 | Poems on Several Occasions |  |
95
CLAUDIAN's Old Man of VERONA.
Blest! Husbandman, whose frugal Hands have till'd
(His Life's Imployment) his Paternal Field!
The Cottage and the Roof that did behold
His Infant Years, now see him very Old:
Propp'd on his Staff, he numbers o'er, intent,
The many Years within that Cottage spent.
(His Life's Imployment) his Paternal Field!
The Cottage and the Roof that did behold
His Infant Years, now see him very Old:
Propp'd on his Staff, he numbers o'er, intent,
The many Years within that Cottage spent.
With Fortune did he never wish to roam,
Nor ever wandered from his peaceful Home;
Nor fear'd Sea Storms, nor heard th' Alarms of War,
Nor the hoarse Wrangling of the noisy Bar.
Nor ever wandered from his peaceful Home;
96
Nor the hoarse Wrangling of the noisy Bar.
Rude to the World, and Stranger to its Care,
He breathes, in open Skies, untainted Air.
He breathes, in open Skies, untainted Air.
By Seasons, only, he computes the Year,
Flowers shew the Spring, and Fruits the Autumn near.
In the same Field, at Work he do's survey
The rising Sun, and marks his setting Ray;
And his own Labour measures out the Day.
Flowers shew the Spring, and Fruits the Autumn near.
In the same Field, at Work he do's survey
The rising Sun, and marks his setting Ray;
And his own Labour measures out the Day.
Tall sturdy Oaks, but slender Twigs, he knew;
He and the Forest Old together grew.
He and the Forest Old together grew.
Near to his blest Abode Verona stands,
Yet distant, seems, to him, as India's Lands.
Benacus Lake, which glads his Neighbourhood,
He counts remoter than the Persic Flood.
Yet distant, seems, to him, as India's Lands.
Benacus Lake, which glads his Neighbourhood,
He counts remoter than the Persic Flood.
97
Mean Time the Hale, old Sire delights to see
Of Grandsons a long vig'rous Progeny.
Of Grandsons a long vig'rous Progeny.
Who Rambles, only knows Fatigue and Noise;
At Home, who rests contented, Life enjoys.
At Home, who rests contented, Life enjoys.
| Poems on Several Occasions | |