SEE! with what constant motion, Even, and glorious as the sun, Gratia a steers that noble frame, Soft as her breast, sweet as her voice, That gave each winding law and poise, And swifter than the wings of Fame. She beat the happy pavement-- By such a star made firmament, Which now no more the roof envies! But swells up high, with Atlas even, Bearing the brighter, nobler heaven, And, in her, all the deities. Each step trod out a lover's thought, And the ambitious hopes he brought Chained to her brave feet with such arts, Such sweet command and gentle awe, As, when she ceased, we sighing saw The floor lay paved with broken hearts. So did she move, so did she sing, Like the harmonious spheres that bring Unto their rounds their music's aid; Which she performed such a way As all the enamoured world will say, 'The Graces danced, and Apollo played!' | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A TIME TO TALK by ROBERT FROST ON THE GRASSHOPPER by ANACREON SONG: 6 by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD EVENTIDE by VALERY YAKOVLEVICH BRYUSOV THE DESERT by MAXWELL STRUTHERS BURT FOUR EPISTLES: MIRACLE AT THE FEAST OF PENTECOST: 2 by JOHN BYROM PIOUS SELINDA [OR, CELINDA] by WILLIAM CONGREVE |