Contentment cannot smart; stoics we | Whilst loyal thoughts do still repair T'accompany my solitude: Although rebellion do my body bind, My king alone can captivate my mind. ABRAHAM COWLEY. 41 Books should, not business, entertain the light, LIBERTY. And sleep, as undisturbed as death, the WHERE honor or where conscience does night. My house a cottage more My garden painted o'er With Nature's hand, not Art's; and pleasures yield, Horace might envy in his Sabine field. Thus would I double my life's fading space; For he that runs it well twice runs his race. And in this true delight, These unbought sports, this happy state, I would not fear, nor wish, my fate; But boldly say each night, To-morrow let my sun his beams display, Or in clouds hide them; I have lived today. not bind, No other law shall shackle me; Slave to myself I will not be: Who by resolves and vows engaged does stand For days that yet belong to Fate, estate Before it falls into his hand. Unhappy to the last, the kind releasing* knell. |