A POEM.
83
Fair Glasgow pours her wealthy merchants round,
Whose numerous villas crowd the fertile ground. 40
So once imperial Rome indignant saw
Her chiefs, who held the subject-world in awe,
Retiring to Campania's fair retreats,
To Baian plains, or old Tarentum's seats.
Yet softer Clyde's, where subterranean ire
Ne'er darts the bursts of dark sulphureous fire;
Which deep entomb the swarthy peasant's toil,
And parch to ashes all the burning soil.
Yet summer's heat drives frequent to the pool
The active youth, their glowing limbs to cool. 50
They dive, and distant far emerge again,
Or easy float along the liquid plain;
While curling waves around their bodies twine,
Through which their limbs like polished marble shine.
Now with strong arms they strive against the tide;
Now, oaring swiftly, with the current glide.
So the bold Roman, ere he slept, would cross
The Tiber thrice, nor feared his rapid force;
Then, vigorous from the flood, would, striving, strain
His well-braced nerves on Mavors' sacred plain; 60
Or choose the chief which should the world command,
Or for red conquest train the youthful band.
Whose numerous villas crowd the fertile ground. 40
So once imperial Rome indignant saw
Her chiefs, who held the subject-world in awe,
Retiring to Campania's fair retreats,
To Baian plains, or old Tarentum's seats.
Yet softer Clyde's, where subterranean ire
Ne'er darts the bursts of dark sulphureous fire;
Which deep entomb the swarthy peasant's toil,
And parch to ashes all the burning soil.
Yet summer's heat drives frequent to the pool
The active youth, their glowing limbs to cool. 50
They dive, and distant far emerge again,
Or easy float along the liquid plain;
While curling waves around their bodies twine,
Through which their limbs like polished marble shine.
Now with strong arms they strive against the tide;
Now, oaring swiftly, with the current glide.
So the bold Roman, ere he slept, would cross
The Tiber thrice, nor feared his rapid force;
Then, vigorous from the flood, would, striving, strain
His well-braced nerves on Mavors' sacred plain; 60
Or choose the chief which should the world command,
Or for red conquest train the youthful band.
