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MALONIANA.
463
Ode
ON THE NUPTIALS OF HIS MAJESTY GEORGE III
Sept., 1761
by Edmond Malone.
Vide p. 6.
Deep in a lonely vale, beneath a bower
By nature formed for sweet recess and ease;
Where every beauty that the eye can please
Conspired to gratify the royal power;
What time the grey-eyed twilight o’er the glade
Spreads all around a glimmering gloomy shade,
In contemplation George was laid;
Long did suspense and doubt his mind possess
Wavering and unresolved, what blooming maid,
What soft associate, with his hands to bless.
When, lo! far off two female forms he spies,
In flowing folds of silver light arrayed;
Beauteous they seemed, of more than human size:
Such have the ancient poets oft pourtrayed.
The one advanced with solemn steps and slow,
With thought and meditation on her brow;
Her air majestic, modest was her mien,
Becoming Wisdom’s queen;
A decent veil concealed from human sight
Those virgin charms that ne’er beheld the light.
In such attire, before the son of Jove
Virtue appeared, at once commanding awe and love.
By nature formed for sweet recess and ease;
Where every beauty that the eye can please
Conspired to gratify the royal power;
What time the grey-eyed twilight o’er the glade
Spreads all around a glimmering gloomy shade,
In contemplation George was laid;
Long did suspense and doubt his mind possess
Wavering and unresolved, what blooming maid,
What soft associate, with his hands to bless.
When, lo! far off two female forms he spies,
In flowing folds of silver light arrayed;
Beauteous they seemed, of more than human size:
Such have the ancient poets oft pourtrayed.
The one advanced with solemn steps and slow,
With thought and meditation on her brow;
Her air majestic, modest was her mien,
Becoming Wisdom’s queen;
A decent veil concealed from human sight
Those virgin charms that ne’er beheld the light.
In such attire, before the son of Jove
Virtue appeared, at once commanding awe and love.
II.
Lightly the other moved, nor seemed to touch the ground;
Her every look breathed beauty all around;
Graceful her mien, and winning was her air;
Softer her skin, more delicately fair.
A polished mirror in her hand she bore;
A thin transparent robe of gauze she wore,
Which made her charms more lovely show;
Her eyes shone brighter than the morning dews;
Vermilion dyes her blushing cheeks suffuse;
O'er all her frame an air of health did glow,
Which simple nature only can bestow,
Which more commands and charms the heart,
Than all the tints of art.
In such a dress, in such a gay attire,
She used of old to meet the Trojan hero’s sire.
Lightly the other moved, nor seemed to touch the ground;
Her every look breathed beauty all around;
Graceful her mien, and winning was her air;
Softer her skin, more delicately fair.
A polished mirror in her hand she bore;
A thin transparent robe of gauze she wore,
Which made her charms more lovely show;
Her eyes shone brighter than the morning dews;
Vermilion dyes her blushing cheeks suffuse;
O'er all her frame an air of health did glow,
Which simple nature only can bestow,
Which more commands and charms the heart,
Than all the tints of art.
In such a dress, in such a gay attire,
She used of old to meet the Trojan hero’s sire.
