William Cowper

The earth was made so various, that the mind of desultory man, studious of change, and pleased with novelty, might read more

The earth was made so various, that the mind of desultory man, studious of change, and pleased with novelty, might be indulged.

Nor rural sights alone, but rural sounds,
Exhilarate the spirit, and restore
The tone of languid Nature.

Nor rural sights alone, but rural sounds,
Exhilarate the spirit, and restore
The tone of languid Nature.

The rout is Folly's circle, which she draws
With magic wand. So potent is the spell,
That read more

The rout is Folly's circle, which she draws
With magic wand. So potent is the spell,
That none decoy'd into that fatal ring,
Unless by Heaven's peculiar grace, escape.
There we grow early gray, but never wise.

While fancy, like the finger of a clock,
Runs the great circuit, and is still at home.

While fancy, like the finger of a clock,
Runs the great circuit, and is still at home.

Absence of occupation is not rest,
A mind quite vacant is a mind distress'd.

Absence of occupation is not rest,
A mind quite vacant is a mind distress'd.