Alexander Pope: Minor poems :: :: University of Virginia Library

Alexander Pope: Minor poems

Edited by Norman Ault: Completed by John Butt

Pope, Alexander (1688-1744)

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382

VERSES on a GROTTO by the River Thames at Twickenham, composed of Marbles, Spars, and Minerals.

Thou who shalt stop, where Thames' translucent Wave
Shines a broad Mirrour thro' the shadowy Cave;
Where lingering Drops from Mineral Roofs distill,
And pointed Crystals break the sparkling Rill,
Unpolish'd Gemms no Ray on Pride bestow,
And latent Metals innocently glow:
Approach. Great Nature studiously behold!
And eye the Mine without a Wish for Gold.

383

Approach: But aweful! Lo th'Ægerian Grott,
Where, nobly-pensive, St. John sate and thought;
Where British Sighs from dying Wyndham stole,
And the bright Flame was shot thro' Marchmont's Soul.
Let such, such only, tread this sacred Floor,
Who dare to love their Country, and be poor.