The Inscription Imitated

Peace has explor'd this silvan scene,
She courts your calm retreat,
Ye groves of variegated green,
That grace my genial seat!

Here, in the lap of lenient ease,
(Remote from mad'ning noise)
Let me delude a length of days,
In dear domestic joys!

Long may the parent queen of flow'rs
Her fragrance here display!
Long may she paint my mantling bow'rs,
And make my portals gay!

Nor you—my yellow gardens, fail
To swell Pomona's hoard!
So shall the plenteous, rich regale—
Replenish, long, my board!

Pour through the groves your carols clear,
Ye birds, nor bondage dread:
If any toils entangle here,
'Tis those that love hath spread.

Where the green hill so gradual slants,
Or flowery glade extends,
Long may these fair, these fav'rite haunts,
Prove social to my friends!

May you preserve perpetual bloom,
My happy halcion seat!
Or if fell time denounce thy doom,
Far distant be its date!

And when he makes, with iron rage,
Thy youthful pride his prey,
Long may the honours of thy age
Be reverenc'd in decay!