Classic Poem

I.

O N Thamis ' Banks, where many a flow'ry Gem
Blooms wanton-wild, advanc'd a jovial Crew,
Thick as the Daisies which his Meadows hem;
And with sweet Herbs the liquid Crystal strew;
For on the liquid Crystal gayly flew
A painted Gondelay, bedecked fair
With Gold and Purple, gorgeous to the View!
While loud approving Shouts divide the Air,
" Hail, happy future Bride of Albion 's worthy Heir. "

II.

Eftsoons the Father of the silver Flood,
The noble Thames , his azure Head uprais'd,
And shook his dewy Locks, worthy a God!
A lambent Glory round his Temples blaz'd,
On which the Naids all with wonder gaz'd.
So sparkle Thetis purple-trembling Streams,
When Phaebus , for his golden Car yprais'd,
Strikes the calm Surface with his Morning Beams,
And sprinkles Spangles round and the wide Blue inflames.

III.

The wanton Naids, Doris ' Daughters all,
Range in a Ring: Pherusa , blooming-fair,
Cymodoce Dove-ey'd, with Florimal ,
Sweet-smelling Flowrets deck'd their long green Hair,
And Erato , to Love , to Venus dear,
Galene drest in smiles and Lilly-white,
And Phao , with her snowy Bosom bare,
All these, and more than these, a dainty Sight!
In Daunce and Merriment and sweet Belgards Delight.

IV.

Around the Bark They daunce, wherein there sat
A Lady fresh and fair; ah! such a One,
So fresh and fair, so amiably great,
So goodly-gracious seem'd as never none,
And like thy sweet-beam'd Planet, Venus , shone.
They much admire, O very much her Face,
Her Shape, her Breast, for Love a downy Throne!
Her Beauty's glorious Shine, her every Grace;
An Angel She appear'd, at least of Angel-Race.

V.

Her Thamis (on his golden Urn he lean'd)
Saluted with this Hymeneal Song,
And hail'd her safe. Full silent was the Wind,
The River glided gently-soft along,
Ne whispered the Breeze the Leaves emong,
Ne love-learn'd Philomel out-trill'd her Lay;
A Stillness on the Waves attentive hung,
A brighter Gladness blest the Face of Day,
All Nature gan to smile, her Smiles diffus'd the May.