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. "Oft, as 'tis said, her sister-nymphs exclaim'd;-- "Come, Salmacis, thy painted quiver take; "Or take thy javelin;--with soft pleasures mix "Laborious sporting: but nor javelin she, "Nor painted quiver took;--with sportive toil, "Soft pleasures mingling: sole intent to bathe, "Her beauteous limbs amidst her own clear waves; "And through her flowing tresses oft to draw "The boxen comb, while o'er the fountain bent, "She studies all her graces: now, her form "Clad in a robe transparent, stretcht she lies, "Or on the yielding leaves, or bending grass; "Now flowers she culls;--and so it chanc'd to fall, "Flowers she was gathering, when she first beheld "The charming youth; no sooner seen than lov'd. "Not forth she rush'd at first, though strongly urg'd, "Forward to spring, but all adjusted fair: "Closely survey'd her robe; her features form'd; "And every part in beauteous shape compos'd. "Then thus address'd him;--O, most godlike youth! "And if a god, the lovely Cupid sure! "But if of mortal mould, blest is thy sire! "Blest is thy brother! and thy sister blest!-- "If sister hast thou;--and the fostering breast "Which fed thy infant growth: but far 'bove all "In rapturous bliss, is she who calls thee spouse; "Should nymph exist thou deem'st that bliss deserves! "If wedded, grant a stol'n embrace to me; "If not, let me thy nuptial couch ascend. "The Naiaed ceas'd: a bashful glow suffus'd "His face, for nought of love to him was known: "Yet blushing seem'd he lovely: thus warm glows "The apple, to the ripening sun expos'd; "Or teinted ivory; or the redden'd moon, "Whom brazen cymbals clash to help in vain. "To her, warm praying for at least a kiss, "A chaste, a sister's kiss,--her arms firm claspt "Around his ivory neck;--desist! he cries, "Desist! or sole to thee the place I'll leave. "His flight she dreaded, and reply'd,--I go, "Dear youth, and freely yield the spot to thee. "And seems indeed, her steps from him to turn; "But still in sight she kept him; lurking close "Shelter'd by shadowy shrubs, on bended knees. "Of spy unconscious, he in boyish play "Frisks sportive here and there; dips first his feet, "Then ancles deeper in the wantoning waves; "Pleas'd with the temper of the lucid pool: "Till hasty stript from off his tender limbs "His garments soft he flings. More deeply struck "Stood Salmacis; more fie
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