The Dance of Life A Poem, by the author of "Doctor Syntax;%" [i.e. William Combe] Illustrated with coloured engravings, by Thomas Rowlandson |
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| VIII. |
 | CHAPTER II. CHILDHOOD. The Dance of Life |  |
Woodbine—such was the Lover's name,
Was of high note in Village fame:
Each tree that in the garden grows,
Each shrub that blooms and flower that blows
Were known to him, from humble bell
That vies with cowslips in the Dell,
To the rare blossoms that perfume
The confines of the Drawing Room.
To ev'ry plant of foreign hue
He could apply the climate due:
He could to dreary Winter bring
All the gay blooming of the Spring;
And make the vernal banquet share
The lux'ries of the Summer year.
In Repton's service he had caught
Some gleams of what his Master taught;
Could shape the ground or place the tree
With Nature's varying symmetry.
Thus aptly skill'd in ev'ry part
Of the accomplish'd Gardener's art,
To him Sir William gave the power
Of Park, of Garden, and of Bower.
Was of high note in Village fame:
Each tree that in the garden grows,
Each shrub that blooms and flower that blows
Were known to him, from humble bell
That vies with cowslips in the Dell,
To the rare blossoms that perfume
The confines of the Drawing Room.
To ev'ry plant of foreign hue
He could apply the climate due:
He could to dreary Winter bring
All the gay blooming of the Spring;
And make the vernal banquet share
The lux'ries of the Summer year.
In Repton's service he had caught
Some gleams of what his Master taught;
Could shape the ground or place the tree
With Nature's varying symmetry.
Thus aptly skill'd in ev'ry part
Of the accomplish'd Gardener's art,
62
Of Park, of Garden, and of Bower.
These virtuous Lovers told, they lov'd;
The wish that follow'd was approv'd.
To grace fair Susan's wedding day
Sir William gave the Bride away:
My Lady kindly grac'd the Ball,
And figur'd in the Servants' Hall;
While the young Ladies, all in white,
Did honour to the Nuptial rite.
—The May-pole was with Garlands hung,
The Bells at Morn and Evening rung;
The warmest wishes did betide
The Bridegroom and his blooming Bride;
And all was Joy, and all were gay
On much-lov'd Susan's Wedding-day:
While the grave Rector, who their hands
Had join'd in chaste Love's holy bands—
Told the young folk, the scene they view'd
Was the reward of being good:
And bade each youthful Maid pursue
The well-trod steps of Little Sue.
The wish that follow'd was approv'd.
To grace fair Susan's wedding day
Sir William gave the Bride away:
My Lady kindly grac'd the Ball,
And figur'd in the Servants' Hall;
While the young Ladies, all in white,
Did honour to the Nuptial rite.
—The May-pole was with Garlands hung,
The Bells at Morn and Evening rung;
The warmest wishes did betide
The Bridegroom and his blooming Bride;
And all was Joy, and all were gay
On much-lov'd Susan's Wedding-day:
While the grave Rector, who their hands
Had join'd in chaste Love's holy bands—
Told the young folk, the scene they view'd
Was the reward of being good:
And bade each youthful Maid pursue
The well-trod steps of Little Sue.
| CHAPTER II. CHILDHOOD. The Dance of Life | |