The Fall of the Leaf :: :: University of Virginia Library

Dost thou, oh Stranger! from the world's turmoil,
Seek in these awful scenes a safe retreat
From all the ills of life?—Ere thou dost build
Thine humble cottage on the rocky banks
Of this wild torrent, read these simple lines,
Carved on this bark by one, who knew the world too well!

“Seek'st thou contentment in this lonely spot?
“Examine first the secrets of thine heart.
“Hast thou fulfill'd the duties of thy station?
“If not—return thee to the world again;
“And, in its busy scenes, reclaim those hours
“Which Vice wrung from thee; for, in solitude,
“No happiness awaits that wretched man,
“Who leaves the world, because the world leaves him.
“No! He—who'd find enjoyment when alone,
“Must first be wise, be innocent, and good.

“But if, oh stranger! thou art hither driven,
“By wrongs of fortune, or the wrongs of man;
“Charm'd with the rude and awful character
“Of these wild rocks and mountains,—look around;
“Scan every object with a curious eye;
“Let not a spot be lost; since Solitude
“Has built her temple here. These towering rocks,
“These woods and mountains, and this winding stream
“Welcome thy coming:—every object round
“Tells thee, that here, from passing year to year,
“No bold intruder will disturb thy rest.
“Contentment reigns within the glen below,
“And freedom dances on the mountain's top.
“At early morn the hunter's call is heard;
“At close of day the shepherd's simple pipe
“Charms the lone valley with its rustic note.
“—Pause, wanderer, here then! go no farther on!
“And near this spot, which overlooks the glen,
“Erect thy home:—for here, in happy hour,
“What time the sun had shed his evening ray
“O'er all the prospect rude, a gentle maid,
“(Form'd in kind Nature's best and happiest mood,)
“In all the sweet simplicity of heart,
“Call'd this ‘the sweetest spot that she had ever seen.’”