Pallas in figures wrought the heavenly powers, And Mars’s hill among the Athenian towers: On lofty thrones twice six celestials sate, Jove in the midst, and held their warm debate; The subject weighty, and well known to fame. “From whom the city should receive its name.” Each god by proper features was express’d; Jove, with majestic mien, excell’d the rest: His three-fork’d mace the dewy sea-god shook, And, looking sternly, smote the ragged rock, When from the stone leap’d forth a sprightly steed, And Neptune claims the city for the deed.

Herself she blazons, with a glittering spear, And crested helm, that veil’d her braided hair, With shields, and scaly breastplate, implements of war. Struck with her pointed lance, the teeming earth Seem’d to produce a new surprising birth, When, from the glebe, the pledge of conquest sprung⁠— A tree pale green, with fairest olives hung.