Long had Aurelia vainly strove
To write in melting Strains of Love;
Ambitious of a Poet's Name,
She wept, she figh'd, she long'd for Fame;
While of the great Design possest
She thus the Delian God addrest:
Brightest of heavenly Powers above,
Immortal Son of thund'ring Jove ;
Oh glorious Deity impart
To me the soft poetic Art;
Vouchsafe to me thy sacred Fire,
And with thyself my Soul inspire.
She spake — the God indulgent hears
The beauteous Maid, and grants her Prayers.
On Clio turns his radiant Eyes,
And to the tuneful Goddess cries,
Fly hence to fair Aurelia 's Aid,
In heavenly Strains instruct the Maid:
The Muse obeys the God's Commands
With Joy, and swift as Thought descends,
And at Aurelia 's Side attends.
Conscious of her new Power, the Maid
With Thanks the glorious Gift repay'd:
Now Waller 's Sweetness, Granville 's Fire,
At once her tuneful Breast inspire:
No more she vainly strives to please,
The ready Numbers flow with ease:
All soft, harmonious and divine;
Apollo shines in every Line.
The Delian God with Rapture fill'd,
Upon his lovely Pupil smil'd.
Daphne , his once-lov'd charming Care,
Appear'd to him not half so fair:
For the lost Nymph he mourns no more;
Nor in his Songs her Loss deplore;
But from the slighted Tree he tears
It's Leaves, to deck Aurelia 's Hairs.
A Poet now by all she's own'd,
And with immortal Honour crown'd.