A Collection of Miscellanies Consisting of Poems, Essays, Discourses & Letters, Occasionally Written. By John Norris ... The Second Edition Corrected |
 |
The Discontent.
|
 | A Collection of Miscellanies |  |
The Discontent.
I
Not that it is not made my FateTo stand upon the dangerous heights of state,
Nor that I cannot be possest
Of th' hidden treasures of the East,
Nor that I cannot bathe in Pleasure's Spring
And rifle all the sweets which Natures gardens bring
Do I repine, my Destiny,
I can all these despise as well as you deny.
II
It shall not discompose my mindThough not one Star above to me prove kind.
Their influence may sway the Sea,
But make not the least change in me.
They neither can afflict my state, nor bless,
Their greatest gifts are small, and my desires are less.
My Vessel bears but little sail,
What need I then a full and swelling gale?
132
III
And yet I'm disconted too,Perhaps y' aspiring Souls as much as you;
We both in equal trouble live,
But for much different Causes grieve;
You, that these gilded Joys you can't obtain,
And I, because I know they're empty all and vain.
You still pursue in hopes to find,
I stand, and dare not flatter on my mind.
IV
This Tree of Knowledge is, I see,Still fatal to poor man's felicity.
That which yields others great repast,
Can't please my now enlighten'd taste.
Before, tho I could nothing solid find,
Yet still with specious Prospects I could please my mind.
Now all the farthest I can see
Is one perpetual Round of Vanity.
| A Collection of Miscellanies | |