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To Mr. PRIOR.
  
  
  
  
  
  
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To Mr. PRIOR.

On his SOLOMON.

A muse devoted to celestial things,
Again for thee profanes th' immortal strings;
The stars, the myrtle shade, and rosy bow'r
She quits, to revel in thy iv'ry tow'r;

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The music of the spheres and heav'nly throngs
She minds no more, to listen to thy songs.
Enchanted with thy lovely Hebrew king,
Gabriel in vain displays his purple wing;
Boasts of his golden zone, and bright attire,
His starry crown, soft voice, and charming lyre;
With all his fine address, and glitt'ring shew,
The muse abandons the celestial beau:
Perverted by the Jewish monarch's eyes,
The fondly turns apostate to the skies,
And envies Abra's beauty, while it shines
With undecaying bloom in Prior's lines.