 | Poems on Several Occasions |  |
118
An Answer to Mr. G's Invitation to the Fields and Groves.
Whene'er the peaceful Muse invites,
To sylvan Scenes, and pure Delights,
I readily prepare:
And follow, where she kindly leads,
To friendly Groves, or flow'ry Meads,
Those soft Retreats from Care:
I go to breathe fresh Odours of the Spring,
To see the painted Birds, and hear them sing.
To sylvan Scenes, and pure Delights,
I readily prepare:
And follow, where she kindly leads,
To friendly Groves, or flow'ry Meads,
Those soft Retreats from Care:
I go to breathe fresh Odours of the Spring,
To see the painted Birds, and hear them sing.
Already I have pass'd the Plains,
Am come where solid Pleasure reigns
Amidst the silent Groves:
Far from the Town's distracting Noise,
Far from the Scene of guilty Joys,
To what my Soul approves.
And on a verdant Bank serenely laid,
Enjoy the Pleasures of the secret Shade.
Am come where solid Pleasure reigns
Amidst the silent Groves:
119
Far from the Scene of guilty Joys,
To what my Soul approves.
And on a verdant Bank serenely laid,
Enjoy the Pleasures of the secret Shade.
How grateful are the murm'ring Streams!
My Thoughts are turn'd to heav'nly Themes,
Chaste Raptures fire my Heart:
Ah! what are Crowns compar'd to This,
Or all the Sum of earthly Bliss,
Where Virtue has no Part?
Transported thus in Eden's fragrant Bow'rs,
The first fond Pair employ'd their happy Hours.
My Thoughts are turn'd to heav'nly Themes,
Chaste Raptures fire my Heart:
Ah! what are Crowns compar'd to This,
Or all the Sum of earthly Bliss,
Where Virtue has no Part?
Transported thus in Eden's fragrant Bow'rs,
The first fond Pair employ'd their happy Hours.
120
Till Sin, that gives a deadly Wound,
Had drove them from celestial Ground
To Labour and to Care:
Then let us fly the Tempter's Call,
Instructed by our Parents Fall,
And shun the gilded Snare.
They for lost Innocence to Earth were driv'n;
Let us retain it and ascend to Heav'n.
Had drove them from celestial Ground
To Labour and to Care:
Then let us fly the Tempter's Call,
Instructed by our Parents Fall,
And shun the gilded Snare.
They for lost Innocence to Earth were driv'n;
Let us retain it and ascend to Heav'n.
| Poems on Several Occasions | |