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ODE TO HEALTH, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The lesbian lute no more can charm
Last Line: I leave the lessening vales behind.
Subject(s): Health


The Lesbian lute no more can charm,
Nor my once panting bosom warm;
No more I breathe the tender sigh;
Nor when my beauteous swain appears
With downcast look and starting tears,
Confess the lustre of his eye.

With Freedom blest, at early dawn,
I wander o'er the verdant lawn,
And hail the sweet returning Spring;
The fragrant breeze, the feather'd choir
To raise my vernal joys conspire,
While Peace and Health their treasures bring.

Come, lovely Health! divinest maid!
And lead me through the rural shade,
To thee the rural shades belong:
T is thine to bless the simple swain,
And, while he tries the tuneful strain,
To raise the raptur'd poet's song.

Behold the patient village hind!
No cares disturb his tranquil mind;
By thee, and sweet Contentment blest,
All day he turns the stubborn plain,
And meets at eve his infant train,
While guiltless pleasure fills his breast.

O ever good and bounteous! still
By fountain fresh, or murmuring rill,
Let me thy blissful presence find!
Thee, Goddess! thee my steps pursue,
When, careless of the morning dew,
I leave the lessening vales behind.





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