TO THE POET, JOHN DYER
BARD of the Fleece, whose skilful genius made That work a living landscape fair and bright; Nor hallowed less with musical delight Than those soft scenes through which thy childhood strayed, Those southern tracts of Cambria, “deep embayed, With green hills fenced, with ocean’s murmur lulled;” Though hasty Fame hath many a chaplet culled For worthless brows, while in the pensive shade Of cold neglect she leaves thy head ungraced, Yet pure and powerful minds, hearts meek and still, 10 A grateful few, shall love thy modest Lay, Long as the shepherd’s bleating flock shall stray O’er naked Snowdon’s wide aerial waste; Long as the thrush shall pipe on Grongar Hill!