Godey's Lady's Book

GODEY'S LADY'S BOOK
Philadelphia, January 1850

TO HEBE.

(A LITTLE STATUE ON THE MANTLE IN MY STUDY.)

BY S. ANNA LEWIS.

GODDESS OF BEAUTY ! and eternal Youth!
Stray spark from Eden, ere the Serpent came
And fastened on the human heart his tooth,
And earth assumed a different hue and name !
Lovely ideal! beatific beam!
For which Canova made a house of clay,
No more thou art to me a poet's dream,
Such life and light thou shed'st upon my way;
Such living freshness breath'st upon the flowers
That droop beside the fountain of nay soul;
So much dost speak of Bacchanalian hours;
How proudly thou didst bear the nectar bowl!
How one ill step o'erwhelmed thee with disgrace,
And Ganymedes won thy high, celestial place.

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