The city of Rome is delivered from a plague by the presence of Esculapius, who willingly accompanies the Roman ambassadors from Epidaurus in the form of a serpent.
Melodious maids of Pindus, who inspire The flowing strains, and tune the vocal lyre, Tradition’s secrets are unlock’d to you, Old tales revive, and ages past renew; You who can hidden causes best expound, Say, whence the isle which Tiber flows around, Its altars with a heavenly stranger graced, And in our shrines the god of physic placed.