Classic Poem

Thus Diomedes. Venulus withdraws;
Unsped the Service of the common Cause.
Puteoli he passes, and survey'd
A Cave long honour'd for its awful Shade.
Here trembling Reeds exclude the piercing Ray;
" Here Streams in gentle Falls thro' Windings stray,
" And with a passing Breath cool Zephyrs play.
The Goatherd God frequents the silent Place,
As once the Wood-Nymphs of the Sylvan Race,
Till Appulus with a dishonest Air,
And gross Behaviour, banish'd thence the Fair.
The bold Buffoon, when-e'er they tread the Green,
Their Motion mimicks, but with Gests obscene
Loose Language oft he utters; but e're long
A Bark in filmy Net-work binds his Tongue.
Thus chang'd, a base wild Olive he remains;
" The Shrub the Coarseness of the Clown retains.