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GRAY'S POEMS.
Full many a sprightly raceDisporting on thy margent green,[N 1]The paths of pleasure trace;Who foremost now delight to cleave, 25With pliant arm, thy glassy wave?The captive linnet which enthral?[N 2]What idle progeny succeedTo chase the rolling circle's speed,[V 1]Or urge the flying ball? 30
While some on earnest business bentTheir murm'ring labours ply'Gainst graver hours that bring constraintTo sweet liberty:Some bold adventurers disdain 35The limits of their little reign,


[N 3]

[N 4]

Variants

  1. ↑ Var. V. 29. "To chase the hoop's elusive speed." MS.

Notes

    "Say, father Thames, whose gentle paceGives leave to view, what beauties graceYour flowery banks, if you have seen.
    Perhaps both poets thought of Cowley, vol. i. p. 117:
    "Ye fields of Cambridge, our dear Cambridge, say,Have you not seen us walking every day."
    Dryden. An. Mirab. St. ccxxxii. "Old father Thames rais'd up his reverend head."

  1. ↑ V. 23. "By slow Mæander's margent green." Milton Com. 232. W.
  2. ↑ V. 27. This expression has been noticed as tautologous. Thomson, on the same subject, uses somewhat redundant language, Spring, 702:
    "Inhuman caught; and in the narrow cageFrom liberty confined and boundless air."
  3. ↑ V. 24. "To virtue, in the paths of pleasure trod." Pope. Essay on Man, iii. 233.
  4. ↑ V. 26. "On the glassy wave." Todd. ed. of Comus, p. 118.
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