David Gray

Pactolus Singeth over golden sand

Pactolus singeth over golden sand;

Scamander, old and blood-empurpled river,

Rolls yet her divine waters ; Castaly

Flows lucid in the light of ancient song ;

 

Whilst thou, sweet Luggie! fairest of this land,

And fair as any of that famous throng,

In pastoral, still loveliness, must be

Bald as a marshy brooklet nameless ever!

 

Nay, by the spirit of beauty and dear pleasure,

Sure I shall sing thee as m y first delight,

Nurse of my soul, companion of my leisure!

 

And if in aftertime thy waters roll

More worthily,more spiritually bright,

It will be sunshine to my perfect soul.