Classic Poem

A COUNTRY life is sweet!
In moderate cold and heat,
— To walk in the air how pleasant and fair!
In every field of wheat,
— The fairest of flowers adorning the bowers,
And every meadow's brow;
— So that I say, no courtier may
— Compare with them who clothe in gray,
And follow the useful plow.

They rise with the morning lark,
And labor till almost dark,
— Then, folding their sheep, they hasten to sleep
While every pleasant park
— Next morning is ringing with birds that are singing
On each green, tender bough.
— With what content and merriment
— Their days are spent, whose minds are bent
To follow the useful plow.