The CHOICE

Would Heaven's high Sov'reign condescend To crown my wish, and let me spend The days on earth he's pleased to give, In that fair place I'd choose to live, Where upon a rising ground, A little distance from the town, Far beyond the noisy rout Of carts and waggons driv'n about, Or the more confounded din Of men contending for a pin; Where Aurora spreads her light First in the morn, and last at night; Where sweet zephyrs' breath is pure, Which all diseases helps to cure, Fresh at ev'ry hour should come, Wafting spices, myrrh and gum; And at eve more fragrant grows, Like the sweet-brier and the rose, A placid stream with gentle tide, Meand'ring thro' a mead, should glide, Enamel'd o'er with every hue Which on the earth yet ever grew, And lofty pine and oak in rows, And the elm with careless boughs, On each side should raise their head, Shading fishes in their bed. To the east this stream should run, As emulous to meet the fun, Whose beams, reflected from that glass, Make double morn my life compass; While pleasure-boats, with silken sails, And streamers gay, delight the vales,

Men of all professions there Should issue forth to take the air; Two or three in ev'ry line Should be invited to my wine; Such whose tempers were serene, And had with books familiar been.

A garden interspersed with trees, Waving to the gentle breeze, Laden with all kinds of fruit Which the climate ere could suit; Peaches, apples, plumbs and cherries, Pears and apricots, with berries Creeping latent through the grass, All other pleasure should surpass, Surprizing oft the eve with joy, And to the grateful touch not coy. A purling rill, with winding course, Now gentle, and then sounding hoarse, Thro' arbours and by pleasant walks, Where flowers should grow on all their stalks, The pink, and rose, and daffodil, Lady's delight, which crowns the hill, Narcissus fair, with tulip gay, Which finely dress themselves in May, With all the summer's shining train, Which breathe more fragrant for the rain, And afford a sweet repast For busy bees which love their taste; There humming-birds, with plumage gay, Shining bright as flow'rs in May, Around my head should sprightly play; On nimble wings they seem to dance, Suspended still without advance, And then away as swift as light, So sudden that they 'scape the sight; Their plumes of scarlet, gold and green, A lively hue as e'er was seen; These o'er my flow'rs should rove at pleasure, Partake the joy, not spoil the treasure; But with their little tube-like bill From op'ning blossoms drink their fill; And on farina fine they feed, Which fully satisfies their need.

Frequent here would I resort, To enjoy the blissful sport, And to view with pleasing eye All that blooms beneath the sky; See where the primrose dips her bill Among the dew-drops on the hill, And where the lily hangs her head, O'er the violet's purple bed; All bestrew'd with green and gold, Where pretty birds sweet dalliance hold. There the lark his mate invites To pass with him the summer nights, And early in the morn awake, Together the first dawn partake, And on their silver pinions rise, And sing their mattins to the skies; With sweetest notes they fill the air, And call forth shepherds to their care, I'd hear the bleating flocks of sheep, When the dawn begins to peep, And from my couch would rise alert, To join and share the sweet concert; Hear the dulcet harmony Warble sweet from ev'ry tree, From the meads and from the vales, On the hills and in the dales; Various notes of flocks and herds, Mingling with the singing birds, Should echo fast from hill to hill, Till ev'ry part of air they fill.

I'd have a little grove fast by, There to repair in milder sky: My morn and ev'ning walk should be, To view the birds perch'd on the tree; Their shining glossy plumes would fill My ravish'd eye with pleasure still.

There the linnet, thrush and quail, There the mockbird, feme and male, There the sparrow, with robin-hood, And ev'ry bird that loves the wood, Should live at ease, secure from fear, No cruel fowler should come near; The whip-poor-will should cheer the night With her sweet notes, which sleep invite; About my farm tame fowls should rove, Geese and turkeys, ducks and dove; Nor would I want the Guinea hen, Which imitates the chatt'ring wren; And the proud cock, who struts and crows Defiance to his neighb'ring foes. Martins and swallows, chatt'ring sweet, In friendship round my house should meet; The peacock, with majestic mien, And richest plumes, should oft be seen, Spreading his waving glories high, With dazzling lustre charm the eye.

Nor would I want those joys refined, With holy wedlock which are join'd; For Hymen's mystic knot unites Sublimest joys and sweet delights.

With one fair in love I'd join, Whose pleasing words should cheer like wine; Whose soul to mine so near was grown, No striking difference could be known, But blended in sweet bands of love, In concert both should always move, And dimpled smiles, with mutual glance, Should joys reciprocal advance.

To crown the whole, and give a relish To all the pleasures life embellish, On holy days I would not lose The pleasure which from worship flows; And near my house should be the seat Where those who love to praise should meet, To tread the courts of God most high, And hear his message from the sky, From one who knows how to dispense The joyful truths sent down from thence, And join with those whose souls were graced With love, and truth, and righteousness; To pray and praise, adore, and sing Loud anthems to th' eternal King; With joy my heart should more dilate, Than all the favours of the great. But give me such a pleasing spot, And I'll not envy kings their court.