The Poetical Works of Elijah Fenton/Kisses. Translated from Secundus

by Elijah Fenton

KISSES. TRANSLATED FROM SECUNDUS.

BASIUM I.

When Venus, in the sweet Idalian shade,A violet couch for young Ascanius made,Their op'ning gems th' obedient roses bow'd,And veil'd his beauties with a damask cloud;While the bright goddess, with a gentle show'r 5Of nectar'd dews, perfum'd the blissful bow'r. Of sight insatiate, she devours his charmsTill her soft breast rekindling ardour warms;New joys tumultuous in her bosom roll,And all Adonis rusheth on her soul: 10Transported with each dear resembling grace,She cries, "Adonis!—sure I see thy face!"Then stoops to clasp the beauteous form, but fearsHe'd wake too soon, and with a sigh forbears;Yet, fix'd in silent rapture, stands to gaze, 15Kissing each flow'ring bud that round her plays:Swell'd with her touch, each animated roseExpands, and straight with warmer purple glows;Where infant Kisses bloom, a balmy store!Redoubling all the bliss she felt before. 20 Sudden her swans career along the skies,And o'er the globe the fair celestial flies;Then, as where Ceres pass'd, the teeming plainYellow'd with wavy crops of golden grain,So fruitful Kisses fell where Venus flew, 25And by the pow'r of genial magic grew, A plenteous harvest! which she deign'd t'impartTo sooth an agonizing love-sick heart.All hail, ye roseate Kisses! who removeOur cares, and cool the calentures of love. 30Lo! I your poet, in melodious laysBless your kind pow'r, enamour'd of your praise;Lays form'd to last till barb'rous Time invadesThe Muses' hill, and withers all their shades.Sprung from the guardian^[1] of the Roman name,In Roman numbers live, secure of fame. 36

 

1. Venus.