David Mallet

* * *

WHERE Thames along the daisied meads
His wave in lucid mazes leads,
Silent, slow, serenely flowing,
Wealth on either side bestowing,
There in a safe though small retreat,
Content and Love have fixed their seat,—
Love, that counts his duty pleasure;
Content, that knows and hugs his treasure.

From art, from jealousy secure,
As faith unblamed, as friendship pure,
Vain opinion nobly scorning,
Virtue aiding, life adorning,
Fair Thames along thy flowery side,
May thou whom truth and reason guide
All their tender hours improving,
Live like us, beloved and loving.