once before a sacred Structure blest,
Where all the Inquisitive World did come,
For an ambiguous Doom;
And splendid Pomp amaz'd the curious Guest.
Yet with less Glory did at  shine,
When floors of Marble, roofs of Gold,
Did his oraculous God-head hold;
Then in thy living Shrine,
There fetter'd with a sacerdotal Yoke,
Uncheckt in thee, the God has always spoke.
In thee no less Magnificent appears,
Nor with less Splender did his Power exert,
Then when above a Soveraign sway he bears;
In Learning Poetry, and every Godlike Art.
But oh! the Deity is silenc'd now,
No more celestial Cadence from thy Tongue will flow,
And all the lesser Fanes with Grief expire,
All gasping ly,
With fainting Groans deplore,
Great  is no more;
And with declining Fire
Sing their own Requiem in thy Obsequie.
Farewel to Inspiration now,
All sacred extacies of Wit,
The softer Excellence,
Of melting Words and rapturing Sence,
Ye will no more with Divine Sweetness flow;
But Poetry submit
To the bold Enthusiastick Rage
Of a deserted and malicious Age.