4 ORIGIN OF SOCIETY. CANTO i. 



Their laws, their labours, and their loves proclaim, 

 And chant their virtues to the trump of Fame. 



IMMORTAL LOVE! who ere the morn of Time, 

 On wings outstretch'd, o'er Chaos hung sublime; 

 Warm'd into life the bursting egg of Night, 

 And gave young Nature to admiring Light! 

 You ! whose wide arms, in soft embraces hurl'd 

 Round the vast frame, connect the whirling world! 2O 

 Whether immers'd in day, the Sun your throne, 

 You gird the planets in your silver zone; 

 Or warm, descending on ethereal wing, 

 The Earth's cold bosom with the beams of spring; 

 Press drop to drop, to atom atom bind, 

 Link sex to sex, or rivet mind to mind; 

 Attend my song! With rosy lips rehearse, 

 And with your polish'd arrows write my verse ! 

 So shall my lines soft-rolling eyes engage, 

 And snow-white fingers turn the volant page; 30 



