LIVE TO-DAY 



Ah, yet, ere I descend to the grave 

 May I a small house and large garden have ! 

 And a few friends, and many books, both true, 



Both wise, and both delightful too! 



And since Love ne'er will from me flee, 

 A mistress moderately fair, 

 And good as guardian angels are, 



Only belov'd, and loving me ! 



Oh, fountains, when in you shall I 

 Myself, eased of unpeaceful thoughts, espy? 

 Oh fields! Oh woods! when, when shall I be 

 made 



The happy tenant of your shade? 



Here's the spring-head of Pleasure's flood; 

 Where all the riches lie, that she 



Has coin'd and stamp'd for good. 



Pride and ambition here 

 Only in far-fetch'd metaphors appear; 

 Here nought but winds can hurtful murmurs 

 scatter, 



And nought but Echo flatter. 



The Gods, when they descended, hither 



[45] 



