Page:Poetical works (IA poeticalworks00grayrich).pdf/136

Full many a sprightly race
Disporting on thy margent green,^{[N 1]}
The paths of pleasure^{[N 2]} trace;
Who foremost now delight to cleave, 25
With pliant arm, thy glassy wave?^{[N 3]}
The captive linnet which enthral?^{[N 4]}
What idle progeny succeed
To chase the rolling circle's speed,^{[V 1]}
Or urge the flying ball? 30

While some on earnest business bent
Their murm'ring labours ply
'Gainst graver hours that bring constraint
To sweet liberty:
Some bold adventurers disdain 35
The limits of their little reign,

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Variants

1. Var. V. 29. "To chase the hoop's elusive speed." MS.

Notes

"Say, father Thames, whose gentle pace
Gives leave to view, what beauties grace
Your flowery banks, if you have seen.


Perhaps both poets thought of Cowley, vol. i. p. 117:
"Ye fields of Cambridge, our dear Cambridge, say,
Have you not seen us walking every day."


Dryden. An. Mirab. St. ccxxxii. "Old father Thames rais'd up his reverend head."
1. V. 23. "By slow Mæander's margent green." Milton Com. 232. W.
2. V. 24. "To virtue, in the paths of pleasure trod." Pope. Essay on Man, iii. 233.
3. V. 26. "On the glassy wave." Todd. ed. of Comus, p. 118.
4. V. 27. This expression has been noticed as tautologous. Thomson, on the same subject, uses somewhat redundant language, Spring, 702:
   "Inhuman caught; and in the narrow cage
   From liberty confined and boundless air."