Two poems

Even when in retirement, there seem to be so many things to do, that one seldom gets down to read poetry. However, today was my day for poems. Here are two favourites that I wanted to share with you:

                                                        (click for larger image)
Song

The year´s at the spring
And day´s at the morn;
Mornings´s at seven;
The hill-side´s dew-pearled;
The lark´s on the wing;
The snail´s on the thorn:
God´s in his heaven-
All´s right with the world!

                                        Robert Browning

Solitude

Happy the man, whose wish and care
A few paternal acres bound,
Content to breathe his native air
          In his own ground.

Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread,
Whose flocks supply him with attire;
Whose trees in summer yield him shade,
          In winter, fire.

Blest, who can unconcernedly find
Hours, days, and years slide soft away
In health of body, peace of mind;
         Quiet by day.

Sound sleep by night; study and ease
Together mixed, sweet recreation,
And innocence, which most does please
        With meditation.

Thus let me live, unseen, unknown;
Thus unlamented let me die,
Steal from the world, and not a stone
        Tell where I lie.

                                     Alexander Pope