Ebook Thurlestone Church and Parish

To Thurlestone

(Adapted from a Poem to Devon by Joseph Cottle, 1832.)

Thurlestone! whose beauties prove, from flattery free.
The happy theme where wranglers all agree;
When troubles press, or health, that blessing, fails,
What joy to range thy renovating vales! -
Thy river to its mountain source explore,
Or roam refreshed beside thy craggy shore.
Thy distant offspring, with th' enthusiast's zest,
Extol thee still in charms perennial drest;
Trace and retrace each haunt of childhood sweet,
And 'Oh, my country!' in their dreams repeat.
And if at length, when years are on the wane,
Surmounting bars, and bursting every chain,
To their 'dear Thurlestone' they return once more,
What pleasure to renew the joys of yore!
Shrubs, rocks and flowers, voluptuous in attire,
Whatever eye can charm, or heart desire,
And in the distance, through some opening seen,
Old ocean, in his vast expanse of green.

'Ille terrarum mihi præter omnes
Angulus ridet.'

(Horace, Bk. II, Ode VI.)

Translation -
'Beyond all others smiles for me
That little corner of the world.'