| |
| WHY, ye tenants of the lake, | |
| For me your watery haunt forsake? | |
| Tell me, fellow-creatures, why | |
| At my presence thus you fly? | |
| Why disturb your social joys, | 5 |
| Parent, filial, kindred ties?— | |
| Common friend to you and me, | |
| Nature’s gifts to all are free: | |
| Peaceful keep your dimpling wave, | |
| Busy feed, or wanton lave; | 10 |
| Or beneath the sheltering rock | |
| Bide the surging billow’s shock. | |
| Conscious, blushing for our race, | |
| Soon, too soon, your fears I trace. | |
| Man, your proud usurping foe, | 15 |
| Would be lord of all below; | |
| Plumes himself in freedom’s pride, | |
| Tyrant stern to all beside. | |
| The eagle, from the cliffy brow, | |
| Marking you his prey below, | 20 |
| In his breast no pity dwells, | |
| Strong necessity compels; | |
| But man, to whom alone is given | |
| A ray direct from pitying Heaven, | |
| Glories in his heart humane,— | 25 |
| And creatures for his pleasure slain. | |
| In these savage, liquid plains, | |
| Only known to wandering swains, | |
| Where the mossy riv’let strays, | |
| Far from human haunts and ways, | 30 |
| All on nature you depend, | |
| And life’s poor season peaceful spend. | |
| Or, if man’s superior might | |
| Dare invade your native right, | |
| On the lofty ether borne, | 35 |
| Man with all his powers you scorn; | |
| Swiftly seek, on clanging wings, | |
| Other lakes and other springs; | |
| And the foe you cannot brave, | |
| Scorn at least to be his slave. | 40 |
| |
