THE RIVER DUDDON
XXXII
THE RIVER DUDDON
NOT hurled precipitous from steep to steep; Lingering no more ‘mid flower-enamelled lands And blooming thickets; nor by rocky bands Held; but in radiant progress toward the Deep Where mightiest rivers into powerless sleep Sink, and forget heir nature–‘now’ expands Majestic Duddon, over smooth flat sands Gliding in silence with unfettered sweep! Beneath an ampler sky a region wide Is opened round him:–hamlets, towers, and towns, 10 And blue-topped hills, behold him from afar; In stately mien to sovereign Thames allied Spreading his bosom under Kentish downs, With commerce freighted, or triumphant war.