Читать книгу The Complete Poetical Works of Oliver Goldsmith - Оливер Голдсмит - Страница 15

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While oft some temple's mould'ring tops between

With venerable grandeur mark the scene 110

Could Nature's bounty satisfy the breast,

The sons of Italy were surely blest.

Whatever fruits in different climes were found,

That proudly rise, or humbly court the ground;

Whatever blooms in torrid tracts appear, 115

Whose bright succession decks the varied year;

Whatever sweets salute the northern sky

With vernal lives that blossom but to die;

These here disporting own the kindred soil,

Nor ask luxuriance from the planter's toil; 120

While sea-born gales their gelid wings expand

To winnow fragrance round the smiling land.

But small the bliss that sense alone bestows,

And sensual bliss is all the nation knows.

In florid beauty groves and fields appear, 125

Man seems the only growth that dwindles here.

Contrasted faults through all his manner reign;

Though poor, luxurious; though submissive, vain;

Though grave, yet trifling; zealous, yet untrue;

And e'en in penance planning sins anew. 130

All evils here contaminate the mind,

That opulence departed leaves behind;

For wealth was theirs, not far remov'd the date,

When commerce proudly flourish'd through the state;

At her command the palace learn'd to rise, 135

Again the long-fall'n column sought the skies;

The canvas glow'd beyond e'en Nature warm,

The pregnant quarry teem'd with human form;

Till, more unsteady than the southern gale,