 | The Isle of Wight, a poem |  |
CANTO, I.
Thou precious gem in nature's bosom plac'd,
With all her bounty, all her beauty grac'd;
Thou model of her wond'rous vast design,
Where all her wisdom, all her grace combine
To make, in miniature, her greatness show
The Almighty architect confess'd below;
Complete epitome, for ever stand
The perfect master piece of wisdom's hand,
To strike the astonish'd eye, to charm the soul,
Another paradise so near the pole!
In nature's arms embrac'd her store design'd,
Where all extremes successive fill the mind,
Where all the north can shake with his rude arm,
Where all the south can sooth, can gently warm,
Alternate threaten, and alternate charm.
Thou little world, divided from the great,
Where pleasure sports, and plenty rules in state,
Where nature in her richest robe is dress'd;
Transparent robe! distinguish'd from the rest:
Thy summer mantle, o'er the mountains thrown,
That blue ætherial gauze in Eden known,
Adorns thy hills, thy vallies, and thy shore,
And tho' it seems to hide, reveals thee more.
Thy summers revel with serenest pride,
Thy silver seas roll murmuring near thy side,
The smoothest seas thy peaceful shores now lave,
And Halcyons slumber on thy sliding wave;
Ceres and Flora bless thy teeming vales,
And load, with fragrance sweet, the passing gales;
Far off on Ocean's smiling face they play,
And thy rich treasures to the pole convey;
Thy fragrant breath now lulls the enamour'd deep,
All nature's passions on her surface sleep;
Thy crystal firmament now shines serene
Around the silver throne of night's pale queen;
Whose golden gems with living lustre glow,
Reflected from the liquid glass below,
A mimic heaven in that bright mirror lives,
That mocks the true, yet all its splendor gives;
Here bounteous nature to her purpose true,
Bestows her beauty and her picture too:
Her picture here she must with pride survey,
Her smiling likeness in its best array.
With all her bounty, all her beauty grac'd;
Thou model of her wond'rous vast design,
Where all her wisdom, all her grace combine
To make, in miniature, her greatness show
The Almighty architect confess'd below;
vi
The perfect master piece of wisdom's hand,
To strike the astonish'd eye, to charm the soul,
Another paradise so near the pole!
In nature's arms embrac'd her store design'd,
Where all extremes successive fill the mind,
Where all the north can shake with his rude arm,
Where all the south can sooth, can gently warm,
Alternate threaten, and alternate charm.
Thou little world, divided from the great,
Where pleasure sports, and plenty rules in state,
Where nature in her richest robe is dress'd;
Transparent robe! distinguish'd from the rest:
Thy summer mantle, o'er the mountains thrown,
That blue ætherial gauze in Eden known,
Adorns thy hills, thy vallies, and thy shore,
And tho' it seems to hide, reveals thee more.
Thy summers revel with serenest pride,
Thy silver seas roll murmuring near thy side,
The smoothest seas thy peaceful shores now lave,
And Halcyons slumber on thy sliding wave;
Ceres and Flora bless thy teeming vales,
And load, with fragrance sweet, the passing gales;
vii
And thy rich treasures to the pole convey;
Thy fragrant breath now lulls the enamour'd deep,
All nature's passions on her surface sleep;
Thy crystal firmament now shines serene
Around the silver throne of night's pale queen;
Whose golden gems with living lustre glow,
Reflected from the liquid glass below,
A mimic heaven in that bright mirror lives,
That mocks the true, yet all its splendor gives;
Here bounteous nature to her purpose true,
Bestows her beauty and her picture too:
Her picture here she must with pride survey,
Her smiling likeness in its best array.
