When vernal ſun-beams pierce their dark retreat
The heaving tomb diſtends with vital heat;
The full-form'd brood impatient of their cell
Start from their trance, and burſt their ſilken ſhell;
Trembling a-while they ſtand, and ſcarcely dare
To launch at once upon the untried air:
At length aſſur'd, they catch the favouring gale,
And leave their ſordid ſpoils, and high in Ether ſail.
So when Rinaldo ſtruck the conſcious rind
He found a nymph in every trunk confin'd;
The foreſt labours with convulſive throes,
The burſting trees the lovely births diſcloſe,
And a gay troop of damſels round him ſtood,
Where late was rugged bark and lifeleſs wood.
Lo! the bright train their radiant wings unfold,
With ſilver fring'd and freckl'd o'er with gold.
On the gay boſom of ſome fragrant flower
They idly fluttering live their little hour;
