CANTO ii. REPRODUCTION OF LIFE. 61 



Thin folds of gauze with dim transparence flow 

 O'er HER fair forehead, and her neck of snow; 230 

 The winding woof her graceful limbs surrounds, 

 Swells in the breeze, and sweeps the velvet grounds; 

 As hand in hand along the flowery meads 

 His blushing bride the quiver'd hero leads ; 

 Charm'd round their heads pursuing Zephyrs throng, 

 And scatter roses, as they move along; 

 Bright beams of Spring in soft effusion play, 

 And halcyon Hours invite them on their way. 



" Delighted HYMEN hears their whisper'd vows, 

 And binds his chaplets round their polish'd brows, 240 

 Guides to his altar, ties the flowery bands, 

 And as they kneel, unites their willing hands. 



* Behold, he cries, Earth! Ocean! Air above, 



* And hail the DEITIES OF SEXUAL LOVE! 



* All forms of Life shall this fond Pair delight, 



* And sex to sex the willing world unite; 



