Approaching Night

O take this world away from me;     Its strife I cannot bear to see,     Its very praises hurt me more     Than een its coldness did before,     Its hollow ways torment me now     And start a cold sweat on my brow,     Its noise I cannot bear to hear,     Its joy is trouble to my ear,     Its ways I cannot bear to see,     Its crowds are solitudes to me.     O, how I long to be agen     That poor and independent man,     With labour's lot from morn to night     And books to read at candle light;     That followed labour in the field     From light to dark when toil could yield     Real happiness with little gain,     Rich thoughtless health unknown to pain:     Though, leaning on my spade to rest,     I've thought how richer folks were blest     And knew not quiet was the best.     Go with your tauntings, go;     Neer think to hurt me so;     I'll scoff at your disdain.     Cold though the winter blow,     When hills are free from snow     It will be spring again.     So go, and fare thee well,     Nor think ye'll have to tell     Of wounded hearts from me,     Locked up in your hearts cell.     Mine still at home doth dwell     In its first liberty.     Bees sip not at one flower,     Spring comes not with one shower,     Nor shines the sun alone     Upon one favoured hour,     But with unstinted power     Makes every day his own.     And for my freedom's sake     With such I'll pattern take,     And rove and revel on.     Your gall shall never make     Me honied paths forsake;     So prythee get thee gone.     And when my toil is blest     And I find a maid possest     Of truth that's not in thee,     Like bird that finds its nest     I'll stop and take my rest;     And love as she loves me.