Philip Morin Freneau On Retirement A hermit's house beside a stream, With forests planted round, Whatever it to you may seem More real happiness I deem Than if I were a monarch crown'd. A cottage I could call my own Remote from domes of care; A little garden walled with stone, The wall with ivy overgrown, A limpid fountain near, Would more substantial joys afford, More real bliss impart Than all the wealth that misers hoard, Than vanquish'd worlds, or worlds restored — Mere cankers of the heart! Vain, foolish man! how vast thy pride, How little can your wants supply! — 'Tis surely wrong to grasp so wide — You act as if you only had To vanquish — not to die! 1786 __________________________________________________________________________________________ К списку авторов К списку произведений