Otium Divos rogat in patenti. EASE is the weary merchant's prayer, Who ploughs by night the AEgean flood, When neither moon nor stars appear, Or faintly glimmer through the cloud. For ease the Mede with quiver graced, For ease the Thracian hero sighs; Delightful ease all pant to taste, A blessing which no treasure buys. For neither gold can lull to rest, Nor all a Consul's guard beat off The tumults of a troubled breast, The cares that haunt a gilded roof. Happy the man whose table shows A few clean ounces of old plate; No fear intrudes on his repose, No sordid wishes to be great. Poor short-lived things, what plans we lay! Ah, why forsake our native home, To distant climates speed away? For self sticks close where'er we roam! Care follows hand, and soon o'ertakes The well-rigged ship, the warlike steed; Her destined quarry ne'er forsakes; Not the wind flies with half her speed. From anxious fears of future ill Guard well the cheerful, happy now; Gild e'en your sorrows with a smile, No blessing is unmixed below. Thy neighing steeds and lowing herds, Thy numerous flocks around thee graze, And the best purple Tyre affords Thy robe magnificent displays. On me indulgent Heaven bestowed A rural mansion, neat and small; This lyre;--and as for yonder crowd, The happiness to hate them all. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...POOR MAILIE'S ELEGY by ROBERT BURNS THE FIRST THANKSGIVING DAY [1621] by MARGARET JUNKIN PRESTON A BALLAD UPON A WEDDING by JOHN SUCKLING ODES: BOOK 1: ODE 12. TO SIR FRANCIS HENRY DRAKE, BARONET by MARK AKENSIDE |