Smiles by his cheerful fire, and round surveys And even those ills, that round his mansion rise, Dear is that shed to which his soul conforms, Such are the charms to barren states assign'd If few their wants, their pleasures are but few: 214 Whence from such lands each pleasing science flies, Unknown to them, when sensual pleasures cloy, Unknown those powers that raise the soul to flame, Unfit for raptures, or, if raptures cheer On some high festival of once a year, In wild excess the vulgar breast takes fire, But not their joys alone thus coarsely flow- And love's and friendship's finely pointed dart Fall blunted from each indurated heart. Some sterner virtues o'er the mountain's breast May sit, like falcons cowering on the nest; But all the gentler morals, such as play Through life's more cultur'd walks, and charm the way— 236 These, far dispers'd, on timorous pinions fly, To kinder skies, where gentler manners reign, With tuneless pipe, beside the murmuring Loire, 244 Where shading elms along the margin grew, Alike all ages: dames of ancient days Have led their children through the mirthful maze; Has frisk'd beneath the burden of three score. So bless'd a life these thoughtless realms display; Thus idly busy rolls their world away. Theirs are those arts that mind to mind endear, For honor forms the social temper here: Honor, that praise which real merit gains, Here passes current-paid from hand to hand, They please, are pleas'd, they give to get esteem, Till, seeming bless'd, they grow to what they seem. 266 D |