90
CLYDE;
What thrilling tremors must the soul invade,
When dancing fires, and melting airs persuade;
When every potent charm of shape and face,
From dress and motion draws resistless grace! 210
But happier they who temperate mirth approve,
Who joy with reason, and with virtue love;
Who unelated taste of bliss below,
And firmly bear inevitable woe:
For still when pleasure gilds the smiling scene,
The sabler hues of woe will intervene.
Mark where the wedding-guests in order move,
Arrayed in white, and breathing joy and love:
The bride her timid wishes seems to speak,
By the faint blush that trembles on her cheek: 220
The music leads, the maidens haste away,
With dance and banquet to conclude the day.
The mournful funeral, slow, proceeds behind,
Arrayed in black, the heavy head declined:
Wide yawns the grave; dull tolls the solemn bell;
Dark lie the dead; and long the last farewell:
There music sounds, and dancers shake the hall;
But here the silent tears incessant fall.
Ere mirth can well her comedy begin,
The tragic demon oft comes thundering in, 230
When dancing fires, and melting airs persuade;
When every potent charm of shape and face,
From dress and motion draws resistless grace! 210
But happier they who temperate mirth approve,
Who joy with reason, and with virtue love;
Who unelated taste of bliss below,
And firmly bear inevitable woe:
For still when pleasure gilds the smiling scene,
The sabler hues of woe will intervene.
Mark where the wedding-guests in order move,
Arrayed in white, and breathing joy and love:
The bride her timid wishes seems to speak,
By the faint blush that trembles on her cheek: 220
The music leads, the maidens haste away,
With dance and banquet to conclude the day.
The mournful funeral, slow, proceeds behind,
Arrayed in black, the heavy head declined:
Wide yawns the grave; dull tolls the solemn bell;
Dark lie the dead; and long the last farewell:
There music sounds, and dancers shake the hall;
But here the silent tears incessant fall.
Ere mirth can well her comedy begin,
The tragic demon oft comes thundering in, 230
