Nocturnall Lucubrations or, Meditations Divine and Morall. Whereunto are added Epigrams and Epitaphs: written by Rob: Chamberlain |
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In praise of a Country life. |
 | Nocturnall Lucubrations |  |
In praise of a Country life.
The winged fancies of the learned quill,Tel of strange wonders, sweet Parnassus hil,
Castalia's Well, the Heliconian Spring,
Star-spangled valleyes where the Muses sing.
Admired things another Storie yeelds,
Of pleasant Tempe, and th' Elysian fields;
Yet these are nothing to the sweet that dwells
In low built cottages, and country cells.
What are the Scepters, Thrones, and Crowns of kings,
But gilded burdens, and most fickle things?
What are great offices but cumbring troubles
And what are honours but dissolving bubbles
What though the gates of greatnes be frequented
With chains of glittring gold? he that's contented
Lives in a thousand times a happier way,
Than he that's tended thus from day to day.
Comets portending death, nor blazing stars
Trouble his thoughts; hee'l not post hast run
Through Lethe, Styx, and fiery Phlegiton
For gold or silver: he will not affright
His golden slumbers in the silent night
For all the precious wealth, or sumptuous pride
That lies by Tiber, Nile, or Ganges side.
Th'imbroidred meadows, & the crawling stream
Make soft and sweet his undisturbed dreams:
He revels not by day, nor in the nights,
Nor cares he much for Musicall delights;
And yet his humble roofe maintains a quire
Of singing Crickets round about the fire.
This harmlesse life he leads, and I dare say
Doth neither wish, nor feare his dying day.
| Nocturnall Lucubrations | |