An INSCRIPTION

Who by retirement to these sacred groves Impregnate fancy, and on thought divine Build harmony—If sudden glow your breast With inspiration, and the rapt'rous song Bursts from a mind unconscious whence it sprang:

—Know that the sisters of these hallow'd haunts, Dryad or Hamadryad, tho' no more From Jove to man prophetick truths they sing; Are still attendant on the lonely bard, Who step by step these silent woods among Wanders contemplative, lifting the soul From lower cares, by every whisp'ring breeze Turn'd to poetick mood; and fill the mind With truths oracular, themselves of old Deign'd utter from the Dodonean shrine.