As tuneful C———ve tries his rural Strains,
Pan quits the Woods, the list'ning Fawns the Plains;
And Philomel, in Notes like his, complains.
And Britain, since Pausanias was writ,
Knows Spartan Virtue, and Athenian Wit.
When St——— paints the Godlike Acts of Kings,
Or, what Apollo dictates, P——— sings:
The Banks of Rhine a pleas'd Attention show,
And Silver Sequana forgets to flow.
Such just Examples carefully read o'er,
Slide without falling, without draining, soar.
Oft tho' your Stroaks surprize, you shou'd not chuse
A Theme so mighty for a Virgin Muse.
Long did [1]Apelles his Fam'd Piece decline,
His Alexander was his last Design.
'Tis M———ue's rich Vein alone must prove,
None but a Phidias shou'd attempt a Jove.
The Fury paus'd, 'till with a frightful Sound
A rising Whirlwind burst th'unhallow'd Ground.
Then she———The Deity we Fortune call,
Tho' distant, rules and influences all.
Strait for her Favour to her Court-repair,
Important Embassies ask Wings of Air.
Each wond'ring stood, but Horoscope's great Soul
That Dangers ne'er alarm, nor Doubts controul;
Rais'd on the Pinions of the bounding Wind,
Out-flew the Rack, and left the Hours behind.
- ↑ See Hor. B. 2. Ep. I. Plin. Plut. Cir. Ep. Val. Max.