Lo white inverted rocks up-grown with green,
Their waving verdure in the ocean seen;
The downward trees with gentle bendings move,
Obedient to the gale, that breath of love,
Soft whisp'ring to the trembling leaves above;
The magic picture charms the gazer's eye,
That seems to mingle with the stars and sky;
The stars and sky their mimic lustre lend,
And with the rocks and verdure seem to blend;
The stars and sky their mimic lustre lend,
And with the rocks and verdure seem to blend;
Where pleasing shadowy shapes serene and pure,
In darkness visible, in light obscure,
With doubtful certainty inchant the sight,
Like the dim neutral dusk that mingles day with night.
Their waving verdure in the ocean seen;
The downward trees with gentle bendings move,
Obedient to the gale, that breath of love,
Soft whisp'ring to the trembling leaves above;
The magic picture charms the gazer's eye,
That seems to mingle with the stars and sky;
The stars and sky their mimic lustre lend,
And with the rocks and verdure seem to blend;
viii
And with the rocks and verdure seem to blend;
Where pleasing shadowy shapes serene and pure,
In darkness visible, in light obscure,
With doubtful certainty inchant the sight,
Like the dim neutral dusk that mingles day with night.
What inbred raptures in my bosom swell
When on the inchanting scene I silent dwell;
Abstracted from myself still more and more,
The vision I revere, the scene adore;
Where truth and fiction all their charms reveal,
And sense and fancy at their feast regale:
Where bribed reason banquets on the cheat,
And judgment triumphs in the wise deceit:
Gay fancy here her flattering medium proves,
Like each fond fallacy in life she loves;
Where oft appearance mocks the sanguine view,
And false attractives please as well as true.
When on the inchanting scene I silent dwell;
Abstracted from myself still more and more,
The vision I revere, the scene adore;
Where truth and fiction all their charms reveal,
And sense and fancy at their feast regale:
Where bribed reason banquets on the cheat,
And judgment triumphs in the wise deceit:
Gay fancy here her flattering medium proves,
Like each fond fallacy in life she loves;
Where oft appearance mocks the sanguine view,
And false attractives please as well as true.
Delighted nature o'er this island dwells,
And to the deep her joyful story tells;
The deep returns it to the azure space,
And earth, and heaven, and ocean, here embrace.
And to the deep her joyful story tells;
The deep returns it to the azure space,
And earth, and heaven, and ocean, here embrace.
ix
Here day and night in sweet succession vie,
Here spring and autumn glide melodious by;
The earliest harbingers that lead the year,
Sweet Philomela tunes her note first here;
First here her tuneful note begins to swell,
And here she takes her mournful sweet farewell;
The primrose here and swallow first are seen,
And here the groves put on their earliest green;
Here fragrant gales first fan the teeming groves,
Here little birds begin their vernal loves;
Here zephyrs wave at first the vigorous wing,
Here handmaid Nature decks the full-rob'd spring;
The summer loiters here with lagging grace,
And late, reluctant, yields to autumn place;
The tardy autumn pausing long, gives way,
And mourns the twilight keen, the shrinking day;
The shatter'd gossomer, the stripping wind,
And, sighing, leaves his russet robe behind.
Here spring and autumn glide melodious by;
The earliest harbingers that lead the year,
Sweet Philomela tunes her note first here;
First here her tuneful note begins to swell,
And here she takes her mournful sweet farewell;
The primrose here and swallow first are seen,
And here the groves put on their earliest green;
Here fragrant gales first fan the teeming groves,
Here little birds begin their vernal loves;
Here zephyrs wave at first the vigorous wing,
Here handmaid Nature decks the full-rob'd spring;
The summer loiters here with lagging grace,
And late, reluctant, yields to autumn place;
The tardy autumn pausing long, gives way,
And mourns the twilight keen, the shrinking day;
The shatter'd gossomer, the stripping wind,
And, sighing, leaves his russet robe behind.
