16 ORIGIX OF SOCIETY. CANTO i. 



Scan the proud pyramid, and arch sublime, 

 Earth-canker'd urn, medallion green with time, 

 Stern busts of Gods, with helmed heroes mix'd, 

 And Beauty's radiant forms, that smile betwixt. 180 



" 



Waked by thy voice, transmuted by thy wand, 

 Their lips shall open, and their arms expand; 

 The love-lost lady, and the warrior slain. 

 Leap from their tombs, and sigh or fight again. 

 So when ill-fated ORPHEUS tuned to woe 

 His potent lyre, and sought the realms below; 

 Charm'd into life unreal forms respir'd, 

 And list'ning shades the dulcet notes admir'd. 



" LOVE led the Sage through Death's tremendous porch, 

 Cheer'd with his smile, and lighted with his torch; 1QO 



Laban, and hid beneath her garments as she sat upon the straw. 

 Gen. c. xxxi. v. 34. 



Love led the Sage, 1. 189- This description is taken from the figures 

 on the Barbarini, or Portland Vase, where Eros, or Divine Love, 

 with his torch precedes the manes through the gates of Death, and 

 reverting his smiling countenance invites him into the Elysian fields. 



