Joy to the friendly heart! May Peace dwell here And her soft train that shed the bliss sincere! O well beloved! whose voice, whose looks are found Powerful to spread a sudden gladness round; Cease, cease to travel countless volumes o'er Thro the dry page of dark scholastic lore; From native springs thy easy virtues flow, What more can sages teach, or books bestow? Cease, cease the task by precept to inform The glowing breast with youthful ardour warm, Thy candid manners and thy active mind With more prevailing force the will shall bind, Goodness by happy sympathy impart, And with thy own sweet morals charm the heart. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...EPITAPH: FOR A LADY I KNOW by COUNTEE CULLEN ULTIMA THULE: NIGHT by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW SPRING WATER by KENNETH SLADE ALLING DIDO TO AENEAS by JOACHIM DU BELLAY THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY, SELECTION by AMBROSE BIERCE THE COMING OF LOVE by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT THE LOVE SONNETS OF PROTEUS: 114. A LATER DEDICATION by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT |