ADDRESSED TO MRS. S. JOHNSON .
From the bustle of Paris, and noise of its town,
Here loiter, sweet S ARAH , awhile;
Now Sol is near vanishing over yon down,
And the rustic returns from his toil.
All glowing the Seine, wild meandering along,
Reflects the sun's lingering ray;
And, deep from the valley, hilarity's song
Chears the dancers, who foot it away.
A thousand delectable views charm the eye…
The vineyard, the forest, the mead;
Here glows on the mountains each roseate dye,
And beauties on beauties succeed.
Broad and bold in its course, crown'd with rock and with shade,
While its surface sweet islands bedeck,
Through a scenery by nature most splendidly made,
Mark the Seine's silvery waters smooth track.
Cool blow from its waves the breezes of eve,
While the bark floats majestic along;
And the shipping at distance half hid 'midst the trees,
Glide the isles of its current among.
At our feet the high turrets of Rouen are seen,
As they catch the departing sun's ray;
And innumerous vessels its quays lie between,
Bright waving their flags to the day.
Ah! who o'er these turrets can tearlessly look,
And not the calamities mourn,
As tyrants alternate their citadel took…
The C HARLES'S and Henrys in turn?
And who, fairest maid, can thy lot but lament,
Here given alive to the flames?
Sure despots and priests were purposely sent,
To bring misery, mourning, and chains!
Delectable France! dear garden of charms,
May blood cease to flow o'er thy soil;
Nor demagogues alternately furious in arms,
All thy beauties and comforts despoil.
Return to the wisdom of Brissotine days,
Lay drums and coercion aside;
Let knowledge enlighten thy land with its rays,
And freedom and peace be thy guide.
Now slowly the prospect declines on the sight,
The mountains, the vineyards, the groves;
The Seine with its islands so richly bedight,
Fit haunt for the graces and loves.
See softer each tint glows on every hill,
And deeper the shade in each dale;
Embrown'd are the woods hanging over the rill,
Indistinctly is seen the far sail.
Less bright the broad Seine rolls its translucent tide;
Spires and chateaus are fading from sight;
And the curtains of evening progressively hide
Each exquisite scene of delight.
Farewell, C ATHARINA ! thy summit so grand,
We oft in idea shall gain;
Oft sigh that each blessing may crown thy gay land,
And peace dwell with thee, and remain.
From the bustle of Paris, and noise of its town,
Here loiter, sweet S ARAH , awhile;
Now Sol is near vanishing over yon down,
And the rustic returns from his toil.
All glowing the Seine, wild meandering along,
Reflects the sun's lingering ray;
And, deep from the valley, hilarity's song
Chears the dancers, who foot it away.
A thousand delectable views charm the eye…
The vineyard, the forest, the mead;
Here glows on the mountains each roseate dye,
And beauties on beauties succeed.
Broad and bold in its course, crown'd with rock and with shade,
While its surface sweet islands bedeck,
Through a scenery by nature most splendidly made,
Mark the Seine's silvery waters smooth track.
Cool blow from its waves the breezes of eve,
While the bark floats majestic along;
And the shipping at distance half hid 'midst the trees,
Glide the isles of its current among.
At our feet the high turrets of Rouen are seen,
As they catch the departing sun's ray;
And innumerous vessels its quays lie between,
Bright waving their flags to the day.
Ah! who o'er these turrets can tearlessly look,
And not the calamities mourn,
As tyrants alternate their citadel took…
The C HARLES'S and Henrys in turn?
And who, fairest maid, can thy lot but lament,
Here given alive to the flames?
Sure despots and priests were purposely sent,
To bring misery, mourning, and chains!
Delectable France! dear garden of charms,
May blood cease to flow o'er thy soil;
Nor demagogues alternately furious in arms,
All thy beauties and comforts despoil.
Return to the wisdom of Brissotine days,
Lay drums and coercion aside;
Let knowledge enlighten thy land with its rays,
And freedom and peace be thy guide.
Now slowly the prospect declines on the sight,
The mountains, the vineyards, the groves;
The Seine with its islands so richly bedight,
Fit haunt for the graces and loves.
See softer each tint glows on every hill,
And deeper the shade in each dale;
Embrown'd are the woods hanging over the rill,
Indistinctly is seen the far sail.
Less bright the broad Seine rolls its translucent tide;
Spires and chateaus are fading from sight;
And the curtains of evening progressively hide
Each exquisite scene of delight.
Farewell, C ATHARINA ! thy summit so grand,
We oft in idea shall gain;
Oft sigh that each blessing may crown thy gay land,
And peace dwell with thee, and remain.