaved with silent sighs; 

 With her the MUSE laments the sum of things, 

 And hides her sorrows with her meeting wings; 

 Long o'er the wrecks of lovely Life they weep, 

 Then pleased reflect, " to die is but to sleep;" 210 

 From Nature's coffins to her cradles turn, 

 Smile with young joy, with new affection burn. 



And now the Muse, with mortal woes impress'd, 

 Thus the fair Hierophant again address'd. 



