And thus, O Fox! in wisdom's golden hour, She led THEE from the statesman's ceaseless strife To mild philosophy's* sequester'd bow'r To rural studies, and to tranquil life. What classic scenes arise on ev'ry side, The sage's and the poet's mind to fill !-- And yet no bard the tribute hath supplied, That truth demands for sainted ANNA'S HILL. The variegated landscape to explore, Th' historic Muse here loves to take her stand; And points, applauding Britain's chiefs of yore, To Thames' green margent her recording hand. *Note IV. "Ruffling yon tide, of oaks an ambush'd grove*, "Of old, opposed the Julian host in vain ;--“And there Cassivelaunus nobly strove "From Cæsar's brow the laurel to obtain. "Ye Britons! still with pride yon mead survey†, "Where freedom's banner still appears to wave, "Where frowning John, on freedom's natal day, "The Charter of the Realm reluctant gave." ---Mark, where o'er Chertsey's dusky, hallow'd tow'r, The hibernal sun's reflected radiance glows !-- Thus o'er the darkness of the mental pow'r The sun of truth his cheering lustre throws. * Note V. + Runnymede. Thus in these Mercian realms in times of yore, Of Pagan ignorance the midnight reign, Her rugged sons, soften'd by sacred lore, Aspir'd the christian's radiant crown to gain: Casting their barbarous idol gods away,* They bless'd the light celestial truth imparts; And felt religion's heaven descending ray Illume their minds and humanize their hearts. Then rose Certesia's† stately cloister'd fane With regal and with papal honours crown'd, Where flock'd the zealous, scallop'd, pilgrim train To shrines of martyrs and of saints renown'd. * Note VI. + Note VII. Sacred through civil storms the fabric stood Revolving ages of her Saxons' reign; And phoenix-like, rose from the fire and blood Here pious Henry, on his regal bier,* Found a short refuge from a life of woes ;--And here, renouncing laurel'd glory's sphere, Have sages, statesmen, heroes, sought repose; 'Till haughty Tudor's wild capricious gust The cloisters doom'd to his unsparing rage :-- Then sunk the venerable pile in dust,† And with it murky superstition's age.-- *Note VIII. + Note IX. But arts and commerce soon enrich'd the land, Science her radiant head began to rear; And, fraught with fancy, as with precepts bland, The gentle Muses lov'd to wander here. In fancy's eye, here Denham wanders still With stately pace around the verdant maze; Points with parental pride to " COOPER'S HILL," Graced with his nervous and his moral lays ;-- Points to the willow'd Thames,* winding along In placid state to proud Augusta's marts, Where busy commerce, by her swarming throng, The boundless treasures of the globe imparts. * Note X. c 2 |