Now from the schools pour forth a num'rous train, Light-hearted, buoyant as the summer breeze, To deck thy bosom, Eton: now each face Anticipation brightens with delight, While many a fancied bliss floats gaily O'er the ardent mind, chaste as the Nautilus, Spreading her pearly spangles to the sun: The joyous welcome of parental love, The heart-inspiring kiss a sister yields, A brother's greeting, and the cheering smiles Of relatives and friends, and aged domestics, Time-honor'd for their probity and zeal, Whose silvery locks recall to mem'ry's view Some playful scene of earliest childhood, When frolic, mirth, and gambol led the way, Ere reason gave sobriety of thought.- Now bear the busy _Cads_ the new-lopt bough Of beech-tree to the dormitories, While active Collegers the foliage raise Against the chamber walls. A classic grove Springs as by magic art, cool and refreshing, A luxury by nature's self supply'd, Delicious shelter from the dog-star's ray. In thought profound the studious _Sextile_ mark In learned converse with some ancient sage, Whose aid he seeks to meet the dread Provost. The captain fearless seeks the ancient stand, Where old Etona's sons, beneath time's altar-piece,* Have immemorial welcomed _Granta's_ chief. In College-hall the merry cook prepares The choicest viands for the master's banquet: A graceful, healthy throng surround the board, And temp'rance, love, and harmony, prevail. Now busy dames are in high bustle caught, Preparing for each oppidan's departure; And servants, like wing'd Mercury, must fly O'er Windsor bridge to hail the London coach. Adieus on ev'ry side, farewell, farewell, Rings in each passing ear; yet, nor regret Nor sorrow marks the face, but all elate With cheerful tongue and brighten'd eye, unite To hail with joy Etona's holiday. Now comes the trial of who stands for King's, Examinations difficult and deep The Provost and his pozers to o'ercome. To this succeeds the grand aquatic gala, A spectacle of most imposing import, Where, robed in every costume of the world, The gay youth direct the glittering prow; A fleet of well-trimm'd barks upon the bosom Of old father Thames, glide on to pleasure's note: ~51~~ The expert victors are received with cheers, And the dark canopy of night's illumin'd With a grand display of brilliant fires.