Fugitive Poetry. 1600–1878/Country Life

Country Life.
The merchant tempts me with his gold,
The gold he worships night and day;
He bids me leave this dreary wold,
And come into the city gay.
   I will not go; I wont be sold;
    I scorn his pleasures and array;
   I'll rather bear the country's cold,
    Than from its freedom walk away.

What is to me the city's pride?
The haunt of luxury and pleasure;
Those fields and hills, this wild brookside,
To me are better beyond measure.
   'Mid country scenes I'll still abide;
    With country life and country leisure;
   Content, whatever may betide,
    With common good instead of treasure.