[The Poetical Works of William Lisle Bowles, Vol. 1 by William Lisle Bowles]@TWC D-Link book
The Poetical Works of William Lisle Bowles, Vol. 1

BOOK THE FOURTH
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The sun Twelve times had sunk beneath the sullen surge, And cheerless rose again:--Ah, where are now Thy havens, France! But yet--resign not yet-- Ye lost seafarers--oh, resign not yet All hope--the storm is passed; the drenched sail 300 Shines in the passing beam! Look up, and say-- Heaven, thou hast heard our prayers! And lo! scarce seen, A distant dusky spot appears;--they reach An unknown shore, and green and flowery vales, And azure hills, and silver-gushing streams, Shine forth; a Paradise, which Heaven alone, Who saw the silent anguish of despair, Could raise in the waste wilderness of waves.
They gain the haven; through untrodden scenes, 310 Perhaps untrodden by the foot of man Since first the earth arose, they wind.

The voice Of Nature hails them here with music, sweet, As waving woods retired, or falling streams, Can make; most soothing to the weary heart, Doubly to those who, struggling with their fate, And wearied long with watchings and with grief, Seek but a place of safety.

All things here Whisper repose and peace; the very birds That 'mid the golden fruitage glance their plumes, 320 The songsters of the lonely valley, sing-- Welcome from scenes of sorrow, live with us.
The wild wood opens, and a shady glen Appears, embowered with mantling laurels high, That sloping shade the flowery valley's side; A lucid stream, with gentle murmur, strays Beneath the umbrageous multitude of leaves, Till gaining, with soft lapse, the nether plain, It glances light along its yellow bed;-- The shaggy inmates of the forest lick 330 The feet of their new guests, and gazing stand.
A beauteous tree upshoots amid the glade Its trembling top; and there upon the bank They rest them, while each heart o'erflows with joy.
Now evening, breathing richer odours sweet, Came down: a softer sound the circling seas, The ancient woods resounded, while the dove, Her murmurs interposing, tenderness Awaked, yet more endearing, in the hearts Of those who, severed wide from human kind, 340 Woman and man, by vows sincere betrothed, Heard but the voice of Nature.

The still moon Arose--they saw it not--cheek was to cheek Inclined, and unawares a stealing tear Witnessed how blissful was that hour, that seemed Not of the hours that time could count.

A kiss Stole on the listening silence; ne'er till now Here heard; they trembled, ev'n as if the Power That made the world, that planted the first pair In Paradise, amid the garden walked:-- 350 This since the fairest garden that the world Has witnessed, by the fabling sons of Greece Hesperian named, who feigned the watchful guard Of the scaled Dragon, and the Golden Fruit.
Such was this sylvan Paradise; and here The loveliest pair, from a hard world remote, Upon each other's neck reclined; their breath Alone was heard, when the dove ceased on high Her plaint; and tenderly their faithful arms Infolded each the other.


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