With lyre Orphean, see a bard explore
The central caverns of the mornless night,
Till now ne’er echoing to Æonian rite
He comes!—and lo! upon the sparry floor,
Advance to welcome him, each sister power,
Petra, stern queen, Fossilia, cold and bright,
And call their gnomes, to marshal in his sight
The gelid incrust, and the veined ore,
And flashing gem.—Then, while his songs pourtray
The mystic virtues gold and gems acquire,
With every charm that mineral scenes display,
Th’ imperial sisters praise the daring lyre,
And grateful hail its new and powerful lay,
That seats them high amid the Muses’ choir.