Thou, lamp! the gods benignly gave,
To light a lover on his way;
Thou, Moon! along the silv’ry wave,
Ah! safe this flutt’ring heart convey:—
Sweet is thy light, and sweet thy shade,
The _guide_ and _guardian_ of our bliss,
A lover’s panting lips to lead,
Or veil him in the ravish’d kiss.
Her white robe floats upon the air;
My Lyra hears the dashing oar:
Ye floods, oh! speed me to my fair!
My soul is with her long before.
Oh! lightly haste, thy lover view,
And ev’ry anxious fear resign;
Ye tow’rs, no longer fear’d, adieu!
The treasure which ye held is mine!