VII. I crave not much, yet as I wend along Those classic shores, and revel in those scenes From Critic lash; so may I still fulfil The hopes which some few harbour from this quill. VIII. The sun at length, the wind too in the west, And the black ruffian clouds which yet remain, In which the creeping creature man Loves punily to dwell: And had you left the base abode For ever, it were well; But stooping from a sphere of pride, Pollution touch'd you and you died." 1 A near relation of the Author. 2 The daughter of Jupiter and Mnemosyne, and who presided over Eloquence and Heroic Poetry. Fine weather. Dordrecht. Scud eastward this the best and surest test, That hence shall quickly hie the hateful rain; In that far nobler orb.-So, once again, IX. Not fairest, no, nor meanest, of the towns 1 Dordrecht, and the little island on which it stands, are said to have been separated from the opposite shore, by an inundation which happened in 1421.—The town is famous for a Protestant Synod held here in 1618, when the doctrines of Arminius were condemned; it is said to have been founded by the great Merovius, who defeated Attila in 451, and who was for some time its Governor. In days of yore, the Counts of Holland held their courts at Dordrecht; at present, it is chiefly distinguished as being a rendezvous for those immense floats, which frequently descend the Rhine, and which consist chiefly of timber procured at Andernach, and other places on its banks; they are sometimes upwards of 1000 feet long, and 500 broad, and consequently of great value. Of bold Merovius, you rose and grew, To power and place ?-thy butter in demand: They call thy Islet ancient-and 'tis true. Good luck to Islands! we have one or two X. A sail in sight! full sweeping round the reach See how the Royal Frederick rushes past, Declining quick, like arrow from a bow. XI. By all that's beautiful, 'tis she !-it is It is Ianthè! sure the glow of youth, With its best heart-endearing sympathies, Were ne'er more glorious given, or with more truth ; Ianthè. She joyous waves her hand-that hand in sooth, So oft extended to the indigent ; Sure they were cold, unfeeling, and uncouth, From heaven on some sweet pious mission bent. XII. Travelling. And who so graceful, paces by the prow? His country's pride !—had left a soldier's sword, Discomfited and England could afford, To let her sons go travel; so he, glad To join the curious throng, had lately led XIII. A somewhat wandering life; but sage, sedate, And not like many others unemploy'd, In elegant pursuit, or seeking state, And empty show, till listless grown and cloy'd; He, knowing what was best to be enjoyed, Had sought in classic lore, and attic taste, Ianthè's bright accomplishment—nor toy'd Too long with siren music; hence how chaste This precious gem! how pure! how richly grac❜d. XIV. On, onward Royal Frederick1, for thou hast A treasure of no common cast-so soon And rouse conviction in the conscious breast, Array'd in blushing morn!-so stood confess'd, Female Excellence. 1 The name of the steam-vessel that was descending the Rhine. 2 This episode has been introduced from the circumstance of one of the passengers on board the Kaiser, having perceived on the deck of the Frederick, as she passed, an accomplished and interesting young friend proceeding to England, to be married to a gentleman to whom she had been long betrothed. |