Retirement

Fresh fields and woods! the Earth's fair face,

God's foot-stool, and man's dwelling-place.

I ask not why the first

Did love to be a country liver?

Who to secure pious content Did pitch by groves and wells his tent;

Where he might view the boundless sky,

And all those glorious lights on high;

With flying meteors, mists and show'rs,

Subjected hills, trees, meads and flow'rs;

And ev'ry minute bless the King And wise Creator of each thing.  I ask not why he did remove To happy Mamre's holy grove,

Leaving the cities of the plain To Lot and his successless train?

All various lusts in cities still Are found; they are the thrones of ill;

The dismal sinks, where blood is spill'd,

Cages with much uncleanness fill'd.

But rural shades are the sweet

Of piety and innocence.

They are the Meek's calm region, where Angels descend and rule the sphere,

Where heaven lies leiger, and the dove Duly as dew, comes from above.

If Eden be on Earth at all, 'Tis that, which we the country call.