Classic Poem

Imitated from C LAUDIAN

I.

How bless'd the Swain of Bethnal-green ,
 Who ne'er a Court beheld,
Nor ever rov'd beyond the Scene
 Of his paternal Field!

II.

 B UT , where he prov'd the Go-cart's Aid,
 He prov'd the Crutch's too;
One only House his Mansion made,
 Till Life (tho' late) withdrew.

III.

False Fortune ne'er, with Smile or Frown,
 Or rais'd him, or deprest;
Her Frowns and Smiles were both unknown
 To his contented Breast.

IV.

T HE Chance of Stocks he never try'd,
 Nor knew to buy or sell;
So 'scap'd the dreadful golden Tide,
 Where South-Sea Merchants fell.

V.

S KILL'D in no Business but his own,
 He shunn'd the noisy Bar;
Nor ever prov'd the smoky Town,
 But breath'd a purer Air.

VI.

N OR by Lord Mayor 's Day he knew
 The rolling Year to bound;
Nor kept an Almanack to shew
 How Seasons vary'd round.

VII.

H E Summer knew by Heat extreme,
 The Winter by its Cold;
P OMONA shew'd when Autumn came,
 When Spring , gay F LORA told.

VIII.

H E planted once an Acorn small,
 And liv'd to see it rise
A mighty Oak, so wond'rous tall,
 It seem'd to prop the Skies.

IX.

A ND , by the Shade its Branches cast,
 Could he much truer know,
What Hour, and how his Moments past,
 Than by the Clock of Bow .

X.

T HO ' London stood so near his Cot,
 He never mark'd the Dome ;
But thought St. Paul 's as far remote,
 As Peter 's Church at Rome .

XI.

O F Isis he was only told,
 But ne'er beheld her Streams;
Nor knew, but that the Ganges roll'd
 Near as the neighb'ring Thames .

XII.

O F Jellies, Creams, Ragous, and Tarts,
 His Stomach never thought;
A perfect Stranger to the Arts
 Luxurious Cooks have taught!

XIII.

Yet , with a simple Food supply'd,
 His Health was so entire,
That when his antient Children dy'd,
 They left a youthful Sire.

XIV.

Yet others search for golden Bliss
 On India 's wealthy Shore;
Their Joys of Life are less than his,
 Their Labours ten times more.