The Poet Invokes the Spirits of the Elements to Approach Delia

Ye Sylphs, who banquet on my Delia's blush.
Who on her locks of floating gold repose.
Dip in her cheek your gossamery brush.
And with its bloom of beauty tinge the rose.

Hover around her lips on rainbow wing,
Load from her honey'd breath your viewless feet.
Bear thence a richer fragrance for the Spring,
And make the lily and the violet sweet.

Ye Gnomes, whose toil through many a dateless year
Its nurture to the infant gem supplies,
From central caverns bring your diamonds here,
To ripen in the sun of Delia's eyes.

And ye who bathe in Etna's lava springs.
Spirits of fire ! to see my love advance ;
Fly, Salamanders, on Asbestos' wings,
To wanton in my Delia's fiery glance.

She weeps, she weeps ! her eye with anguish swells,
Some tale of sorrow melts my feeling girl !
Nymphs ! catch the tears, and in your lucid shells
Enclose them, embryos or the orient pearl.

She sings ! the Nightingale with envy hears,
The Cherub listens from his starry throne,
And motionless are stopp'd the attentive Spheres,
To hear more heavenly music than their own.

Cease, Delia, cease ! for all the angel throng,
Hearkening to thee, let sleep their golden wires !
Cease, Delia, cease that too surpassing song.
Lest, stung to envy, they should break their lyres.

Cease, ere my senses are to madness driven
By the strong joy ! Cease, Delia, lest my soul,
Enrapt, already think itself in heaven,
And burst the feeble Body's frail control.