Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 1.djvu/348

306 When Sense and Wit with Poesy allied,

No fabled Graces, flourished side by side,

From the same fount their inspiration drew,

And, reared by Taste, bloomed fairer as they grew.

Then, in this happy Isle, a 's pure strain

Sought the rapt soul to charm, nor sought in vain;

A polished nation's praise aspired to claim,

And raised the people's, as the poet's fame.

Like him great poured the tide of song,

In stream less smooth, indeed, yet doubly strong.

Then 's scenes could cheer, or 's melt;

For Nature then an English audience felt—

But why these names, or greater still, retrace,

When all to feebler Bards resign their place?

Yet to such times our lingering looks are cast,

When taste and reason with those times are past.

Now look around, and turn each trifling page,

Survey the precious works that please the age;