Asia's end,
Stands an old palace, long by time rever'd;
The first rude plan the hand of nature rear'd;
5 But soon, disdaining Nature's simple taste,
Intruding art the modest fabric grac'd.

There vernal breezes fann'd the myrtle shade,
Soft odour breath'd, and beams unclouded play'd.
No tyrant winter e'er despoil'd the grove,
10 Bid feather'd warblers end the note of love,
Or bound the murm'ring rill in icy chains.
Eternal verdure crown'd the blissful plains;
No labour Earth requir'd, no season knew,
Unbid by man her smiling harvest grew;
15 Round mellow fruit, the timid blossom twin'd,
Gay Flora's bloom to rich Pomona join'd.

Not wanton Nature when her reign began,
Such blessings lavish'd on her fav'rite man;
The thoughtless joy which from abundance flows,
20 Days without care, and nights of calm repose:
All to delude the mind, to charm the sense,
All Eden e'er could boast,--but innocence.

Sweet music wafted on the balmy breeze,
Invited languor and voluptuous ease,
25 While am'rous lays in dulcet note proclaim
The lovers triumph, and the fair one's shame.
There to the laughing god in flow'rs array'd,
The graceful throng their daily homage paid;
There in his temple learn'd the fatal art,
30 To please, seduce, and captivate the heart.
Young Hope, in flatt'ring smiles for ever gay,
To Love's mysterious altar leads the way:
The graces round, half veil'd and half in sight,
Enticing motion with their voice unite;
35 While Indolence, luxurious laid along,
Listless and loit'ring, hears the tender song.
There, silent Myst'ry, with the veil she wears,
And eyes conversing with the soul, appears,
Attentive tender cares, attracting smiles,
40 Gay sport and mirth, and all that thought beguiles.
Lascivious pleasures group'd with wanton ease;
And soft desires that more than pleasure please.

Such the delightful entrance of the dome:
But onward if with guardless step you roam,
45 And thro' the deep recess audacious pry,
What alter'd scenes of horror strike your eye!
No pleasures form'd in playful groupes invite,
No dulcet sounds the ravish'd ear delight;
50 No tender cares:--- But in their place appear,
Sullen Complaint, and cloy'd Disgust, and Fear;
There,