 | The Poetical Works of Robert Anderson |  |
245
HODGE AND THE SQUIRE.
FROM THE MUSICAL FARCE OF THE BEGGAR GIRL.
Says our Squire, “Hodge, tell me, young shepherd swain,
Wilt thou leave thy flock, thy cottage, and plain,
In London great wealth and honours to gain,
And all fine sights to see?”
“Ah, no! by your leave, my good Sir,” said I,
“We're told, those who carry their heads too high,
Spend comfortless days, and on thorns oft lie;
But content still dwells with me!”
Wilt thou leave thy flock, thy cottage, and plain,
In London great wealth and honours to gain,
And all fine sights to see?”
“Ah, no! by your leave, my good Sir,” said I,
“We're told, those who carry their heads too high,
Spend comfortless days, and on thorns oft lie;
But content still dwells with me!”
Says our Squire, “I'll dress thee in clothing fine;
Thou on ev'ry choice dainty with me shalt dine;
Lac'd servants shall hand thee each costly wine;
Think, clown, what honour 'twill be!”
“In home-spun coat, I can merrily sing:
O'er my humble meal, I'm great as a king,
And when thirsty, I hie to the chrystal spring,
Where content still waits on me!”
Thou on ev'ry choice dainty with me shalt dine;
Lac'd servants shall hand thee each costly wine;
Think, clown, what honour 'twill be!”
“In home-spun coat, I can merrily sing:
O'er my humble meal, I'm great as a king,
And when thirsty, I hie to the chrystal spring,
Where content still waits on me!”
246
Says our Squire, “Rich dames thou shalt court at play,
Where music drives ev'ry dull care away;
Then while the sun shines, young shepherd, make hay;
Come now or never!” quoth he.
“At the dance on the green when the sun goes down,
With my Phillis, I envy not those in town;
Nor Phillis I'd leave, for a monarch's crown,
For content guards her and me!
Where music drives ev'ry dull care away;
Then while the sun shines, young shepherd, make hay;
Come now or never!” quoth he.
“At the dance on the green when the sun goes down,
With my Phillis, I envy not those in town;
Nor Phillis I'd leave, for a monarch's crown,
For content guards her and me!
“Go, take your dames, wealth, wine, and shows!
From care can you purchase an hour's repose?
Each neighbour's my friend; I know no foes;
And smile at poverty.
'Tis my wish to inhabit yon humble shed,
Where my forefathers honestly earn'd their bread;
And whenever misfortune bows down my head,
May content then dwell with me!”
From care can you purchase an hour's repose?
Each neighbour's my friend; I know no foes;
And smile at poverty.
'Tis my wish to inhabit yon humble shed,
Where my forefathers honestly earn'd their bread;
And whenever misfortune bows down my head,
May content then dwell with me!”
| The Poetical Works of Robert Anderson | |