Peru's rich mines by captive slaves explor'd,
Where Plutus reigns supreme, by all ador'd;
'Tis not his treasures Williams' pen impart,
Her subject's Nature, glowing from the heart;
To her the Muse, the noblest tasks consign,
Expanded thought, gave energy divine,
Unfolded Nature's secrets to her view,
And form'd the line her conduct should pursue;
And well the maid's perform'd the mighty task,
The deed was great—no more the Muse could ask;
Peru unbosoms, all the Nine foretold
Where Nature forms the universal mould,
Whose true impressions proves the ablest skill,
Subdues the heart, and conquers e'en the will.
To sweet Maria pleads a parent's cause,
The Muse by Echo vibrates back applause;
So lively paints the lover's ardent flame,
That doubts will rise, but Williams feels the same;
Each scene she tints, such beaming truths displays,
That Envy gives involuntary praise.
In vain to trace o'er Peru's vast domain,
Her boundless fancy—boundless praises claim;
Peruvia's woes, when time shall bear no date,
Will stand recorded on the page of Fate;
And while Zamor's and Aciloe's loves are read,
Shall Helen's same be rescu'd from the dead.