The COUNTRY PARSON. John Hoadly Alexander Huber Editor Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Broad Street Oxford OX1 3BG UK
Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive
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Oxford This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. T131163 K104099.005 Dodsley, Robert, 1703-1764. A Collection of Poems in Six Volumes. By Several Hands. Vol. V. London printed by J. Hughs, for R. and J. Dodsley 1763 [1st ed. 1758] pp. 298-301. 6v.: music; 8⁰.

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The COUNTRY PARSON . I. BETWEEN the smooth descent of yonder hills , Deep in the vale with tufted trees beset ; Whose antique roots are wash'd with brawling rills , Whose leafy arms the summer's rage defeat , There stands a country parson's calm retreat . View well the silent shade with sober eye , And wonder at the courtier's swollen luxury . II . See to his garden's pale where close ally'd A decent church the neighbouring glebe commands ; Whose steeple's stock'd with bells , ( the country's pride ) Whose beams are wreath'd about with virgin bands , Wove on the bridal day by virgin hands . The surplice clean , and chancel newly whited , That with the good man's neatness all must be delighted . III . His house stands near , ( this church's younger brother ) Whose furniture shews housewifely , and neat ; A little garden runs from one to t' other , Stately in use , excluding useless state , In which a yew tree stands of ancient date : And near it rosemary climbs up the wall ; Or else imperfect were the rites of funeral . IV . Him liveth near in gentle neighbourhood An heartsome friend , replete with bounteous love , Whose generous wine long time hath corked stood , ( Not to avoid the taste but to improve ; ) With him the good man's moments softly move : Nor yet compleat , if I shou'd leave untold The dame who of his joys sweet partnership doth hold . V. Well knows me when to govern , when obey , Vers'd in the rights and laws of womanhood ; Nor hath she too much wisdom to be gay , Nor hath she so much wit to be o'er-loud : Nor hath she so much beauty to be proud ; But cheerful sense and decent mirth impart The sweet domestic joys of a well-natur'd heart . VI . Eight years hath heav'n possess'd them of a boy , Who loves a sister younger by a year ; And as they prank about , with silent joy They sit and smile upon the prattling pair , ( Who two sweet roses on one stalk appear ) And think upon themselves once fair and young , Before soft Cupid's golden bow became unstrung . VII . Each sun arises fresh with sweet content , And leads them on a course of new delight ; With the same joy the summer's day is spent , And o'er a cheerful fire their winter night . Such are their joys who spend their lives aright : Tho' seasons change , no sense of change they know , But with an equal eye view all things here below . VIII . When th' amorous earth is woo'd with smiling weather , To wear the verdant mantle of the spring ; Forth walk the little family together To see the wood , and hear its natives sing ; The flow'rs sweet odours to their senses bring : The world appears in blossom , far and near Joyful they view the purple promise of the year . IX . Summer beholds the good man near his bride , In sweet contentment smoaking in his chair ; He views the flocks nibbling the mountain's side , And ev'ry tenth he reckons to his share . Now to the hay field walk the happy pair , And with such kindness greet the country folk , The parson's bush is plac'd upon the biggest cock . X. The promis'd fruit now fills the teeming soil , And certain plenty all his doubts relieves ; The peach he planted pays his honest toil , The farmer brings him home his yellow sheaves , And his stuff'd barn the willing tax receives . His servants to his loaded orchards hye , To lay in liquid stores for future jollity . XI . When icy bands the stiffened wave enfold , Still is the parson with contentment crown'd ; The cheerful blaze chaces the chilly cold , In circling cups all winter thoughts are drown'd , And no ill nature sends the laugh around ; Or he , in study pent , thinks what to say , May touch , yet not offend the squire next sabbath day . XII . Thus , still in age the same , he journeys on , Till envious Fate o'ertake him on the road ; For the calm pleasures of the holy man Claim not the madness of a youthful blood . For many winters thus serenely stood , Strong in its smooth decline , the sturdy oak , Till came from heav'n th' unfear'd and unresisted stroke .