The Banks of Wye by Robert Bloomfield
page 17 of 71 (23%)
page 17 of 71 (23%)
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An everlasting silent reign?
Bear ye your heads so high in scorn Of names that puny man hath borne? Would that the Cambrian bards had here Their names carv'd deep, so deep, so clear, That such as gaily wind along, Might shout and cheer them with a song; Might rush on wings of bliss away, Through Fancy's boundless blaze of day! Not nameless quite ye lift your brows, For each the navigator knows; Not by King Arthur, or his knights, Bard faim'd in lays, or chief in fights: But former tourists, just us free, (Tho' surely not so blest as we,) Mark'd towering BEARCROFT'S ivy crown, And grey VANSITTART'S waving gown: And who's that giant by his side? "SERGEANT ADAIR," the boatman cried. Strange may it seem, however true, That here, where law has nought to do, Where rules and bonds are set aside, By wood, by rock, by stream defy'd; That here, where nature seems at strife With all that tells of busy life, Man should by _names_ be carried still, To Babylon against his will. But how shall memory rehearse, |
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