Studies from the Antique and Sketches from Nature By Charles Mackay |
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THE CHOICE. |
 | Studies from the Antique and Sketches from Nature |  |
266
THE CHOICE.
I will tell, for I have chosen
Where my bosom friend shall be;—
Not where hollyhocks are flaunting,
But where violets scent the lea;
Not where gaudy parrots chatter,
But where larks and linnets sing;
Not with dahlias of the Autumn,
But with lilies of the Spring.
Ever birds of plainest plumage
Scatter sweetest music round;
Ever flowers of richest odour
Grow the nearest to the ground.
Where my bosom friend shall be;—
Not where hollyhocks are flaunting,
But where violets scent the lea;
Not where gaudy parrots chatter,
But where larks and linnets sing;
Not with dahlias of the Autumn,
But with lilies of the Spring.
Ever birds of plainest plumage
Scatter sweetest music round;
Ever flowers of richest odour
Grow the nearest to the ground.
267
So I'll tell my heart's best secret,
Where my bosom friend shall be;
Not where haughty riches gather
Needy knaves to bend the knee;
Not where Pride looks down on Merit,
Or where Beauty dwells with Scorn,
But where Wealth is linked with Goodness,
And the best are noblest born.
For the humblest are the wisest,
And the meek are glory-crowned;
And the sweetest-scented flow'rets
Grow the nearest to the ground.
Where my bosom friend shall be;
Not where haughty riches gather
Needy knaves to bend the knee;
Not where Pride looks down on Merit,
Or where Beauty dwells with Scorn,
But where Wealth is linked with Goodness,
And the best are noblest born.
For the humblest are the wisest,
And the meek are glory-crowned;
And the sweetest-scented flow'rets
Grow the nearest to the ground.
| Studies from the Antique and Sketches from Nature | |