hanging Gardens rich with Fruit appear;
The golden , and the mellow ,
And nicer Plants, their spreading Arms extend;
To tempt the gath'ring Hand of ev'ry Friend.
On the smooth Terras, set with Ever-greens,
I walk'd, delighted with the lovely Scenes:
Where Groops of Trees around are artful spread,
And meet in verdant Arches o'er the Head.
Amidst the awful Shades, from Grove to Grove,
In Noon-day's Heat secure and cool, I rove.
Whence Clouds of Birds pursue their airy Way,
When dawning Beams proclaim the rising Day;
Rous'd from their leafy Beds they hail the Light.
I gaze, delighted with the Sound and Sight!
And wait their wish'd Return with rising Night.
Here rises on the Plain a spreading Town;
Part the Sun gilds, and Part the Shades imbrown.
See gently gradual yonder Hills arise;
Till blue the last, and hid among the Skies.
Along the Side an ancient City spreads,
Churches and  Spires erect their Heads.
Here Seats unnumber'd interspers'd appear;
With vocal Woods, and Corn with golden Ear.
Gay Plenty, with her ever smiling Face,
And graceful Beauty, dresses all the Space.
The loaded Vessel there securely rides
On , proudly rolling back her Tides;
Carrying our Plenty to each distant Shore,
Exchang'd for foreign Wine, and golden Oar.
The distant River courts the wand'ring Eyes,
Till the wide View in ancient  dies.
; whose hardy Sons were true and bold,
Scorn'd to be Slaves, their Freedom never sold;
But chose to live on barren Cliffs their own,
Disdain'd more fertile Fields for  Masters sown.
Here view the wide extended Concave bound
The haughty Hills, that guard the Vallies round.
What grateful Thoughts those awful Camps inspire!
Once a dread Scene of War, and Blood, and Fire:
When conqu'ring  sat in Triumph there,
And Death flew hissing thro' the frighted Air.
The slaughter'd Natives spread the Vallies wide,
And drench'd the Meadows with a Crimson Tide.
Now Peace her downy Wing spreads o'er the Scene,
The Camps lie harmless on the level Green,
The Noise of War is hush'd, and all a sweet Serene.
Not  a more delightful Theme,
That smiles in  Song for ever green;
Nor  ever fair and gay,
Immortaliz'd by  harmonious Lay;
Nor fancied Scenes in Fable Stories told,
By modern Bards, or the inchanting old,
Have greater Charms than , dear Retreat!
Serenely blest, here could I fix my Seat.
But I must wander with unwilling Feet.
Thus  took his last, his farewel Round,
And mourning left fair  happy Ground.
Happy and long may here the Owner live,
To taste those Pleasures which she loves to give!
Long by her wise and fair Example show,
How Peace and Joy from silent Order flow!
With chearful Health and Friendship ever crown'd,
And deal out Blessings to the Country round!