[To the Nereids]



Daughters of Nereus, resident in caves

Merg'd deep in Ocean, sporting thro' the waves;

Fanatic fifty nymphs, who thro' the main

Delight to follow in the Triton's train,

Rejoicing close behind their cars to keep;

Whose forms half wild, are nourish'd by the deep,

With other nymphs of different degree

Leaping and wand'ring thro' the liquid sea:

Bright, wat'ry dolphins, sonorous and gay,

Well pleas'd to sport with bachanalian play;

Nymphs beauteous-ey'd, whom sacrifice delights,

Send rich abundance on our mystic rites;

For you at first disclos'd the rites divine,

Of holy Bacchus and of Proserpine,

Of fair Calliope from whom I spring,

And of Apollo bright, the Muse's king.