SEE how that pair of billing doves With open murmurs own their loves; And, heedless of censorious eyes, Pursue their unpolluted joys: No fears of future want molest The downy quiet of their nest; No interest joined the happy pair, Securely blest in Nature's care, While her dear dictates they pursue: For constancy is nature too. Can all the doctrine of our schools, Our moral maxims, our religious rules, Can learning, to our lives ensure Virtue so bright, or bliss so pure? The great Creator's happy hand Virtue and pleasure ever blends: In vain the Church and Court have tried Th' united essence to divide: Alike they find their wild mistake, The pedant priest, and giddy rake. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...REVELATION by EDMUND WILLIAM GOSSE TO CHARLOTTE PULTENEY [IN HER MOTHER'S ARMS] by AMBROSE PHILIPS CAPTIVE by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE ON THE DEATH OF MR. GARRICK by JANE BOWDLER TO HIS WORTHY FRIEND AND INGENIOUS FRIEND, THE AUTHOR by WILLIAM BROWNE (1591-1643) |