On Equality of Conditions.
285
No joy its splendor to the rustic yields;
He overlooks it, and regrets his fields.
Love's voice excites him thither to repair,
Whilst Damis running still from fair to fair
In proud apartments lolls at careless ease,
Intrigue his business, his desire to please,
By his wife hated, duped by his kept dame,
To every beauty tells his amorous flame;
Quits Ægle's arms for Cloris coy, who flies,
And thinks all joy in noise and scandal lies.
The vigorous, faithful Colin, on love's wing
Flies to Lisetta with return of spring.
Returning in three months, the rustic swain
Makes presents simple, like himself, and plain:
He does not bring those trinkets rich and rare
Which Hebert sells to the deluded fair.
Without these trifles he secures his joys,
He wants them not, they are the happy's toys.
The rapid eagle through the yielding skies.
After his paramour with ardor flies.
The bull the heifer seeks with many a bound,
His lowing love makes all the vale resound.
Sweet Philomel, soon as the flowers appear,
Delights with songs his loved companion's ear.
Forth from the bushes darts the buzzing fly,
Meets insects, and engenders in the sky;
To exist of all their wishes is the bound,
They grieve not others are more perfect found.
What need I care whilst in my present state
That other beings have a happier fate.
He overlooks it, and regrets his fields.
Love's voice excites him thither to repair,
Whilst Damis running still from fair to fair
In proud apartments lolls at careless ease,
Intrigue his business, his desire to please,
By his wife hated, duped by his kept dame,
To every beauty tells his amorous flame;
Quits Ægle's arms for Cloris coy, who flies,
And thinks all joy in noise and scandal lies.
The vigorous, faithful Colin, on love's wing
Flies to Lisetta with return of spring.
Returning in three months, the rustic swain
Makes presents simple, like himself, and plain:
He does not bring those trinkets rich and rare
Which Hebert sells to the deluded fair.
Without these trifles he secures his joys,
He wants them not, they are the happy's toys.
The rapid eagle through the yielding skies.
After his paramour with ardor flies.
The bull the heifer seeks with many a bound,
His lowing love makes all the vale resound.
Sweet Philomel, soon as the flowers appear,
Delights with songs his loved companion's ear.
Forth from the bushes darts the buzzing fly,
Meets insects, and engenders in the sky;
To exist of all their wishes is the bound,
They grieve not others are more perfect found.
What need I care whilst in my present state
That other beings have a happier fate.
