The Works of John Hookham Frere In Verse and Prose Now First Collected with a Prefatory Memoir by his Nephews W. E. and Sir Bartle Frere |
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 | The Works of John Hookham Frere In Verse and Prose |  |
Carm. XXXI.—Peninsularum Sirmio, &c.
Of all the famous isles and promontories,From the sun's up-rise to his setting glories,
Of all that Neptune's liquid arms surround,
In oceans or in midland waters found,
The fairest and the best, to thee I call—
Sirmio, the gem and jewel of them all.
How gladly I revisit and review
Thy wonted scenes, and scarce believe it true,
After so long a journey, past and o'er,
From Hellespont and the Bithynian shore,
To find myself amidst your walks once more.
How sweet it is to lay aside the load
Of foreign cares within one's own abode,
And with free heart and unencumber'd head,
To couch ourselves in our accustom'd bed;
That single moment overpays our pain—
Sweet Sirmio receive me once again,
And with thy smiles, thy old possessor greet,
And ye, fair waters of the Lydian Lake,
Salute me with such mirth as ye can make,
And roll your laughing billows at my feet.
Let all be glad and cheerful for my sake.
1805.
| The Works of John Hookham Frere In Verse and Prose | |