210 The Wish
1.
Well then; I now do plainly see,
This busie world and I shall ne’r agree;
The very Honey of all earthly joy
Does of all meats the soonest cloy,
5 And they (methinks) deserve my pity,
Who for it can endure the stings,
The Crowd, and Buz, and Murmurings
Of this great Hive, the City.
2.
Ah, yet, ere I descend to th’grave
10 May I a small House, and large Garden have!
And a few Friends, and many Books, both true,
Both wise, and both delightful too!
And since Love ne’r will from mee flee,
A Mistress moderately fair,
15 And good as Guardian-Angels are,
Onely belov’d, and loving mee!
3.
Oh,Fountains, when in you shall I
My self, eas’d of unpeaceful thoughts, espy?
Oh Fields! Oh Woods! when, when shall I be made
20 The happy Tenant of your shade?
Here’s the Spring-head of Pleasures flood;
Here’s wealthy Natures Treasury,
Where all the Riches lie, that she
Has coyn’d and stampt for good.
4.
25 Pride and Ambition here,
Onely in far fetcht Metaphors appear;
Here nought but winds can hurtful Murmurs scatter,
And nought but Eccho flatter.
The Gods, when they descended, hither
30 From heav’en did always choose their way;
And therefore we may boldly say,
That ’tis the way too thither.
5.
How happy here should I,
And one dear Shee live, and embracing dy?
35 She who is all the world, and can exclude
In desarts Solitude.
I should have then this onely feare,
Lest men, when they my pleasures see,
Should hither throng to live like Mee,
40 And so make a City here.