On two English poets, who flourished in the former half of the last century, and published complimentary verses on Ode to the king of France. 1823 Verses spoken in the Theatre, Oxford, at the installation of Ηως LEWESDON HILL. Up to thy summit, LEWESDON, to the brow Of yon proud rising, where the lonely thorn Bends from the rude South-east with top cut sheer By his keen breath, along the narrow track, By which the scanty-pastured sheep ascend Up to thy furze-clad summit, let me climb,— B Upon the variegated scene, of hills And woods and fruitful vales, and villages Half hid in tufted orchards, and the sea Boundless, and studded thick with many a sail. Ye dew-fed vapours, nightly balm, exhaled From earth, young herbs and flowers, that in the morn Ascend as incense to the Lord of day, I come to breathe your odours; while they float Yet near this surface, let me walk embathed In your invisible perfumes, to health So friendly, nor less grateful to the mind, Administering sweet peace and cheerfulness. How changed is thy appearance, beauteous hill! Thou hast put off thy wintry garb, brown heath And russet fern, thy seemly-colour'd cloak To bide the hoary frosts and dripping rains In livery of the spring: upon thy brow A cap of flowery hawthorn, and thy neck Mantled with new-sprung furze and spangles thick The darker fir, light ash, and the nesh tops So gorgeously hath Nature drest thee up |