MOUNT VERNON 



WRITTEN AT MOUNT VERNON, 1786 

 BY DAVID HUMPHREYS 



By broad Potomac's azure tide, 

 Where Vernon's mount, in sylvan pride, 



Displays its beauties far, 

 Great Washington, to peaceful shades, 

 Where no unhallowed wish invades, 



Retired from scenes of war. 



To thee, my friend, these lays belong : 

 Thy happy seat inspires my song, 



With gay, perennial blooms, 

 With fruitage fair, and cool retreats, 

 Whose bowery wilderness of sweets 



The ambient air perfumes. 



Here Spring its earliest buds displays, 

 Here latest on the leafless sprays 



The plumy people sing ; 

 The vernal shower, the ripening year, 

 The autumnal storm, the winter drear, 



For thee new pleasures bring. 



Here, lapped in philosophic ease, 

 Within thy walks, beneath thy trees, 



Amidst thine ample farms, 

 No vulgar converse heroes hold, 

 But past or future scenes unfold, 



Or dwell on nature's charms. 



