And from her wild sequester'd Seat, Bubbling Runnels join'd the Sound; Through Glades and Glooms the mingled Measure stole, Or o'er some haunted Stream with fond Delay, Love of Peace, and lonely Musing, In hollow Murmurs died away. But O how alter'd was its sprightlier Tone! Her Buskins gem'd with Morning Dew, Blew an inspiring Air, that Dale and Thicket rung, The Hunter's Call to Faun and Dryad known! The Oak-crown'd Sisters, and their chast-eye'd Queen, Satyrs and sylvan Boys were seen, Peeping from forth their Alleys green; Brown Exercise rejoic'd to hear, And Sport leapt up, and seiz'd his Beechen Spear. Last came Joy's Ecstatic Trial, He with viny Crown advancing, First to the lively Pipe his Hand addrest, But soon he saw the brisk awak'ning Viol, Whose sweet entrancing Voice he lov'd the best. They would have thought who heard the Strain, They saw in Tempe's Vale her native Maids, Amidst the festal sounding Shades, To some unwearied Minstrel dancing, While as his flying Fingers kiss'd the Strings, And HE amidst his frolic Play, As if he would the charming Air repay, O Music, Sphere-descended Maid, ODE ON THE DEATH OF MR. THOMSON ΤΟ GEORGE LYTTELTON, ESQ. THIS ODE IS INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR ADVERTISEMENT.-The scene of the following stanzas is supposed to lie on the Thames, near Richmond ODE ON THE DEATH OF THOMSON. I. IN yonder grave a Druid lies, Where slowly winds the stealing wave! The year's best sweets shall duteous rise To deck its Poet's sylvan grave! II. In yon deep bed of whisp'ring reeds III. Then maids and youths shall linger here, To hear the Woodland Pilgrim's knell. IV. Remembrance oft shall haunt the shore When Thames in summer wreaths is drest, And oft suspend the dashing oar To bid his gentle spirit rest! V. And oft as Ease and Health retire The friend shall view yon whitening † spire, * The harp of Æolus, of which see a description in the CASTLE OF INDOLENCE. + Richmond Church. |