 | The Poetical Works of John Scott |  |
178
ODE V. A LANDSCAPE.
On the eastern hill's steep side
Spreads the rural hamlet wide;
'Cross the vale, where willows rise,
Further still another lies;
And, beneath a steeper hill,
Lies another further still:
Near them many a field and grove—
Scenes where Health and Labour rove!
Spreads the rural hamlet wide;
'Cross the vale, where willows rise,
Further still another lies;
And, beneath a steeper hill,
Lies another further still:
Near them many a field and grove—
Scenes where Health and Labour rove!
Northward swelling slopes are seen,
Clad with corn-fields neat and green;
There, thro' grassy plains below,
Broad and smooth the waters flow;
While the town, their banks along,
Bids its clustering houses throng,
In the sunshine glittering fair;
Haunts of Business, haunts of Care!
Clad with corn-fields neat and green;
There, thro' grassy plains below,
Broad and smooth the waters flow;
While the town, their banks along,
Bids its clustering houses throng,
179
Haunts of Business, haunts of Care!
Westward o'er the yellow meads
Wind the rills thro' waving reeds;
From dark elms a shadow falls
On the abbey's whiten'd walls:
Wide the park's green lawns expand;
Thick its tufted lindens stand:
Fair retreat! that well might please
Wealth, and Elegance, and Ease.
Wind the rills thro' waving reeds;
From dark elms a shadow falls
On the abbey's whiten'd walls:
Wide the park's green lawns expand;
Thick its tufted lindens stand:
Fair retreat! that well might please
Wealth, and Elegance, and Ease.
Hark! amidst the distant shades
Murmuring drop the deep cascades;
Hark! amidst the rustling trees
Softly sighs the gentle breeze:
And the Eolian harp, reclin'd
Obvious to the stream of wind,
Pours its wildly-warbled strain,
Rising now, now sunk again.
Murmuring drop the deep cascades;
Hark! amidst the rustling trees
Softly sighs the gentle breeze:
And the Eolian harp, reclin'd
Obvious to the stream of wind,
Pours its wildly-warbled strain,
Rising now, now sunk again.
180
How the view detains the sight!
How the sounds the ear delight!—
Sweet the scene! but think not there
Happiness sincere to share:
Reason still regrets the day
Passing rapidly away;
Lessening Life's too little store;
Passing, to return no more!
How the sounds the ear delight!—
Sweet the scene! but think not there
Happiness sincere to share:
Reason still regrets the day
Passing rapidly away;
Lessening Life's too little store;
Passing, to return no more!
| The Poetical Works of John Scott | |