But fhe would ne'er incline: "Prove to your equals true, fhe cry'd, As I will prove to mine. 'Tis STREPHON, on the mountain's brow, To him I gave my plighted vow, Struck with her charms and gentle truth; To her alone I gave my youth, And when this vow fhall faithless prove, The ftream that faw our tender love, QDE ODE to INDOLENCE, 1750. A H! why for ever on the wing Perfifts my weary'd foul to roam ? Thus the poor bird, that draws his name Lo! on the rural moffy bed My limbs with careless ease reclin'd; For why should lingering thought invade, Lov'st thou yon calm and filent flood, That never ebbs, that never flows; Protected by the circling wood From each tempeftuous wind that blows? An Where oft thy votary shall be found; What time pale autumn lulls the skies, And fickening verdure fades around. Ye bufy race, ye factious train, That haunt ambition's guilty fhrine; No more perplex the world in vain, But offer here your vows with mine.' And thou, puiffant queen! be kind : To weave for thee the rural bow'r; Diffolve in sleep each anxious care; And only let me wake to share VOL. I. K ODE ODE to HEALTH, 1730. HEALTH, capricious maid! Why doft thou fhun my peaceful bow'r, Where I had hope to fhare thy pow'r, And bless thy lafting aid? Since thou, alas! art flown, It 'vails not whether mufe or grace, Age not forbids thy ftay; Thou yet might'ft act the friendly part; Thou yet might'ft raife this languid heart; Thou fcorn'ft the city-air; I breathe fresh gales o'er furrow'd ground, I plunge into the wave; Thou wilt not deign to fave. Amid Where mineral fountains vainly bear Thou hear'ft the fportfman's claim; To drown the mufe's melting voice, Is thought thy foe? adieu Ye midnight lamps! ye curious tomes! And deals no more with you. Is it the clime you flee ? There was, there was a time, I did not rue the crime. Who then more bleft than I? When the glad fchool-boy's tafk was done, To freedom, and to joy? |