Classic Poem

WRITTEN AT BRIGHTHELMSTONE .

Here Charles lay shelter'd, from this desart shore
He launch'd the bark, and brav'd the tempest's roar;
He trusted here the faith of simple swains,
And ocean, friendlier than the Worcester plains.
No beauteous forms, as now, adorn'd it then,
The downs were pathless, without haunt of men.
One shepherd wander'd on the lonely hill,
One village-maid explor'd the distant rill.
But mark the glittering scenes succeeding these;
See peopled all the shores, and healing seas;
Yet, friend to Britain, flows alike the wave
With India's treasures, and defrauds the grave.
Had Fate now plac'd him on this fairy land,
The thoughtless Charles had linger'd on the strand,
Nor danger chill'd, nor high ambition fir'd
That wanton bosom, by the loves inspir'd:
His languid sails the monarch here had furl'd,
Had gain'd a N — — m's smile, and lost the world.