Page:The Poems of John Dyer (1903).djvu/121

The flavour'd thea and glossy-painted vase ;
Things elegant, ill-titled Luxuries,
In temperance us'd delectable and good. 380
They too from hence receive the strongest thread
Of the green silkworm. Various is the wealth
Of that renown'd and ancient land, secure
In constant peace and commerce ; till'd to th' height
Of rich fertility, where, thick as stars, 385
Bright habitations glitter on each hill,
And rock, and shady dale ; ev'n on the waves
Of copious rivers, lakes, and bord'ring seas,
Rise floating villages. No wonder, when
In every province firm and level roads, 390
And long canals, and navigable streams,
Ever with ease conduct the works of toil
To sure and speedy markets, thro' the length
Of many a crowded region, many a clime,
To the imperial tow'rs of Cambalu, 395
Now Pekin, where the Fleece is not unknown ;
Since Calder's woofs, and those of Exe and Frome,
And Yare, and Avon flow, and rapid Trent,
Thither by Russic caravans are brought,
Thro' Scythia's num'rous regions, waste and wild, 400
Journey immense ! which to th' attentive ear
The Muse, in faithful notes, shall brief describe.
From the proud mart of Petersburg, ere-while
The watery seat of Desolation wide,
Issue these trading caravans, and urge, 405
Thro' dazzling snows, their dreary trackless road ;
By compass steering oft from week to week,
From month to month; whole seasons view their toils.
Neva they pass, and Kesma's gloomy flood,
Volga, and Don, and Oka's torrent prone, 410
Threatening in vain ; and many a cataract