Page:Poems, Consisting Chiefly of Translations from the Asiatick Languages.djvu/35

But Maia most admir'd the pearly strings,
Gay bracelets, golden chains, and sparkling rings.

High in the centre of the palace shone.
Suspended in mid-air, an opal throne:
To this the queen ascends with royal pride,
And sets the favour'd damsel by her side.
Around the throne in mystick order stand
The fairy train, and wait her high command;
When thus she speaks: (the maid attentive sips
Each word that flows, like nectar, from her lips.)

"Favourite of heaven, my much-lov'd Maia, know,
"From me all joys, all earthly blessings, flow:
"Me suppliant men imperial Fortune call,
"The mighty empress of yon rolling ball:
(She rais'd her finger, and the wondering maid
At distance hung the dusky globe, survey'd,
Saw the round earth with foaming oceans vein'd,
And labouring clouds on mountain tops sustain'd.)
"To me has fate the pleasing talk assign'd
"To rule the various thoughts of humankind;
"To catch each rising wish, each ardent prayer,
"And some to grant, and some to waste in air.