Now winter in his turn asserts his reign,
And frowns upon the long untroubled main;
With blustering breath he bids the billows roll,
And sends the stormy message to the pole;
Awakes the winds, and bids them sudden roar
Around the yelling rocks and hollow shore;
With dignity disturbs the scene; lo, then,
With noble terror shakes the souls of men:
Now Neptune's haughty surge insults the walls,
Flies o'er the roof and in the midland falls;
Above the rocks, these fighting whirlpools tower
The lofty rocks, and fall a misty shower,
Like smoke from hot Bellona's bowels fly,
Darken the earth and intercept the sky;
Now night with her black robe invelops all,
Now horror hides the loud beleaguer'd ball.
With grandeur here wild winter roars around,
Here echoing hills and rocks repeat the sound;
In harmony made grateful to the ear,
That strikes with majesty and awes with fear;
With pride the bold inhabitants endure
The storm magnificent; themselves secure:
Triumphant here they hug their blissful lot,
And all this hostile rage is soon forgot.
And frowns upon the long untroubled main;
With blustering breath he bids the billows roll,
And sends the stormy message to the pole;
x
Around the yelling rocks and hollow shore;
With dignity disturbs the scene; lo, then,
With noble terror shakes the souls of men:
Now Neptune's haughty surge insults the walls,
Flies o'er the roof and in the midland falls;
Above the rocks, these fighting whirlpools tower
The lofty rocks, and fall a misty shower,
Like smoke from hot Bellona's bowels fly,
Darken the earth and intercept the sky;
Now night with her black robe invelops all,
Now horror hides the loud beleaguer'd ball.
With grandeur here wild winter roars around,
Here echoing hills and rocks repeat the sound;
In harmony made grateful to the ear,
That strikes with majesty and awes with fear;
With pride the bold inhabitants endure
The storm magnificent; themselves secure:
Triumphant here they hug their blissful lot,
And all this hostile rage is soon forgot.
Not so where India's sun severely shines
On diamond quarries deep on golden mines;
To ripen mischief with his burning ray,
And bring these earth-born evils forth to-day;
Here toiling slaves their time, their life employ,
For what themselves nor we can ne'er enjoy.
Oh madding mortals! spare your mother! spare!
Nor wounded nature to her vitals tare:
In quest of gold you cleave the groaning ground,
Whilst earth's deep center trembles at the wound;
Why dig so deep? why frenzy's thirst improve?
Since all that wisdom wants o'erflows above:
Here nature's fever unabating glows,
The scorching year no intermission knows;
No friendly interval the wretch can find,
No gentle jubilee, no cooling wind;
No near expected change, no genial springs,
The tyger tears him, or the scorpion stings.
On diamond quarries deep on golden mines;
xi
And bring these earth-born evils forth to-day;
Here toiling slaves their time, their life employ,
For what themselves nor we can ne'er enjoy.
Oh madding mortals! spare your mother! spare!
Nor wounded nature to her vitals tare:
In quest of gold you cleave the groaning ground,
Whilst earth's deep center trembles at the wound;
Why dig so deep? why frenzy's thirst improve?
Since all that wisdom wants o'erflows above:
Here nature's fever unabating glows,
The scorching year no intermission knows;
No friendly interval the wretch can find,
No gentle jubilee, no cooling wind;
No near expected change, no genial springs,
The tyger tears him, or the scorpion stings.
Thrice happy Britain, born in nature's prime,
Thou queen of nations, happy in thy clime;
Thy seasons moderate, as thy laws, appear,
Thy constitution wholesome as the year;
Well pois'd, and pregnant in thy annual round
With wisdom, where no fierce extreme is found;
Where British wisdom copies nature's law,
And mingles mildness oft with state and awe;
Where strength and freedom in their prime prevail,
And wealth comes wafted on each freighted gale;
Where commerce lifts her flag with mighty hand,
And waves it round the world with wide command:
The willing world thy matchless flag explores,
Ten thousand vessels from ten thousand shores,
With hasty keels, obey thy wide command,
Stretch o'er thy seas, and rush upon thy strand;
See! see! with ships the labouring ocean heave,
A different nation crowns each different wave:
The tribute of the globe to Britain sent,
That dreaded queen of all the Continent.
