FIRST mention that land where the Nile, overflowing,
Spreads beauty, and health, and fertility round,
Then think of that region, where torrid winds blowing,
Sand heaved from the plains falls like waves to the ground.
Next turn to that isle where the far-fam’d Colossus
(T’ Apollo held sacred) for many years stood,
And then, for a moment, let that town engross us,
Where Severn and Avon become but one flood.
But deem not that here our researches are ended;
Once more we must travel from England away,
And by our companion, fair Fancy, attended,
Must seek for an island where Britons bear sway.
The southern Atlantic the vast rock encloses,
And by suffering nations ’twill ne’er be forgot,
For he who once troubled all Europe reposes
In this insignificant, unlovely spot.
Now take the initials of each place selected,
And scarce need you pause, ere you hasten to tell
That the name of the orb, which will thus be detected,
Is the planet on which, for a season, we dwell.
Where day and where night, in alternate succession,
The hours of repose and activity bring,
And regular seasons, in annual progression,
The hand of Omnipotence constantly sing.
(Elizabeth Hitchener)
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Based on Topics: Night Poems, Fairness Poems, Friendship Poems, Name Poems, Beauty Poems, Health Poems, Astronomy & Cosmology PoemsBased on Keywords: progression, insignificant, engross, initials, encloses, colossus, fertility, detected, far-fam, researches