Classic Poem

AFTER MARRIAGE, TO LIVE IN THE COUNTRY .

Come , my dear girl, let's seek the peaceful vale,
Where honour, truth, and innocence prevail.
Let's fly this cursed town — a nest of slaves —
Where fortune smiles not but on fools or knaves,
Who merit claim proportion'd to their gold,
And truth and innocence are bought and sold.
An humble competence we have in store,
Mere food and raiment — kings can have no more!
A glorious patriarchal life we'll lead,
See the fruits ripen, and the lambkins feed;
Frequent observe the labours of the spade,
And joy to see each yearly toil repaid;
In some sequester'd spot a bower shall stand,
The favourite task of thy lov'd Damon's hand,
Where the sweet woodbine clasps the curling vine,
Emblem of faithful love, like your's and mine!
Here will we sit when evening shades prevail,
And hear the night-bird tell its plaintive tale,
Till nature's voice shall summon us away,
To gather spirits for the' approaching day;
Then on thy breast I'll lay my weary head,
A pillow softer than a monarch's bed!