The Rector of Overton A Novel Author:Overton General Books publication date: 2009 Original publication date: 1828 Original Publisher: Fisher, Son Notes: This is a black and white OCR reprint of the original. It has no illustrations and there may be typos or missing text. When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can sel... more »ect from more than a million books for free. Excerpt: 0 happy Britain! land of real worth! Peace-loving Britain ! Thou, when danger threats, Canst call thy num'rous bands of patriots forth, To fill thine armies, or to man thy fleets. Boldly they rush, yet steady to command, To conquer danger; but, when dangers cease, Gladly they seek again their native land, And cultivate the much-lov'd plains in peace. The morning light now spreads into the vales, And trees majestic catch th' enliv'ning beam; The floating mist now rapidly exhales, And Thames displays his willow-border'd stream. Majestic river! thou hast laved the walls Of towns and cities in thy devious course, Hast seen the domes and consecrated halls Where science and the muse their themes rehearse; Yet, will not now thy rapid current stay To view the tow'rs reflected on thy wave, Where glorious Edward, mighty in his day, Assembled ladies fair, and warriors brave. Then sumptuous banquets press'd the groaning board, And gracious beauty charm'd each courteous knight; While ev'ry day with lance, or with the sword, Were tried the movements of a harmless fight. Now bright, effulgent, glorious morning reigns, And the charm'd eye the whole rich landscape sees! Groves clothe the slopes, fresh verdure decks the plains, All waving in the morn's health-giving breeze. The cottage first sends up its pale blue smoke, Sign of preparing breakfast there below, Where infants from sweet slumber just awoke, Throng round the board, their humble shares to know. Next larger volumes from the blazing fires Of villas, farms, and houses, rise in a...« less