 | Terrible tractoration, and other poems |  |
229
THE INDEPENDENT FARMER.
It may very truly be said
That his is a noble vocation,
Whose industry leads him to spread
About him a little Creation.
That his is a noble vocation,
Whose industry leads him to spread
About him a little Creation.
He lives independent of all
Except th' Omnipotent Donor:
Has always enough at his call—
And more is a plague to its owner.
Except th' Omnipotent Donor:
Has always enough at his call—
And more is a plague to its owner.
He works with his hands, it is true,
But happiness dwells with employment,
And he who has nothing to do
Has nothing by way of enjoyment.
But happiness dwells with employment,
And he who has nothing to do
Has nothing by way of enjoyment.
His labors are mere exercise,
Which saves him from pains and physicians;
Then, Farmers, you truly may prize
Your own as the best of conditions.
Which saves him from pains and physicians;
Then, Farmers, you truly may prize
Your own as the best of conditions.
230
From competence, shared with content,
Since all true felicity springs,
The life of a farmer is blent
With more real bliss than a king's.
Since all true felicity springs,
The life of a farmer is blent
With more real bliss than a king's.
| Terrible tractoration, and other poems | |