And, wondering man could want the larger pile, Exults, and owns his cottage with a smile. My soul, turn from them; turn we to survey Where rougher climes a nobler race display; Where the bleak Swiss their stormy mansion tread, And force a churlish soil for scanty bread: No product here the barren hills afford, But man and steel, the soldier and his sword; No vernal blooms their torpid rocks array, But winter lingering chills the lap of May; No zephyr fondly sues the mountain's breast, But meteors glare, and stormy glooms invest. Yet still, even here, content can spread a charm, Redress the clime, and all its rage disarm. Though poor the peasant's hut, his feasts tho' small, He sees his little lot the lot of all; Sees no contiguous palace rear its head To shame the meanness of his humble shed; 7 The best manner to draw up the finny prey.' Cit. of the World, ii. 99. Or seeks the den where snow-tracks mark the way, Thus every good his native wilds impart, Imprints the patriot passion on his heart; And ev❜n those ills, that round his mansion rise, Enhance the bliss his scanty fund supplies. Dear is that shed to which his soul conforms, And dear that hill which lifts him to the storms; And as a child, when scaring sounds molest, Clings close and closer to the mother's breast, So the loud torrent, and the whirlwind's roar, But bind him to his native mountains more. Such are the charms to barren states assign'd; Their wants but few, their wishes all confin'd. Yet let them only share the praises due, If few their wants, their pleasures are but few;9 8 Drive the reluctant savage into the toils.' Cit. of the World, i. 112. 9 See Citizen of the World, i. lett. xi. where this position is enlarged on. 10 For every want that stimulates the breast But not their joys alone thus coarsely flow: Some sterner virtues o'er the mountain's breast Thro' life's more cultur'd walks, and charm the way, 10 For every want] Every want becomes a means of plea sure in the redressing.'- Gold. An. Nat. ii. 123. To kinder skies, where gentler manners reign, I turn; and France displays her bright domain. Gay, sprightly land of mirth and social ease, Pleas'd with thyself, whom all the world can please, How often have I led thy sportive choir, With tuneless pipe, beside the murmuring Loire! Where shading elms along the margin grew, And freshen'd from the wave the zephyr flew; And haply, though my harsh touch faltering still, But mock'd all tune, and marr'd the dancer's skill; Yet would the village praise my wondrous power, And dance, forgetful of the noontide hour. Alike all ages: dames of ancient days Have led their children thro' the mirthful maze; So blest a life these thoughtless realms display, Here passes current; paid from hand to hand, They please, are pleas'd, they give to get esteem, But while this softer art their bliss supplies, For praise too dearly lov'd, or warmly sought, 11 To men of other minds my fancy flies, Embosom'd in the deep where Holland lies. Methinks her patient sons before me stand, Where the broad ocean leans against the land, " And, sedulous to stop the coming tide, Lift the tall rampire's artificial pride. Onward methinks, and diligently slow, The firm connected bulwark seems to grow, Spreads its long arms amidst the watery roar, Scoops out an empire, and usurps the shore. 11 v. Statii Theb. iv. 62: Et terris maria inclinata repellit.' And Dryden, Annus. Mirab. st. clxiv.: And view the ocean leaning on the sky.' Bent his breast against the broad wave.' World, ii. 101. - Cit. of the |