The Vision of the Angel of Destruction...Milman. 217 The Palace of Disease............... W. Thompson. 219 ELEGANT EXTRACTS. PART III. Descriptive. NEEDWOOD FOREST. PART I. NEEDWOOD! if e'er my early voice Our train hath deck'd thy wintry scene; With thy own wreath my brows adorn, And to thy praises tune my horn! What green robed nymph, all loose her hair, With buskin❜d leg and bosom bare, Steps lightly down the turfy glades, And beckons toward yon opening shades?— With wanton air and painted smile, VOL. II. B Lures to enchanted halls or bowers, Lead on, fair guide, ere wakes the dawn, First blush the hills with orient light, And pierce the sable veil of night, Green bends the waving shade above, And glistering dewdrops gem the grove: Next shine the shelving lawns around, Bright threads of silver net the ground; And down, the entangled brakes among, The white rill sparkling winds along; Then, as the pausing zephyrs breathe, The billowy mist recedes beneath; Slow as it rolls away unfold The vale's fresh glories green and gold; Dove* laughs, and shakes his tresses bright, Now glows the illumined landscape round! Nor season bounds nor change destroys: Where Summer yields her greens and flowers The river Dove. + The numerous groves and clumps of hollies give uncommon beauty to the winter scenes of Needwood Forest. t Mr. Emes, who ornamented Beaudesart, the seat of Lord Paget, which is seen from the Forest, and who has obtained great reputation for his taste in ornamental gardening, has frequently assured the author that he took his best hints from the scenes of Needwood. |