nymphs, whose mount
Alighting feels her first: the learned nine,
Thus she bespeaks;--"fame tells, a new-made spring,
"Burst from a blow the swift-wing'd horse's hoof
"Inflicted; lo! the cause I hither come.
"That steed I saw spring from his mother's blood:
"Fain would I this new prodigy behold."
Urania gave reply. "O, maid divine!
"What cause soe'er has with thy presence grac'd.
"Our dwelling, proves to us a grateful boon.
"Fame speaks not false. Our fountain surely sprung
"Sole from Pegasus." Speaking thus, she leads
The virgin goddess to the sacred streams:
Who long the spring admir'd;--the spring produc'd
From the hoof's blow:--around surveying views
The groves of ancient trees, the grots, the plants
Of ever-vary'd tint; and happy calls
The learned nymphs, who such a spot possess'd.
Then thus a sister;--"O, divinest maid!
"Our choir to join most worthy, did not aims
"Of loftier import tempt thy warlike soul,
"Right hast thou spoke; our habitation well,
"And well our arts thy highest praises claim.
"Blest were our lot, if still from danger free:
"But nought a villain's daring power restrains,
"And terror soon our virgin minds appals.
"Ev'n now the dread Pyreneus to my eyes
"Stands present: to its wonted calm not yet
"Restor'd my mind. With furious Thracian bands
"Daulis he conquer'd, and the Phocian fields;
"And held the sway unjust. Parnassus' fane
"We sought; th' usurper there beheld us pass,
"And feigning reverence for our power divine
"Worshipp'd, and then address'd us, whom he knew.
"Here, O! ye Muses, rest, nor dubious stand
"But straight beneath my sheltering roof avoid
"The cloudy heaven, and rain (for fast it shower'd)
"Oft mighty deities have enter'd roofs
"Less pompous.--By his invitation urg'd,
"And by the tempest, we accede and step
"Within the hall. The pelting showers now ceas'd,
"Auster by Boreas vanquish'd; fled the clouds
"Black lowering, and the face of heaven left clear:
"Anxious we wish to go: Pyreneus fast
"His dwelling closes, and rough force prepares:
"Wings we assume, and from his force escape.
"He, standing on the loftiest turret's top,
"Like us his flight about to wing, exclaims--
"A path you lead, that path will I pursue.
"Then madly from the tower's most lofty wall,
"Dash'd on his face he fell, and dying strew'd
"His shatter'd bones upon the blood-stain'd ground."

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