THE RIVER TICINUS:

By William Sidney Walker

Cœruleas Ticinus aquas et stagna vadoso

Perspicuus servat turbari nescia fundo,

Ac nitidum viridi latè trahit amne liquorem:

Vix credas labi; ripis tam mitis opacis,

Argutos inter volucrum certamina cantus,

Somniferam ducit lucenti gurgite lympham.

Thro’ these fair scenes the smooth Ticinus glides,

And in soft murmurs rolls his slumbering tides:

No mud disturbs the mirror calm and deep;

The clouds upon its stilly bosom sleep:

The varied beauties of the flowery scene

Chequer the azure light, and paint the floods with green.

Scarce seems the wave to roll, so sweetly flows

The tranquil stream, inviting soft repose:

While on its side, in tuneful contest gay,

Their mellow notes the feather'd songsters play.