Ah! why for ever on the wing <br />Persists my wearied soul to roam? <br />Why, ever cheated, strives to bring <br />Or pleasure or contentment home? <br /> <br />Thus the poor bird, that draws his name <br />From Paradise's honour'd groves, <br />Careless fatigues his little frame, <br />Nor finds the resting-place he loves. <br /> <br />Lo! on the rural mossy bed <br />My limbs with careless ease reclined; <br />Ah, gentle Sloth! indulgent spread <br />The same soft bandage o'er my mind. <br /> <br />For why should lingering thought invade, <br />Yet every worldly prospect cloy? <br />Lend me, soft Sloth! thy friendly aid, <br />And give me peace, debarr'd of joy. <br /> <br />Lov'st thou yon calm and silent flood, <br />That never ebbs, that never flows; <br />Protected by the circling wood <br />From each tempestuous wind that blows? <br /> <br />An altar on its bank shall rise, <br />Where oft thy votary shall be found; <br />What time pale Autumn lulls the skies, <br />And sickening verdure fades around. <br /> <br />Ye busy Race! ye factious Train! <br />That haunt ambition's guilty shrine; <br />No more perplex the world in vain, <br />But offer here your vows with mine. <br /> <br />And thou, puissant Queen! be kind: <br />If e'er I shared thy balmy power, <br />If e'er I sway'd my active mind <br />To weave for thee the rural bower; <br /> <br />Dissolve in sleep each anxious care; <br />Each unavailing sigh remove; <br />And only let me wake to share <br />The sweets of friendship and of love.<br /><br />William Shenstone<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ode-to-indolence/
