Classic Poem

Sirmio! of ev'ry isle the pride,
Of all peninsulas the boast;
Whether, old Neptune's briny tide
Surrounds their billow-beaten coast;
Or, their calm shores the godhead laves
With the fresh lake's translucent waves:

O, Sirmio, with what joy I view,
How pleas'd behold thy lands again!
Scarce can I deem the blessing true,
Scarce think I've left Bithynia's plain!
Left Thynia's close-adjoining shore;
The danger of the journey o'er!

O, what so sweet as cares redress'd!
When the tir'd mind lays down its load;
When, with each foreign toil oppress'd,
We reach at length our own abode;
On our own wish'd-for couch recline,
And taste the bliss of sleep divine!

At least this sweet, this dear reward,
If only this, my toils have found——
O, beauteous Sirmio, greet thy lord!
Ye Lydian waves, with joy resound!
Let all things, I can reckon mine,
In one loud shout of welcome join!