Thus once Vesuvius, crown'd with circling wood,
Parthenope, thy beauteous neighbour stood:
Perpetual Spring cloath'd the fair mountain's side;
And what is now thy terror, was thy pride.
Sudden th' imprison'd flames burst forth; and laid
On smoaky heaps each shrieking Dryad's shade:
Now deep in ashes sinks the myrtle bow'r,
O'er beds of flow'rs sulphureous torrents roar;
And exil'd demi-gods their ruin'd seats deplore.