dious shall appear." All pleas'd applaud
The proposition; and her sisters beg
That she the tales commence. Long she demurs,
What story first, of those she knew, to tell;
For numerous was her store. In doubt, thy tale,
Dercetis Babylonian, to relate,
Whose form, the Syrians think, with scales is cloth'd;
The stagnant pools frequenting: or describe
Thy daughter's change, on waving pinions borne;
Who lengthen'd age obtain'd, on lofty towers
Safe dwelling: or of Nais, who the youths
With magic works, and potent witching words
To silent fishes turn'd; till she the same
Vile transformation suffer'd: or the tree,
Which once in clusters white its berries bore,
Now blood besprinkled, growing black. This tale
Most novel, pleas'd the most: and as she spun
Her slender thread, the nymph the tale began.

"Thisbe, the brightest of the eastern maids;
"And Pyramus, the pride of all the youths,
"Contiguous dwellings held, in that fam'd town,
"Where lofty walls of stone, we learn were rais'd,
"By bold Semiramis. Their neighbouring scite,
"Acquaintance first encourag'd,--primal step
"To further intimacy: love, in time,
"Grew from this chance connection; and they long'd
"To join by lawful rites: but harsh forbade,
"Their rigid sires the union fate had doom'd.
"With equal ardor both their minds inflam'd,
"Burnt fierce; and absent every watchful spy
"By nods and signs they spoke; for close their love
"Conceal'd they kept;--conceal'd it burn'd more fierce.
"The severing wall a narrow chink contain'd,
"Form'd when first rear'd;--what will not love espy?
"This chink, by all for ages past unseen,
"The lovers first espy'd.--This opening gave
"A passage for their voices; safely through,
"Their tender words were breath'd in whisperings soft.
"Oft punctual at their posts,--on this side she,
"And Pyramus on that;--each breathing sighs,--
"By turns inhaling, have they mutual cry'd;--
"Invidious wall! why lovers thus divide?
"Much were it, did thy parts more wide recede,
"And suffer us to join? were that too much
"A little opening more, and we might meet
"With lips at least. Yet grateful still we own
"Thy kind indulgence, which a passage gives,
"And amorous words conveys to loving ears.
"Thus they loquacious, though on sides diverse,
"Till night their converse stay'd;--then cry'd, adieu!
"And each imprinted kisses, which the stones
"For