454 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1800. 



AN INSCRIPTION. By Mr. Roscoe. 



TRANGER, that with careless feet, 

 rv_^ Wand'rest near this green retreat, 

 Where through gentle bending slopes, 

 Soft the distant prospect opes ; 



s 



Where the fern, in fringed pride. 

 Decks the lonely valley's side ; r 



Where the linnet chirps his song, 

 Flitting as thou tread'st along ; 



Know, wTiere now thy footsteps pass. 

 O'er the bending tufts of grass, 

 Bright gleaming through th' encircling wood, 

 Once a Naiad roU'd her flood : 



If her urn, unknown to fame, 

 Pour'd no far-extended stream, 

 Yet along its grassy side 

 Clear and constant flow'd the tide. 



Grateful for the tribute paid, 

 Lordly Mersey lov'd the maid : 

 Yonder rocks still tnark the place 

 Where she met his stem embrace. 



Stranger, curious wouklst thou learn 

 Why she mourns her wasted urn ? 

 Soon a short and simple verse 

 Shall her hapless fate rehearse. 



Ere yon neighb'ring spires arose. 

 That the upland prospect close ; 

 Or ere along the startled shore 

 Echo'd loud the capnon's roar ; 



Once the maid, in summer's heat. 

 Careless left her cool retreat. 

 And, by sultry suns opprest, 

 Laid her weary limbs to rest ; 



Forgetful of her daily toil, 



To trace each tract of humid soil ; 



Ff Ofn dews and bounteous show'rs to bring 



Ihc limpid treasures of her spring : 



