Thurlestone Church and Parish #247075

To Thurlestone<br><br>(Adapted from a Poem to Devon by Joseph Cottle, 1832.)<br><br>Thurlestone! whose beauties prove, from flattery free.<br>The happy theme where wranglers all agree;<br>When troubles press, or health, that blessing, fails,<br>What joy to range thy renovating vales! -<br>Thy river to its mountain source explore,<br>Or roam refreshed beside thy craggy shore.<br>Thy distant offspring, with th' enthusiast's zest,<br>Extol thee still in charms perennial drest;<br>Trace and retrace each haunt of childhood sweet,<br>And 'Oh, my country!' in their dreams repeat.<br>And if at length, when years are on the wane,<br>Surmounting bars, and bursting every chain,<br>To their 'dear Thurlestone' they return once more,<br>What pleasure to renew the joys of yore!<br>Shrubs, rocks and flowers, voluptuous in attire,<br>Whatever eye can charm, or heart desire,<br>And in the distance, through some opening seen,<br>Old ocean, in his vast expanse of green.<br><br>'Ille terrarum mihi præter omnes<br>Angulus ridet.'<br><br>(Horace, Bk. II, Ode VI.)<br><br>Translation -<br>'Beyond all others smiles for me<br>That little corner of the world.'