A friend, a book, the stealing hours secure, And mark them down for wisdom. With swift wing, Or truth, divinely breaking on his mind, 1335 Of prattling children, twin'd around his neck, 1340 And emulous to please him, calling forth The fond parental soul. Nor purpose gay, Amusement, dance, or song, he sternly scorns; For happiness and true philosophy Are of the social still, and smiling kind. 1345 This is the life which those who fret in guilt, And guilty cities, never knew; the life, Led by primeval ages, uncorrupt, When angels dwelt, and GoD himself, with Man. OH NATURE! all-sufficient! over all! Ꮓ 2 1350 1356 O'er that the rising system, more complex, Of animals; and higher still, the mind, 1360 The varied scene of quick-compounded thought, And where the mixing passions endless shift; These ever open to my ravish'd eye; A search, the flight of time can ne'er exhaust. 1365 And whisper to my dreams. From THEE begin, 1371 Published as the Act. Firects Nov 1. 1,92. by AHamilton |