Lives of the English Poets : Waller, Milton, Cowley by Samuel Johnson
page 56 of 225 (24%)
page 56 of 225 (24%)
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No thundering drum, no trumpet breakes our sleepe.
9. Haply iust heau'ns defence and shield of right, Doth loue the innocence of simple swains, The thunderbolts on highest mountains light, And seld or neuer strike the lower plaines; So kings have cause to feare Bellonaes might, Not they whose sweat and toile their dinner gaines, Nor ever greedie soldier was entised By pouertie, neglected and despised. 10. O Pouertie, chefe of the heau'nly brood, Dearer to me than wealth or kingly crowne! No wish for honour, thirst of others good, Can moue my hart, contented with mine owne: We quench our thirst with water of this flood, Nor fear we poison should therein be throwne; These little flocks of sheepe and tender goates Giue milke for food, and wool to make us coates. 11. We little wish, we need but little wealth, From cold and hunger vs to cloath and feed; These are my sonnes, their care preserues from stealth Their fathers flocks, nor servants moe I need: |
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