Rural fame

I never saw a man in all my days
One whom the calm of quietness pervades
Who gave not woods & fields his hearty praise
& felt a happiness in summer shades
There I meet common thoughts that all may read
Who love the quiet fields:—I note them well
Because they give me joy as I proceed
& joy renewed when I their beauties tell
In simple verse & unambitious songs
That in some mossy cottage haply may
Be read & win the praise of humble tongues
In the green shadows of some after day
For rural fame may likeliest rapture yield
To hearts, whose songs are gathered from the field

 

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