Dear , rural scenes of tranquil joy,
That pleas'd my soul, while yet a boy!
Sportive, the vernal plain I rov'd,
Dear, rural scenes! admir'd, belov'd,
Your safer harbour, now, I leave,
To tempt this world's tumultuous wave.
My little skiff, I urge from shore,
With feeble hand, and slender oar,
We part, perchance, to meet no more!
Farewel, my B AYNHAM 's cordial glow,
His placid temper's easy flow!
Farewel, the School , by churchyard-way,
Where noisy Learning spent the day,
Where Humour quibbled, Wit reply'd,
And Judgment sat in sapient pride!
Farewel, the stool by H UGO 's hearth,
Where rose-lip'd Frolic, join'd with Mirth,
The evening pipe, the brimming bowl,
The open hand, the liberal soul,
The mind, tho' simple, full of lore,
The honest Landlord's frugal score,
The L EPRICIS , in pomp sublime,
The weaver, deep in mystic rhime,
The tale of witchcraft, wont to fright
The artless audience of the night,
Who drew, thro' terror, insecure,
Their seats, by inches, from the door,
Lest the swart fiend should pinch behind,
Or, O ER'ON enter on the wind!
Farewel, the dear, the classic hour,
When rapture came, caelestial pow'r!
When T RANSPORT flung her balmy dews,
When H ISTORY woo'd the serious Muse,
When P OLITICS informed each brain,
When P IETY , was op'ned plain,
When L OVE would toast the Village-lass,
And F EELING sweeten every glass,
Dear Times! — dear Friends! — my barque's from shore,
I shun the rock, I ply the oar,
A ND F ATE MAY BRING ME BACK, ONCE MORE !