On her soft lap the fondling grew.

The Seasons came his birth to greet,

And pour’d their choicest at his feet;

The Dryads quaintly curl’d his locks;

Nymphs, Fauns, and Satyrs rush’d in flocks,

Pleas’d in such Fairy-land to dwell,

And peopled every bower and dell.

Kings mark’d the consecrated ground;

And Power protective watch’d around.

Long Mercia sat beside enthron’d;[[41]]