'The Death of Nicou, an African Eclogue.'

 

On Tiber's banks, Tiber, whose waters glide

In slow meanders down to Gaigra's side;

And circling all the horrid mountain round,

Rushes impetuous to the deep profound;

Rolls o'er the ragged rocks with hideous yell;

Collects its waves beneath the earth's vast shell:

There for a while, in loud confusion hurl'd,

It crumbles mountains down and shakes the world.

Till born upon the pinions of the air,

Through the rent earth, the bursting waves appear;

Fiercely propell'd the whiten'd billows rise,

Break from the cavern, and ascend the skies:

Then lost and conquer'd by superior force,

Thro' hot Arabia holds its rapid course.

On Tiber's banks, where scarlet jasmines bloom,

And purple aloes shed a rich perfume:

Where, when the sun is melting in his heat,

The reeking tygers find a cool retreat;

Bask in the sedges, lose the sultry beam,

And wanton with their shadows in the stream,

                                               . . . .  (cont'd)