These are the follies that engage the mind,
And taint the principles, of half mankind,
Then wonder not my friend, that I can leave,
Those transcient pleasures, only born to grieve.
Those short-liv'd shadows of a fleeting day,
Those idle customs of the rich and gay.
Henceforth, retirement, is my chosen seat,
Far from the insolent, the vain, the great.
Sweet solitude, ah! welcome to my breast,
And with thee welcome, sweet content, and rest;
Farewell ambition, source of every pain,
Farewell pale malice, and thy hateful train:
Farewell black calumny, no more thy dart,
Shall force one sigh, or wound my placid heart.
My future days, shall with sweet peace abound,
By friendship, virtue, and experience crown'd.