MOTHER of Hermes! and still youthful Maia!

May I sing to thee

As thou wast hymnèd on the shores of Bai??

Or may I woo thee

In earlier Sicilian? or thy smiles 5

Seek as they once were sought in cian isles

By bards who died content on pleasant sward

Leaving at verse unto a little clan?

O give me their old vigour! and unheard

Save of the quiet primrose and the span 10

Of heaven and few ears

Rounded by thee my song should die away

Content as theirs

Rich in the simple worship of a day.