Mercury has folded with the sons of night,Untaught to prayer Fate's prison to unseal.Ah, heavy grief! but patience makes more lightWhat sorrow may not heal.The Muses love me: fear and grief,The winds may blow them to the sea;Who quail before the wintry chiefOf Scythia's realm, is nought to me.What cloud o'er Tiridates lowers,I care not, I. O, nymph divineOf virgin springs, with sunniest flowersA chaplet for my Lamia twine,Pimplea sweet! my praise were vainWithout thee. String this maiden lyre,Attune for him the Lesbian strain,O goddess, with thy sister quire!What, fight with cups that should give joy?'Tis barbarous; leave such savage waysTo Thracians. Bacchus, shamefaced boy,Is blushing at your bloody frays.