The poetical works of John Nicholson ... Carefully edited from the original editions, with additional notes and a sketch of his life and writings. By W. G. Hird |
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A PLACE OF RURAL RETIREMENT. |
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 | The poetical works of John Nicholson |  |
A PLACE OF RURAL RETIREMENT.
Hail, thou sequestered rural seat,
Which ever beauteous dost appear,
Where the sweet songsters oft repeat
Their varied concerts, wild and clear!
Which ever beauteous dost appear,
Where the sweet songsters oft repeat
Their varied concerts, wild and clear!
Upon thy crystal-bosomed lake
Th' inverted rocks and trees are seen,
Adorned with many a snowy flake,
Or in their leafy robes of green.
Th' inverted rocks and trees are seen,
Adorned with many a snowy flake,
Or in their leafy robes of green.
Oh could a rural rhymer sing
The beauteous scene so richly dressed,
Where piety may plume her wing,
And sweet seclusion form her nest!
The beauteous scene so richly dressed,
Where piety may plume her wing,
And sweet seclusion form her nest!
Here may the contemplative mind
Trace Nature and her beauties o'er,
And meditation rest reclined,
To hear the neighbouring cat'ract roar.
Trace Nature and her beauties o'er,
And meditation rest reclined,
To hear the neighbouring cat'ract roar.
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Here, tired of the gay scenes of life,
The sire may see his children play,
While Heav'n has blessed him with a wife,
Who smiles his happy hours away.
The sire may see his children play,
While Heav'n has blessed him with a wife,
Who smiles his happy hours away.
If ever fairies tripped along,
Or danced around in airy mirth,
They surely to this place would throng,—
Or else they never danced on earth.
Or danced around in airy mirth,
They surely to this place would throng,—
Or else they never danced on earth.
The loves and graces here might stay;
Th' enamoured pair, with bosoms true,
Unseen appoint the nuptial day,
Among those scenes for ever new.
Th' enamoured pair, with bosoms true,
Unseen appoint the nuptial day,
Among those scenes for ever new.
The poet tune his rustic lyre,
If genius trembled on the strings;
And merit modestly aspire,
Where friendship dwells to plume his wings.
If genius trembled on the strings;
And merit modestly aspire,
Where friendship dwells to plume his wings.
Oh that I could this tribute pay
As 'tis upon my heart impressed!
My song of friendship here would stay,
When waves the grass above my breast.
As 'tis upon my heart impressed!
My song of friendship here would stay,
When waves the grass above my breast.
| The poetical works of John Nicholson | |