{"id":1430,"date":"2019-04-29T03:39:15","date_gmt":"2019-04-29T03:39:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/142.150.46.75\/poemsandfancies\/?p=1430"},"modified":"2019-04-29T03:43:35","modified_gmt":"2019-04-29T03:43:35","slug":"of-an-island","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/?p=1430","title":{"rendered":"Of an Island"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/span>1<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\n

There was an island, rich by Nature\u2019s grace;
\nIn all the world it was the sweetest place,
\nSurrounded with the seas, whose waves don\u2019t miss<\/span>2<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nTo do her homage, and her feet do kiss.<\/span>3<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nEach wave did seem<\/span>4<\/sup><\/a><\/span> by turn to<\/span>5<\/sup><\/a><\/span> bow down low,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 5
\nAnd proud to touch her as they overflow.<\/span>6<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nArmies of waves in troops high tides brought<\/span>7<\/sup><\/a><\/span> on,
\nWhose wat\u2019ry arms did<\/span>8<\/sup><\/a><\/span> glister like<\/span>9<\/sup><\/a><\/span> the sun,
\nAnd on their backs burthens of ships did<\/span>10<\/sup><\/a><\/span> bear,
\nPlacing them in her havens with great care.<\/span>11<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 10
\nNot mercenary, for no pay they\u2019d have,<\/span>12<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nYet<\/span>13<\/sup><\/a><\/span> as her guard did<\/span>14<\/sup><\/a><\/span> watch to keep her safe,
\nAnd in a ring they circled<\/span>15<\/sup><\/a><\/span> her about,
\nStrong as a wall, to keep her foes without.<\/span>16<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nThe winds did serve her, and on clouds did<\/span>17<\/sup><\/a><\/span> ride,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 15
\nBlowing their trumpets loud on every side;
\nServing<\/span>18<\/sup><\/a><\/span> as scouts, they searched<\/span>19<\/sup><\/a><\/span> in every lane,
\nAnd galloped<\/span>20<\/sup><\/a><\/span> in the forests,<\/span>21<\/sup><\/a><\/span> fields, and plain.
\nWhile she did please the gods, she did live safe,<\/span>22<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nAnd they all kind of pleasures to her gave.<\/span>23<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 20
\nFor all this place was<\/span>24<\/sup><\/a><\/span> fertile, rich, and fair;
\nBoth woods and hills and dales in prospects were.<\/span>25<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nBirds pleasure took,<\/span>26<\/sup><\/a><\/span> and with delight did<\/span>27<\/sup><\/a><\/span> sing;
\nIn praises of this isle the woods did<\/span>28<\/sup><\/a><\/span> ring.
\nTrees thrived with joy, for she their roots well fed,<\/span>29<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 25
\nAnd,<\/span>30<\/sup><\/a><\/span> tall with pride, their tops did<\/span>31<\/sup><\/a><\/span> overspread,
\nDanced<\/span>32<\/sup><\/a><\/span> with the winds when they did<\/span>33<\/sup><\/a><\/span> sing and blow,
\nPlayed<\/span>34<\/sup><\/a><\/span> like a wanton kid, or a<\/span>35<\/sup><\/a><\/span> swift roe.
\nTheir several branches several birds did<\/span>36<\/sup><\/a><\/span> bear,
\nWhich hopped and skipped,<\/span>37<\/sup><\/a><\/span> and always merry were;<\/span>38<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 30
\nTheir leaves did<\/span>39<\/sup><\/a><\/span> wave, and, rushing, make a noise,
\nAnd<\/span>40<\/sup><\/a><\/span> many ways strived to express<\/span>41<\/sup><\/a><\/span> their joys.
\nAll<\/span>42<\/sup><\/a><\/span> flowers there looked<\/span>43<\/sup><\/a><\/span> fresh and gay with mirth,
\nWhilst they were<\/span>44<\/sup><\/a><\/span> danced upon the lap of Earth.
\nTh\u2019isle was their mother,<\/span>45<\/sup><\/a><\/span> they her children sweet,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 35
\nBorn from her loins, got by Apollo great,
\nWho dressed and pruned them often with great care,<\/span>46<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nAnd washed their leaves with dew to make them fair,<\/span>47<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nWhich being done,<\/span>48<\/sup><\/a><\/span> he wiped<\/span>49<\/sup><\/a><\/span> those drops away
\nWith webs of heat,<\/span>50<\/sup><\/a><\/span> which he weaves every day,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 40
\nPaint<\/span>51<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/span>52<\/sup><\/a><\/span> them with several colors intermixed,
\nVeiled<\/span>53<\/sup><\/a><\/span> them with shadows every leaf betwixt.
