Classic Poem

[Bracketed matter was written by Mary Barker.]

[If, of meaner happiness
Thou wouldst know, or thou wouldst guess,
Come and see us when we climb]
Old Helvellyn's brow sublime.
See us, when we spread the sail,
Fearless of the mountain-gale,
Or, disturb with dashing oars
The bright picture of the shores,
And the azure sky — imprest
On that water's glassy breast.

Come! our merry meal partake
While we float along the Lake;
Or beside some crystal rill,
Where we cool our wine at will,
See us feasting — Earth our board!
There , is spread the dainty hoard,
On her flower-embroidered cloth,
That cares not for the fretting moth:
And, belike, a stately broom
Self-adorned with golden bloom,
And, enwreathed with climbing fern,
Frames in the midst a rich epergne;
Or a bush with roses drest,
As if in honour of the feast.

Nothing (trust the Muse) want we
Of luxurious dignity.
What can sumptuous London boast
That is not ours at lighter cost?
Couch of heather — thymy seat
For a social circle meet;
And — apart for moody man,
Sofa on the Grecian plan;
Curtained round with leafy boughs,
Which the wild-goat loves to browse;
And some shapely rock or stone,
All with softest moss o'ergrown,
Open for the breeze to fan;
Listless Loiterer's Ottoman!

Thus we revel, free from care:
Happy Children — Ladies fair,
[Lords and Knights and Squires attending,
Wit and sense and music blending.]
Come! let no proud notions tease thee,
And our PONDS shall better please thee
Than those now dishonoured Seas,
With their shores and Cyclades,
Stocked with Pachas, Seraskiers,
Slaves, and turbaned Buccaneers;
Sensual Mussulmen atrocious,
Renegados, more ferocious!
Heroes suited to the trances
Of thy crude, distempered fancies.

[Ever in the obscure delighting,
All thy images affrighting,
Sad and fearful stories telling,
Or on vice and folly dwelling,
Break off thy ignoble fetters,
Learn to reverence thy Betters!]
Come, and listen to a measure
Framed by Hope for lasting pleasure;
Listen, till thy heart be sure
That nothing monstrous can endure.
To unlearn thyself, repair
Hither, or grow wise elsewhere;
Striving to become the creature
Of a genuine English nature!