Classic Poem

IN India's land, where summer ever reigns,
And constant verdure decks the groves and plains,
A shepherd swain retir'd in heat of day,
Where lofty shades shut out the noontide ray,
In gentle sleep beguil'd the warmer hours,
And wak'd again renew'd in all his pow'rs.
But still to pleasure yielding, to his sight
The vary'd landscape glow'd with colours bright!
With joy the gay surrounding scene he sees,
And feels with rapture the reviving breeze.
His charge deserting, he resolves to roam
Far off, regardless of his native home;
Thro' the deep-waving woods he takes his way,
'Till wider prospects open on the day;
Thro' pleasing dales, o'er echoing hills he hies,
While milder radiance decks the Western skies,
Meanwhile from far, soft-flowing, pleas'd he view'd
A stream that rose from Ganges' yellow flood;
Thither he hastes, and from the lofty side,
All crown'd with verdure, plunges in the tide,
Amidst the curling waves he wanton plays,
No danger fears, nor threat'ning sate surveys.
But while his bounding heart with pleasure glows,
Fierce from the waves an alligator rose;
Vainly he struggl'd in th' unequal strife,
And to his scaly foe resign'd his life;
Wishing in vain he had not sought to roam,
But stay'd, contented with his friends and home.