From this place1 we went to the Leasowes, where while Mr Johnson [4] & Mr Thrale [5] went up to have a nearer View of the Waterfall, I sat by the Root House, and wrote the following Verses…
1
To Shenstone [6] in his Grot retired
My truest praise I’ll pay:
And view with just Contempt inspired
The glitter of the Gay.2
From Keddlestone’s offensive Glare
From Chatsworth’s [7] proud Cascade;
From artful Hagley I repair
To thine and Nature’s Shade.3
When Rubens [8] thus too fiercely burns,
When Lucan [9] glows with Rage:
The Soul to softer Guido turns
Or Virgil’s [10] pastoral Page.
Written by Hester Lynch Thrale [11]. Thraliana [12] entry dated Aug to Sept 1777.
Links
[1] http://www.thrale.com/sites/default/files/pictures/hagley_hall_0.jpg
[2] http://www.thrale.com/user/login?destination=comment/reply/232%23comment-form
[3] http://www.thrale.com/user/register?destination=comment/reply/232%23comment-form
[4] http://www.thrale.com/samuel_johnson
[5] http://www.thrale.com/henry_thrale_17249_1781
[6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shenstone
[7] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chatsworth_House
[8] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Paul_Rubens
[9] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucan
[10] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgil
[11] http://www.thrale.com/hester_thrale_1741_1821
[12] http://www.thrale.com/thraliana_diary_mrs_hester_lynch_thrale
[13] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagley_Hall