Classic Poem

ON HIS MARRIAGE AND REMOVAL INTO THE COUNTRY .

Written at Stanway-Hall, in Essex.

W HATE'ER of lighter strain the Muse
Essay'd, in vacant hours of ease,
At thy expense to raise a smile,
I deem thy candour will excuse;
For sure I meant not to displease,
For sure I wish'd thee well the while.

And now the nuptial knot is tied,
That Muse no idle flattery brings,
Nor talks of joy unmix'd with care —
I trust that none who e'er has tried
The sober state of human things,
Will give thee hope such joy to share.

Domestic Life must soon be thine —
'Tis various as an April day;
'Tis pleasure, and now 'tis pain:
Through storms of foul and gleams of fine
Contented hold thy steady way,
And these enjoy, and those sustain.

From London's streets to solitude,
From brilliant shops to dirty fields,
From beaux and belles to rugged hinds —
The change I own is strange and rude:
Yet scarce a place so little yields,
But he who seeks amusement finds.

Perchance thou'lt not disdain to hear
The ploughman's history of the plain;
Thy sight the prospect's scenes may charm:
And sure fastidious is the ear,
That slights the milkmaid's simple strain,
At evening echoing from the farm.

The market lore of artful swains;
The price of cattle and of corn,
The sportsman's feats of dogs and guns; —
To practise that will cost thee pains;
And these with patience must be borne,
For he will be dislik'd who shuns.

Courage, my friend! whate'er our fate,
So versatile the human mind,
That oft, when novelty is o'er,
To objects of our former hate
Assimilated and resign'd,
We wonder they displeas'd before.

'Twas on the festive, social day,
Where Beauty cast her smiles around,
And Mirth the mind from care reliev'd;
What time our hands in harmless play,
Thy brow with wreaths of myrtle bound,
My thoughts this grateful lay conceiv'd.

From Stanway's groves, from fields of Layer
To other scenes and other friends
To-morrow calls my steps away:
Yet Memory them in view shall bear;
Yet them the wish of health attends,
And many a moment calm and gay.