76 ORIGIN OF SOCIETY. CANTO ir. 



O'er burning sands, and snow-clad mountains, treads, 



Blue fields of air, and ocean's briny beds; 



Flings from his radiant torch celestial light 



O'er Day's wide concave, and illumes the Night. 



With dulcet eloquence his tuneful tongue 



Convokes and captivates the Fair and Young; 



His golden lamp with ray ethereal dyes 



The blushing cheek, and lights the laughing eyes; 420 



With secret flames the virgin's bosom warms, 



And lights the impatient bridegroom to her arms; 



With lovely life all Nature's frame inspires, 



And, as they sink, rekindles all her fires." 



VII. Now paused the beauteous Teacher, and awhile 

 Gazed on her train with sympathetic smile. 



* Beware of Love ! she cried, ye Nymphs, and hear 



* His twanging bowstring with alarmed ear; 

 ' Fly the first whisper of the distant dart, 



* Or shield with adamant the fluttering heart; 430 



