Happy the Man, of Mortals happiest he,
Whose quiet Mind from vain Desires is free,
Whom neither Hopes deceive, nor Fears torment,
But lives at Peace within himself, content,
In Thought, or Act, accountable to none
But to himself, and to the Gods alone.
O Sweetness of Content! Seraphick Joy,
That nothing wanting, nothing can destroy!
Where dwells this Peace, this Freedom of the Mind?
Where, but in Shades, remote from Humankind,
In flow'ry Vales, where Nymphs and Shepherds meet,
But never comes within the Palace-Gate.
Farewel then Cities, Courts and Camps farewel,
Welcome ye Groves, here let me ever dwell,
From Care, from Business, and Mankind remove,
All but the Muses, and inspiring Love.
How sweet the Morn! How gentle is the Night!
How calm the Evening! And the Noon how bright!
From hence, as from a Hill, I view below
The crowded World, that like some Wood does show,
Where sev'ral Wand'rers travel Day and Night.
Thro' sev'ral Paths, and none are in the right.
