So thy dark arches, _London Bridge_, bestride Indignant Thames, and part his angry tide, There oft—returning from those green retreats, Where fair _Vauxhallia_ decks her sylvan seats;— Where each spruce nymph, from city compters free, Sips the froth’d syllabub, or fragrant tea; While with sliced ham, scraped beef, and burnt champagne, Her ’prentice lover soothes his amorous pain;— There oft, in well-trimmed wherry, glide along Smart beaux and giggling belles, a glittering throng: Smells the tarr’d rope—with undulation fine Flaps the loose sail—the silken awnings shine; “Shoot we the bridge!” the venturous boatmen cry; “Shoot we the bridge!” the exulting fare[246] reply. —Down the steep fall the headlong waters go, Curls the white foam, the breakers roar below. The veering helm the dexterous steersman stops, Shifts the thin oar, the fluttering canvas drops; Then with closed eyes, clenched hands, and quick-drawn breath, Darts at the central arch, nor heeds the gulf beneath. Full ’gainst the pier the unsteady timbers knock, The loose planks, starting, own the impetuous shock; The shifted oar, dropp’d sail, and steadied helm, With angry surge the closing waters whelm— Laughs the glad Thames, and clasps each fair one’s charms, That screams and scrambles in his oozy arms. Drench’d each smart garb, and clogged each straggling limb, Far o’er the stream the Cockneys sink or swim; While each badged boatman,[247] clinging to his oar, Bounds o’er the buoyant wave, and climbs the applauding shore. So, towering Alp! from thy majestic ridge[248] Young Freedom gazed on Lodi’s blood-stained _Bridge_; Saw, in thick throngs, conflicting armies rush, Ranks close on ranks, and squadrons squadrons crush; Burst in bright radiance through the battle’s storm, Waved her broad hands, displayed her awful form; Bade at her feet regenerate nations bow, And twined the wreath round BUONAPARTE’S brow. Quick with new lights, fresh hopes, and altered zeal, The slaves of despots dropp’d the blunted steel: Exulting Victory owned her favourite child, And freed Liguria clapp’d her hands, and smiled.