DR. DARWIN. 



which difturbs the filence of the choir ; and 

 the impious mummery of the nuptial rites; 

 all thefe circurnftances were conceived, and 

 are expreffed with prodigious ftrength of 

 fancy. 



The Laura- cerafus, twenty males, one 

 female, appears next, as the Pythian prieft- 

 efs * delivering her oracles. This is her 

 grand portrait : 



A vaunt ye vulgar ! from her facred groves, 

 With maniac tfep, the Pythian Laura moves 5 

 Full of the God her labouring bofom fighs, 

 Foam on her lips, and fury in her eyes, 

 Strong writhe her limbs j her wild difhevell'd hair 

 Starts from her laurel wreath, and fwims in air, 

 While twenty prietfs the gorgeous Ihrine furround, 

 Cin&ur'd with ephods and with garlands crown'd, 

 Contending holts, and trembling nations wait 

 The firm immutable behefts of fate ; 

 She fpeaks in thunder from her golden throne, 

 With words unwill'd, and wifdom not her own. 



* The Pythian prieftefs is fuppbfed to have been made drunk 

 with the infufion of laurel leaves, when fhe delivered her oracle*. 

 The intoxicatior. or inspiration, is finely defcribed by Virgil. 



? To 



