Page:The Seasons - Thomson (1791).djvu/86

 Alighted, bolder up again they lead, Farther and farther on, the lenghtning flight; Till vanish'd every fear, and every power Rouz'd into life and action, light in air Th' acquitted parents see their soaring race, And once rejoicing never know them more.

from the summit of a craggy cliff, Hung o'er the deep, such as amazing frowns On utmost: Kilda's shore, whose lonely race Resign the setting sun to Indian worlds, The royal eagle draws his vigorous young, Strong-pounc'd, and ardent with paternal fire. Now fit to raise a kingdom of their own, He drives them from his fort, the towering seat, For ages, of his empire; which, in peace, Unstain'd he holds, while many a league to sea He wings his course, and preys in distant isles.

I my steps turn to the rural seat, Whose lofty elms, and venerable oaks, Invite the rook, who high amid the boughs In early Spring, his airy city builds, And ceaseless caws amusive; there, well-pleas'd, I might the various polity survey Of the mix'd houshold-kind. The careful hen Calls all her chirping family around, Fed, and defended by the fearless cock; Whose breast with ardour flames, as on he walks Graceful, and crows defiance. In the pond, The finely-checker'd duck, before her train, Rows garrulous. The stately-sailing swan Gives out his snowy plumage to the gale; And, arching proud his neck, with oary feet Bears