The Pleasures of a Single Life | Page 5

a rising Ground it stood,?Fields on this side, on that a Neighb'ring Wood.?It shou'd within no other things contain,?But what are Useful, Necessary Plain:?Methinks 'tis Nauseous, and I'd ne'er endure?The needless pomp of gawdy Furniture:?A little Garden, gratefule to the Eye,?And a cool Rilvulet run Murmuring by:?On whose delicious Banks a stately Row,?Of shady Limes, or Sicamores, shou'd grow.?At th' end of which a silent Study plac'd,?Shou'd with the Noblest Authors there be grac'd.?Horace_ and _Virgil, in whose mighty Lines,?Immortal Wit, and solid Learning Shines.
Sharp Juvenal_, and am'rous _Ovid too,?Who all the turns of Loves soft passion knew:?He, that with Judgment reads his Charming Lines,?In which strong Art, with stronger Nature joyns,?Must grant, his Fancy does the best excell:?His Thoughts so tender, and exprest so well;?With all those Moderns, Men of steady Sense,?Esteem'd for Learning, and for Eloquence:?In some of these, as Fancy shou'd advise,?I'd always take my Morning Exercise.?For sure, no Minutes bring us more Content,?Than those in pleasing useful Studies Spent.
I'd have a clear and competent Estate,?That I might live Genteely, but not Great.?As much as I cou'd moderately spend,?A little more somtimes t'oblige a Friend.?Nor shou'd the Sons of Poverty Repine?Too much at Fortune, they shou'd taste of mine,?And all that Objects of true Pity were,?Shou'd be reliev'd with what my Wants cou'd spare;?For what our Maker has too largely giv'n,?Shou'd be return'd in gratitude to Heav'n.?A frugal Plenty shou'd my Table spread,?With healthful, not luxurious Dishes fed:?Enough to satisfy, and something more?To feed the Stranger, and th' Neighb'ring Poor.?Strong Meat indulges Vice, and pampering Food?Creates Diseases, and inflames the Blood.?But what's sufficient to make Nature Strong,?And the bright Lamp of Life continue long,?I'd freely take, and as I did possess.?The bounteous Author of my Plenty bless.
I'd have a little Cellar, Cool and Neat,?With Humming Ale, and Virgin Wine Repleat.?Wine whets the Wit, improves its Native Force,?And gives a pleasant Flavour to Discourse,?By making all our Spirits Deboniar,?Throws of the Lees, the Sedement of Care.?But as the greatest Blessing Heaven lends?May be debauch'd, and serve ignoble Ends;?So, but too oft, the Grapes refreshing Juice,?Does many mischievous Effects produce,?My House, shou'd no such rude Disorders know,?As from high Drinking consequently flow,?Nor wou'd I use what was so kindly giv'n,?To the Dishonour of Indulgent Heav'n.?If any Neighbour came he shou'd be free, }?Us'd with Respect, and not uneasy be, }?In my Retreat, or to himself or me. }?What Freedom, Prudence, and Right Reason give,?All Men may with impunity receive;?But the least swerving from their Rules too much,?For what's forbiden us, 'tis Death to touch.?That Life might be more comfortable yet,?And all my Joys refin'd, sincere and great,?I'd chuse too Friends, whose Company wou'd be?A great Advance to my Felicity.?Well born, of Humours suited to my own?Discreet and Men as well as Books have known.?Brave, Gen'rous, Witty, and exactly free?From loose Behaviour, or Formality.?Airy and Prudent, Merry, but not Light,?Quick in discerning, and in Judging, Right;?Secret they shou'd, be faithful to their Trust,?In Reasoning Cool, Strong, Temperate and just.?Obliging, Open, without Huffing, Brave;?Brisk in gay talking, and in sober Grave.?Close in dispute, but not tenacious, try'd?By solid Reason, and let that decide;?Not prone to Lust, Revenge, or envious Hate;?Nor busy Medlers with Intrigues of State.?Strangers to Slander, and sworn Foes to spight,?Not Quarrelsom, but Stout enough to Fight:?Loyal and Pious, Friends to Caesar true?As dying Martyrs to their Maker too.?In their Society I cou'd not miss,?A permanent, sincere, substaintial Bliss.
Wou'd bounteous Heaven once more indulge, I'd chuse,?(For, who wou'd so much satisfaction lose,?As Witty Nymphs in Conversation give)?Near some obliging modest-fair to live;?For there's that sweetness in a female Mind,?Which in a Man's we cannot find;?That by a secret, but a pow'rful Art, }?Winds up the Spring of Life, and do's impart }?Fresh Vital Heat to the transported Heart, }?I'd have her Reason, and her Passions sway,?Easy in Company, in private Gay.?Coy to a Fop, to the deserving free,?Still Constant to her self, and Just to me.?A soul she shou'd have for great Actions fit,?Prudence, and Wisdom to direct her Wit.?Courage to look bold danger in the Face,?No Fear, but only to be Proud, or Base:?Quick to advise by an Emergence prest,?To give good Counsel, or to take the best.?I'd have th' Expression of her Thoughts be such,?She might not seem Reserv'd, nor talk too much;?That shows a want of Judgment, and of Sense;?More than enough is but Impertinence.?Her Conduct Regular, her Mirth refind,?Civil to Strangers, to her Neighbours kind.?Averse to Vanity, Revenge and Pride;?In all the Methods of Deceit untry'd:?So faithful to her Friend, and good to all,?No Censure might upon her Actions fall?Then wou'd even Envy be compell'd to say,?She goes the least of Woman kind astray.
To this fair Creature I'd sometimes retire,?Her Conversation wou'd new Joys inspire.?Give Life and Edge so keen, no surly Care }?Wou'd venture