Hunt and Lee, comps. The Book of the Sonnet. 1867. The Temple of Chastity By Mrs. Mary Darby Robinson (1757?–1800)
HIGH 1 on a rock coeval with the skies, A temple stands, reared by immortal powers To Chastity divine! Ambrosial flowers, Twining round icicles, in columns rise, Mingling with pendent gems of orient dyes. 5 Piercing the air, a golden crescent towers, Veiled by transparent clouds; while smiling hours Shake from their varying wings celestial joys! The steps of spotless marble, scattered o’er With deathless roses armed with many a thorn, 10 Lead to the altar. On the frozen floor, Studded with tear-drops petrified by scorn, Pale vestals kneel, the goddess to adore, While Love, his arrows broke, retires forlorn.
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