Classic Poem

A Friendly party, of one mind,
Were for a pleasure-day inclin'd,
Forsook their beds on Thursday morn,
When each their person did adorn
With raiment proper for the day,
And in high spirits drove away.
The morn did a bad day portend,
Bid some unwelcome show'rs descend:
But sable clouds now disappear,
And azure decks the atmosphere;
Phœbus expands his golden rays,
And all the rural sweets displays;
And that my friend the whole may know,
We to a place call'd I THCEN go;
Where with an honest batchelor,
We meet with good and hearty cheer.
Sincere, ingenuous, plain and free,
No needless compliment had he.
Each welcome, what he lik'd to chuse,
And each as welcome to refuse.
A while we after dinner sat,
Engag'd in inoffensive chat,
Then arm in arm, in pairs we stalk,
And to his Grace's mansion walk.
Here, each apartment we behold,
Doth something of the Duke unfold,
Magnificence decks ev'ry place,
And speaks the owner is his Grace.
Some ancient portraits caught my eye,
Which bid my bosom heave a sigh,
For Ah! those once lov'd forms with reptiles lie.
When we had view'd the mansion o'er,
Park, garden, fish-ponds, and much more,
Our feeble frames begin to tire,
And some refreshment we require,
We now approach the humble cell,
Wherein our rustic friend doth dwell:
Here, fill'd with new ideas, we
Regale us with a dish of tea,

Some hours yet remain unspent,
And pleasure was our sole intent.
So that we may the same increase,
Resolv'd the chrystal stream to trace,
Forthwith into a boat we go,
And up and down the river row,
See the glad fishes frisk and play,
And seem as blest, and pleas'd as they.

Re-ent'ring now, our friends retreat,
To make his bounty quite compleat,
A pleasant syllabub we find,
When each may drink, who is inclin'd:
Phœbus now hastens to the west,
We think to hasten home is best;
So, parting with our gen'rous friend,
Wishing each bliss may him attend,
Enter our carriage, drive away,
Bestow encomiums on the day.
None seem'd inclining to relent,
Each had a day of pleasure spent;
Thus chatting on, 'till we alight,
And bid each other a good night.

Thankful, we all are safe and well,
And that no ill has us besel;
Each to their dwelling go their way,
And thus concludes our pleasure-day.