IN Georgia's land, where Tefflis' towers are seen, In distant view along the level green, While evening dews enrich the glittering glade, And the tall forests cast a longer shade, What time 'tis sweet o'er fields of rice to stray, Or scent the breathing maize at setting day; Amidst the maids of Zagen's peaceful grove, Emyra sung the pleasing cares of love. Of Abra first began the tender strain, Who led her youth with flocks upon the plain: Deep in the grove, beneath the secret shade, A various wreath of odorous flowers she made: *Gay-motley'd pinks and sweet jonquils she chose, The violet blue that on the moss-bank grows; All sweet to sense, the flaunting rose was there: Great Abbas chanc'd that fated morn to stray, By love conducted from the chase away; * These flowers are found in very great abundance in some of the provinces of Persia. Among the vocal vales he heard her song, And sought the vales and echoing groves among: At length he found, and wooed the rural maid; She knew the monarch, and with fear obey'd. "Be every youth like royal Abbas mov'd, "And every Georgian maid like Abra lov'd." The royal lover bore her from the plain; Yet still her crook and bleating flock remain: Oft, as she went, she backward turn'd her view, And bade that crook and bleating flock adieu. Fair, happy maid! to other scenes remove, To richer scenes of golden power and love! Go, leave the simple pipe, and shepherd's strain; With love delight thee, and with Abbas reign. с "Be every youth like royal Abbas mov'd, "And every Georgian maid like Abra lov'd!" Yet, 'midst the blaze of courts she fix'd her love On the cool fountain, or the shady grove; Still with the shepherd's innocence her mind The breezy mountains, and the forests green. Her maids around her mov'd, a duteous band! Some simple lay, of flocks and herds they sung; With joy the mountain and the forest rung. "Be every youth like royal Abbas mov'd, "And every Georgian maid like Abra lov'd!" And oft the royal lover left the care And thorns of state, attendant on the fair; Oft to the shades and low-roof'd cots retir'd, Or sought the vale where first his heart was fir'd: A russet mantle, like a swain, he wore, And thought of crowns and busy courts no more. "Be every youth like royal Abbas mov d, "And every Georgian maid like Abra lov'd!" Blest was the life that royal Abbas led: Sweet was his love, and innocent his bed. What if in wealth the noble maid excel; The simple shepherd girl can love as well. Let those who rule on Persia's jewel'd throne, Be fam'd for love, and gentlest love alone; |