Howe'er, she gave no flat Denial, As having Malice in her Heart; And was refolv'd upon a Tryal, 7 To cheat the God in his own Art. Hear my Request, the Virgin faid; Let which I please of all the Nine Attend whene'er I want their Aid, Obey my Call, and only mine. By Vow oblig'd, by Paffion led, The God could not refufe her Prayer: He wav'd his Wreath thrice o'er her Head, Thrice mutter'd something to the Air. And now he thought to seize his Due, Thalia heard the Call, and flew On Sight of this Celestial Prude, He hop'd to find fome lucky Hour, When on their Queen the Mufes wait; But Pallas owns Ardelia's Power: For Vows divine are kept by Fate. Then full of Rage Apollo fpoke, Let stubborn Pride poffefs thee long, Of modeft Poets thou be firft, To filent Shades repeat thy Verse, Till Fame and Eccho almost burst, Yet hardly dare one Line rehearse. And laft, my Vengeance to compleat ; Baucis and Philemon. Imitated from the Eighth Book of OXID. Written about the YEAR 1708. N ancient Times as Story tells, IN The Saints would often leave their Cells, And ftrole about, but hide their Quality, IT happen'd on a Winter Night, To a small Village down in Kent; They begg'd from Door to Door in vain; But not a Soul would let them in. OUR wand'ring Saints in woful State, Having thro' all the Village past, Where dwelt a good old honeft Ye'man, In his poor Hut to pass the Night: And then the hofpitable Sire Bid Goody Baucis mend the Fire; Cut out large Slices to be fry'd: For both were frighted to the Heart, And just began to cry, What art! Then Then foftly turn'd afide to view, Whether the Light were burning blue. While you shall fee your Cottage rise, And grow a Church before your Eyes. THEY fcarce had spoke; when fair and foft, The Roof began to mount aloft: Aloft rofe ev'ry Beam and Rafter; The heavy Wall climb'd flowly after. The Chimney widen'd and grew higher, Became a Steeple with a Spire. The Kettle to the Top was hoist, And there ftood faften'd to a Joift; But |