Then to my books return’d, with awe, My wondering thoughts, to trace, rehearse The course of that portentous law, That rules the universe. From them, and from the lofty height Of such my thoughts, I then descend To where my rustic friends await, My leisure to attend. And with them taking up the part, They give me in their toils and cares To share, with jokes that merry start, Away the evening wears. About his crops one tells me all, Another all about his vines, And what their neighbours may befall Each many a tale combines. I ponder o’er each sage advice; Their proverbs carefully I store; Their doubts and quarrels judge concise, As arbitrator o’er. My judgements all extol they free, And all together talking loud; For innocent equality Reigns in their breasts avow’d. Then soon the servant comes to bring The brimming jugs, and next with these The mirthful girl supplies the ring With chestnuts, and the cheese. And all, in brotherly content, Draw nearer round, to pass untold The sparkling cups, that wine present Of more than three years old. And thus my pleasant days to pass, In peace and happiness supreme, (For so our tastes our pleasures class,) But like a moment seem. REMEMBRANCES OF YOUTH. Like a clear little stream, That with scarcely a sound, Through the plain among flowers, Glides whirling around, So the fugitive years Of my easy life sped, Amidst laughter and play, Like a dream have fled. On that dream to look back, Oft in wonder I dwell; Nor to tear me have power From its pleasing spell. On each side in soft ease, With friends cherish’d and gay, In diversions and dance, In banquets and play, With roses Cytheran Sweet martyrdoms twine, Of the blinded ring join’d To deliriums of wine. And hopes so fallacious, Bright castles that shone In the air as upraised, By the winds overthrown. With the Muses to crown The grave tasks, that are born Of wisdom, with laurel Their sons to adorn: Here a thousand retreats Of charm’d leafy arcade, That to slumber beguile, In freshness and shade: There beyond in the bowers Of sweet Cnidus arise, As of fear and desire, Half mingled, the sighs: There the broad river spreads, Showing soft its delights, To oblivion of all Whose crystal invites; With a gaze of desire The fair banks I descend, And to the false waters My thirsty lips bend; For a full draught I seek, But feel suddenly by, Disenchant me the call Of a friendly cry:-- “Where impell’d dost thou go, In such blind madness, where? O, fool! round thy footsteps Hid dangers are there!