Classic Poem

These islands fair with many a grove are crowned,
With cedars tall, gay hills and verdant vales,
But dangerous rocks on every side are found,
Fatal to him who unsuspecting sails.

The gay palmetto shades the adjacent wave:
Blue ocean water near the lime-tree breaks;
I leave the scene — this stormy quarter leave,
And rove awhile by Harrington's sweet lakes.

In every vale fair woodland nymphs are seen
In bloom of youth, to mourn some absent love,
Who, wandering far on Neptune's wide domain,
Heaves the fond sigh at every new remove.

From hill to hill I see Amanda stray,
Searching, with anxious view, the encircling main,
To espy the sail, so long, so far away,
Rise from the waves, and bless her sight again.

Now, on some rock, with loose dishevelled hair,
Near dashing waves, the sorrowing beauty stands,
Hoping that each approaching barque may bear
Homeward the wandering youth from foreign lands.

Oh! may no gales such faithful loves destroy,
No hidden rock to Hymen fatal prove:
And thou, fond swain, thy nicest art employ
Once more on these sweet isles to meet thy love.

When verging to the height of thirty-two ,
And east or west thou guid'st the dashy prow;
Then fear by night the dangers of this shore,
Nature's wild garden, placed in sixty-four.
Here many a merchant his lost freight bemoans,
And many a gallant ship has laid her bones.