Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900.djvu/564

 TOBIAS GEORGE SMOLLETT

1721-1771

464. To Leven Water

Pure stream, in whose transparent wave My youthful limbs I wont to lave; No torrents stain thy limpid source, No rocks impede thy dimpling course Devolving from thy parent lake A charming maze thy waters make By bowers of birch and groves of pine And edges flower'd with eglantine.

Still on thy banks so gaily green May numerous herds and flocks be seen, And lasses chanting o'er the pail, And shepherds piping in the dale, And ancient faith that knows no guile, And industry embrown'd with toil, And hearts resolved and hands prepared The blessings they enjoy to guard.

CHRISTOPHER SMART

1722-1770

465. Song to David

Sublime—invention ever young, Of vast conception, tow'ring tongue To God th' eternal theme; Notes from yon exaltations caught, Unrivall'd royalty of thought O'er meaner strains supreme.