Psyche, and other poems — page 209: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

191 If once they touch the limits of her realm, Offended Principle resigns the helm, Simplicity forsakes the treacherous shore, And once discarded, she returns no more. Thus the charmed mariner on every side Of poisoned Senegal’s ill-omened tide, Eyes the rich carpet of the varied hue And plains luxuriant opening to his view : Now the steep banks with towering forests crowned, Clothed to the margin of the sloping ground ; Where with full foliage bending o’er the waves, Its verdant arms the spreading Mangrove laves ; And now smooth, level lawns of deeper green - Betray the richness of the untrodden scene : Between the opening groves such prospects glow, As Art with mimic hand can ne’er bestow, While lavish Nature wild profusion yields, And spreads, unbid, the rank uncultured fields ; ’ Flings with fantastic hand in every gale _ Ten thousand blossoms o’er each velvet vale, And bids unclassed their fragrant beauties die Far from the painter’s hand or sage’s eye. From cloudless suns perpetual lustre streams, And swarms of insects glisten in their beams. Near and more near the heedless sailors steer, Spread all their canvas, and no warnings hear. See, on the edge of the clear liquid glass The wondering beasts survey them as they pass, And fearless bounding o’er their native green, Adorn the landscape, and enrich the scene ; conicloooks.comnn