Classic Poem

I BLESSE my Starrs, I am unfitt for noise;
And busines all most shuns me, to my Choice;
I sitt retir'd, while other men are high
In State Employments; tis a peircing Eye
Sees thorough Men, to dispositions,
And sorts fitt Agents, to Occasions;
This with its Spectacles, Authoritie
Can Cull em by the head; and why should I
Repine? I glorie rather; and can Sitt
T' emprove by them, what may be Just, or fitt.
Ime happie, Ime exempt; that I may play
With my owne thoughts, unvext, my howers away;
I am not in Commission, of the Peace;
Noe Constable, the greater, nor the Lesse;
Ide nothing Glorie, if I had ben made
Poll' gatherer of the Groats; I should evade
Truly, to be a Parish warden; or
A domineering Elder; with the power
Our well-affected Parliament can give.
Fitt Men shall have Emploiment fitt; I live
Obscure; Blood, Tears, nor oppression
Burden my Soule: my Guilt is but my owne:
Whilest higher Sin, attends the higher place,
Sin of Participation in the Case.
I'me as I am, Content; and free, to pittie
The faction of the Countrie, Fraud o' the Cittie.
Sometime Ile take my Stone-bow, or my Gun
With my true Servant, readie still to run,
And fetch the Quarrie, from the Brooke or Bush,
The Mallard, Teale, the Sparrow, or the Thrush;
With these innocuous pleasures I can rest
In my selfe quiet; (and display the brest
Of all my Crime, unto my selfe) wee live
Guiltye, I hope of lesser Sins. I strive
Not now t'exaggerate others Crimes, nor here
To make our owne lesse then in Truth they are.
This, if the rigour of the times allow,
I am content; if they will not, I know
A pleasure 'bove their Malice; and the close
Barr's of a prison, cannot hinder those,
My owne free thoughts; where I sometime may have
A visit from the Muses, which shall save
My Name from Envie, and oblivion.
Soe being lest my selfe, I'me most my owne;
And what, by them, was put as a restraint,
Is by my patience, turned t' a Complement.