Classic Poem

O THAMES ! thy clear majestic stream
Shall ever flow my raptur'd theme;
Not because Augusta's pride
Builds her greatness on thy tide,
Courted by worlds in other oceans found;
Not because proud Cliefden laves
His pendent beeches in thy waves;
Not because thy limpid rills
Reflect on Hampton's towers, or Richmond's hills;
Or Cooper's mountain, by the Muses crown'd,
Or catch blaze from Windsor's beaming star,
Sacred to patriot chiefs, the boast of peace and war.

Nor yet because thy current loves
The haunt of Academic groves;
And still with lingering fond delay
Through Egham's vales delights to stray,
Once scene of Freedom's claims, heroic cares:
But hail thee, Thames! while o'er thy meads
Eliza with Louisa leads
Each winning grace of Love and Youth,
Ingenuous forms, fair Candour and fair Truth:
Oh! fan their evening walk with mildest airs;
So Gallic spoils shall crowd thy wealthy side,
And Commerce swell her stores with each revolving tide.