And cast about their gibes ; and some apace 710
Whistle to roundelays : their little ones
Look on delighted ; while the mountain-woods
And winding valleys with the various notes
Of pipe, sheep, kine, and birds, and liquid brooks,
Unite their echoes : near at hand the wide 715
Majestic wave of Severn slowly rolls
Along the deep-divided glebe : the flood,
And trading bark with low contracted sail,
Linger among the reeds and copsy banks
To listen, and to view the joyous scene. 720
BOOK II
Now of the sever'd lock begin the song
With various numbers, thro' the simple theme
To win attention : this, ye Shepherd Swains !
This is a labour. Yet, O Wray ! if thou
Cease not with skilful hand to point her way, 5
The lark-wing'd Muse above the grassy vale,
And hills, and woods, shall, singing soar aloft ;
And he whom learning, wisdom, candour, grace,
Who glows with all the virtues of his sire,
Royston ! approve, and patronise the strain. 10
Thro' all the brute creation none as sheep
To lordly man such ample tribute pay.
For him their udders yield nectareous streams ;
For him their downy vestures they resign ;
For him they spread the feast : ah ! ne'er may he 15
Glory in wants which doom to pain and death
