stilly presence nigh, And hush’d all things into a calm profound. A thousand wondrous thoughts upon my mind, In order unaccounted, had gone by. Then as they passed a striking vision came; ’Twas bright and lucent as the early dawn, Which pays obeisance to a smiling morn. The stage of life was there before me set; p. 144The curtain rose, and on it I beheld A maiden fair, the foremost in the act. Her mien was noble, and she held erect A form which was in Beauty’s garb arrayed. Her eye was sparkling as the morning dew, And full of language—full that it o’erflowed. Her teeth were white and pure as Winter snow; I saw them peer between her cherry lips, As these were moving in a gracious smile, Which traced her features like a silvery stream, And ran from view adown her dove-like neck. Her cheek was blooming as a new-blown rose; A modest flush came o’er it as she stood. Her voice was sweet like music on the air, Thrown from a harp touched by a fairy sprite; And in her look a happy tranquil dwelt. Bound with the crown of virtue which she wore Upon her brow (a diadem of gems) Were the sweet flowers of purity, which gave A charm more sweet than all the rest to see. In short, she was perfection’s perfect choice, And Beauty’s fairest child of all the group Of Eve’s unnumbered daughters, who abide, Or have abode, amid these mingled scenes. ’Twas now the season of her noonday prime, Wherein she might have gloried if she would; p. 145But the calm spirit which within her moved Would not allow like vanities to rise. Amid the lucent streams of mellow light, Which showered its fullest softness down on her, She stood—the beauteous maiden stood adored. To see the gay perfection of her charms Came wonder, peering forth; for he was lured With an intense delight to see a form Clothed and adorned in such simplicity, Yet of unbounded elegance the while. And far her fame had spread throughout the land. Then soon from town and city numbers came, And from the quiet of their country homes, To cast their admiration at her feet; For they had longed with their own eyes to see Her nymph-like form, and with their ears to hear The music of her voice, and for themselves To read the language of her sparkling eye. And many sought to win her as his own; And to her shrine they brought rich offerings all, Each of the best and choicest of his stores. And she beheld the riches which they brought, And heard the words of flattery which they bore, And marked the attentions lavished unto her, But gave no heed to these, and deemed them all As idle and deluding vanities; p. 146For she beheld they sought the outward charms, But minded not the treasures of the heart, Which are more precious than all other gain. So she did make, in firm yet kindly words, An answer of refusal unto each, And held her from 

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