Thus far Minerva was content to rove + 

With Perseus, offspring of her father Jove: + 

Now hid in clouds Seriphus she forsook, + 

And to the Theban towers her journey took; + 

Cythnos and Gyaros, lying to the right, + 

She pass’d unheeded in her eager flight; + 

And choosing first on Helicon to rest, + 

The virgin muses in these words address’d: + 

“Me the strange tidings of a new-found spring, + 

Ye learned sisters, to this mountain bring. + 

If all the true that Fame’s wide rumours tell, + 

’Twas Pegasus discover’d first your well; + 

Whose piercing hoof gave the soft earth a blow, + 

Which broke the surface where these waters flow. + 

I saw that horse by miracle obtain + 

Life, from the blood of dire Medusa slain; + 

And now this equal prodigy to view, + 

From distant isles to famed Boeotia few.” + 

The muse Urania said: “Whatever cause + 

So great a goddess to this mansion draws, + 

Our shades are happy with so bright a guest; + 

You, queen, are welcome, and we muses bless’d. + 

What Fame has publish’d of our spring is true; + 

Thanks for our spring to Pegasus are due.” + 

Then with becoming courtesy, she led + 

The curious stranger to their fountain’s head, + 

Who long survey’d, with wonder and delight, + 

Their sacred water, charming to the sight; + 

Their ancient groves, dark grottoes, shady bowers, + 

And smiling plains, adorn’d with various flowers. + 

“O happy muses!” she with rapture cried, + 

“Who, safe from cares, on this fair hill reside; + 

Bless’d in your seat, and free, yourselves to please + 

With joys of study, and with glorious ease.” + 