j!6 INTRODUCTION. 



Should still no fancy prompt return;, 

 Explore the source of Ravensbourne 

 At Keston ;— Holwood's manse around, 

 Where sylvan beauties wild abound, 

 Now wander, whither from the strife 

 Of faction— stir of public life, 

 Once oftretir'd that William Pitt, 

 Much more a statesman than a wit ; 

 He who, with Fox, shook senates proud ; 

 Whose voice once echoed long- and loud. 

 Oh, had he been less fond of war! 

 What fame exists without a scar ?* 



Now, Lady ! having hither brought — 

 Beguifd you into rural thought, 

 I will not ask your audience long, 

 But list a moment to my song, — 

 A song of Birds — their hopes, their fears, 

 Their loves, their pleasures, and their tears ; 

 In which, I trust, some seeds of truth 

 Are sown, to serve both age and youth. 

 You, Lady! when that smiling boy, 

 Of promise bright — his parents' joy, 



* The Right Honourable William Pitt, for many years 

 prime minister of this country, and son of the first Lord 

 Chatham, mentioned above. Holwood Park and House 

 are on a very elevated, yet well-wooded spot. The mansion 

 has been, I understand, rebuilt since the time Mr. Pitt inha- 

 bited it. It is altogether a very delightful situation, and does 

 credit to the taste of the late prime minister as a country icsi- 

 dence. There is a public footpath quite through the park. 

 The present occupier is John Ward, Esq. 



