Born when the star of Spring arose, Haply my auspices were cast for calm Of wood and dell. Form I admired and sounds and scents; Motion of waters, silences of stars-- Mighty their spell! No senate called me from the plow; No hundred thousand readers read my books-- They did not sell. Many the friends when life was new Heaven sent to me, but now, alas, reclaimed; Sound, Muse, their knell. You, who hereafter pass this way, Remember him who made this simple book And say farewell.