L. To the Nymphs

The FUMIGATION from AROMATICS.

NYMPHS, who from Ocean's stream derive your birth,

Who dwell in liquid caverns of the earth

Nurses of Bacchus secret-coursing pow'r,

Who fruits sustain, and nourish ev'ry flow'r:

Earthly, rejoicing, who in meadows dwell, 5

And caves and dens, whose depths extend to hell:

Holy, oblique, who swiftly soar thro' air,

Fountains and dews, and mazy streams your care:

Seen and unseen, who joy with wand'rings wide

And gentle course, thro' flow'ry vales to glide; 10

With Pan exulting on the mountains height,

Loud-founding, mad, whom rocks and woods delight:

Nymphs od'rous, rob'd in white, whose streams exhale

The breeze refreshing, and the balmy gale;

With goats and pastures pleas'd, and beasts of prey, 15

Nurses of fruits, unconscious of decay:

In cold rejoicing, and to cattle kind,

Sportive thro' ocean wand'ring unconfin'd:

Nysian, fanatic Nymphs, whom oaks delight,

Lovers of Spring, Pæonian virgins bright. 20

With Bacchus, and with Ceres, hear my pray'r.

And to mankind abundant favour bear;

Propitious listen to your suppliants voice,

Come, and benignant in these rites rejoice;

Give plenteous Seasons, and sufficient wealth, 25

And pour; in lasting streams, continued Health.

LI.