2i6 IZAAK WALTON AND HIS FRIENDS 



How cleanly do we feed and lie ! 

 Lord ! what good hours do we keep ! 



How quietly we sleep ! 

 What Peace ! what Unanimity ! 

 How innocent from the lend Fashion, 

 Is all our bus'ness, all our Conversation ! 



Oh how happy here's our leisure ! 



Oh how innocent om- pleasure ! 



Oh ye Vallies, Oh ye Mountains, 



Oh ye Groves and Chrystall Fountains, 



How I love at liberty, 



By turn to come and visit ye ! 



O Solitude, the Soul's best Friend, 



That man acquainted with himself dost make, 



And all his Maker's Wonders to intend ; 



With thee I here converse at will. 



And would be glad to do so still ; 



For it is thou alone that keep'st the Soul awake. 



How calm and quiet a delight 



It is alone 

 To read, and meditate, and write, 

 By none offended, nor oflPending none ; 

 To walk, ride, sit, or sleep at one's own ease, 

 And pleasing a man's self, none other to displease ! 

 Oh my beloved Nymph ! fair Dove, 

 Princess of Rivers, how I love 

 Upon thy flow'ry Banks to lie, 



