Ye vigorous youths, by smiling fortune blest With large demesnes, hereditary wealth, Heap'd copious by your wise forefathers' care, Hear and attend! while I the means reveal T' enjoy those pleasures, for the weak too strong, Too costly for the poor: to rein the steed Swift-stretching o'er the plain, to cheer the pack Opening in concerts of harmonious joy, But breathing death. What tho' the gripe severe Of brazen-fisted time, and slow disease Creeping thro' ev'ry vein, and nerve unstrung, Afflict my shattered frame, undaunted still, Fixed as a mountain ash, that braves the bolts Of angry Jove; tho' blasted, yet unfallen; Still can my soul in fancy's mirror view Deeds glorious once, recall the joyous scene In all its splendours decked, o'er the full bowl Recount my triumphs past, urge others on With hand and voice, and point the winding way: Pleased with that social sweet garrulity, The poor disbanded veteran's sole delight. First let the kennel be the huntsman's care, Upon some little eminence erect, And fronting to the ruddy dawn; its courts On either hand wide op'ning to receive The sun's all-cheering beams, when mild he shines, And gilds the mountain tops. For much the pack (Roused from their dark alcoves) delight to stretch And bask, in his invigorating ray: Warned by the streaming light, and merry lark, Forth rush the jolly clan; with tuneful throats They carol loud, and in grand chorus joined Salute the new-born day. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WRITTEN FOR MY SON, AND SPOKEN BY HIM AT HIS FIRST PUTTING ON BREECHES by MARY BARBER SHUT OUT THAT MOON by THOMAS HARDY THE FISH, THE MAN, AND THE SPIRIT (COMPLETE) by JAMES HENRY LEIGH HUNT THE MAN-OF-WAR HAWK by HERMAN MELVILLE THE CITY CHILD by ALFRED TENNYSON |