Volume Iii Part 73 (1/2)
Over the broad hill creeps a beam, Like hope that gilds a good man's brow; And now ascends the nostril-steam Of stalwart horses come to plow.
Ye rigid plowmen, bear in mind Your labor is for future hours!
Advance--spare not--nor look behind-- Plow deep and straight with all your powers.
Richard Hengist Horne [1803-1884]
THE USEFUL PLOW
A country life is sweet!
In moderate cold and heat, To walk in the air how pleasant and fair!
In every field of wheat, The fairest of flowers adorning the bowers, And every meadow's brow; So that I say, no courtier may Compare with them who clothe in gray, And follow the useful plow.
They rise with the morning lark, And labor till almost dark, Then, folding their sheep, they hasten to sleep While every pleasant park Next morning is ringing with birds that are singing On each green, tender bough.
With what content and merriment Their days are spent, whose minds are bent To follow the, useful plow.
Unknown
”TO ONE WHO HAS BEEN LONG IN CITY PENT”
To one who has been long in city pent, 'Tis very sweet to look into the fair And open face of heaven,--to breathe a prayer Full in the smile of the blue firmament.
Who is more happy, when, with heart's content, Fatigued he sinks into some pleasant lair Of wavy gra.s.s, and reads a debonair And gentle tale of love and languishment?
Returning home at evening, with an ear Catching the notes of Philomel,--and eye Watching the sailing cloudlet's bright career, He mourns that day so soon has glided by, E'en like the pa.s.sage of an angel's tear That falls through the clear ether silently.
John Keats [1795-1821]
THE QUIET LIFE
What pleasure have great princes More dainty to their choice Than herdsmen wild, who careless In quiet life rejoice, And fortune's fate not fearing Sing sweet in summer morning?
Their dealings plain and rightful, Are void of all deceit; They never know how spiteful It is to kneel and wait On favorite, presumptuous, Whose pride is vain and sumptuous.
All day their flocks each tendeth; At night, they take their rest; More quiet than who sendeth His s.h.i.+p unto the East, Where gold and pearl are plenty; But getting, very dainty.
For lawyers and their pleading, They 'steem it not a straw; They think that honest meaning Is of itself a law: Whence conscience judgeth plainly, They spend no money vainly.
O happy who thus liveth!
Not caring much for gold; With clothing which sufficeth To keep him from the cold.
Though poor and plain his diet Yet merry it is, and quiet.
William Byrd [1538?-1623]
THE WISH