TO THE LATE EARL TEMPLE, 



ON GARDENING. 



J3y commerce, Albion, and by arms refin'd, 



Sought for the charms of Art and Nature join'd ; 



Along the banks of her own Thames she stray 'd, 



Where the gay sisters of the waters play'd ; 



In many a soft meander wildly rov'd, 



And grac'd the meadows which their stream improv'd. 



She mark'd romantic Windsor's warlike pride, 

 To Learning's peaceful seat so near ally'd ; 

 Where Temple's bosom early sigh'd for praise, 

 Struck with the inspiring fame of ancient days ; 

 She came where silver Thames and Isis bright, 

 Their friendly treasures in one stream unite : 

 Where princes, prelates, fir'd with patriot views, 

 By gen'rous gifts invited ev'ry muse ; 

 Where ev'ry muse her grateful tribute brought, 

 And Virtue practis'd what sound Learning taught : 

 At length her longing eyes and hallow'd feet 

 Reach'd verdant Stowe's magnificent retreat, 

 Where fame and truth had promis'd, she should find 

 Scenes to improve and please her curious mind : 

 Each step invention, elegance display'd, 

 Such, as when Churchill woes the Aonian maid, 

 And joins in easy graceful negligence, 

 Th' harmonious powers of verse, with sterling sense : 

 Such, as when Poussin's or Albano's hand, 

 On glowing canvass the rich landscape plann'd, 

 And classic genius strove by mimic art, 

 Thro' the admiring eye to reach the heart. 



