Life and Phantasy by William Allingham: With frontispiece by Sir John E. Millais: A design by Arthur H. Hughes and a song for voice and piano forte |
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THE HONEST FARMER. |
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 | Life and Phantasy |  |
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THE HONEST FARMER.
Happy I count the Farmer's life,
Its various round of wholesome toil,
An honest man with loving wife,
And offspring native to the soil.
Its various round of wholesome toil,
An honest man with loving wife,
And offspring native to the soil.
Thrice happy, surely!—in his breast
Plain wisdom and the trust in God;
His path more straight from east to west
Than politician ever trod.
Plain wisdom and the trust in God;
His path more straight from east to west
Than politician ever trod.
His gain's no loss to other men;
His stalwart blows inflict no wound;
Not busy with his tongue or pen,
He questions truthful sky and ground.
His stalwart blows inflict no wound;
Not busy with his tongue or pen,
He questions truthful sky and ground.
Partner with seasons and the sun,
Nature's co-worker; all his skill
Obedience, ev'n as waters run,
Winds blow, beast, herb their laws fulfil.
Nature's co-worker; all his skill
Obedience, ev'n as waters run,
Winds blow, beast, herb their laws fulfil.
An active youthhood, clean and bold;
A vigorous manhood; cheerful age;
His comely children proudly hold
Their parentage best heritage.
A vigorous manhood; cheerful age;
His comely children proudly hold
Their parentage best heritage.
Unhealthy work, false mirth, chicane,
Guilt, needless woe, and useless strife,—
O cities, vain, inane, insane!—
How happy is the Farmer's life!
Guilt, needless woe, and useless strife,—
O cities, vain, inane, insane!—
How happy is the Farmer's life!
| Life and Phantasy | |