PROSPECT OF ETON COLLEGE. Ανθρωπος, ἱκανὴ πρόφασις εἰς τὸ δυστυχεῖν. YE distant spires, ye antique towers, Her Henry's holy shade; And ye, that from the stately brow Of Windsor's heights th' expanse below Of grove, of lawn, of mead survey, Whose turf, whose shade, whose flowers among Wanders the hoary Thames along His silver-winding way: Ah, happy hills! ah, pleasing shade! Where once my careless childhood stray'd, A stranger yet to pain! I feel the gales that from ye blow As waving fresh their gladsome wing, Say, father Thames, for thou hast seen The captive linnet which enthral ? To chase the rolling circle's speed, While some on earnest business bent Their murm'ring labours ply 'Gainst graver hours that bring constraint To sweeten liberty: Some bold adventurers disdain The limits of their little reign, And unknown regions dare descry: |