4
THE TRIUMPHS
When the bright pageants of the morning sky
Across th' expansive mirror lightly fly,
By vernal gales in quick succession driven,
While the clear glass reflects the light of heaven.
In gay content a sportive life she led,
The child of Modesty, by Virtue bred:
Her light companions Innocence and Ease;
Her hope was pleasure, and her wish to please:
For this, to Fashion early rites she paid;
For this, to Venus secret vows she made;
Nor held it sin to cast a private glance
O'er the dear pages of a new romance,
Eager in fiction's touching scenes to find
A field, to exercise her youthful mind:
The touching scenes new energy imprest
On all the virtues of her feeling breast.
Sweet Evelina's fascinating power
Had first beguil'd of sleep her midnight hour:
Possest by sympathy's enchanting sway,
She read, unconscious of the dawning day.
Across th' expansive mirror lightly fly,
By vernal gales in quick succession driven,
While the clear glass reflects the light of heaven.
In gay content a sportive life she led,
The child of Modesty, by Virtue bred:
Her light companions Innocence and Ease;
Her hope was pleasure, and her wish to please:
For this, to Fashion early rites she paid;
For this, to Venus secret vows she made;
Nor held it sin to cast a private glance
O'er the dear pages of a new romance,
Eager in fiction's touching scenes to find
A field, to exercise her youthful mind:
The touching scenes new energy imprest
On all the virtues of her feeling breast.
Sweet Evelina's fascinating power
Had first beguil'd of sleep her midnight hour:
Possest by sympathy's enchanting sway,
She read, unconscious of the dawning day.
