On Retirement

While here sequester'd from the busy throng, Let calm reflection animate my song; May sweet retirement, with its soothing pow'rs Compose each thought, and gild the passing hours; And meek-ey'd peace, in whitest robes be seen, To cheer the heart and make the mind serene; Then while the world in busy scenes engage, I'll shun the follies of a vicious age; Freed from the dull impertinence of strife, Serenely pass in solitude my life: And when aurora ushers in the dawn, And tuneful songsters hail the rising morn, With grateful heart perform the ardent pray'r, And thank kind Heav'n for its protecting care. Then while the sun in radient splendour reigns, And with its lustre decks the hills and plains, Oft let me wander o'er the dewy vale, And breathe sweet fragrance from the passing gale; Or, led by fancy, frequent let me rove, To some thick forest or some shady grove, Where peaceful silence reigns throughout the scene, And painted daisies deck the lovely green; While gentle zephyrs, with their silken wings, Display their beauties o'er the chrystal springs, Or on the margin of a purling stream, (Indulge my mind on friendship's pleasing theme) Whose gentle murmurs calm the troubled breast, And soothe each sorrow when the mind's distress'd. Then when the sun, obedient to command, Shall take his flight, and visit foreign land; May pale-ey'd Cynthia, empress of the night, With mildest lustre, shed her solemn light; While twinkling stars dispense a friendly ray, And gently guide the trav'ler on his way: At this lone hour when solemn silence reigns, And mournful Philomel renews her strains, May no sad thought my peaceful mind molest, Each murmur stifled, and each sigh suppress'd, Save when compassion at another's woe Shall cause the tears of tenderness to flow; Freely I'll bear a sympathetic part, And share the sorrows of the drooping heart; With fervent pray'rs implore kind Heav'n to bless, And fondly strive to make their sorrows less. Thus may my time in rural shades be spent, Far from the world, enrich'd with calm content, 'Till death's cold hand shall close these languid eyes, And hope conduct me to you blissful skies.

O GLORIOUS day! O day of peace, arise, And with thy splendours glad my longing eyes. O time! which oft so quickly glid'st away, Methinks thou ling'rest and defer'st the day; Just like an arrow from a bow half strung, Thy flagging pinions slowly skim along. Oh! with new vigour, urge thy flying course, And stretch each tendon with redoubled force; That peace may flow like ocean's swelling tide, "And seas but join the regions they divide."