The Works Of William Mason M A Vol 1 Of 4 PDF Download

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. 1811 edition. Excerpt: ...needful shade, To veil whate'er of wall, dr fence uncouth 105 Disgusts the eye, which tyrant Use has rear'd, And stern Necessity forbids to change. Lur'd by their hasty shoots, and branching stems, Planters there are who choose the race of pine For this great end, erroneous; witless they 110 That, as their arrowy heads assault the sky, They leave their shafts unfeather'd: rather thou Select the shrubs that, patient of the knife, Will thank thee for the wound, the hardy thorn, Holly, or box, privet or pyracanth. 115 They, thickening from their base, with tenfold shade Will soon replenish all thy judgment prun'd. But chief with willing aid, her glittering green Shall England's laurel bring; swift shall she spread Her broad-leav'd shade, and float it fair and wide, 120 Proud to be call'd an inmate of the soil. Let England prize this daughter of the East Beyond that Latian plant, of kindred name, Ver. 188, Note XVIII. 1. That wreath'd the head of Julius; basely twin'd Its flattering foliage on the traitor's brow Who crush'd his country's freedom. Sacred tree, Ne'er be thy brighter verdure thus debas'd! Far happier thou, in this sequester'd bower, To shroud thy Poet, who witli fost'ring hand, Here bade thee flourish, and with grateful strain Now chaunts the praise of thy maturer bloom. And happier far that Poet, if secure His hearth and altars from the pilfering slaves Of power, his little eve of lonely life May here steal on, blest with the heartfelt calm That competence and liberty inspire. Nor are the plants which England calls her own Few or unlovely, that, with laurel join'd And kindred foliage of perennial green, Will form a close-knit curtain. Shrubs there are 140 Of bolder growth, that, at the call of Spring, Burst forth in blossom'd...