MS. Fairfax 40. 265 



How pleasant are the Murmuring stream 

 In shady Vallyes runing-e downe 

 Whose raginge torrents as itt seemes 

 Just measurs keepe in skpps & bounds 

 Then gUdinge vnder th' arbored banks 

 As windinge Serpents in the grass 

 The sportfull Naides playes ther pranks 

 [p. 555] Vpon the watry plaines of Glass 

 The christal Elements wherin 

 These watry Nimphes delight to swime 



The qviiet Marshe I loue to see 

 That bounded is w^^ willowes round 

 With Sallow, Elme, & Popler tree 

 W'='^ Iron yett hath giuen noe wound 

 The Nimphes that Come to take fresh Ayre 

 Here Rocks & Spindles them prouide 

 Mongst Sedge & Bulrush we may heare 

 The lepinge Froggs Se wher they hide 

 Themselues for feare when they espye 

 A Man or Beast approachinge nye 



[p. 556] A hundred thousand Fowle her lye 

 All voyd of feare makinge ther Nest 

 Noe treachrous Fowler here Comes nye 

 W*^ mortal gunnes to breake ther rest 

 Some ioying in the sunn's warme beames 

 Ther fethers buisil}' doe plume 

 Whilst others findinge Loue's hott flames 

 In waters allsoe can Consume 

 And in all pastimes Inocent 

 Are pleased in this Element 



How pleasant is itt to behold 

 'Hiese ancient Ruinated Towers 

 [p. 557] 'Gainst w^i" the Giants did of old 



W*'^ Insolence imploye ther Powers 



Now Sayters here ther Sabath keepe 



And Sperits w'^'' our sence inspire 



"\\rth frightinge dreames whilst we doc sleepe 



Noe here againe all day retire 



In thousand Chinkes & dusty holes 



Lyes vgly Batts cS; Scritchinge Owlcs 



