Classic Poem

What deepest green valley the wide earth knows,
Once offered four wearied wanderers repose,
Where o'er a cool fount a white temple rose?
'Twas the Red Sulphur Springs.

Fair white buildings are ranged round the green,
Clean gravel walks run these buildings between,
Groups of gay people around are seen,
Oh! the Red Sulphur Springs.

Buxom blithe health flies to sip at the fount,
Sickness so feebly comes down from the mount,
The grave and the gay, quite too many to count,
Meet to drink at the Springs.

Here are belles from the city, with beaux in their train,
Here are dowager dames, here are pretty and plain,
Health, pleasure, or fortune, each one tries to gain,
So they come to the Springs.

Whatever the motive of feeling, which brings
To this spot all these bipeds, you'd think they had wings,
For they fly the moment the dinner bell rings,
Fast away from the Springs.

And dressed in their gavest, as quick as they're able,
They seek for their names or their plates at the table,
And make such a racket you'd think 'twas a Babel
Rose anew at the Springs.

Do but see that thin lady, what mouthfuls she takes;—
And waiter! stop, waiter, some more batter-cakes,
Some cream, and the butter, those venison steaks
I must eat at the Springs.

Who would think of their ailments when luxury lies
So temptingly near us, just under our eyes?
Oh waiter, those batter-cakes;—how the man flies,
They're all mad at the Springs.

But avaunt, creature comforts! we'll turn now from you,
To the joys of the mind, which in visits we knew,
And which over our mornings and afternoons threw
A delight at the Springs.

Then we sat in our room; we worked, talked, and read,
Our table with books and with needle-work spread;
It was yet in more style that withal was a bed,—
'Twas the way at the Springs.

We trod the piazza both early and late,
But 'tis useless on joys that are past to dilate,
Since too soon came the day on which 'twas our fate
To leave the Red Springs.

Let all who seek health, with comfort and quiet,
Let the gay who love pleasure without any riot,
Come down this steep mountain, and hasten to try it,
They'll like the Red Springs.