What floating forests whitening to the eye,
Their different streamers as they draw more nigh,
In various colours deck'd, in different mode
Display their treasure, king, and lov'd abode.
From India, east and west, see! see! what shoals
From Europe's regions and the distant poles,
With amorous haste how emulous they meet
To pour their treasures at Britannia's feet;
When here they pause, this precious spot behold,
They look with scorn upon their gems and gold;
Medina's shore with raptures they survey,
And lose the labours of the lengthen'd way;
Each danger now is joyfully forgot,
Each toil o'erpaid by this delicious spot.
Thou queen of nations, happy in thy clime;
Thy seasons moderate, as thy laws, appear,
Thy constitution wholesome as the year;
Well pois'd, and pregnant in thy annual round
With wisdom, where no fierce extreme is found;
xii
And mingles mildness oft with state and awe;
Where strength and freedom in their prime prevail,
And wealth comes wafted on each freighted gale;
Where commerce lifts her flag with mighty hand,
And waves it round the world with wide command:
The willing world thy matchless flag explores,
Ten thousand vessels from ten thousand shores,
With hasty keels, obey thy wide command,
Stretch o'er thy seas, and rush upon thy strand;
See! see! with ships the labouring ocean heave,
A different nation crowns each different wave:
The tribute of the globe to Britain sent,
That dreaded queen of all the Continent.
What floating forests whitening to the eye,
Their different streamers as they draw more nigh,
In various colours deck'd, in different mode
Display their treasure, king, and lov'd abode.
From India, east and west, see! see! what shoals
From Europe's regions and the distant poles,
With amorous haste how emulous they meet
To pour their treasures at Britannia's feet;
When here they pause, this precious spot behold,
They look with scorn upon their gems and gold;
xiii
And lose the labours of the lengthen'd way;
Each danger now is joyfully forgot,
Each toil o'erpaid by this delicious spot.
Medina
hail! nor my weak verse refuse,
Thou subject worthy of a Milton's muse;
His muse improv'd by such a theme would be,
His own rich Eden might compare with thee;
Oh long unsung! Oh argument divine!
And shall at length the glorious task be mine!
That task descend to my inferior hand!
Least—not least zealous of the tuneful band,
I feel my fancy kindle in the view,
And raptur'd as she leads, the theme pursue.
Thou subject worthy of a Milton's muse;
His muse improv'd by such a theme would be,
His own rich Eden might compare with thee;
Oh long unsung! Oh argument divine!
And shall at length the glorious task be mine!
That task descend to my inferior hand!
Least—not least zealous of the tuneful band,
I feel my fancy kindle in the view,
And raptur'd as she leads, the theme pursue.
The astonish'd muse must stand at silent gaze,
Scarce knowing where to choose, or what to praise,
Amidst a crowded galaxy so bright,
Where every object yields supreme delight;
A group so grateful to the sight and soul,
O'erwhelms the heart, and must the mind controul.
Scarce knowing where to choose, or what to praise,
Amidst a crowded galaxy so bright,
Where every object yields supreme delight;
A group so grateful to the sight and soul,
O'erwhelms the heart, and must the mind controul.
