38
AMYNTAS.
I saw musicians with Orphean finger
Striking the lyre: a company I saw
Of heavenly goddesses, and beauteous nymphs;
Some in luxuriant, airy dress; their hair,
And face uncumbered with fantastick mode;
Bright as Aurora, harbinger of day,
Diffusing virgin light, and pearly dew.
Apollo and the Muses there I saw,
With heavenly sounds enchanting mortal ear;
Raising the coldest hearer to a poet,
And opening all the sentimental world.
Amongst the Muses was Elpinus seated,
Elpinus high in fame amongst our swains.
With such pervading, and parental eye
Omniscient Heaven the worthy man surveys,
In the sequestered shade and humble garb;
And raises to such unexpected honour
The modest friend of virtue, and the Muse.
Spurning my rustick diffidence, to think
The fortune of Elpinus might be mine,
And waked to rapture I had never known,
Striking the lyre: a company I saw
Of heavenly goddesses, and beauteous nymphs;
Some in luxuriant, airy dress; their hair,
And face uncumbered with fantastick mode;
Bright as Aurora, harbinger of day,
Diffusing virgin light, and pearly dew.
Apollo and the Muses there I saw,
With heavenly sounds enchanting mortal ear;
Raising the coldest hearer to a poet,
And opening all the sentimental world.
Amongst the Muses was Elpinus seated,
Elpinus high in fame amongst our swains.
With such pervading, and parental eye
Omniscient Heaven the worthy man surveys,
In the sequestered shade and humble garb;
And raises to such unexpected honour
The modest friend of virtue, and the Muse.
Spurning my rustick diffidence, to think
The fortune of Elpinus might be mine,
And waked to rapture I had never known,
My
