66
THE TRIUMPHS
Of all the radiant host who lent their aid
To light mankind thro' life's bewildering shade,
Bright Charity alone with cloudless ray,
May boast exemption from his baleful sway:
Haste then, sweet nymph! nor let us longer roam
Round the drear circle of this dangerous dome!
Lest e'en thy guide entangled in his spell,
Should fail to guard thee from a fiend so fell!"
So speaking, the kind Spirit's anxious care
Led from the palace the attentive fair,
And winding thro' a passage dark and rude,
Thus the mild monitor her speech renew'd:
"'Gainst fear and pity now thy bosom steel,
For sights more horrible I now reveal!
Spleen's tortur'd victims view with dauntless eyes;
For lo! her penal realms before thee rise!"
The nymph advancing saw, with mute amaze,
A dismal, deep, enormous dungeon blaze.
Stones of red fire the hideous wall compos'd;
And massive gates the horrid confine clos'd.
To light mankind thro' life's bewildering shade,
Bright Charity alone with cloudless ray,
May boast exemption from his baleful sway:
Haste then, sweet nymph! nor let us longer roam
Round the drear circle of this dangerous dome!
Lest e'en thy guide entangled in his spell,
Should fail to guard thee from a fiend so fell!"
So speaking, the kind Spirit's anxious care
Led from the palace the attentive fair,
And winding thro' a passage dark and rude,
Thus the mild monitor her speech renew'd:
"'Gainst fear and pity now thy bosom steel,
For sights more horrible I now reveal!
Spleen's tortur'd victims view with dauntless eyes;
For lo! her penal realms before thee rise!"
The nymph advancing saw, with mute amaze,
A dismal, deep, enormous dungeon blaze.
Stones of red fire the hideous wall compos'd;
And massive gates the horrid confine clos'd.
