Rosara's Chain. The Crystal Globe. Poem by Alicia LeFanu

[Running head: LOQUACITY]

FIRED by applauding Fame's report,
AMANTOR sought the dazzling court,
Where beauteous dwelt in stately hall,
The PRINCESS of the CHRYSTAL BALL .
For thus, from cause to him unknown,
Was named the heiress of the throne.
With smiles of welcome, heavenly sweet,
Behold the nymph her suitor greet!
For all that nature can impart
To charm the eye, or win the heart
Was hers: the enraptured praise he gives
With modest silence she receives.

To all his vows, his prayers, and sighs,
By looks and smiles she still replies.
Such diffidence each grace improves,
And e'en the sweet reserve he loves.
But now two circling moons are fled,
Still silent, is the lovely maid;
And pensive oft would sigh the fair,
As one opprest with secret care.
One morn, as still he strove in vain
The secret of her soul to gain,
LUCINDA , from beneath her robe,
Displays a wondrous CHRYSTAL GLOBE :
Presents it, with intreating tears,
Then, swift as lightning, disappears.
What doubts AMANTOR'S mind distress!
How oft he strove aright to guess

His silent mistress's intent,
When the mysterious Ball she lent.
' 'Twas easy from her looks to see
'Some service high she hoped from me.
'The deed must on this Ball depend!-
'When will my toils, my trials end?'
Now o'er and o'er in vain he tries
To fathom where the secret lies.
'Till on the ground, as in despair,
He dashed the source of all his care.
Quick, in ten thousand shivers, flies
The Glassy Globe, and from it rise
Of various words the murmuring sound
From countless airy forms around.
At first, no single speech or word,
But noise confused alone, was heard.

Yet soon these sounds, more shrill than sweet,
Unnumbered tongues with joy repeat-
'Hail, Stranger! but for thee, still dumb
'Had we remained for years to come;
'In us, by you this hour set free,
'Your charmer's powers of speech you see.
'A vengeful Fay confined us all
'Invisible within this Ball;
'And, to complete the ruthless deed,
'Th' infernal sorceress decreed
'The Nymph should ne'er her powers recover,
' 'Till freed from thraldom by a Lover.
'In vain by turns the Globe she gave
'To each successive humble slave;
'From thence the Dame they wont to call
'The PRINCESS of the CHRYSTAL BALL ;

'But none her meaning could divine:
'That glory, generous Prince, is thine!'
Now enters gay the happy Fair,
With loosened tongue, and joyous air,
While rapture dances in her eyes-
'Ten thousand thanks, kind youth,' she cries;
'The maid you loved you have indeed
'From a detested slavery freed.
'This happiest day we'll celebrate
'By dance, by song, and courtly Fête .'
Now free LUCINDA finds her tongue,
Her joy she wishes to prolong;
Behold her at the feast preside;
How volubly her periods glide!
While lasts the scene, three mortal hours
The wordy torrent still she pours;

No voice but hers can now be heard,
That voice, which she to all preferred:
'Till e'en the Prince no more endures.
A swift retreat repose ensures;
While, of her wit enamoured quite,
The Princess scarcely marked his flight,
He quits her realm, resolved to roam,
And seek adventures yet to come.
'Better a passive slave remain,
'Imprisoned in ROSARA'S CHAIN ,
'Better thus wear out life,' he cried,
'Than joined to a loquacious Bride.'