FROM "AUTUMN." Now, by the cool declining year condensed, Of gathering vapour, from the baffled sense As when of old (so sung the Hebrew Bard) Gray. ON A DISTANT PROSPECT OF ETON COLLEGE. 'Ανθρωπος ἱκανὴ πρόφασις εἰς τὸ δυσυχεῖν.—MENANDER. YE distant spires, ye antique towers, That crown the watery glade, 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, His silver-winding way! Ah, happy hills! ah, pleasing shade! Ah, fields beloved in vain, Where once my careless childhood stray'd, A stranger yet to pain! * King Henry VI., founder of the college. I feel the gales that from ye blow, As waving fresh their gladsome wing. To breathe a second spring. Say, Father Thames-for thou hast seen The captive linnet which inthral ! To chase the rolling circle's speed, Or urge the flying ball? 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: Still as they run they look behind, They hear a voice in every wind, And snatch a fearful joy. |