Thus rudely vers'd in allegoric lore, The Hill of Knowledge I essayed to trace; 50 That verdurous hill with many a resting-place, And many a stream, whose warbling waters pour To glad, and fertilise the subject plains; That hill with secret springs, and nooks untrod, And many a fancy-blest and holy sod 55 Where Inspiration, his diviner strains Low-murmuring, lay; and starting from the rock's Stiff evergreens, (whose spreading foliage mocks Want's barren soil, and the bleak frosts of age, And Bigotry's mad fire-invoking rage!) 60 O meek retiring spirit! we will climb, Cheering and cheered, this lovely hill sublime; And from the stirring world up-lifted high (Whose noises, faintly wafted on the wind, To quiet musings shall attune the mind, 65 And oft the melancholy _theme_ supply), There, while the prospect through the gazing eye Pours all its healthful greenness on the soul, We'll smile at wealth, and learn to smile at fame, Our hopes, our knowledge, and our joys the same, 70 As neighbouring fountains image each the whole: Then when the mind hath drunk its fill of truth We'll discipline the heart to pure delight, Rekindling sober joy's domestic flame. They whom I love shall love thee, honour'd youth! 75 Now may Heaven realise this vision bright! 1796. FOOTNOTES: [155:2] First published in 1797: included in 1803, _Sibylline Leaves_, 1817, 1828, and 1834. LINENOTES: Title] To C. Lloyd on his proposing to domesticate, &c. 1797: To a Friend, &c. 1803. 'Composed in 1796' was added in S. L. [8] those still] stilly 1797: stillest 1803. [11] cliff] clift S. L., 1828, 1829. [16] How heavenly sweet 1797, 1803. [42] youth] Lloyd 1797: Charles 1803. [46] lone] low 1797, 1803. [60] And mad oppression's thunder-clasping rage 1797, 1803. [69] We'll laugh at wealth, and learn to laugh at fame 1797, 1803. [71] In 1803 the poem ended with line 71. In the Sibylline Leaves, 1829, the last five lines were replaced. [72] hath drunk] has drank 1797: hath drank S. L., 1828, 1829. [75] She whom I love, shall love thee. Honour'd youth 1797, S. L., 1817, 1828, 1829. The change of punctuation dates from 1834. ADDRESSED TO A YOUNG MAN OF FORTUNE[157:1] [C. LLOYD] WHO ABANDONED HIMSELF TO AN INDOLENT AND CAUSELESS MELANCHOLY