A collection of original poems and translations :: :: University of Virginia Library

D---, of rural Scenes a Lover grown,
Salutes his Friend a Lover of the Town,
Ecexpt the Variance this and Fatness make,
Who think we disagree, perhaps mistake;
(The Difference much the same, as is between
The Egg a Swan produces, and a Hen:)
Debating, scribling, sauntring, sitting still,
Studious of Ease, and Brothers of the Quill.

London your Choice, I know it; but approve
The mossy Seat, the River and the Grove.
If you shou'd ask how I employ my Hour;
Better than those in Place, or e'en in Pow'r,

195

Not plagu'd with Patrons, nor a Slave to Pelf,
Lord of my Time, and Master of Myself.
What have your noisy Streets like this to give?
Or what like this, Sir Robert to receive?

C---, disgrac'd in Ariconian Vales,
Likes, I am told, the Neighbourhood of Wales,
Sick of Parade, Attendance, and Resort,
Flies, and exhales the Surfeit of a Court.

A Ground-plot wanting for some neat Design.
Consult the Oracle at Nature's Shrine,
“Build in the Country, says the Voice Divine”.

Is there, where Winters purer Joys inspire,
Morn's wholesome Frost, and Even's smokeless Fire?
Is there, where Summer's more refreshing Gales,
Fan the scorch'd Hills, and chear the drooping Dales?
Where Discontent a rarer Guest is seen,
And Slumbers fall untainted by the Spleen.

197

What is that Marble Portal to this Bow'r,
Array'd in Green, or pearl'd by ev'ry Show'r?
Or what the Stream, that Pipes and Conduits yield
To the bright Rill, that trickles thro' my Field?

Know then, ye own your Wants; for it is clear
In Town ye humbly mimick what is here.
Look at St. James or on Lincoln Square,
Behold our Walks, our Trees, and our Parterre.
Why Buckingham's gay Ville so pleasant stands?
Because a length of Country it commands.

Nature in spight of Violence and Removes,
Returns elastic to the Point she loves;
Spight of Distortions, she appears the same,
And from the Bend recovers, like the Palm.

Not she, whose want of Tast, or want of Care,
Buys the resembling Delft for China-Ware:

199

Not they who to a City-Vault resort,
Instead of Claret, Purchasers of Port,
Are not howe'er so much deceiv'd, as who
Mistake unreal Blessings for the true.
Who launch too far in Fortune's peaceful Lake,
The Tempest of Adversity will shake.
Hard 'tis to part with what allures the Eyes
And the Hand pauses e'er it drops the Prize.

Fly then betimes from Levees, Balls and Rings,
To the still Shade where Peace eternal springs
Despise with me the Great, and pity Kings.

Britons, impatient of the Saxon reign,
Call'd in, suppose, their good Ally the Dane.
Their good Ally to Conquest led the Way,
But took the whole Dominion for his Pay,
The Stranger wanton in his new Abode,
Soon on the Neck of Vassal Nobles trod,
And lifted high the Hand, and exercis'd the Rod.

201

Thus, if my Friend should for Preferment trade,
And sell his Liberty, of Want afraid;
The meagre Monster is no more, I own,
But a more Lordly Tyrant mounts the Throne;
And who a Treasure by Dependance gains,
I wish him well, and long to wear his Chains.

'Tis known that Shoes (and why not an Estate?)
Pinch or supplant, too little or too great.

Be wise, and be content, tho' short of Wealth,
With the rich Gifts of Competence and Health:
Don't trifle with the Happiness they bring,
For virtuous Freedom is a Sacred Thing.
And when you see me break the Rule laid down,
When you behold me fawning in the Town;
Give Indignation an uncheck'd Career,
Don't spare thy Satire, prithee be severe.