Page:The Works of Alexander Pope (1717).djvu/369
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STATIUS his THEBAIS.
333
Struck with the sight, and fix'd in deep amaze,
The King th' accomplish'd oracle surveys,
Reveres Apollo's vocal caves, and owns
The guiding Godhead, and his future sons.
O'er all his bosom secret transports reign,
And a glad horror shoots thro' ev'ry vein:
To heav'n he lifts his hands, erects his sight,
And thus invokes the silent Queen of night.
Goddess of shades, beneath whose gloomy reign
Yon' spangled arch glows with the starry train,
You who the cares of heav'n and earth allay,
Till nature, quickned by th' inspiring ray,
Wakes to new vigour with the rising day.
Oh thou who freest me from my doubtful state,
Long lost and wilder'd in the maze of fate!
Be present still, oh Goddess! in our aid;
Proceed, and firm those Omens thou hast made!
We to thy name our annual rites will pay,
And on thy altars sacrifices lay;
The King th' accomplish'd oracle surveys,
Reveres Apollo's vocal caves, and owns
The guiding Godhead, and his future sons.
O'er all his bosom secret transports reign,
And a glad horror shoots thro' ev'ry vein:
To heav'n he lifts his hands, erects his sight,
And thus invokes the silent Queen of night.
Goddess of shades, beneath whose gloomy reign
Yon' spangled arch glows with the starry train,
You who the cares of heav'n and earth allay,
Till nature, quickned by th' inspiring ray,
Wakes to new vigour with the rising day.
Oh thou who freest me from my doubtful state,
Long lost and wilder'd in the maze of fate!
Be present still, oh Goddess! in our aid;
Proceed, and firm those Omens thou hast made!
We to thy name our annual rites will pay,
And on thy altars sacrifices lay;
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