First of Achelous’ blood,
Fairest daughter of the flood,
Queen of the Sicilian sea,
Beauteous, bright Parthenope!
Syren sweet, whose magic force
Stops the swiftest in his course;
Wisdom’s self, when most severe,
Longs to lend a list’ning ear,
Gently dips the fearful oar,
Trembling eyes the tempting shore,
And sighing quits th’ enervate coast,
With only half his virtue lost.