When Poets gave their God in Crete a Birth, <br />Then Jupiter held Traffick with the Earth, <br />And had a Farm to Lett: the Fine was high, <br />For much the Treas'ry wanted a Supply, <br />By Danae's wealthy Show'r exhausted quite, and dry. <br />But Merc'ry, who as Steward kept the Court, <br />So rack'd the Rent, that all who made Resort <br />Unsatisfy'd return'd, nor could agree <br />To use the Lands, or pay his secret Fee; <br />'Till one poor Clown (thought subt'ler than the rest, <br />Thro' various Projects rolling in his Breast) <br />Consents to take it, if at his Desire <br />All Weathers tow'rds his Harvest may conspire; <br />The Frost to kill the Worm, the brooding Snow, <br />The filling Rains may come, and Phoebus glow. <br />The Terms accepted, sign'd and seal'd the Lease, <br />His Neighbours Grounds afford their due Encrease <br />The Care of Heav'n; the Owner's Cares may cease. <br />Whilst the new Tenant, anxious in his Mind, <br />Now asks a Show'r, now craves a rustling Wind <br />To Raise what That had lodg'd, that he the Sheaves may bind. <br />The Sun, th'o'er-shadowing Clouds, the moistning Dews <br />He with such Contrariety does chuse; <br />So often and so oddly shifts the Scene, <br />Whilst others Load, he scarce has what to Glean. <br /> <br /> <br /> O Jupiter! with Famine pinch'd he cries, <br />No more will I direct th' unerring Skies; <br />No more my Substance on a Project lay, <br />No more a sullen Doubt I will betray, <br />Let me but live to Reap, do Thou appoint the way<br /><br />Countess Winchilsea Anne Finch<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/jupiter-and-the-farmer/
