This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1842 edition. Excerpt: ... BOOK IV. Fatigued almost with sameness, through the fields Of cultivated England we have sped For two long summer days our rapid course; For still the same rich prospect met the eye, --Lawns, mansions, cottages, and fields of corn Peering through verdant trees; but now the scene Changes. On either ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1842 edition. Excerpt: ... BOOK IV. Fatigued almost with sameness, through the fields Of cultivated England we have sped For two long summer days our rapid course; For still the same rich prospect met the eye, --Lawns, mansions, cottages, and fields of corn Peering through verdant trees; but now the scene Changes. On either hand the cottages Increase in number and in elegance; Of form more bright and rich, the flowers that bloom Against the walls, with ivy interspersed And honey-suckle sweet, and eglantine. The mansions on the gently sloping hills Peep out more numerous too, and from the woods, Domes still more splendid show their battlements And lofty towers, --large cultivated tracks Adorned with shrubs and golden dahlias Are often passed; and spacious orchards too, Bending with luscious fruit. Rich gardens next, Stored with each useful or luxurious herb, Or vegetable, which man's palate craves, Meet us by turns; nor this the only change, --The loaded wain, or empty car, or smart Cabriolet, or richly gilded coach, Pass and repass us, and our spirits thrill As still the traffic thickens: for we know That London is at hand; and, lo! at once Hyde Park appears; and what a gorgeous scene, As underneath the dark and verdant woods, A thousand chariots glittering in the sun, Bearing along the noble and the gay, The wealthy and the proud, flash on the sight Of the bewildered stranger, on his way To the gigantic city! Yes, the scene Is splendid beyond language. High above, Clouds huge as mountains, bright as virgin snow, Or red as glowing fire, o'ercanopy Whole streets of palaces, rearing their proud And sparkling summits o'er the lofty trees That spread their branching arms across the lawns, So green and flowery. Oh, what soul would not A scene so glorious raise! Behold one
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