ORIGINAL POETRY. TO THE NYMPH OF THE FOUNTAIN OF TEARS, BY THE LATE SIR GREY COOPER, BART. The idea of the subject is taken from an Alcaic Frag ment, written by Mr. Gray, and preserved in the Memoirs of his Life and Writings, of which Mr. Mason says, that "" no Poet of the Augustan age "produced four more perfect lines, or which would "sooner impose upon the best critic, as being a genuine ancient composition." Vide MEMOIRS, p. 33. Oh Lachrymarum Fons! tenero sacros HAIL, pious Nymph! whose guardian power Not tears, that on th' approach of death Nor such as moisten the dark cells Where, whilst the slaves the rack prepare, The stern Inquisitor compels Even godlike virtue to despair. These bitter waters of distress Arise from other springs than thine, Springs which infernal gnomes possess, Dread ministers of wrath divine. Heaven gives to thee the sacred part That learns to feel another's woe; To raise the head by care depress'ḍ, Το pour into the wounded breast, Such soothing offices engage Thy Sylphs, the messengers of grace, Sent by thy order to assuage The sorrows of the human race. To thee belong the gushing rills |