CONTENTMENT

Urge me no more! The mid-day toil is ended,

And shadows lengthen from the radiant west;

The glowing sun, with sumptuous clouds attended,

Sinks to its rest.

I too would rest; an Indian-Summer beauty

Gilds my life's autumn in a charming vale;

No further quest of gold or fame seems duty;

Their splendors pale

Tempt me no more! In vain are spread before me

New plans of battle and rare hopes of gain;

The sweeter airs of love and peace blow o'er me;

I will remain.

Gone is the glamour of the heartless city;

Hateful its traffic and its ceaseless roar;

Slaves of its tyranny, you have my pity;

Urge me no more!

Girdled by mountains, in a land of story,

Nestles the high-walled garden of my home;

Here, book in hand, I feast myself on glory,

Nor wish to roam.

Each dawn brings rose-hued snow-peaks to my vision;

Each eve's enchanting pageant thrills my soul;

Day after day I find yet more elysian

Fair South Tyrol.

Urge me no more! The riches of Golconda

Could not allure me to the old-time task;

Here, till the curtain falls, to live and ponder

Is all I ask.