C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

Philomela’s Ode

From ‘Philomela’

SITTING by a river’s side,

Where a silent stream did glide,

Muse I did of many things

That the mind in quiet brings.

I ’gan think how some men deem

Gold their god; and some esteem

Honor is the chief content

That to man in life is lent;

And some others do contend,

Quiet none, like to a friend;

Others hold there is no wealth

Compared to a perfect health;

Some man’s mind in quiet stands,

When he is lord of many lands.

But I did sigh, and said all this

Was but a shade of perfect bliss;

And in my thoughts I did approve,

Naught so sweet as is true love.