Thoughts in Rhyme (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1867 Excerpt: ...great powers Contended for conquest, we bade our adieu To scenes of red carnage--thy fields, Waterloo EMBARK ON STEAMER VICTORIA, TO GO UP THB RHINE. Frldav August 8th. We had a pleasant hour's ride Around the town of Bonn, And to the hotel called Bellevue Returned again at one. Our passage in Victoria took, (Best steamer of the line, ) To go as far as to Biberich, Upon the river Rhine. The scenes to us are wholly new, --Seven mountains rise before; A tower surmounts a rocky cliff Uprising from the shore. The hills along the eastern bank Are clad in mantling vines, Which grow in rich luxuriance Along the terraced lines. The sloping hills are terraced all, From base to utmost top; And every spot seems now to bear A most abundant crop. 'Tis only on the eastern bank The vines appear to grow; For on the west we do not see A plant, where'er we go. The scenes are all magnificent, In words not well expressed; Hills clad in vines upon the east, And woodlands on the west. Now towering cliffs and rugged rocks Hang o'er us as we pass; We can not see a living thing, A leaf, or blade of grass. GOING UP THE RHINE. Bluffs rise, with black and broken sides, Hundreds of feet in height, Whose overhanging, shelving tops Are fearful to the sight. At times, along the mountain slopes, Rich fields of waving grain We see, and farms extending wide, Composed of hill and plain. High mounted on the towering hills Castles in grandeur stand, Of which the lofty battlements Look down upon the land. A pleasing incident to-day Did pleasure great afford, When Dr. Chapin, of New York, Was seen to be on board. I rarely ever in my life Have witnessed such delight As our dear friends appeared to feel When first he came in sight. And not expecting here to meet, Upon the river Rhine, The loving fri...