Our Language
Lingua Anglicana
Apelles, striving to paint Venus’ face,
Before him ranged the Virgins of the place.
Whate’er of good or fair in each was seen,
He thence transferred to make the Paphian Queen;
His work, a paragon we well might call,
Derived from many, but surpassing all.
Such as that Venus, in whose form was found
The gathered graces of the Virgins round,
The English language shows the magic force
Of blended beauties cull’d from every source.