Description
before you, and let gush “Your furious waters with unshorten’d reins.” He bids–the watery gods retire,–break up Their narrow springs, and furious tow’rd the main Their waters roll: himself his trident rears And smites the earth; earth trembles at the stroke, Yawns wide her bosom, and upon the land A flood disgorges. Wide outspread the streams Rush o’er the open fields;–uproot the trees; Sweep harvests, flocks, and men;–nor houses stood; Nor household gods, asylums hereto safe. Where strong-built edifice its walls oppos’d Unlevell’d in the ruin, high above Its roof the billows mounted, and its towers Totter’d, beneath the watery gulf oppress’d. Nor land nor sea their ancient bounds maintain’d, For all around was sea, sea without shore. This seeks a mountain’s top, that gains a skiff, And plies his oars where late he plough’d the plains. O’er fields of corn one sails, or ‘bove the roofs Of towns immerg’d;–another in the elm Seizes th’ intangled fish. Perchance in meads The anchor oft is thrown, and oft the
