Classic Poem

1

Come, my Ardelia, to this bowre,
Where kindly mingling Souls a while,
Let's innocently spend an houre,
And at all serious follys smile.

2

Here is no quarrelling for Crowns,
Nor fear of changes in our fate;
No trembling at the Great ones frowns,
Nor any Slavery of State.

3

Here's no disguise, not treachery,
Nor any deep conceal'd design;
From blood and plots this place is free,
And calme as are those looks of thine.

4

Here let us sit, and blesse our Starres
Who did such happy quiet give,
As that remov'd from noise of warres
In one another's hearts we live.

5

Why should we entertain a feare?
Love cares not how the world is turn'd:
If crouds of dangers should appeare,
Yet friendship can be unconcern'd

6

We weare about us such a charme,
No horrour can be our offence;
For mischief's self can doe no harme
To friendship and to innocence.

7

Let's mark how soone Apollo's beams
Command the flocks to quit their meat,
And not intreat the neighbour — streams
To quench their thirst, but coole their heat.

8

In such a scorching Age as this,
Whoever would not seek a shade
Deserve their happiness to misse,
As having their own peace betray'd

9

But we (of one another's mind
Assur'd,) the boistrous world disdain;
With quiet souls, and unconfin'd,
Enjoy what princes wish in vain.