How various his employments whom the world
Calls idle; and who justly in return
Esteems that busy read more

How various his employments whom the world
Calls idle; and who justly in return
Esteems that busy world an idler too!

Were't not affection chains thy tender days
To the sweet glances of thy honored love,
I rather read more

Were't not affection chains thy tender days
To the sweet glances of thy honored love,
I rather would entreat thy company
To see the wonders of the world abroad
Than, living dully sluggardized at home,
Wear out thy youth with shapeless idleness.

For idleness is an appendix to nobility.

For idleness is an appendix to nobility.

Purity of mind and idleness are incompatible

Purity of mind and idleness are incompatible

Thus idly busy rolls their world away.

Thus idly busy rolls their world away.

Gloomy calm of idle vacancy.

Gloomy calm of idle vacancy.

Certainly work is not always required of a man. There is such a thing as a sacred idleness - the read more

Certainly work is not always required of a man. There is such a thing as a sacred idleness - the cultivation of which is now fearfully neglected.

I live an idle burden to the ground.

I live an idle burden to the ground.

Idleness and pride tax with a heavier hand than kings and governments.

Idleness and pride tax with a heavier hand than kings and governments.