The Poetical Works of Elijah Fenton/Johannis Secundi. Basium II translated

by Elijah Fenton

BASIUM II. TRANSLATED.

As the young enamour'd vine
Round her elm delights to twine,
As the clasping ivy throws
Round her oak her wanton boughs,
So close, expanding all thy charms, 5
Fold me, my Chloris! in thy arms;
Closer, my Chloris! could it be,
Would my fond arms incircle thee.
The jovial friend shall tempt in vain
With humour, wit, and brisk Champaigne; 10
In 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 15
Transfix 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 reigns
Perpetual o'er the joyous plains; 20
There lovers of heroic name
Revive their long-extinguish'd flame,
And o'er the fragrant vale advance
In shining pomp to form the dance,
Or sing of Love and gay Desire, 25
Responsive to the warbling lyre,
Reclining soft in blissful bow'rs,
Purpled sweet with springing flow'rs,
And cover'd with a silken shade
Of laurel mix'd with myrtle made, 30
Where, flaunting in immortal bloom,
The musk-rose scents the verdant gloom,
Thro' which the whisp'ring zephyrs fly
Softer than a virgin's sigh.
When we approach those bless'd retreats, 35
Th' 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, 40
In homage to the British Grace,
Will give pre-eminence of place:
Helen herself will soon agree
To rise, and yield her rank to thee. 44

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