AMOUR WITH GABRIELLE.
59
"Just entering on that age, so perilous,
Which gives the passions sure ascendency,
Her haughty, generous heart, though formed for love,
Had never listened to a lover's vows,
Resembling in its spring the nascent rose,
Which, peeping forth, shuts in its loveliness,
Hides from the amorous winds its bosom's freight,
But opens to the sunshine calm and clear."
Which gives the passions sure ascendency,
Her haughty, generous heart, though formed for love,
Had never listened to a lover's vows,
Resembling in its spring the nascent rose,
Which, peeping forth, shuts in its loveliness,
Hides from the amorous winds its bosom's freight,
But opens to the sunshine calm and clear."
Throwing away his torch and his arrows, the god takes the form of a child, and approaching Gabrielle, tells her that the conqueror of Mayenne is at that moment near her:—
"Love hugged himself at seeing her so fair—
Sure of success when such attractions aid.
Her raiment's simple art (by him inspired)
To eyes bewitched seemed Nature's own effect.
Her golden hair, abandoned to the breeze,
Now veiled the young perfections of her breast,
Now rising, showed their charm unspeakable.
Her modesty but lent new loveliness—
Not that severe and sad austerity
Which frightens love, and beauty too, away,
But the sweet shyness, childlike, innocent,
Which lights the face with rosy tints divine,
Inspires respect, love's ardour animates,
And crowns the transports of its conqueror."
Sure of success when such attractions aid.
Her raiment's simple art (by him inspired)
To eyes bewitched seemed Nature's own effect.
Her golden hair, abandoned to the breeze,
Now veiled the young perfections of her breast,
Now rising, showed their charm unspeakable.
Her modesty but lent new loveliness—
Not that severe and sad austerity
Which frightens love, and beauty too, away,
But the sweet shyness, childlike, innocent,
Which lights the face with rosy tints divine,
Inspires respect, love's ardour animates,
And crowns the transports of its conqueror."
Forgetful of the claims of his Reine Margot, who had given him no great reason to be mindful of them, the too susceptible hero falls a very easy victim to the beauties of this fascinating maiden. Love, continuing to lend his treacherous aid, spreads enchanted bowers of myrtle, and throws over the whole region his powerful spell:—
"All speaks of love there—in the fields the birds
Redouble their endearments and their songs.
Redouble their endearments and their songs.
