The Poetical Works of Elijah Fenton/Johannis Secundi. Basium II translated
BASIUM II. TRANSLATED.
As the young enamour'd vineRound her elm delights to twine,As the clasping ivy throwsRound her oak her wanton boughs,So close, expanding all thy charms, 5Fold me, my Chloris! in thy arms;Closer, my Chloris! could it be,Would my fond arms incircle thee.The jovial friend shall tempt in vainWith humour, wit, and brisk Champaigne; 10In vain shall Nature call for sleep,We 'll Love's eternal vigils keep:Thus, thus for ever let us lie,Dissolving in excess of joy,Till Fate shall with a single dart 15Transfix the pair it cannnot part. Thus join'd, we 'll fleet like Venus' doves,And seek the bless'd Elysian groves,Where Spring in rosy triumph reignsPerpetual o'er the joyous plains; 20There lovers of heroic nameRevive their long-extinguish'd flame,And o'er the fragrant vale advanceIn shining pomp to form the dance,Or sing of Love and gay Desire, 25Responsive to the warbling lyre,Reclining soft in blissful bow'rs,Purpled sweet with springing flow'rs,And cover'd with a silken shadeOf laurel mix'd with myrtle made, 30Where, flaunting in immortal bloom,The musk-rose scents the verdant gloom,Thro' which the whisp'ring zephyrs flySofter than a virgin's sigh.When we approach those bless'd retreats, 35Th' assembly straight will leave their seats,Admiring much the matchless pair,So fond the youth, the nymph so fair!Daughters and mistresses to Jove,By Homer fam'd of old for love, 40In homage to the British Grace,Will give pre-eminence of place:Helen herself will soon agreeTo rise, and yield her rank to thee. 44