Description of a Journey 9 - Clarendon Park

Excerpt from Description of a Journey to Marlborough, Bath, Portsmouth etc.

I next to BATHURST's rural Seat ascend,
BATHURST, my infant Muse's gen'rous Friend!
And, as around his spacious Park I stray'd,
Charm'd with the Prospect, which the Fields display'd,
Musing on Verse, the willing Numbers came,
My Song began, and Clarendon my Theme.
What sweeter Subject could I wish to chuse?
What Scenes more lovely can delight a Muse?
See, FLORA paints the Ground with vary'd Dyes,
And fragrant Shrubs with Odours fill the Skies!
Here curling Vines their luscious Sweets disclose,
There fair POMONA loads the blushing Boughs:
See, fruitful CERES crowns the Vales with Corn,
And fleecy Flocks the verdant Hills adorn!
Here waving Trees project a cooling Shade,
Where BATHURST oft converses with the Dead;
Reads over what the ancient Sages wrote;
Nor only reads, but acts as Sages taught;
Improves the present Hour, that Fortune gives;
Nor trusts To-morrow, but To-day he lives.
As thus my careless Lay, unlabour'd, flows,
Before my Eyes a Pile of Ruins rose;
Whose rugged Walls, like native Rock-work, shone;
For Time had turn'd the Cement into Stone.
Our Second HENRY here, if Fame be true,
Measur'd the Prince's Right, and People's Due;
Made Laws to bound the Priests and Barons Claim—
Nor ev'n those Laws did haughty BECKET blame;
BECKET! true Tyrant of the Roman State,
Curs'd with Religion just enough to hate;
Whose stern, ambitious Zeal his King defy'd,
And damn'd all those, who dar'd oppose his Pride.
O Thou Supreme! whose Mercy ever shone
The best, the brightest Jewel in thy Crown!
Never let me such cruel Faith approve,
Which bids me hate, whom Heav'n commands to love!
Let Christian Charity incline my Mind
To wish the Happiness of all Mankind!
In social Friendship always let me live,
Slow to be angry, easy to forgive!