University of Virginia Library

Search this document 

collapse section 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 1. 
 2. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
TO THE RIVER THAMES.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
expand section 


73

TO THE RIVER THAMES.

Thames, king of Rivers, Ocean's eldest son,
Majestic husband of that learned stream,
Which every worthy Poet makes his theme,
And does by Oxford, softly-pacing, run,
Isis, thy laughing mate; the genial Sun
Illumes thy water with a temperate beam;
And, though with paved gold thou dost not gleam,
Yet greater praises by thy wave are won:
Thou, more than Tiber, wear'st a thicker crown
Of verdant laurel, and of watery sedge;
And, more than Rome, the World-defending Town,
Augusta, smiles upon thy sacred edge;
Deep as thy water, Thames, is thy renown,
Of which this verse shall be another pledge.