spoke the muse thus, loud and strong was heard,
Of fluttering pinions in the air the sound;
And hailing voices from high branches came.
Jove's daughter then around enquiring look'd
(The sounds she hears, so like the human voice,
From human voice she deems them) birds the sound
Emitted: magpies were they;--magpies nine:
Their doom lamenting, on the boughs they sate,
Aping in voice their neighbours all around.
Then to the wondering goddess, thus the muse
Explain'd: "These vanquish'd in the arduous strife
"Of song, to us submitting, swell the crowd
"Of feather'd fliers. In Pellenian lands
"Most rich was Pierus their sire; to him
"Evippe of Paeonia bore the nymphs;
"Nine times invoking great Lucina's aid.
"Vain of their number, proud the sister-crew,
"In folly journey'd through Thessalia's towns,
"And through the towns of Greece; when here arriv'd
"Thus to the test of power their words provoke:--
"At length desist to cheat the senseless crowd
"With harmony pretended, Thespian maids!
"With us contend, if faith your talents give
"For such a trial. Ye in voice and skill
"Surpass us not,--our numbers are the same.
"If vanquish'd, yield the Medusaean fount,
"And Hyantean Aganippe,--we
"If conquer'd, all Emanthaea's regions cede,
"Far as Paeonia's snows. The nymphs around
"The contest shall decide. Deep shame we felt
"Thus to contend, but deeper shame appear'd
"To yield without contention to their boast.
"The nymphs elected to adjudge the prize
"Swear by the floods; and on the living rock
"Seated, await to hear the rival songs.

"Then one, impatient who should first commence,
"Or we, or they, arises;--sings the war
"Of gods and giants; to the rebels gives
"False praises; and the high celestials' power
"Much under-rating, tells how Typhon, rais'd.
"From earth's most deep recesses, struck with fear
"All heaven: each god betook him straight to flight
"Far distant, till th' Egyptian land receiv'd
"Each weary'd foot, where Nile's dissever'd stream
"Pours in seven mouths. How earth-born Typhon here,
"They tell, pursu'd them; and each god, conceal'd
"In feign'd resemblance, cheated there his power.
"Jove, (so she sung) a leading ram became;
"(Whence still the Lybians form their Ammon horn'd)
"The crow Apollo hid: a goat the son
"Of Semele became: Diana skulk'd
"In shape a cat: a snow-white cow conceal'd
"The form of