Of all that William rules, or robe <br />Describes, great Rhea, of thy globe, <br />When or on posthorse or in chaise, <br />With much expense and little ease, <br />My destin'd miles I shall have gone, <br />By Thames, or Maese, by Po, or Rhone, <br />And found no foot of earth my own; <br />Great Mother, let me once be able <br />To have a garden, house, and stable, <br />That I may read, and ride, and plant, <br />Superior to desire or want; <br />And as health fails, and years increase, <br />Sit down and think, and die in peace. <br />Oblige thy favourite undertakers <br />To throw me in but twenty acres; <br />This number sure they may allow, <br />For pasture ten, and ten for plough; <br />'Tis all that I would wish or hope, <br />For me, and John, and Nell, and Crop. <br /> <br />Then as thou wilt dispose the rest <br />(And let not Fortune spoil the jest) <br />To those who at the market-rate <br />Can barter honour for estate. <br /> <br />Now if thou grant'st me my request, <br />To make thy vot'ry truly bless'd, <br />Let curs'd revenge and saucy pride <br />To some bleak rock far off be tied, <br />Nor e'er approach my rural seat, <br />To tempt me to be base and great. <br /> <br />And, Goddess, this kind office done, <br />Charge Venus to command her son <br />(Wherever else she lets him rove) <br />To shun my house, and field, and grove: <br />Peace cannot dwell with Hate or Love. <br />Hear, gracious Rhea, what I say, <br />And thy petitioner shall pray.<br /><br />Matthew Prior<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/written-at-paris-1700-in-the-beginning-of-robe-s-geography/
