INSCRIPTION.

Come, and where these runnels fall,

Listen to my madrigal!

Far from all sounds of all the strife,

That murmur through the walks of life;

From grief, inquietude, and fears,

From scenes of riot, or of tears;

From passions, cankering day by day,

That wear the inmost heart away;

From pale Detraction's envious spite,

That worries where it fears to bite;

From mad Ambition's worldly chase,

Come, and in this shady place,

Be thine Contentment's humble joys,

And a life that makes no noise,

Save when fancy, musing long,

Turns to desultory song;

And wakes some lonely melody,

Like the water dripping by.

Come, and where these runnels fall,

Listen to my madrigal!