Such innocence, such raptures will we share,
As erst in Eden crown'd the happy pair,
Ere the arch-fiend (mankind's insidious foe)
Stole in, and chang'd the blissful scene to woe.
Kindest affections here shall still find room,
To shoot, to spread, and, undisturb'd, to bloom:
To bear the fruit (luxurious mental food!)
Which pride, care, envy kill within the bud.
Let human hurricanes at distance beat,
Their rage shall ne'er approach our peaceful seat.
Hast thou not seen, in stern December's train,
A Polyanthus blow upon the plain?
Some friendly wall has lent its fostering aid.
From biting blasts to form a shielding shade. -
No influence of the planetary pow'rs,
Save that presiding o'er the sweetest flowers,
Shall e'er descend upon our blissful bowers.1
Heav'n shield! what pleasures from th'idea spring?
What joys, what raptures would possession bring?
We'll build, we'll plant, but torturing art deride;
Untaught simplicity shall be our guide.
Unerring nature still shall be our law,
From her we'll learn the sweets of life to draw,