Classic Poem

Phoebus now shortening every shade,
Up to the Northern Tropic came,
And thence beheld a lovely maid
Attending on a royal dame.

The god laid down his feeble rays,
Then lighted from his glittering coach;
But fenced his head with his own bays
Before he durst the nymph approach.

Under those sacred leaves, secure
From common lightning of the skies,
He fondly thought he might endure
The flashes of Ardelia's eyes.

The nymph, who oft had read in books,
Of that bright god whom bards invoke,
Soon knew Apollo by his looks,
And guessed his business ere he spoke.

He in the old celestial cant,
Confessed his flame, and swore by Styx,
Whate'er she would desire, to grant;
But wise Ardelia knew his tricks.

Ovid had warned her to beware
Of strolling gods, whose usual trade is,
Under pretence of taking air,
To pick up sublunary ladies.

Howe'er, she gave no flat denial,
As having malice in her heart;
And was resolved upon a trial,
To cheat the god in his own art.

'Hear my request,' the virgin said,
'Let which I please of all the nine
Attend whene'er I want their aid,
Obey my call, and only mine.'

By vow obliged, by passion led,
The god could not refuse her prayer;
He waved his wreath thrice o'er her head,
Thrice muttered something to the air.

And now he thought to seize his due,
But she the charm already tried,
Thalia heard the call and flew
To wait at bright Ardelia's side.

On sight of this celestial prude,
Apollo thought it vain to stay,
Nor in her presence durst be rude,
But made his leg and went away.

He hoped to find some lucky hour,
When on their queen the muses wait;
But Pallas owns Ardelia's power,
For vows divine are kept by fate.

Then full of rage Apollo spoke,
'Deceitful nymph, I see thy art;
And though I can't my gift revoke,
I'll disappoint its nobler part.

'Let stubborn pride possess thee long,
And be thou negligent of fame,
With every muse to grace thy song,
Mayst thou despise a poet's name.

'Of modest poets thou be first,
To silent shades repeat thy verse,
Till Fame and Echo almost burst,
Yet hardly dare one line rehearse.

'And last, my vengeance to complete,
May you descend to take renown,
Prevailed on by the thing you hate,
A Whig, and one that wears a gown.'