Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ON THE REPORT OF A WOODEN BRIDGE WAS TO BE BUILT AT WESTMINSTER, by JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748)


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ON THE REPORT OF A WOODEN BRIDGE WAS TO BE BUILT AT WESTMINSTER, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: By rufus' hall, where thames polluted flows
Last Line: While o'er his head the circling waters foam.
Subject(s): Bridges; Thames (river)


By Rufus' hall, where Thames polluted flows,
Provoked, the Genius of the river rose,
And thus exclaim'd: "Have I, ye British swains,
Have I for ages laved your fertile plains?
Given herds, and flocks, and villages increase,
And fed a richer than a golden fleece?
Have I, ye merchants, with each swelling tide,
Pour'd Afric's treasure in, and India's pride?
Lent you the fruit of every nation's toil?
Made every climate yours, and every soil?
Yet, pilfer'd from the poor, by gaming base,
Yet must a wooden bridge my waves disgrace?
Tell not to foreign streams the shameful tale,
And be it publish'd in no Gallic vale."
He said; and plunging to his crystal dome,
While o'er his head the circling waters foam.





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