Where in the sweetest solitude, embrac'd By the soft windings of the silent Mole, From courts and senates Pelham finds repose. Enchanting vale! beyond whate'er the muse Has of Achaia or Hesperia sung! O vale of bliss! O softly swelling hills! On which the power of cultivation lies, And joys to see the wonders of his toil. [Illustration: View on the Thames] Heavens! what a goodly prospect spreads around, Of hills, and dales, and woods, and lawns, and spires, And glittering towns, and gilded streams, till all The stretching landscape into smoke decays! Happy Britannia! where the queen of arts, Inspiring vigor, liberty abroad Walks, unconfin'd, even to thy farthest cots, And scatters plenty, with unsparing hand. Rich is thy soil, and merciful thy clime: Thy streams unfailing in the Summer's drought Unmatch'd thy guardian oaks; thy valleys float With golden waves; and on thy mountains flocks Bleat numberless--while, roving round their sides, Bellow the blackening herds in lusty droves. Beneath, thy meadows glow, and rise unquell'd Against the mower's scythe. On every hand Thy villas shine. Thy country teems with wealth And property assures it to the swain, Pleas'd and unwearied in his guarded toil. Full are thy cities with the sons of art; And trade and joy, in every busy street, Mingling are heard: even drudgery himself. As at the car he sweats, or dusty hews The palace-stone, looks gay. Thy crowded ports, Where rising masts an endless prospect yield, With labor burn, and echo to the shouts Of hurried sailor, as he hearty waves His last adieu, and, loosening every sheet, Resigns the spreading vessel to the wind. [Illustration: The sailor's farewell] Bold, firm, and graceful, are thy generous youth By hardship sinew'd, and by danger fir'd, Scattering the nations where they go; and first, Or in the listed plain, or stormy seas. Mild are thy glories too, as o'er the plans Of thriving peace thy thoughtful sires preside; In genius, and substantial learning, high; For every virtue, every worth, renown'd; Sincere, plain-hearted, hospitable, kind; Yet like the mustering thunder when provok'd, The dread of tyrants, and the sole resource Of those that under grim oppression groan.