VII.

And here and there from golden urns arise,
Impregn'd with perfumes, purple clouds, that throw
Like hues just caught from fair Ausonia's skies,
Throughout the palace an Elysian glow,—
Odorous as roses when they newly blow.
And couches, splendid as the gorgeous light
Of the declining sun, or high or low,

As suits capricious luxury, invite

To sweet repose indeed each pleasure-laden wight.

I

pass

VIII.

the dance, the converse soft between, As fly the hours along with rapid pace. Lo! in her chair of state Golconda's Queen Sits goddess-like; majestic is her face, Yet mild, as well becomes her pride of place. Even Fatima in pomp of beauty ne'er Received fair Montague with such a grace As this all-beauteous queen withouten glare Of rank receives her guests-how winning is her air!

IX.

Profusely gay, the exuberance of joy

All feel-all feel their spirits mounting high!
One feast of happiness, that ne'er can cloy,

Life seems to them, though death perchance be nigh.

Why should fair bosoms ever heave a sigh?
Life is with love so closely knit, what kills
Love in young breasts may dim the brightest eye.
Yet tears, that eloquently speak of ills,

Are as medicinal balm when grief the heart o'erfills.

X.

In whirls fantastical the waters dance,

Springing from fountains jasper-paved; the noon
Of night their sparkling freshness doth enhance.
How glorious is the cupola! a moon

Of pearl shines mildly o'er the vast saloon.
of night, shall art then imitate

Fair queen

Thy quiet majesty? in sooth as soon

Might the poor pageantries of regal state

On earth, heaven's matchless splendours vainly emulate!

XI.

The banquet is prepared with sumptuous cost:
Flagons of massive gold here flame around;
Amid the piles of wealth distinction 's lost;
And splendours without end the mind astound!
All that can feast the senses here abound;
Invention's highly-gifted sons unfold

(So fine their art, the like was never found,)
Peris most exquisitely wrought in gold,

And other delicate sprites in Eastern fables told!

XII.

As if "instinct with living spirits," sing
Birds of a thousand colours; and their hues,
Brilliant as flowers that o'er the meads in spring
Their gay variety of tints diffuse,

Would e'en the painter's shrewdest ken confuse.
And art, how wonderful! has raised a tree
To rival Nature-(for such toys amuse

Those who despise dear Nature's charms ;) and see As the boughs stir-the birds all join in harmony.

XIII.

Wealth, inexhaustible as Danaë's shower,
That pen can scarcely blazon, thought conceive,
Excels not in itself the meanest flower

That Innocence within her hair might weave
Wandering on Avon's banks, this lovely eve!
Even Nature's humblest things can stir those deep
Affections in us that will ne'er deceive.

Cherish these deep-sown feelings, ye shall reap A harvest of delight, when Pride in dust shall sleep!

XIV.

Not that I scorn this féte unparagon'd:
'Tis like a well-spring amid desert sands,
Or a rich vale where Flora sits enthroned,
Surrounded by bleak hills, and barren lands!

What cynic would destroy love's rosy bands?
The paths of life are thorny; o'er our heads
Those grim magicians, Cares, uplift their wands!

Why marvel, then, that Youth their influence dreads, And basks him in the rays the sun of beauty sheds ? April, 1824.

NOTES

ON

"THE QUEEN OF GOLCONDA'S FETE."

P. 233, 1. 7.

Zamorim's palace is as a twinkling star.

See the seventh book of Camoëns' Lusiad.

P. 235, 1. 20.

Robed in all colours that the Pavone owns.

And wings it had with sondry colours dight,

More sondry colours than the proud Pavone

Bears in his boasted fan, or Iris bright;

When her discolour'd bow she bends through Heaven's height.

P. 236, 1. 3.

Like hues just caught from fair Ausonia's skies.

Largior hic campos æther et lumine vestit
Purpureo.--VIRGIL.

SPENSER.

"The setting sun produced the richest variety of tints in the opposite sky; among them was a lovely violet glow, rarely, if ever seen, in England."-DALLAWAY's Constantinople.

P. 236, 1. 15.

Even Fatima in pomp of beauty.

The following splendid description of the beauty and attractive manners of the "fair Fatima," is from Lady Mary Wortley Montague's Letters.