STREPHON'S sole care is, how to join
The lofty elm and tender vine;
Whilst in the vale beneath he views
His wand'ring sheep and grazing cows.

Sometimes he prunes the useless shoots,
And grafts a branch of better fruits;
Or casks the honey's luscious juice,
Or shears his tender sickly ewes.

When Autumn's fruitful month appears,
He gathers, with delight, the pears,
And purple grapes so red, so sweet,
From trees and vines himself had set.

Sometimes he basks beneath the shade,
Or on the grass supinely laid,
Close by some brook, or limpid spring;
Whilst all the winged musicians sing.

The rivers murmur as they creep,
And gently lull the Swain to sleep.
These pleasures and these sports remove
All thoughts of Care, and pains of Love!

No! No! 'Tis in vain, in this turbulent Town,
To expect either pleasure or rest!
To hurry and nonsense still tying us down,
'Tis an overgrown Prison at best!

From hence, to the Country escaping away;
Leave the crowd and the bustle behind!
And there, you'll see liberal Nature display
A thousand delights to Mankind!

The change of the Seasons, the sports of the fields, The sweetly diversified scene,

The groves, and the gardens;-nay! everything yields A happiness ever serene!

Here, here, from ambition and avarice free,

My days may I quietly spend!

Whilst the Cits and the Courtiers, unenvied by me, May gather up wealth without end!

No! I thank them! I'll never, to add to my store,
My peace and my freedom resign!

For who, for the sake of possessing the ore,
Would be sentenced to dig in the mine?

CONTENTMENT.

No glory I covet! no riches I want!

Ambition is nothing to me!

The one thing I beg of kind Heaven to grant,
Is a mind independent and free.

With Passion unruffled, untainted with pride,
By Reason my life let me square!

The wants of my nature are cheaply supplied,
And the rest is but folly and care!

The blessings which Providence freely has lent,
I'll justly and gratefully prize;

While sweet meditation and cheerful content
Shall make me both healthy and wise!

In the pleasures the Great Man's possessions display,
Unenvied, I'll challenge my part!

For ev'ry fair object my eyes can survey
Contributes to gladden my heart!

How vainly, through infinite trouble and care,
The many their labours employ !

Since all that is truly delightful in life,
All but slaves, if they will, may enjoy!

IF doughty deeds my Lady please,
Right soon I'll mount my steed!
And strong his arm, and fast his seat,
That bears frae me the meed!
I'll wear. thy colours in my cap!
Thy picture in my heart!

And he that bends not to thine eye,

Shall rue it to his smart!

Then, tell me, how to woo thee, Love!
O, tell me how to woo thee!

For thy dear sake, nae care I'll take;
Tho' ne'er another trow me!

If gay attire delight thine eye,
I'll dight me in array!

I'll tend thy chamber door all night,
And Squire thee all the day!
If sweetest sounds can win thine ear,
These sounds I'll strive to catch!
Thy voice I steal, to woo thysell!
That voice that nane can match!

Then, tell me, how to woo thee, Love!
O, tell me how to woo thee!
For thy dear sake, nae care I'll take;
Tho' ne'er another trow me!

But if fond love thy heart can gain,

I never broke a vow!

Nae maiden lays her skaith to me!
I never loved but you!

For you alone, I ride the ring!
I wear the blue!

For you,

For you alone, I strive to sing!

O, tell me how to woo!

O, tell me, how to woo thee, Love!
O, tell me how to woo thee!

For thy dear sake, nae care I'll take;
Tho' ne'er another trow me!