A retrospective look to cast, For who, alas! our pity claim Like those whom Time consigns to shame, The Chisel thus, in double trust, With generous scorn is still survey'd ; Or Thou, lov'd Muse, supremely fair, Yes-Pair ador'd! the proud may spurn, Bless Bless the sweet banks where you have laid, have made; If but an atom of the Dome Which Virtue once had call'd her home, Whether a Palace, or a Cot, The heart would recognise the spot; HAMPTON! 'tis thus thy scenes I view, And in thy solemn walks is seen, i Tho' cut thro' one unvarying green, Calm Comtemplation,-Virtue's Friend,- I view fast crowding on the sight, Which once with Cupid's Court might vie! An apartment so called. But ah! the charms that won the heart, How different from the mighty Vine* When thou, proud Vine, art green no more. And last come forth on Eagle wing, The despot o'er a despot King: A more than eagle flight to try, He seem'd to hide but to be found. In a grape-house on the south side of the palace (70 feet by 14) is a vine of the black Hamburgh kind, which occupies the whole house, and is much celebrated for its size and produce. It was planted in the year 1769. The stem is about thirteen inches in girth, the principal branch having been trained back at the extremity of the house, is 114 feet in length. This vine has been known to produce in one year 2200 bunches of grapes, weighing on an average one pound each.--Lysons. From the information of Thomas Haverfield, principal gardener at Hampton-Court. ↑ Cardinal Wolsey's entertainment of the French ambassadors, given at Hampton-Court.-Stowe, in his Annals, has given an account of this magnificent festival. The following may offer some idea of its splendour: And And tho' the humblest at the Feast, Was proudest when he seem'd the least. Yes, good Lord Cardinal, for thee, But gaily mask'd thy sov'reignty. For him the Cooks wrought day and night, Yet, Wolsey, when thou seem'd in shade, "Then was there made great preparation of all things for this great assembly at Hampton-Court; the Cardinal called before him his principal officers, as steward, treasurer, controller, and clerk of his kitchen, to whom he declared his mind touching the entertainment of the Frenchmen at Hampton-Court, commanding them neither to spare for any cost, expence, or travayle to make such a triumphant banquet as they might not only wonder at it here, but, also, make a glorious report of it in their country; to the great honour of the King of England and his realm. The cookes wrought both day and night, with suttleties and many crafty devices, where lacked neither gold, silver, nor other costly thing, meet for their purpose: the yeomen and groomes of the wardrobe were busied in hanging of the chambers, and furnishing the same with beds of silk and other furniture in every degree." And Yet ah! full dearly didst thou pay And every Bard has mark'd the shame, FLORA JEALOUS. TO DR. THORNTON (a), ON RECEIVING A PRESENT OF SOME BEAUTIFULLY PAINTED PLANTS FROM HIS TEMPLE OF FLORA, TO DECORATE THE POET'S COTTAGE O FOR Some bow'ry nook, 'midst Nature's scenes A social morsel for a Friend to share! Thus pray'd the Muse a Poet's wish to crown.Upon a Poet's wish what Muse can frown? * See page 29 of this volume. The |