CHAP. I.] 
WEST INDIES. 
227. 
THE SABLE VENUS> 
AN ODE. 
(Written in Jamaica.) 
Alba ligustra cadunt vaccinia nigra leguntur. 
I LONG had my gay lyre forsook. 
But strung it t’other day, and took 
T’wards Helicon my way; 
The muses all, th’ assembly grac’d. 
The president himself was plac’d. 
By chance ’twa's concert-day. 
Erato smil’d to see me come; 
Ask’d why I staid so much at home ; 
I own’d my conduct wrong;— 
But now, the sable queen of love. 
Resolv’d my gratitude to prove. 
Had sent me for a song. 
VlRGo 
