Classic Poem

Tell me Palemon, in this mournfull Hour
When Providence displays chastising Pow'r
What Strain can chear us in this awfull gloom
Or drive from Thought our Countries hapless Doom
Can you attend to Love or Friendships Voice
While War with all her horrid Din & Noise
Invades our Land; a cruel savage Race
Infest our Borders & disturb our Peace
All things in prospect pain our streaming Eyes
And retrospective wound us with Surprize
When I, return'd from City-noise & Strife
Would sing once more my happy rural Life
Would tell my Friend how much I prize the Shade
Beyond its tinsel'd glare & dull Parade
A sudden check darts o'er my drooping Soul
And thro' my Heart whole Floods of Sorrow roll
I throw my pen aside; my Countries Woes
Forbid me to indulge — an indolent Repose.