THE COUNTRY'S RECREATIONS Where strain'd sardonic smiles are glozing still, And sorrows only real be! Fly from our country pastimes, fly, Come, serene looks, Clear as the crystal brooks, Or the pure azured heaven, that smiles to see Peace, and a secure mind, Which all men seek, we only find. Abused mortals! did you know Where joy, heart's ease, and comforts grow, And seek them in these bowers Where winds sometimes our woods perhaps may shake, But blustering care could never tempest make, Saving of fountains that glide by us. Here's no fantastic mask, nor dance But of our kids that frisk and prance: Unless upon the green Two harmless lambs are butting one another— 49 Which done, both bleating run, each to his mother; And wounds are never found, Save what the ploughshare gives the ground. D Here are no false entrapping baits To hasten too-too hasty Fates; The fond credulity Of silly fish, which worldling-like still look The birds, for prize of their sweet song. Go, let the diving negro seek For gems hid in some forlorn creek; Save what the dewy morn Congeals upon each little spire of grass, Which careless shepherds beat down as they pass; And gold ne'er here appears Save what the yellow Ceres bears. Blest silent groves! O may ye be For ever mirth's best nursery! May pure contents For ever pitch their tents Upon these downs, these meads, these rocks, these mountains, And peace still slumber by these purling fountains; Which we may every year Find when we come a-fishing here! Anon. THE SHEPHERD'S WIFE'S SONG 51 LVIII THE SHEPHERD'S WIFE'S SONG Aн, what is Love? It is a pretty thing, For kings have cares that wait upon a crown, If country loves such sweet desires do gain, His flocks are folded, he comes home at night, And merrier too; For kings bethink then what the state require, If country loves such sweet desires do gain, He kisseth first, then sits as blithe to eat For kings have often fears when they do sup, If country loves such sweet desires do gain, To bed he goes, as wanton then, I ween, For kings have many griefs affects to move, If country loves such sweet desires do gain, Upon his couch of straw he sleeps as sound For cares cause kings full oft their sleep to spill, If country loves such sweet desires do gain, Thus with his wife he spends the year, as blithe As doth the king at every tide or sithe;1 And blither too ; For kings have wars and broils to take in hand, If country loves such sweet desires do gain, 1 Time. COUNTRY NIGHTS 53 LIX COUNTRY NIGHTS THE damask meadows and the crawling streams The purling springs, groves, birds, and well-weaved bowers, With fields enamelled with flowers, Present thee shapes, while phantasy discloses Then dream thou hearest the lamb with many a Woo'd to come suck the milky teat; Whilst Faunus in the vision vows to keep From ravenous wolf the woolly sheep; With thousand such enchanting dreams, which meet Speaks the last watch, but with the dawn dost rise Making thy peace with Heaven for some late fault, With holy meat and crackling salt. LX HEIGHO! chill go to plough no more! Sit down and take thy rest; Of golden groats I have full store To flaunt it with the best. Herrick. |