On each side yonder arch Corinthian stood Two noble pillars Parian marble white; Its sculptured façade proud adornment show’d The lyre, and oaten pipe and ploughshare bright; Caduceus’ rod, Medusa direful sight; Show’d far-famed ægis of Minerva dread; Toga, and scroll, and wisdom’s owl of night; The olive, and the lamp nocturnal shed, Symbol of student’s toil, were here decyphered. CXLVIII. On pedestal, half raised on either side, Two lovely statues, virgin nymphs, there stood; A thoughtful air did on each brow abide, As tho’ they mused in silent solitude: Th’ historic muse was one, that did o’erbrood On history’s page, fair Clio virgin hight; And Calliope with eloquence endued, Muse of heroic verse, her rapt delight; ’Bove all, Mæonides surmounted caught the sight. CXLIX. Nor cared they linger long that company, For they impatient burned to enter there; Their eye it caught its walks of pleasantry, Its winding groves, and plots of green so cheer; At once they enter, glad enough to peer That sacred sweet enclosure fairy ground, To which the sons of song, enticed near, Do hail the spot, and learned ones abound, Who here resort for lore, in happy groups were found. CL. “Ye grov’ling souls, whose only heed and care Is pleasure’s wiles, or love of greedy gain, Who ply your task with dull and leaden stare, And to this clod of earth would still remain; Who hug your chains of ignominy and pain, The soul encaged like some poor silly bird, That careth not its freedom to attain, Or force its prison cage, so strongly wir’d; Your bonds ye love too well ’gainst them to be conspir’d. CLI. “My pleasure ’tis a lovelier path to show, That leads to more enduring happiness Than your dull life, who grovel here below Deep sunk in sordid low pursuit, I guess. Your abject state is one of sad distress; A higher destiny awaits you here, More kin to minds whom nobler objects press, To climb the steep ascent and proud career Of knowledge nobly won in learning’s hemisphere. CLII. “Oh! that I could impart the same delight I too have felt in this, the Muse’s seat, To walk as tho’ by heav’nly radiance bright; Such, such is knowledge in its gain, I weet-- Food of the gods, so sung is not more sweet, Or that Hesperian fruit fabled of old; Here only found in Pallas’ calm retreat, Its dear delights, fond task to you untold, Of which it doth partake of pleasures manifold.” CLIII.