EPISTLES.
61
Meanwhile, my friend, the thick'ning shades I haunt,
And smooth canals, and after rivulets pant: 20
The smooth canals, alas, too lifeless show!
Nor to the eye, nor to the ear, they flow.
Studious of ease, and fond of humble things,
Below the smiles, below the frowns of kings, 24
Thanks to my stars, I prize the sweets of life:
No sleepless nights I count, no days of strife.
Content to live, content to dy, unknown,
Lord of myself, accountable to none; 28
I sleep, I wake, I drink; I sometimes love;
I read, I write; I settle, and I rove,
When, and where-e'er, I please: thus, every hour
Gives some new proof of my despotick power. 32
All, that I will, I can; but then, I will
As reason bids; I meditate no ill;
And, pleas'd with things which in my level ly,
Leave it to madmen o'er the clouds to fly. 36
And smooth canals, and after rivulets pant: 20
The smooth canals, alas, too lifeless show!
Nor to the eye, nor to the ear, they flow.
Studious of ease, and fond of humble things,
Below the smiles, below the frowns of kings, 24
Thanks to my stars, I prize the sweets of life:
No sleepless nights I count, no days of strife.
Content to live, content to dy, unknown,
Lord of myself, accountable to none; 28
I sleep, I wake, I drink; I sometimes love;
I read, I write; I settle, and I rove,
When, and where-e'er, I please: thus, every hour
Gives some new proof of my despotick power. 32
All, that I will, I can; but then, I will
As reason bids; I meditate no ill;
And, pleas'd with things which in my level ly,
Leave it to madmen o'er the clouds to fly. 36
But this is all romance, a dream to you,
Who fence and dance, and keep the court in view.
White staffs and truncheons, seals and golden keys,
And silver stars, your tow'ring genius please: 40
Who fence and dance, and keep the court in view.
White staffs and truncheons, seals and golden keys,
And silver stars, your tow'ring genius please: 40
Such