xiv
Yon beauteous hill by artless art embrac'd,
Where russet plainness wears the robe of taste;
That nobly o'er the wide-spread landskip reigns,
Above the extended strand and watry plains,
Invites the muse with sweet majestic mien,
To climb the summit and enjoy the scene;
Words would but wrong the wonder and amaze
That in an instant fix'd me all to gaze;
In silent raptures I some moments stand,
Charm'd with each object that adorns the land;
Fix'd to the spot, and speechless with surprize,
At such a vast expanse of sea and skies;
Of woods, of vallies, and of blue-rob'd hills,
The groupe with extasy my bosom fills;
Each faculty but wonder I lay by,
Transported in the twinkling of an eye;
By nature's utmost boast expanded wide,
Her utmost beauty and her utmost pride,
The gorgeous ships see glide promiscuous by,
That strike with harmony the ravish'd eye;
Their form, their fashions, and their shining sides,
That glitter in the sun, and gild the tides;
Their flying streamers and their pregnant sails,
That court the eye and gather all the gales;
In scant perspective now at distance shine,
Now sweeping nearer to the banks incline,
In all their out-spread grandeur full confess'd,
As if for some solemnity they dress'd;
Their beauteous, fabrics in the watry glass,
Saluting still this summit as they pass;
Their streamers and their sails they glad display
With pleasing triumph and with proud delay,
Still traversing in labyrinths the deep,
Whilst all their order and their courses keep;
Opposing now they meet, now lose, now gain,
Now some the harbour seek, now some the main:
The tall first rates their towering splendors show,
And look superior on the crowd below;
Harmonious to the guiding helm they sail,
Whilst voices oft and music crown the gale;
So when Britannia's matchless dames unite
Their shining charms on George's natal night,
Like constellations gliding in the dance;
With mixed modes serene they now advance;
Now stately turn with measur'd step around
In mazes sweet, obedient to the sound;
The coy profile see frugal now address'd,
Now the full face, now beauteous form confess'd,
With various attitudes they graceful sway,
With various charms, and bear the soul away.
My praise on truth, not fiction's wing would rise,
Whilst gratitude my want of wit supplies;
Respect, not pride, provokes my muse to soar,
As wrens, like eagles, may the sun explore.
Where russet plainness wears the robe of taste;
That nobly o'er the wide-spread landskip reigns,
Above the extended strand and watry plains,
Invites the muse with sweet majestic mien,
To climb the summit and enjoy the scene;
Words would but wrong the wonder and amaze
That in an instant fix'd me all to gaze;
In silent raptures I some moments stand,
Charm'd with each object that adorns the land;
Fix'd to the spot, and speechless with surprize,
At such a vast expanse of sea and skies;
Of woods, of vallies, and of blue-rob'd hills,
The groupe with extasy my bosom fills;
Each faculty but wonder I lay by,
Transported in the twinkling of an eye;
By nature's utmost boast expanded wide,
Her utmost beauty and her utmost pride,
The gorgeous ships see glide promiscuous by,
That strike with harmony the ravish'd eye;
Their form, their fashions, and their shining sides,
That glitter in the sun, and gild the tides;
Their flying streamers and their pregnant sails,
That court the eye and gather all the gales;
xv
Now sweeping nearer to the banks incline,
In all their out-spread grandeur full confess'd,
As if for some solemnity they dress'd;
Their beauteous, fabrics in the watry glass,
Saluting still this summit as they pass;
Their streamers and their sails they glad display
With pleasing triumph and with proud delay,
Still traversing in labyrinths the deep,
Whilst all their order and their courses keep;
Opposing now they meet, now lose, now gain,
Now some the harbour seek, now some the main:
The tall first rates their towering splendors show,
And look superior on the crowd below;
Harmonious to the guiding helm they sail,
Whilst voices oft and music crown the gale;
So when Britannia's matchless dames unite
Their shining charms on George's natal night,
Like constellations gliding in the dance;
With mixed modes serene they now advance;
Now stately turn with measur'd step around
In mazes sweet, obedient to the sound;
xvi
Now the full face, now beauteous form confess'd,
With various attitudes they graceful sway,
With various charms, and bear the soul away.
My praise on truth, not fiction's wing would rise,
Whilst gratitude my want of wit supplies;
Respect, not pride, provokes my muse to soar,
As wrens, like eagles, may the sun explore.
End of the First CANTO.
The Capital River in the Island, so called, it rises in the South, and winding in a beautiful serpentine direction, discharges itself into Cowes Harbour, which divides the same nearly into equal hundreds; from thence, the one is called East, and the other West Medina.—This River is only navigable from Cowes to Newport.
| The Isle of Wight, a poem | |