|
Page 87:-
But happy he whose breast with virtue glows,
Enjoying in his cot a sweet repose;
Unenvy'd views his neighbour's fertile fields,
Enrich'd with all the stores that Ceres yields;
Beholds the yellow sheaves, a num'rous train,
Nor wishes them to press his rolling wain;
But rests contented with his little store,
Nor dares to importune his God for more.
'Tis he alone that happiness enjoys;
'Tis he alone that rightly life employs.
Ambition ne'er disturbs his tranquil rest,
Nor Envy rankling in his peaceful breast;
The love of pomp and gold no cares impart,
For Pride and Envy never touch'd his heart.
To wield the sword, or dart the missile spear,
And spread abroad the horrid scenes of war,
Are not his wish; - but Peace is all he craves,
Nor once aspires to make mankind his slaves.
Such are the joys of those whose happy lot,
The Fates decree to dwell beneath a cot.
Let grandeur stile it impolite and rude,
Thus to partake the sweets of solitude;
And to the sight of mimic scenes depart,
Where simple nature is despoil'd by art;
Where the train'd trees in fancy'd form appear,
And avenues by rules made regular;
Where limpid streams in dull confinement flow,
With sullen majesty bewail their woe,
Are pointed out the course they are to go.
Let fashion's Dupe such fertile scenes enjoy,
While Nature's ample field my thoughts employ;
Beneath some spreading oak's luxuriant shade,
My listless limbs at silent eve be laid,
List'ning to the soft murmurs of a rill,
Or the rough cadence of the water-mill:
Behold the streams in humid radiance play,
Reflecting glories from the solar ray,
That gently stoops behind yon dark'ning wood,
To hide its beams beneath the western flood:
While Philomella tenderly complains,
And calls forth Echo from the distant plains;
Be these my joys: - unenvied shall remain
Whate'er delights the Great, or charms the Vain.
RUSTICUS.
|
Lakes Guides menu.
