OF TEMPER.

Perceiving near its cell a human tread, Slinks back to earth, and hides its timid head : So, where the heavenly Spirit deign'd to lead, The ftartled fpeftres from her ftep recede ; And, as abafh'd they from her eye retire, Sink into mift, or melt in fluid fire. High on an ebon throne, fuperbly wrought With each fierce figure of fantaflic thought, In a deep cove, where no bright beam intrudes. O'er her black fchemes the fullen emprefs broods. The fcreech-owl's mingled with the raven's plume Shed o'er her furrow 'd brows an awful gloom ; A garb, that glares with ftripes of lurid flame, Wraps in terrific pomp her haggard frame ; Round her a ferpent, as her zone, is roll'd, Which, writhing, flings itfelf in every fold. Near her pavilion, in barbaric ftate, Four mutes the mandates of their queen await, From fickly Fancy bred, by fullen Sloth, Both parents' curfe, yet pamper'd ftill by both,