Page:The Poems of John Dyer (1903).djvu/124

 At equal spaces, and in prospect round Cities and plains, and kingdoms overlook. At length the gloomy passage they attain Of its deep-vaulted gates, whose opening folds Conduct at length to Pekin's glittering spires, The destin'd mart, where joyous they arrive. Thus are the textures of the Fleece convey'd To China's distant realm, the utmost bound Of the flat floor of steadfast earth ; for so Fabled Antiquity, ere peaceful Trade Inform'd the opening mind of curious man. Now to the other hemisphere, my Muse ! A new world found, extend thy daring wing. Be thou the first of the harmonious Nine, From high Parnassus, the unweary'd toils Of industry and valour, in that world Triumphant, to reward with tuneful song. Happy the voyage o'er th' Atlantic brine By active Raleigh made, and great the joy When he discern'd, above the foamy surge, A rising coast, for future colonies Opening her bays, and figuring her capes, Ev'n from the northern tropic to the pole. No land gives more employment to the loom, Or kindlier feeds the indigent ; no land With more variety of wealth rewards The hand of Labour : thither from the wrongs Of lawless rule the free-born spirit flies ; Thither Affliction, thither Poverty, And Arts and Sciences : thrice happy clime, Which Britain makes th' asylum of mankind ! But joy superior far his bosom warms Who views those shores in ev'ry culture dress'd ; With habitations gay, and numerous towns, On hill and valley, and his countrymen