For once a prophetess, with zeal inspired, Their slow neglect to warm devotion fired; Through every street of Thebes who ran possess’d, And thus, in accents wild, her charge express’d: “Haste, haste, ye Theban matrons, and adore, With hallow’d rites, Latona’s mighty power, And to the heavenly twins that from her spring, With laurel crown’d, your smoking incense bring.” Straight the great summons every dame obey’d, And due submission to the goddess paid: Graceful, with laurel chaplets dress’d, they came, And offer’d incense in the sacred flame.