CANTO X. Cora-luxuriant Vegetation-the Humming-bird-the Fountain THEN CORA came, the youngest of her race, The more she searched, pleased and perplexed the more! But soon the telescope attracts her view; She turns, and thinks; and, lost in wild amaze, Nor can thy flute, ALONSO, now excite, So soon to love and to be wretched too! Then stirs not, breathes not-on enchanted ground? There forests frown in midnight majesty; Ceiba, and Indian fig, and plane sublime, Nature's first-born, and reverenced by Time! There sits the bird that speaks! there, quivering, rise. Wings that reflect the glow of evening skies! Half bird, half fly, the fairy king of flowers Reigns there, and revels thro' the fragrant hours; Gem full of life, and joy, and song divine, 'Twas he that sung, if ancient Fame speaks truth, "Come! follow, follow to the Fount of Youth! I quaff the ambrosial mists that round it rise, Dissolved and lost in dreams of Paradise!" For there called forth, to bless a happier hour, It met the sun in many a rainbow-shower! Murmuring delight, its living waters rolled 'Mid branching palms and amaranths of gold! |