Hunt and Lee, comps. The Book of the Sonnet. 1867.
VI. The Praise of a Solitary LifeWilliam Drummond, of Hawthornden (15851649)
T
Far from the clamorous world, doth live his own;
Though solitary, who is not alone,
But doth converse with that eternal love.
O how more sweet is bird’s harmonious moan,
Or the hoarse sobbings of the widowed dove,
Than those smooth whisperings near a prince’s throne,
Which good make doubtful, do the evil approve!
Or how more sweet is Zephyr’s wholesome breath,
And sighs embalmed which new-born flowers unfold,
Than that applause vain honor doth bequeath!
How sweet are streams to poison drunk in gold!
The world is full of horrors, troubles, slights;
Woods’ harmless shades have only true delights.