Читать книгу The Complete Poetical Works of Oliver Goldsmith - Оливер Голдсмит - Страница 19

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And love's and friendship's finely pointed dart

Fall blunted from each indurated heart.

Some sterner virtues o'er the mountain's breast

May sit, like falcons cow'ring on the nest;

But all the gentler morals, such as play 235

Through life's more cultur'd walks, and charm the way,

These far dispers'd, on timorous pinions fly,

To sport and flutter in a kinder sky.

To kinder skies, where gentler manners reign,

I turn; and France displays her bright domain. 240

Gay sprightly land of mirth and social ease,

Pleas'd with thyself, whom all the world can please,

How often have I led thy sportive choir,

With tuneless pipe, beside the murmuring Loire!

Where shading elms along the margin grew, 245

And freshen'd from the wave the Zephyr flew;

And haply, though my harsh touch falt'ring still,

But mock'd all tune, and marr'd the dancer's skill;

Yet would the village praise my wondrous power,

And dance, forgetful of the noon-tide hour. 250

Alike all ages. Dames of ancient days

Have led their children through the mirthful maze,

And the gay grandsire, skill'd in gestic lore,

Has frisk'd beneath the burthen of threescore.

So bless'd a life these thoughtless realms display, 255

Thus idly busy rolls their world away:

Theirs are those arts that mind to mind endear,

For honour forms the social temper here:

Honour, that praise which real merit gains,

Or e'en imaginary worth obtains, 260