Peace is the word a glorious cause for joy!
And who more peacefull than a Farmer's Boy?
Obscure by birth, midst fashion loth to climb,
Permit your Rustic then to plead a rhyme.
You tell me Mirth, and Music will be there
Share you the Melody, the Gladness share,—
But how can I midst sparkling Gems be seen
What would my folly, what my rashness mean?
To meet the Gay, the Titled, and the Brave,
To see the plumes of darling Beauty wave,
To meet, as meet I must, the peircing Eye,
To hear, and midst a blaze of light reply;
Then shall I wish for some sweet sheltering Grove
Some quiet corn field, such as still I love,
At ease to meditate, or long reclin'd
Pour forth the raptures of a busy mind,
Rude as the clods from whence I come am I;
Sickly in form, perchance a little shy.
If sense with rudeness dwells, it seems to say;
Reflect thee Giles, reflect, and keep away;
Thy mind is known, the fair have seen thee write
Then keep thy puny person out of sight.
I must positively beg that Mrs Palmer will [gran]t me my earnest
request to be permitted to absent myself, and if I hear no more, or have no note
to-morrow from Mrs. P whom I will not willingly offend, shall wish her great
happiness at home