 | A collection of original poems and translations |  |
76
To a Friend.
In Imitation of an Epigram of Martial.
The Things that best teach Life to please
My dearest, happiest Youth, are these.
A Fortune, some kind Kinsman's Boon,
Unearned by Labour of your own;
A pleasant fruitful Berkshire Soil,
O'erpaying still the Tiller's Toil,
And from all Law-suits ever free,
Tho' even Pratt your Counsell be.
In State Affairs too small a share
Domestick Pleasures to impair.
A Body sound, a perfect Mind,
And Health to chearful Spirits join'd.
An open, yet discerning Brow,
A Board for welcome deck'd, not show;
And sprightly Mirth attendant there.
But free from Drunkenness as Care;
And ever fill'd with equal Friends,
Whom Worth like Walpole's recommends.
A Wife, from all Reserv'dness free,
Yet chaste as soft-ey'd Modesty;
In her pleas'd Arms a simp'ring Boy
The Pledge and Crown of all your Joy.
My dearest, happiest Youth, are these.
A Fortune, some kind Kinsman's Boon,
Unearned by Labour of your own;
A pleasant fruitful Berkshire Soil,
O'erpaying still the Tiller's Toil,
And from all Law-suits ever free,
Tho' even Pratt your Counsell be.
In State Affairs too small a share
Domestick Pleasures to impair.
A Body sound, a perfect Mind,
And Health to chearful Spirits join'd.
An open, yet discerning Brow,
A Board for welcome deck'd, not show;
And sprightly Mirth attendant there.
But free from Drunkenness as Care;
77
Whom Worth like Walpole's recommends.
A Wife, from all Reserv'dness free,
Yet chaste as soft-ey'd Modesty;
In her pleas'd Arms a simp'ring Boy
The Pledge and Crown of all your Joy.
Then, to be blest above Man's Share,
Desire to be just what you are;
But raise to Heav'n your grateful Eye,
And neither wish, nor fear to die.
Desire to be just what you are;
But raise to Heav'n your grateful Eye,
And neither wish, nor fear to die.
| A collection of original poems and translations | |