Poems and Extracts/Thus safely low, my Friend, thou canst not fall

by James Thomson (1700-1748)

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Thus safely low, my Friend, thou canst not fall;
Here reigns a deep tranquillity o'er all;
No noise, no care, no vanity, no strife;
Men woods and fields all breathe untroubled life:
Then keep each passion down however dear;
Trust me the tender are the most severe
Guard while 'tis thine, thy philosopic ease
And ask no joy but that of virtuous peace;
That bids defiance to the storms of fate;
High bliss is only for a higher state.10

Thomson.

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