168 ORIGIN OF SOCIETY. CANTO iv. 



IV. Now sinks the golden sun, the vesper song 

 Demands the tribute of URANIA'S tongue; 470 



Onward she steps, her fair associates calls 

 From leaf- wove avenues, and vaulted halls. 

 Fair virgin trains in bright procession move, 

 Trail their long robes, and whiten all the grove; 

 Pair after pair to Nature's temple sweep, 

 Thread the broad arch, ascend the winding steep; 

 Through brazen gates along susurrant ailes 



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Stream round their GODDESS the successive files; 



Curve above curve to golden seats retire, 



And star with beauty the refulgent quire, 480 



AND first to HEAVEN the consecrated throng 

 With chant alternate pour the adoring song, 

 Swell the full hymn, now high, and now profound, 

 With sweet responsive symphony of sound. 

 Seen through their wiry harps, below, above, 

 Nods the fair brow, the twinkling fingers move; 



