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THE DULL earth swung in silence o’er, A dreamless world, a dreary star, Until the doves of Venus bore To Thessaly her ivory car. She whispered to the sea and air, And lightly with her wand she smote The solid earth, till everywhere The birds gave forth a sweeter note. Whereat the sun did brighter shine, More richly did the roses blow, And like deep peace, a joy divine Did fill the souls of men below. And still are showered her magic arts On man and maiden hand in hand, Who hear a music in their hearts Which none but they can understand. A sweeter perfume sheds the rose, A deeper azure tints the sky, And softly with the daylight’s close The doves of Venus hover nigh. Thus oft, to earth doth she return To strip the scales from mortal eyes, And sends us Love, that we may learn How Earth may yet be Paradise. |