('Tis virtue can alone impart There was a time (his Grace can tell) One day I call'd upon his Grace, 1 Upbraid Upbraided me with want of merit, You relish not the great man's lot? Come then, I'll take thee to my cot. Think me not partial to the great, I'm a fworn foe to pride and state: No monarchs fhare my kind embrace; There's fcarce a monarch knows my face: CONTENT fhuns courts, and oftner dwells With modeft worth in humble cells; There's no complaint, tho' brown the bread, Or the cold ftone fuftain the head; Tho' hard the couch, and coarfe the meat, Still the brown loaf and fleep are sweet. Far from the city I refide, And a thatch'd cottage all my pride. But But tho' from towns and crouds I fly, No humourist, nor cynic, I. Amidft fequefter'd fhades I prize The friendships of the good and wife. Bid VIRTUE and her fons attend, VIRTUE will tell thee, I'm her friend; Tell thee, I'm faithful, conftant, kind, And meek, and lowly, and refign'd; Will fay, there's no diftinction known Betwixt her houshold and my own. Author. If these the friendships you purfue, Yet fond of home from day to day! Content. I commune with myfelf at night, And ask my heart, if all be right: right," replies my faithful breast, I smile and clofe my eyes to rest. Author. Author. You feem regardlefs of the town: Pray, Sir, how stand you with the gown? Content. The clergy fay, they love me well; Whether they do, they best can tell : They paint me modeft, friendly, wife, And always praise me to the skies ; But if conviction's at the heart, Why not a correspondent part? For shall the learned tongue prevail, If actions preach a diff'rent tale? Who'll feek my door, or grace my walls, When neither dean nor prelate calls? With those my friendships most obtain, Who prize their duty more than gain; Soft flow the hours whene'er we meet, And confcious virtue is our treat; Our harmless breasts no envy know, And hence we fear no fecret foe; Our walks ambition ne'er attends, And hence we afk no pow'rful friends; We wish the beft to church and ftate, But leave the steerage to the great; Care Careless, who rifes, or who falls, Obferve the fecrets of my art, The paffions are a numerous croud, Regard the world with cautious eye, Life |