The English Parnassus, or, A helpe to English poesie containing a collection of all rhyming monosyllables, the choicest epithets, and phrases : with some general forms upon all occasions, subjects, and theams, alphabeticaly digested : together with a short institution to English poesie, by way of a preface / by Joshua Poole.

Syrens.

Those impes that with their charms, Woo'd wise Ulysses to his harmes. The rude sea growes civill at their song, And ravisht stars shoot madly from their sphears To hear their musick. Great The••is train, That on the shores do plain, And trammell up their sea-green haire. Acheloides. Those deathlesse powers, Were with the Goddesse when she gather'd flowers, Whom when through all the earth they sought in vai•• They wish for wings to fly upon the main. That pathlesse seas might testifie their care, The easie Gods consented to their praier. Strait golden feathers on their backs appear, But least that musick fram'd t' ••nchant the ear, And so great gifts of speech, should be prophand, Their virgin lookes, and humane voyce remaind.

Ne'r man in sable bark sail'd by, That gave not ear to their sweet melody, ••ut the sly Greek, They to the Temple went among the rest, There where Aenarian waves that Isle invest, Their faces with an oilie fucus spread, Their lips so rosie, not with their own red, Their necks and breasts shone with adulterate white, ••••re to the wast, the better to invite, VVith painted eyes and tresses of false hair, VVhich jointly bear off lust, the badge and snare, VVhom when Minerva from her shrine had spied, She hid her eyes, and turn'd her head aside, If I a goddesse, nor in vertue fail, ••••ight of force or modesty prevail, They shall not said she herein glory long, ••ly grief shall arm me to revenge this wrong, New scarce departed from her T••mple doore, VVhen scarce their feet had prest the beachy shore. Their legs united in a scaly hide, And bones in finnes thrust out on either side: Nor yet their former mind unchanged keep, But hold themselves for monsters of the deep, Who now upon the dancing billows move, •• shes below the wast, and maids above. Harmonious daughters of Calliope Parthenope, Ligea, Leucasia,