William Cowper,
The Poplar-Field
“ Where the hazels afford him a screen from the heat, And the scene where his melody charm'd me before, Resounds with his sweet-flowing ditty no more. My fugitive years are all hasting away, And I must e'er long lie as lowly as they, With a turf on my breast and a stone at my head E'er another such grove shall arise in its stead. 'Tis a sight to engage me if any thing can To muse on the perishing pleasures of Man; Though his life be a dream, his enjoyments, I see, Have a Being less durable even than he. ”
