Composed Upon The Thames Near Richmond [A]

Composed 1789.--Published 1798

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Glide gently, thus for ever glide,[B] O Thames! that other bards may see As lovely visions by thy side As now, fair river! come to me. O glide, fair stream! for ever so, Thy quiet soul on all bestowing, Till all our minds for ever flow As thy deep waters now are flowing.

Vain thought!--Yet be as now thou art, That in thy waters may be seen The image of a poet's heart, How bright, how solemn, how serene! Such as did once the Poet bless, Who murmuring here a later [C] ditty, Could find no refuge from distress But in the milder grief of pity.

Now let us, as we float along, For him suspend the dashing oar; [D] And pray that never child of song May know that Poet's sorrows more. How calm! how still! the only sound, The dripping of the oar suspended! --The evening darkness gathers round By virtue's holiest Powers attended.

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