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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
RETIREMENT, by HENRY VAUGHAN Poet Analysis Poet's Biography
First Line: Fresh fields and woods! The earth's fair face
Last Line: Tis that, which we the country call.
Alternate Author Name(s): Silurist
Variant Title(s): Retirement (1)
First Line: Fresh fields and woods! The earth's fair face
Last Line: Tis that, which we the country call.
Alternate Author Name(s): Silurist
Variant Title(s): Retirement (1)
Fresh fields and woods! the Earth's fair face,
God's foot-stool, and man's dwelling-place.
I ask not why the first Believer
Did love to be a country liver>
Who to secure pious content
Did pitch by groves and wells his tent;
Where he might view the boundless sky,
And all those glorious lights on high:
With flying meteors, mists and showers,
Subjected hills, trees, meads and flowers:
And every minute bless the King
And wise creator of each thing.
I ask not why he did remove
To happy Mamre's holy grove,
Leaving the cities of the plain
To Lot and his successless train?
All various lusts in cities still
Are found; they are the thrones of ill.
The dismal sinks, where blood is spilled,
Cages with much uncleanness filled.
But rural shades are the sweet fence
Of piety and innocence.
They are the meek's calm region, where
Angels descend, and rule the sphere:
Where heaven lies leiguer, and the dove
Duly as dew, comes from above.
If Eden be on Earth at all,
'Tis that, which we the country call.