Classic Poem

Wise is your choice, remov'd from care,
To taste the sweets of rural air,
And, undisturb'd by noise and strife,
To make the most you can of life.
True pleasure shuns the bustling croud,
And pompous dwellings of the proud,
Averse to show, she loves to dwell
In modest virtue's private cell.
They, who're in public doom'd to live,
Must all their time to others give,
To fashion sacrifice their ease,
And pleasure to the wish to please,
Opinion's arbitrary sway,
Not nature's gentle laws obey;
And, while they nourish secret woe,
Maintain a false and painful show.
Retirement's calm and peaceful joy,
Nor noise disturbs, nor cares destroy;
Its relish simple, but secure,
Alike 'tis permanent and pure;
'Tis only there content we find
In health of body, peace of mind.