\nTheir heads he dress\u2019d, their hairy leaves spread out,<\/span>54<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nWreathed round their crowns his golden beams about,<\/span>55<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nFor he this isle esteemed<\/span>56<\/sup><\/a><\/span> above the rest;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 45
\nOf all his wives he had, he loved<\/span>57<\/sup><\/a><\/span> her best.
\nDaily he did present her with some gift:<\/span>58<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nTwelve ells of light, to make her smocks<\/span>59<\/sup><\/a><\/span> for shift,
\nWhich, every time he came, he put<\/span>60<\/sup><\/a><\/span> on clean,<\/span>61<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nAnd chang\u00e8d oft, that she may lovely seem.<\/span>62<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 50
\nAnd when he from her went,<\/span>63<\/sup><\/a><\/span> the world to see,
\nHe left<\/span>64<\/sup><\/a><\/span> his sister<\/span>65<\/sup><\/a><\/span> for her<\/span>66<\/sup><\/a><\/span> company,
\nWhose name is Cynthia<\/span>67<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u2014though pale, yet clear,
\nWhich makes her always in dark clouds appear.
\nBesides, he left<\/span>68<\/sup><\/a><\/span> his stars to wait, for fear<\/span>69<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 55
\nHis isle too sad should be<\/span>70<\/sup><\/a><\/span> when he\u2019s not there,
\nAnd from his bounty clothed<\/span>71<\/sup><\/a><\/span> them all with light,
\nWhich makes them twinkle in a frosty night.
\nHe never brought<\/span>72<\/sup><\/a><\/span> hot beams to do her harm,
\nNor let<\/span>73<\/sup><\/a><\/span> her take a cold, but lapped<\/span>74<\/sup><\/a><\/span> her warm;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 60
\nHe<\/span>75<\/sup><\/a><\/span> mantles rich of equal heat o\u2019erspread,<\/span>76<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nAnd covered<\/span>77<\/sup><\/a><\/span> her with color crimson red.
\nHe gave<\/span>78<\/sup><\/a><\/span> another o\u2019er her head to lie\u2014
\nThe colour is a pure bright azure sky\u2014
\nAnd with soft air did<\/span>79<\/sup><\/a><\/span> line them all within,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 65
\nLike<\/span>80<\/sup><\/a><\/span> furs in winter, in summer satin thin.
\nWith silver clouds he fring\u00e8d<\/span>81<\/sup><\/a><\/span> them about,
\nAnd<\/span>82<\/sup><\/a><\/span> spangled meteors glist\u2019ring hung<\/span>83<\/sup><\/a><\/span> without.
\nThus gave her<\/span>84<\/sup><\/a><\/span> change, lest she<\/span>85<\/sup><\/a><\/span> should weary grow,
\nOr think them old, and so away them throw.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 70
\nNature adorned<\/span>86<\/sup><\/a><\/span> this island all throughout
\nWith landscapes, riv\u2019lets, prospects round about;<\/span>87<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nThere hills<\/span>88<\/sup><\/a><\/span> o\u2019ertopped<\/span>89<\/sup><\/a><\/span> the dales, which level be,<\/span>90<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nCovered<\/span>91<\/sup><\/a><\/span> with cattle feeding eagerly.<\/span>92<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nGrass grew<\/span>93<\/sup><\/a><\/span> up even to the belly high,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 75
\nWhere beasts that chew their cud lay pleasantly,<\/span>94<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nWhisking their tails about, the flies to beat,
\nOr else to cool them from the sultry heat.
\nNature, willing to th\u2019gods her love<\/span>95<\/sup><\/a><\/span> to show,
\nSent plenty in, like Nile\u2019s great overflow,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 80
\nAnd temperate seasons gave,<\/span>96<\/sup><\/a><\/span> and equal lights:
\nWarm<\/span>97<\/sup><\/a><\/span> sunshine days, and dewy moonshine nights.
\nAnd in this pleasant island, peace did dwell;
\nNo noise of war or sad tale could it tell.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There was an island, rich by Nature\u2019s grace; In all the world it was the sweetest place, Surrounded with the seas, whose waves don\u2019t miss To do her homage, and her feet do kiss. Each wave did seem by turn to bow down low,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 5 And proud to touch her as they overflow. … Continue reading Of an Island<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[222],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1430","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-clasp-2-3"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1430","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1430"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1430\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1434,"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1430\/revisions\/1434"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1430"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1430"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1430"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}