84
CLYDE;
So, where Clyde's silver currents smoothly glide,
And ample lawns extend on every side,
The Clydesdale heroes, bright in arms, are seen
To rival Rome's, in force and awful mien.
While, robed in red, fierce flame the lengthened lines,
From their bright arms a dreadful splendor shines;
While tubes that, distant, drive the death unseen,
Or gleaming swords flash terror o'er the Green; 70
As if their leader sent through all his soul,
Just to his motion moves the obedient whole;
Thousands at once, a thousand different ways,
Yet none confused, or, straggling, vaguely strays:
Forth, at one glance, the levelled tubes are thurst;
At once, from all, the volleyed thunders burst:
At once the riders from their steeds descend;
The obedient steeds their motions still attend.
Here barefoot beauties lightly trip along;
Their snowy labours all the verdure throng: 80
The linen some with rosy fingers rub,
And the white foam o'erflows the smoking tub:
Her snowy feet another nimbly plies,
Whence other charms in fair proportion rise.
Hence, ye profane! and tremble to descry
The graceful nymphs with loose unhallowed eye:
And ample lawns extend on every side,
The Clydesdale heroes, bright in arms, are seen
To rival Rome's, in force and awful mien.
While, robed in red, fierce flame the lengthened lines,
From their bright arms a dreadful splendor shines;
While tubes that, distant, drive the death unseen,
Or gleaming swords flash terror o'er the Green; 70
As if their leader sent through all his soul,
Just to his motion moves the obedient whole;
Thousands at once, a thousand different ways,
Yet none confused, or, straggling, vaguely strays:
Forth, at one glance, the levelled tubes are thurst;
At once, from all, the volleyed thunders burst:
At once the riders from their steeds descend;
The obedient steeds their motions still attend.
Here barefoot beauties lightly trip along;
Their snowy labours all the verdure throng: 80
The linen some with rosy fingers rub,
And the white foam o'erflows the smoking tub:
Her snowy feet another nimbly plies,
Whence other charms in fair proportion rise.
Hence, ye profane! and tremble to descry
The graceful nymphs with loose unhallowed eye:
