Page:The works of Anna Laetitia Barbauld volume 1.djvu/213

 in Sabea's fragrant groves retired, Long had the Eastern Sages studious dwelt, By love sublime of sacred science fired: Long had they trained the' inquiring youth, With liberal hand the bread of wisdom dealt, And sung in solemn verse mysterious truth. The sacred characters they knew to trace Derived from Egypt's elder race; And all that Greece, with copious learning fraught, Thro' different schools by various masters taught; And all Arabia's glowing store Of fabled truths and rich poetic lore: Stars, plants and gems, and talismans they knew, And far was spread their fame and wide their praises grew,