TO THE RIVER ORWELL, BY MR. BERNARD BARTON. Opposite to Harwich, the river Orwell unites itself with the Stour, which rises on the western side of the county, and first running southward to Haverhill, takes an eastern direction, and forms, throughout its whole course, the boundary between Suffolk and Essex. It passes by Sudbury; and after being joined by the Bret and other smaller streams, receives the tide at Manningtree. The united waters of these rivers, having formed the port of Harwich, discharge themselves into the German Ocean, between that town, and Landguard Fort. Drayton, in his Poly-Olbion, thus describes the union of these Rivers : For it hath been divulg'd the Ocean all abroad, Tradition affirms, that the outlet of the Stour and Orwell was anciently on the north side of Landguard Fort, through Walton marshes, and that the place called the Fleets was part of this original channel. SWEET stream! on whose banks in residing, my childhood Untutor❜d by life in the lessons of care; In the heart-cheering whispers of hope still confiding, Futurity's prospects seem'd smiling and fair. Dear river! how gaily the sun-beams are glancing On thy murmuring waves, as they roll to the main! While my tempest-tost bark, on life's ocean advancing, Despairs of e'er finding a harbour again. Fair Orwell! those banks which thy billows are laving, Have listen'd with rapture to nature's wild song. But say, can thy groves, though with harmony ringing, Recal the emotions of youthful delight? Or can thy gay banks, where the flowerets are springing, Revive the impressions they once could excite? Ah no! those bright visions for ever are vanish'd, Adieu, lovely Orwell! for ages still flowing! ing, . Diffuse the sweet pleasure they've yielded to mine. F When this head is reclined on its last clay-cold pillow, My memory forgotten, my name passed away; May a Minstrel, more bless'd, snatch my harp from the willow, And devote to thee, Orwell! a worthier lay. LINES Written on the Coast of Suffolk, AUGUST 27, 1793. Aldeburgh derives its name from the river Alde, and is pleasantly situated under the shelter of a steep hill, which runs north and south the whole length of the principal street, about three quarters of a mile. It was formerly a place of considerable importance, but repeated incroachments of the sea have reduced it to the rank of a small fishing town. During the last century, the ocean made great ravages, and destroyed many houses, together with the market-place and cross. A plan of the town in 1559, which is still extant, proves it at that time to have been a place of considerable magnitude; and represents the Church as being at more than ten times its present distance from the shore; and that there were Denes of some extent, similar to those at Yarmouth, between the town and the sea. At the northern extremity, on the summit of the hill, stands the Church, an ancient building, though very much intermixed with modern work, with a handsome Porch, on the south side. It contains no remarkable monuments; but there are some stones apparently of considerable antiquity in the church-yard, which, from its elevated situation, commands a magnificent view of the ocean. Near the Church stands a Marine Villa, built on an Italian plan, by L. Vernon, Esq. and much admired for a beautiful octagon room. At the extremity of the town also, on the brow of the hill, are situated the mansion of the Hon. P. Wyndham; and a romantic Cassino, the favorite summer-residence of the Marquis of Salisbury. At the opposite end of the terrace, is the seat of W. C. Crespigny, Esq. For the protection of the fishery and trading vessels on this coast, there is a. battery of two eighteen pounders at the southern extremity of the main street; and a Martello tower on the beach, about three quarters of a mile further to the south, is intended to add to their security. This building, though commenced some years ago, yet remains unfinished; indeed the necessity and advantage of such an expensive erection appear equally doubtful. The native inhabitants of this place are chiefly fishermen. WHERE ALDEBURGH's delightful cliff o'erhangs There let me view the ocean's vast expanse, Now curls the whitening wave: how just an emblem Of the tranquil mind, which no rude storms invade, No tempests shake, no passions turbulent Assail Lo, now the heav'ns are over-cast, And whistling winds portend th' approaching storm. Assumes a form tremendous, loud threat'ning And in mad tumult toss themselves on high; Impetuous, dashing with terrific roar In this stupendous scene, behold the hand Upon the foaming surge! He rules the storm, Inscription FOR THE TOMB OF GUTHRUN THE DANE, In St. Mary's Church, Hadleigh: BY NATHAN DRAKE, M. D. Guthrum, Guthrun, or Gormo, the Dane, was one of those chieftains or sea-kings, who, towards the close of the ninth century, issuing from the heart of Scandinavia, carried all the horrors of the most savage warfare throughout the coasts, and even the interior of England. Educated in the religion of Odin, the acknowledged god of slaughter and desolation, these fierce warriors conceived themselves alone entitled to happiness in another world, in proportion to the violence of their own death, and the number of the enemy whom they had slain on the field of battle. |