HAIL, charming Maid, bright as the Morning Star,
Daughter of JOVE, and Heav'n's peculiar Care!
'Tis thine to weigh the World in equal Scales,
And chide the conscious Soul, when Vice prevails,
Dispensing Justice with impartial Hand,
The mightiest Pow'rs submit to thy Command:
Ev'n Gods themselves, tho' in their Actions free,
Consult, resolve, and act, as you decree:
Great Sov'reign JOVE, the first Ethereal Name,
Advis'd with thee to form the heav'nly Frame:
As TRUTH approv'd, he bad the Fabric rise,
And spread the azure Mantle of the Skies;
Plac'd ev'ry Planet in its proper Sphere,
Nor rolls  Orb too wide, nor  too near —
But why thus walk we, mindless of our Ease,
Expos'd beneath the Sun's meridian Blaze?
Better retire, and shun the scorching Ray,
Till fanning  cool our Ev'ning Way.
Hear how yon limpid Streams run murm'ring by,
And tuneful Birds their sylvan Notes apply;
See fragrant Shrubs along the Borders grow,
And waving Shades beneath the Poplar Bough;
All these invite us to the River's Side,
To bathe our Limbs, and sport within the Tide:
So cool the Stream, the flow'ry Banks so sweet,
DIANA's Self might covet the Retreat:
Nor can a short Diversion check your Haste;
Fresh Strength will soon succeed such welcome Rest:
As rapid Currents, held a-while at Bay,
With swifter Force pursue their liquid Way.