INVOCATION TO APOLLO ON TWILIGHT, MOONLIGHT, MIDNIGHT, &c. APOLLO, I thy aid implore To sing the charms of Twilight's hour; I love that hour, when day recedes, 4 When some, who seek affection's throne, Some hearts with mutual ardour beat, Whose hopes and fears congenial meet, B 2 When met, their feelings never sever, Oh, Twilight! thine's a lovely hour, So sweet its spell-so soft its pow'r. That which succeeds to eve's decline, Is finer far, far more sublime : As Sol withdraws his farewell beam, Gloom gives fresh int'rest to the scene; Enchants us more, as less reveal'd, Like Beauty, when almost conceal'd. Observe, Gloom's talismanic wand Raises superlatively grand— Ideal shapes :—a countless train, I've heard it ask'd, with some surprize, Why darkness gives, what light denies? Too oft in life, experience shews, We revel in the joys of hope. See night's pale luminary breaks Thro' heav'n's high dome, and faintly streaks, With tints of gold, or silver hue, Surrounding skies of darkest blue. How oft in raptures have I stray'd, While Cynthia's beams o'er lakes have play'd; When Vestal stars around her shone, Like goddesses near Juno's throne : Not Paradise is more serene, 'Tis heav'n to gaze on such a scene; Where distant spheres like angels shine, Reflecting here their lights divine. Now gently ebbs the Midnight tide, On chrystal streams fair mermaids glide; To watch the bark of seamen brave, And steer them o'er the dubious wave: |