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OF TEMPER.
41


A thousand times his dizzy brain revolves
A stern command: now doubts and now resolves
To bid the nymph descend, and disarray'd,
Quit her dear project of the masquerade:
As oft kind nature to his heart recurr'd,
And love parental stopt the cruel word.
Meantime, unconscious of the brooding storm,
The nymph exults in her improving form:
Gay is her smile, as those the queen of love
Darts on the Graces in her court above,
While they contrive, with love-inspiring cares,
New modes of beauty for the robe she wears.
At length, each duty of the toilet past,
The glance of triumph on the mirror cast,
Now the light wand our finish'd Ariel arms;
Glad Jenny glories in her lady's charms;
And gives full utterance, as she smooths her vest,
To the sweet bodings of Serena's breast.
Oh! lovely bias of the female soul!
Which trembling points to pleasure's distant pole;