I tell you chearful Tales, with all my Heart—
Tales meet for Feasts, with idle Mirth and Glee;
But Woes come in, and they will claim a part—
A woeful part—with my sad muse and me.
Matilda was sitting at Brandon-Hall,
And gazed on a River that rolled in its pride,
Like an Arm of the Sea—if aloud you would call,
You could not be heard to the farthermost side.
She there saw the Ships in their Majesty glide,
And Boats born along by the Sail and the Oar; 10