To frame in verse the views he had within; But ever fail’d: for how can words explain The unform’d ideas of a teeming brain? Such was my Hero, whom I would portray In one exploit—the Hero of a Day. At six miles’ distance from his native town Stood Silford Hall, a seat of much renown— Computed miles such weary travellers ride, When they in chance wayfaring men confide. Beauty and grandeur were within; around, 180} Lawn, wood, and water; the delicious ground } Had parks where deer disport, had fields where game abound. } Fruits of all tastes in spacious gardens grew; And flowers of every scent and every hue, That native in more favour’d climes arise, Are here protected from th’ inclement skies. To this fair place, with mingled pride and shame This lad of learning without knowledge came— Shame for his conscious ignorance, and pride To this fair seat in this gay style to ride. 190 The cause that brought him was a small account, His father’s due, and he must take the amount, And sign a stamp’d receipt! this done, he might Look all around him, and enjoy the sight. So far to walk was, in his mother’s view, More than her darling Peter ought to do; Peter indeed knew more, but he would hide His better knowledge, for he wish’d to ride; So had his father’s nag, a beast so small, That if he fell, he had not far to fall. 200 His fond and anxious mother in his best Her darling child for the occasion drest; All in his coat of green she clothed her boy, And stood admiring with a mother’s joy; Large was it made and long, as meant to do } For Sunday-service, when he older grew— } Not brought in daily use in one year’s wear or two. } White was his waistcoat, and what else he wore Had clothed the lamb or parent ewe before; In all the mother show’d her care or skill; 210 A riband black she tied beneath his frill; Gave him his stockings, white as driven snow, And bad him heed the miry way below; On the black varnish of the comely shoe Shone the large buckle of a silvery hue; Boots he had worn, had he such things possest— But bootless grief!—he was full proudly drest, Full proudly look’d, and light he was of heart. When thus for Silford Hall prepared to start. Nathaniel’s self with joy the stripling eyed, 220 And gave a shilling with a father’s pride; Rules of politeness too with pomp he gave, And show’d the lad how scholars should behave. Ere yet he left her home, the Mother told— For she had seen—what things he should behold. There, she related, her young eyes had view’d Stone figures shaped like naked flesh and blood, Which, in the hall and up the gallery placed, Were proofs, they told her, of a noble taste; Nor she denied—but, in a public hall, 230 Her judgment taken, she had clothed them all. There, too, were station’d, each upon its seat,