Dear Drury,—We go to Chepstow to-morrow. On Sunday Mr. Merivale very kindly took us to Fordlands, &c, &c., a beautiful drive, and dined with us at Cockwood, where I slept, and went, next morning, to Bishop’s Teignton, to see my uncle and aunt. On the road I made the following verses for you:—
|
Alone, on horseback, from the wood of Cock,
To Dawlish town I took my early way,
View’d the mild ocean from the lofty rock,
And felt the cooling breath of pleasant May.
Now every field in smiling green array’d,
Puts forth the promise of the fruitful spring,
The rising hedgerows shoot a deeper shade,
And joyous birds in flowery meadows sing.
I too to friendship raise the glowing strain,
Warn’d by remembrance of my Father’s home,
In careless dreams shake off my servile chain,
And far to Harrow’s verdant upland roam.
Oh soon exulting o’er the much-loved hill,
By Freedom led thy happy friend shall run,
See the proud aspens lift their honours still,
And the vale glittering with the genial sun.
|
| LETTER TO DRURY. | 39 |
|
And soon o’er Uxbridge’ rabbit-cover’d moor
Shall stumbling Lightfoot1 show
his speckled gray,
We’ll haste delighted to our Osborne’s
door,
And spend with him a memorable day.
Haply at times, when eve remits your toil,
We’ll range together o’er the dewy field,
And press with eager step the turfy soil,
On thy light down, O distant Harrow weald.
And then, should Fancy with seductive eye
Onward to Stanmore’s environs allure,
Should Reservoir excite a tender sigh,
This faithful heart shall offer Friendship’s
cure.
Back to their cottage shall the brothers go,
And sit conversing o’er the social board,
Share equal portions of imparted woe,
And share the joy poetic dreams afford.
|
