Harvest-Home (1805) :: :: University of Virginia Library

Your Cot—so elegantly neat—
Might be Felicity's retreat;
And Lovers, such as we are told
Dwelt in the Cottages of old,
Where Shepherd-Swain and Shepherdess
Liv'd only to be bless'd and bless,
Might, just on such a spot, secure
A Paradise in Miniature.

There, little Man and little Wife
Might lead the true Arcadian life;
And could we, two of Elfin race
Establish in this charming place,
A tiny couple of that kind
Might there a fairy palace find.
And say, what prouder domes could match
Their small abode, tho' roof'd with thatch?
There's something in it so complete,
The blest Utopia smiles so sweet,

And looks—to Fancy's eye—so fair,
Would I were one of such a pair!

Such was the wish when first I saw
This beauteous Paradise of Straw;
But when the Furniture appear'd,
For which this Paradise was rear'd,
—A Magazine for Cards and Fishes,—
Swift as a thought I chid my wishes.

And, oh! I sigh'd,—and made wry faces,—
That I could pack off those four Aces;
That I might change those Knaves and Deuces
To things more fit for Cottage uses!
Then should the pompous Kings and Queens
Be all dismiss'd to prouder scenes;
Their Sceptres turn to Cupid's Darts,
And yet I'd hold the honest—Hearts.
But if a Diamond I should keep,
'T would only be to purchase Sheep.
Perhaps I might the Spades retain,
As emblems of the happy Swain:
But if the Club staid in the Cot,
'T would be as Guardian of the Spot,
Lest an Invader dar'd to come
And violate the Peasant's Home.

A Cottage full of cards is strange!
In truth, fair Builder, you must change
—Which you can do with equal ease—
To sweet simplicities like these:
Your ready and creative hand
Will be obedient to command,

Will bid each rural charm appear,
Till all that Fancy loves seems near;
The goodly China, in a row,
Shall on the Corner-cupboard glow;
The nut-brown Table shall be there,
The willow Couch and wicker Chair,
The Cuckoo Clock, and Bird-Cage small,
And Sampler gay, above them all;
A Picture meet for Parent's eye,
In token of fair industry.

But still, to crown the blest retreat,
A happy Pair must seem to sit—
A Strephon fit for Cottage Bride;
A Chloe smiling by his side;
The Chimney Corner these must grace,
Meet Furniture for that snug place;
And, while the social Faggots burn,
Each Comfort seems to take its turn;
And, that they may not pastime lack,
You may allow of Cards a pack,
Folded in paper three times double,
Just to consult in Joy or Trouble;
To see what Fortune has in store,
And when she means to frown no more;
And, when she smiles upon the past,
To find how long those smiles shall last:
Or, now and then, in stormy weather,
To play a harmless game together:
And blithesome thus, while rolls the year,
Their very Sorrows to endear.

Now when you thus have dress'd the spot,
The Muse shall call it Anna's Cot,

Where every Youth and Maid may see
What Cottage Furniture should be.
And though 'tis only Fancy gay,
That loves with Forms like these to play;
Which every Maid and every Youth
May, if they please, convert to Truth;
And, if they study Nature's Laws,
May realize what Anna draws:
And though it seems a shining vapour,
Compos'd of pasteboard, straw, or paper,
Fit only for a Baby-house,
And Folks no bigger than a Mouse;
Yet may the Virtuous and the Wise,
Of any age, or sex, or size,
Who 've learn'd true happiness to scan,
A Cottage build on Anna's plan.
Though hers is an Epitome,
They may improve on what they see.
'Tis but enlarging such a spot,
To blend a Palace with a Cot.

Life is, indeed, a House of Cards,
But the best Trumps are such Rewards.
O then, since you that House have rear'd,
And Virtue has your taste endear'd,
That you those best rewards may share,
Shall henceforth be the Poet's prayer;
Till every Cottage joy be known,
Form'd on a model of your own.

Miss A. Thomason.