ARGUMENT
.
The
Nymphs
who
preside
over
springs
and
rivulets
are
ad
dressed
at
day-break
in
honour
of
their
several
functions
,
and
of
the
relations
which
they
bear
to
the
natural
and
to
the
moral
world
.
Their
origin
is
deduced
from
the
first
allegorical
deities
,
or
powers
of
nature
;
according
to
the
doctrine
of
the
old
mythological
poets
,
concerning
the
gene
ration
of
the
Gods
and
the
rise
of
things
.
They
are
then
successively
considered
,
as
giving
motion
to
the
air
and
ex
citing
summer-breezes
;
as
nourishing
and
beautifying
the
vegetable
world
;
as
contributing
to
the
fulness
of
na
vigable
rivers
,
and
consequently
to
the
maintenance
of
commerce
;
and
by
that
means
,
to
the
maritime
part
of
mi
litary
power
.
Next
is
represented
their
favourable
in
fluence
upon
health
,
when
assisted
by
rural
exercise
:
which
introduces
their
connection
with
the
art
of
physic
,
and
the
happy
effects
of
mineral
,
medicinal
springs
.
Lastly
,
they
are
celebrated
for
the
friendship
which
the
Muses
bear
them
,
and
for
the
true
inspiration
which
temperance
only
can
receive
:
in
opposition
to
the
enthusiasm
of
the
more
licentious
poets
.