| |
| NOW 1 far advanced had pass’d the second day, | |
| And fainter shone the sun’s declining ray, | |
| When Austin’s walk approach’d a gloomy pile. | |
| Large was the structure and of antique style— | |
| Two oaks before the white impalement grew, | 5 |
| Which far around a circling umbrage threw | |
| Poultry at nightly lodging here would stay, | |
| And work was done beneath their boughs by day. | |
| Beneath one’s shade a draw-knife’s horse was stood, | |
| And many a tool was made of useful wood; | 10 |
| Here many a youngster whistled in his cheer, | |
| For oft was rake, hoe, scythe, new-handled here— | |
| Its fellow oak unto the sight display’d | |
| Full many a piece of season’d wood uplaid, | |
| For cart, helve, sled, reserved in squared style, | 15 |
| And future use, arose the goodly pile. | |
| An oval pond spread near the white impale, | |
| Its muddled surface to the curling gale; | |
| ’T was here the gander march’d in noisy pride, | |
| And led his mate and young ones to the tide, | 20 |
| The clamorous geese oft sail’d the troubled pool, | |
| And tribes of goslings here repair’d to cool— | |
| Here duck and drake with all their numerous throng, | |
| Quack’d in right gleeful cheer, and swam along. | |
| To the large edifice young Lovegrace drew, | 25 |
| Which he some wealthy farmer’s mansion knew. | |
| An arch’d large porch projecting rose before, | |
| Secured by outer and with inner door, | |
| Above two rows of light in order show, | |
| Which round the entrance feeble day-light throw; | 30 |
| On either side led up the front of stone, | |
| Two wild grape vines long since transplanted grown. * * * * | |
| The town Arcadia situate near the waves, | |
| Whose yellow sands a stream of commerce laves, | |
| Presented to the pleased spectator’s view, | 35 |
| United, rural scene and city too. | |
| On a large square its architecture stood, | |
| While down each side roll’d a broad silver flood; | |
| Ships of all sizes here safe in harbor lay, | |
| And parti-color’d pendants deck the bay. | 40 |
| The streets were broad and even length’ning drawn, | |
| And in its centre smiled a spacious lawn. | |
| Chinese precinct’ring work enclosed its ground, | |
| And trees of pride of India bloom’d around, | |
| Two outward rows at equal distance grew, | 45 |
| Form’d shade and walk of use and beauty too. | |
| Their flowers a native extra worth assume, | |
| And pride themselves in long continued bloom; | |
| These too again in inner walks are seen | |
| With balm of Gilead interplaced between. | 50 |
| Through the whole lawn now pride of India shows, | |
| And here an aromatic balm of Gilead grows. | |
| The fence was lined throughout its ample square, | |
| And different shrubbery different colors wear. | |
| Here stands the laurel crown’d in generous bloom, | 55 |
| Here breathes the honeysuckle’s sweet perfume. | |
| The pale white rose attracts the passing eye, | |
| And here the damask scented richer dye, | |
| The inner walks with tints continued glow, | |
| As some decline new opening beauties flow. | 60 |
| * * * Around the lawn are seen, | |
| Four summer houses which adorn the green, | |
| Whose opening diamond work invites the air, | |
| And vine of grapes and jessamines livery wear, | |
| Luxuriant branches o’er their archings run, | 65 |
| And loveliest verdure shades the unwelcome sun. | |
