Page:Pastorals Epistles Odes (1748).djvu/78

 

To the EARL of DORSET.

Copenhagen, March 9, 1709.

ROM frozen climes, and endless tracts of snow, From streams which northern winds forbid to flow, What present shall the muse to Dorset bring, Or how, so near the pole, attempt to sing? 4The hoary winter here conceals from fight All pleasing objects which to verse invite.The hills and dales, and the delightful woods, The flow'ry plains, and silver streaming floods, 8By snow disguis'd, in bright confusion ly, And with one dazzling waste fatigue the eye.

 No gentle breathing breez prepares the spring, No birds within the desert region sing. 12The ships, unmov'd, the boist'rous winds defy, While rattling chariots o'er the ocean fly.The vast Leviathan wants room to play, And spout his waters in the face of day. 16The starving wolves along the main sea prowl, And to the moon in icy valleys howl.

O'er