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THE YOUNG ENGLISHMAN'S FIRST

POETRY BOOK.

1.-RULE BRITANNIA.

WHEN Britain first at Heaven's command,
Arose from out the azure main,

This was the charter of her land,

And guardian angels sung the strain:
Rule Britannia! Britannia rules the waves!
Britons never shall be slaves.

The nations not so blest as thee,

Must in their turns to tyrants fall,
Whilst thou shalt flourish great and free,
The dread and envy of them all.

Still more majestic shalt thou rise,

More dreadful from each foreign stroke;
As the loud blast that tears the skies
Serves but to root thy native oak.

Thee haughty tyrants ne'er shall tame;
All their attempts to bend thee down
Will but arouse thy generous flame,
And work their woe and thy renown.

To thee belongs the rural reign;

Thy cities shall with commerce shine;
All thine shall be the subject main,
And every shore it circles thine!

B

The Muses still, with Freedom found,
Shall to thy happy coast repair;

Blest Isle, with matchless beauty crowned,
And manly hearts to guard the fair:-
Rule Britannia! Britannia rules the waves!
Britons never shall be slaves.

Thomson.

2. THE DOG AND THE WATER-LILY.

THE noon was shady, and soft airs
Swept Ouse's silent tide,
When, 'scaped from literary cares,

I wander'd on his side.

My spaniel, prettiest of his race,
And high in pedigree,

(Two nymphs adorn'd with every grace
That spaniel found for me,)

Now wanton'd lost in flags and reeds,
Now starting into sight,

Pursued the swallow o'er the meads
With scarce a slower flight.

It was the time when Ouse display'd
His lilies newly blown;
Their beauties I intent survey'd,
And one I wish'd my own.

With cane extended far I sought,
To steer it close to land;

But still the prize, though nearly caught,
Escaped my eager hand.

Beau mark'd my unsuccessful pains
With fix'd considerate face,

And puzzling set his puppy brains
To comprehend the case.

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