NATHANIEL COTTON. [Born, 1707. Died, 1788.] NATHANIEL COTTON was a physician, who paid particular attention to the subject of mental disorders; and kept a receptacle for insane patients at St. Albans. Cowper was for some time under his care. THE FIRESIDE.* DEAR Chloe, while the busy crowd, From the gay world we'll oft retire Where love our hours employs; If solid happiness we prize, And they are fools who roam; Of rest was Noah's dove bereft, That safe retreat, the ark; Though fools spurn Hymen's gentle powers, We, who improve his golden hours, By sweet experience know, Our babes shall richest comfort bring; Whence pleasures ever rise; We'll form their minds with studious care, To all that's manly, good, and fair, And train them for the skies. No borrow'd joys! they're all our own, While to the world we live unknown, Or by the world forgot: Monarchs! we envy not your state, We look with pity on the great, And bless our humble lot. Our portion is not large, indeed, For nature's calls are few! We'll therefore relish with content, Nor lose the present hour. To be resign'd when ills betide, And pleased with favours given; Dear Chloe, this is wisdom's part, This is that incense of the heart, Whose fragrance smells to heaven. We'll ask no long protracted treat, Thus hand in hand through life we'll go; Its checker'd paths of joy and woe With cautious steps we'll tread; Quit its vain scenes without a tear, Without a trouble, or a fear, And mingle with the dead. While conscience like a faithful friend, And smooth the bed of death. A poem like this, which depends altogether upon its truthfulness, should have nothing to do with Chloe or with Hymen.] |