Man Speaker monologue (Act 3) — Dalziels' Illustrated Goldsmith

Fast by that shore where Thames' translucent stream Reflects new glories on his breast, Where, splendid as the youthful poet's dream, He forms a scene beyond Elysium blest; Where sculptured elegance and native grace Unite to stamp the beauties of the place; While, sweetly blending, still are seen, The wavy lawn, the sloping green; While novelty, with cautious cunning, Through every maze of fancy running, From China borrows aid to deck the scene:— There, sorrowing by the rivers glassy bed, Forlorn a rural band complain'd, All whom Augusta's bounty fed, All whom her clemency sustain'd. The good old sire, unconscious of decay, The modest matron, clad in homespun grey, The military boy, the orphan'd maid, The shatter'd veteran, now first dismay'd,— These sadly join beside the murmuring deep, And as they view the towers of Kew, Call on their mistress, now no more, and weep.