His cheerless spouse the coming danger sees,

And mutual murmurs urge the slow disease.

Yet grant them health, ’tis not for us to tell,

Though the head droops not, that the heart is well;

Or will you praise that homely, healthy fare,

Plenteous and plain, that happy peasants share?

Oh! trifle not with wants you cannot feel,

Nor mock the misery of a stinted meal;

Homely, not wholesome, plain, not plenteous, such

As you who praise would never deign to touch.