Stephen Duck was a versifying thrasher, whom she got appointed a yeoman of the guard, and afterwards obtained orders for, and the living of Byfleet, in Surrey. The poor fellow sought happiness at the wrong end, and drowned himself in 1756.
Contentment, rosy, dimpled maid,
Thou brightest daughter of the sky,
Why dost thou to the hut repair,
And from the gilded palace fly?
I’ve trac’d thee on the peasant’s cheek;
I’ve mark’d thee in the milkmaid’s smile;
I’ve heard thee loudly laugh and speak,
Amid the sons of want and toil.
Yet, in the circles of the great,
Where fortune’s gifts are all combined,
I’ve sought thee early, sought thee late,
And ne’er thy lovely form could find.
Since then from wealth and pomp you flee,
I ask but competence and thee!
Lady Manners.
NATURALISTS’ CALENDAR.
Mean Temperature 61·65.