Evening Ode

To Stella:

Evening now from purple

Sheds the grateful gifts she brings;

Brilliant drops bedeck the mead,

Cooling breezes shake the reed;

Shake the reed, and curl the

Silver'd o'er with Cynthia's beam;

Near the chequer'd, lonely grove,

Hears, and keeps thy secrets, love!

Stella, thither let us stray,

Lightly o'er the dewy way.

Phoebus drives his burning car,

Hence, my lovely Stella, far;

In his stead, the queen of

Round us pours a lambent light:

Light that seems but just to

Breasts that beat, and cheeks that glow;

Let us now, in whisper'd joy,

Evening's silent hours employ,

Silent best, and conscious shades,

Please the hearts that love invades,

Other pleasures give them pain,

Lovers all but love disdain.