The Castle of Indolence: An Allegorical Poem. James Thomson

"With Sounds that are a Miſery to hear:

       "But all is calm, as would delight the Heart

       "Of Sybarite of old, all Nature, and all Art.

XV.

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      "Here nought but Candour reigns, indulgent Eaſe,

       "Good-natur'd Lounging, Sauntering up and down:

       "They who are pleas'd themſelves muſt always pleaſe;

       "On Others' Ways they never ſquint a Frown,

       "Nor heed what haps to Hamlet or in Town.

       "Thus, from the Source of tender Indolence,

       "With milky Blood the Heart is overflown,

       "Is ſooth'd and ſweeten'd by the ſocial Senſe;

       "For Intereſt, Envy, Pride, and Strife are baniſh'd hence.

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      "What, what, is Virtue, but Repoſe of Mind?

       "A pure ethereal Calm! that knows no Storm;

       "Above the Reach of wild Ambition's Wind,

       "Above thoſe Paſſions that this World deform,

       "And torture Man, a proud malignant Worm!

       "But here, inſtead, ſoft Gales of Paſſion play,

       "And gently ſtir the Heart, thereby to form

       "A quicker Senſe of Joy; as Breezes ſtray

       "Acroſs th' enliven'd Skies, and make them ſtill more gay.

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      "The Beſt of Men have ever lov'd Repoſe:

       "They hate to mingle in the filthy Fray;

       "Where the Soul ſowrs, and gradual Rancour grows,

       "Imbitter'd more from peeviſh Day to Day.

       "Even Thoſe whom Fame has lent her faireſt Ray,

       "The moſt renown'd of worthy Wights of Yore,

       "From a baſe World at laſt have ſtolen away:

       "So Scipio, to the ſoft Cumæan Shore "Retiring, taſted Joy he never knew before.